Bella Vista, Drvenik

Advantages: Beautifully textured, warm solo piano from a unique and incomparable artist
Disadvantages: It lasts but 40 minutes... I could easily listen to another 40 more!

...lived Obscure label. These works were more classical in tone than any of his work that would proceed it (though somewhat less so of La Bella Vista). From Pavilion Budd collaborated most famously on Plateaux of Mirror with Brian Eno, and it is this that brought him to the attention of would be fans (any association with Brian Eno providing a kind of kudos, and in Budd's case certainly merited). But back to La Bella Vista - to the music. Budd's music is often described as simply floating ambient piano, and in many ways this is entirely correct. His albums (collaborative or solo) are often backed by warm and subtle atmospherics whilst his piano floats in the foreground. For floats Budd's piano does; Budd is not especially interested in rhythm or melody even. This is not to say Budd's piano is clashing or strident, ala most music... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: location, comfortable rooms
Disadvantages: not much communal space indoors

...Much depends on what you want from a hotel and when you travel. We stayed at the Bella Vista Hotel for a week at the beginning of February, and expecting indifferent but slightly warmer than British weather were very lucky to have sunshine and T-shirt comfortable temperatures for most of the days. We planned to explore Malta by walking - and in fact covered much of the Island on foot and by bus. For this the hotel was just fine. By turning right out of the hotel and walking for about five minutes to the edge of St Paul's Bay we could catch a good range of buses to most places on the island - much better than if we had been travelling from the bus station in Buggiba. So, for our wants the location couldn't have been better. Food was fine - we could help ourselves to buffet breakfasts and evening meals. For example I somehow managed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: accommodating for large families, indoor pool nice and quiet, modern
Disadvantages: right on a main busy road, not many amenities close-by like small shop etc

...realise he was nodding off and gave him a quick elbow to wake him up. Luckily for us we made it in one piece but not without praying. All in all though we had a good holiday and our experience of the bella vista hasn't put us off going back to it in the future although we like to try different hotels. But if you want a basic base, not too expensive and don't mind it being out of the main hustle and bustle but within walking distance then this hotel is ideal.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful