Hotel Review
Malta is a small Mediterranean island that’s popular for its pristine beaches and guaranteed sunny weather between Easter and October. It’s also perfect for a winter break with temperatures averaging 18 degrees. In December, Malta transforms into a wonderland full of festive events, dazzling Christmas lights and plenty of seasonal cheer for all the family, making a pleasant change from one of the busier northern European Christmas markets.
Location:
The Gomerino Hotel is Valletta’s latest luxury offering in one of the first nobility palaces to grace St. Paul’s Street. The palace was designed to reflect the glory of the family’s noble history as the Noble Testaferrata Abela family were granted the Gomerino title by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Rocafull in 1710 as Barons of Gomerino. The palace was recently taken over by Allelon Hospitality, Valletta’s leading luxury hotel operator and has been restored to its former glory. Located in the city centre, it’s just a 10 minute walk from Valletta’s bus station.
Arrival and check-in:
Several airlines offer regular flights to Malta and with flight times averaging three hours you can be there by lunch time. We travelled Ryanair from Manchester on an early Friday morning flight, touching down into Malta International Airport at 1.00 p.m. local time.
Getting into Valletta city centre was quick and easy as the X4 bus operates a frequent service from outside the arrivals hall, journey time 20 minutes. There’s a flat rate bus fare of €2 (ticket valid two hours to include a transfer if needed). Just remember to have some cash ready to pay the driver as although passengers can pay using contactless, only VISA is accepted. Alternatively, you can order an Uber with fares averaging €15.
First impressions were very favourable as we entered the hotel’s lobby with its marble floors, sculptures and chandeliers.
Ellen was on reception duty, greeting us with a smile and checking us in for our two night stay quickly and efficiently.
The Room:
We’d booked a balcony room which was on the third floor and tastefully furnished with French windows overlooking one of Valletta’s charming, narrow streets. The room was of a good size with a super-king size bed with an extremely comfortable mattress and pillows as light as air that sent me to sleep in seconds.
Other features included an open wardrobe, dressing table and bedside tables with ample USB and power points for charging our devices. Please note that Malta uses the U.K. three pin plug system.
The wall mounted television had international channels and with a minibar and hospitality tray, there was everything necessary for a comfortable stay. The stylish en-suite marble bathroom had a powerful rainfall shower and came equipped with fragrant toiletries, thick pile towels, fluffy bathrobes and slippers.
Dining:
Breakfast is served each morning in the hotel’s attractive restaurant. Service is attentive with a help yourself buffet of continental options and cooked dishes selected from the menu and served to the table.
Our choices of a traditional cooked breakfast and eggs Benedict each morning were cooked to perfection and beautifully plated. The Gomerino restaurant is not open for dinner but with many options within walking distance, we didn’t see this as a problem.
The Facilities:
The hotel has 44 luxuriously appointed guest rooms either with a street view balcony or overlooking a pretty internal courtyard. Having recently undergone modernisation for the needs of today’s discerning traveller, the Gomerino has retained most of the beautiful details of this authentic 17th century Baroque palace.
Up on the rooftop there’s an infinity pool, bar and terrace with probably the best views of Valletta’s grand harbour. Drinks are reasonably priced and it’s the perfect place to sip a cocktail at any time of day.
Alongside the rooftop pool the hotel also boasts an indoor pool, cold plunge pool, sauna, and fitness centre in the basement. Guests can enjoy private use of the sauna by reserving a one hour slot with reception.
Wi-Fi worked well throughout the building and umbrellas can be borrowed from the hotel’s foyer in case of a sudden downpour.
Out and About:
As Malta is only 17 miles long and 9 miles wide it’s very easy to get around the island using public transport. If you are just spending a weekend there I recommend focusing on the local area as you will find lots of lovely things to see and do.
Valletta:
Famed as much for its golden-hued baroque buildings as for its stunning setting on a peninsula between two natural harbours, makes for the perfect city break at any time of year. Compact enough to explore on foot, it’s described by UNESCO as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world.
Elegant buildings constructed by the Knights of St John rub shoulders with ambitious works of modern architecture including the cutting edge design of the National Parliament.
Wander the steep, narrow streets with their enclosed balconies and head to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for stunning views of the grand harbour. The gardens date back to 1661 when they were used as private gardens and exercise grounds of the Knights of the League of Italy.
Time your visit for noon to witness the battery of cannons sounding their daily salute before admiring the sculptures within the gardens.
Take a short bus or ferry ride to Sliema:
This popular seaside resort developed as a town during British rule in the second half of the 19th century. It’s now a popular tourist destination and one of the busiest towns with its many hotels, apartments, bars, restaurants and shops along the seafront.
The seaside promenade stretches for almost 5 kilometres around the peninsula that the town was built on, connecting with St. Julian’s to the west. Follow the 5 km coastal path along to St. Julians taking in the scenic views of both Balluta and Spinola Bays. From St. Julians, it’s then easy to take a bus back into Valletta.
Dine:
Malta is a food lover’s paradise with its mix of flavours originating from all over the Mediterranean from Arabic to Sicilian. Local specialities include lampuki fish pie, rabbit stew and delectable pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas. A great place to dine is in the beautiful surroundings of the Valletta Food Market. The Is-Suq Tal-Belt is a Maltese heritage site that’s now been renovated to showcase its original ornate interior iron structure. Here you can find street food counters to suit every taste, three restaurants plus a high quality food store in the basement.
For a light lunch, tea and cakes or cocktails look no further than Caffe Cordina, a historic landmark established 180 years ago and located on Valletta’s main thoroughfare, Republic Street. Its cakes are delicious and if you time your visit for between 3.00 – 5.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday you can enjoy two for one cocktails as we did.
Overall:
The Gomerino Hotel is a hidden gem tucked away on a narrow street in the centre of Valletta. From arrival to departure our stay was faultless with the friendliest staff possible on hand whenever we needed them. I’d have no hesitation recommending this hotel and will definitely stay again on a return visit to Malta.
Details: The Gomerino Hotel, 247, St. Paul’s Street, Valletta, VLT1215, Malta.
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