InterContinental Malta

Great stay thanks to all team Kumar Diana et Christian 😊

We have just returned from a three-night stay at the InterContinental Malta in St. Julian’s. Overall, our experience was mixed. There were some real highlights, but also some significant disappointments for a five-star hotel.

The hotel is located right in the middle of lively St. Julian’s. We knew it was a busy area, but were still surprised by the amount of nightlife and young people directly outside the hotel. We simply avoided the area in the evenings, so it was not a major issue for us.

We arrived by rental car from the airport and used the Eden car park recommended by the hotel (€17 per day), just a five-minute walk away. It worked perfectly well.

Check-in was smooth and welcoming, and the staff throughout the hotel were consistently friendly and service-minded.

We had booked access to the Opal Lounge, which was definitely worth the extra cost. We tried the regular breakfast buffet once, but found it extremely noisy and chaotic – more like a busy railway station than a relaxing five-star breakfast. The Opal Lounge was a completely different experience, with attentive staff, a good selection of food, the option to order from a menu and a lovely, peaceful outdoor garden. The evening snacks and drinks were also very good, with an impressive selection for both adults and children. The food was fine, although not particularly memorable from a culinary perspective.

The private beach was another clear highlight. It was a lovely escape from the busy city, with good service and reasonable prices, and we much preferred it to the pool area.

We also had a very good experience at the hotel’s restaurant by the harbour, again with excellent service.

And a very special mention to Malcolm, who went far beyond what we could ever have expected. Our son accidentally left his teddy bear in the room when we checked out. We had agreed to collect it ourselves when returning from Gozo, but Malcolm contacted us and offered to bring the teddy bear to Gozo himself, as he was going there during his days off. We met him on Gozo, and he was incredibly kind. This was an extraordinary gesture and a wonderful example of genuine hospitality. A huge thank you to Malcolm!

Unfortunately, there are also some significant negatives.

The pool area is simply not up to five-star standard. It feels dated and overcrowded, with old plastic chairs, worn tiles and rubbish/glasses left around. We also noticed guests reserving sun loungers with towels from early morning, which really should not be happening at a five-star hotel. There is an option to pay extra for access to a nicer pool, but we chose the private beach instead.

Cleanliness was another concern. There was a general feeling that the hotel needed more thorough cleaning, particularly in the public areas. We noticed significant dust on window sills, stains on carpets and marks on walls. Overall, the hotel feels quite outdated and is clearly in need of renovation.

So, unfortunately, we would not return based on the pool, cleanliness and overall condition of the hotel. However, the service was excellent, the Opal Lounge was a great choice, and the private beach was a real highlight.

With a proper renovation and greater attention to cleanliness, this could be a fantastic five-star hotel.

And once again: thank you, Malcolm, for bringing our son’s teddy bear all the way to Gozo. That was truly exceptional service.

Great hotel. It's easy to get around on foot .I particulary appreciated the cleanliness of the romm and the Paranga restaurant.