Topaz Hotel, Bugibba

...home from staying at the Topaz Hotel for ten days. Here goes my experience...

We (family of 5) arrived at the hotel at 2am along with alot of other guests. Check-in was very fast and we were handed keys and information about breakfast times. We were told before the holiday we would be guarenteed adjoining rooms, but this was not the case. We went back down to recption to find out this was no longer possible and we were placed on different ...
...this hotel - one being the hotel building complex with swimming pool view and the other being across the road (where are rooms were) surrounded by buildings and not a view to encourage you to make full us of your balcony! The balcong in these rooms were all attached with no privacy whatsoever so you could not have quiet drink on your balcony if you wanted to. However, the balconys in the hotel complex were all seperated so evening drinks and use ... more

I just arrived home from staying at the Topaz Hotel for ten days. Here goes my experience...

We (family of 5) arrived at the hotel at 2am along with alot of other guests. Check-in was very fast and we were handed keys and information about breakfast times. We were told before the holiday we would be guarenteed adjoining rooms, but this was not the case. We went back down to recption to find out this was no longer possible and we were placed on different floors.

There are two parts to this hotel - one being the hotel building complex with swimming pool view and the other being across the road (where are rooms were) surrounded by buildings and not a view to encourage you to make full us of your balcony! The balcong in these rooms were all attached with no privacy whatsoever so you could not have quiet drink on your balcony if you wanted to. However, the balconys in the hotel complex were all seperated so evening drinks and use of the balcony would have been enjoyable.

The rooms were clean and tidy all with single beds, wardrobe, TV, drssing table and a simpple bathroom (not all rooms had a bath so if you require this during your stay make sure you tell them in advance!) The rooms were cleaned daily, with fresh towels. on two occasions we were not left any towels but all it took was a call down to reception andthe towels were bought up to us.

The lifts were not to reliable and it can be a tiring walk to the 6th floor so if you require accessible rooms you will also have to state this at time of booking.

Breakfast was our first meal. Breakfast consisted of hot buffet (sausage, bacon, eggs, beans) toast, fruit and yogurt and cereal. Tea, coffee and juice meachine were also available. Breakfast was the same everyday so did get a bit boring by the tenth day! The waiters were quick at cleaning the tables too.

The hotel had an indoor swimming pool, however this is closed during the summer months. The outdoor swimming pool surrounded by many sunbeds, however, by 7.30 am all the sunbeds had been reserved! So if you wanted a sunbed, especially 5 together, you would have t get early and reserve them. The outdoor pool is in the shape if a fish and the water is warm. There is also a childrens pool and a jacuzzi.

During my stay on the 2nd day we realised our air conditioning was not working. It was not possible to have a good nights sleep as it was extremely hot. We told reception about this and they reported it the maintenence men who said they'd fix it that day however after 4 days and many more requests from reception the air conditioning still was not working. We asked reception for fans but this was not possible. So in the end we used cold towels to cool down during the night!

There was entertainmant every night, which most nights was not worth staying in for! It cinsisted of a man playing a pre-recorded tune on the keyboard and a singer. There was also karaoke once a week - which was a laugh!

The bar staff were very friendly. Drinks were served all day and food was served 11.30 - 3.30. food was toasted sandwiches, chips, burgers.

Dinner at night started at 6.15 - 9.15. There was always a fish dish, a meat dish, freshly carved meat, two potatoes and a veg. These dishes were often cooked ina lot of oil and were not to the taste of everyone. However, was still cooked well. There was always a soup of the day, selection of cakes and cheese and biscuits. There was icecream also available, you had to order this from your waiter.

The hotel is situated in a good location, only a 5 miinute to Buggiba Square where you will find restuarants, bars, shops and a sandy beach. The hotel is classed as a 4 star by their standards, by British ratings I would say this was a 3 star maximum.

I would not recommend Malta to families with small children or people who do not like the heat as temperatures were up to 45 degrees during my stay and this was extremely uncomfortable and would not be good for those are easily aggitated by the heat.
Malta is a beautiful island with many things to see and do, there are things for everyone from small children (popeye village, water park), teenagers (watersports, many clubs) and for the older generation there are gorgeous bays to visit, coves, scuba diving and many romantic spots! It is also good to note that Malta is not a cheap island. It costs approx. 12 pounds for a meal out, £15 for an 2 hour long boat trip, and £1.50 for an icecream.

I would definetly recommend this hotel to families with children as they wil enjoy the swimming pool, the childrens entertainmant programme, but I would not recommend to people who wish to go out clubbing! If you are travelling with small children I would recommend that you ensure that you stay in the hotel site as the other buildings os used by a lot of students on summer camps, and this got exteremly noisy up until the early hours of the morning!

The maltese people are all friendly and will help you all they can, and nearly everybody speaks english.

My overall experience was very pleasant and I would consider visiting this hotel again. It was also good value for money approx £140 pp for ten days half board. 

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