Grand Hotel Mercure Selmun Palace Malta, Selmun

Ours was a first-time visit to Malta and as we left it very late booking we took the risk of "allocation on arrival" although specifying 4* this takes away some of the risk.

We were not disappointed - arriving at night you see the imposing Selmun Palace floodlit at the top of a hill with the hotel set in an L-shape alongside.

The setting is one of the most impressive features of this hotel. Situated at the ...
...be one of the highest points in Malta the hotel offers an impressive view on one side over Buggiba Bay and on the other side the little island of Comino with Gozo beyond.

The room itself I considered a little basic for a 4* but was spacious and clean with a good sized bathroom. The balconies on each room were small and best for standing and admiring the view. Two plastic chairs were provided on the balcony but there would be no room ... more

Ours was a first-time visit to Malta and as we left it very late booking we took the risk of "allocation on arrival" although specifying 4* this takes away some of the risk.

We were not disappointed - arriving at night you see the imposing Selmun Palace floodlit at the top of a hill with the hotel set in an L-shape alongside.

The setting is one of the most impressive features of this hotel. Situated at the north of the island at the top of what must be one of the highest points in Malta the hotel offers an impressive view on one side over Buggiba Bay and on the other side the little island of Comino with Gozo beyond.

The room itself I considered a little basic for a 4* but was spacious and clean with a good sized bathroom. The balconies on each room were small and best for standing and admiring the view. Two plastic chairs were provided on the balcony but there would be no room for a table for an al-fresco drink/snack.
Hotel facilities are excellent with plenty of loungers around the pool. Various activities (eg archery) are available for those so inclined and in the basement there is a heated indoor pool and a gym (needless to say in late August these were not used!)
The hotel's dining room is very large and spacious and in the evening most diners opt to eat outside where tables are set between the dining room and the pool. On our holiday half-board was the only option. I wouldn't normally choose this but I found the (self-service) meals excellent and going back for second helpings is not a problem.

There is a small bar at the poolside open during the day but the only indoor bar (with a balcony overlooking the pool) is quite small and quickly filled during the evening. Entertainments were laid on most evenings either in the bar area or at the poolside. Once a week the Palace itself was opened for a 5-course gourmet banquet.

Staff were attentive withought being a nuisance and were very helpful at reception with travel advice.

The location is one of the main attractions of the hotel but could also be a weakness depending on your point of view. Set on it's own, the hotel is a good 30 minute walk the the nearby town of Mellieha and would probably be a similar distance from the rocky coves at the bottom of the steep hill. There is thankfully a courtesy bus operated by the hotel but this is something to bear in mind in the mid-90 degree temperatures at high summer. To be honest once at the bus stop on the outskirts of Mellhieha the island is small enough to be accessible so I found the hotel offered the best of both worlds - away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts but never really that far away.

Overall this suited me just fine but I would imaging teenagers/young adults may prefer to be a bit closer to the nightlife and bars. Would I stay here again - definitely, but although the local antiquated bus service on Malta is part of the island's charm I would probably hire a car. 

...less