Enjoying an exclusive location close to Malta’s largest sandy beach and graced with acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. The Resort is a regular meeting place for repeat guests from all over the world who have come to refer to the Resort as their ‘home away from home’. Mellieha Bay Hotel Website
Once a year I go on holiday with my daughter and grandchildren. Twice sometimes like last year for example. In 2016 we went to Malta and they enjoyed it. Early in 2017 I began a debate about where we should go later in the year. This didn’t take too long and the vote was unanimous – MALTA!
I am never really certain that it is a good idea to keep going back to the same place but Malta is one for which I will gladly make a regular exception.
I have been to Malta several times before. I first went there in 1996 and liked it so much that I returned the following two years. Each time I stayed at the Mellieha Bay hotel in the north of the island. These were family holidays with two teenage children, beaches, swimming pools, banana boat death rides and Popeye Village.
I liked it so much that I had always wanted to go back. I had repeatedly told Kim that Malta is special and that I was certain she would like it as much as I did. In 2015 the opportunity arose and I was able to find a combination of cheap flights and a hotel deal at Mellieha Bay Hotel for just £200 for four nights and five full days. A bargain absolutely not to be missed!
I have heard it said that you either love Malta or you hate it, there are no half measures, there is no sitting on the fence. I love it but upon arrival I could tell almost at once that Kim wasn’t overly impressed. The hotel was opened in 1969 and at nearly fifty years old and almost twenty since my last stay the place was showing its age and to be honest you would probably have to say a little beyond its best and in need of some attention.
But what the place lacked in style was more than compensated for by the welcome that we received at check in and then a wonderful five days by the end of which Kim was fully paid up member of the “I Love Malta” club, so much so that two years later she would have been bitterly disappointed if the children had chosen anywhere else.
The Mellieha Bay hotel is now the Mellieha Bay Resort and although it now has foyer shops and a fitness centre it has still retained the essential characteristics that made me fall in love with it twenty years ago. The restaurant is no longer waiter service, it is a buffet but it still has the Limelight Lounge, which has hardly changed a bit. This is where I used to play bingo, this was where there was children’s entertainment and this was the place where they played groovy disco music – and they are still doing it!
Maybe I will get to break the ‘don’t go back’ rule again next year – who knows?
Where is Mellieha Bay Hotel – Mellieha Bay, Malta
Official Rating – 4 Star, TripAdvisor Rating 4/5, My Rating – Fabulous!
How do I get there? – scheduled plane service and then taxi or bus ride (taxi recommended)
Booking a room – Don’t pay extra for sea view, all rooms have sea view anyway
Top places to visit – Mellieha, Valletta, the Silent City of Mdina, Island of Gozo
Sure looks like fun!
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One of my all time favourites.
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I’ve always wanted to go, and Mellheia Bay would be my choice too. Malta’s always incredibly cheap for Winter breaks. I did see it named as ‘one of the places to go this year’ recently. Who knows- maybe the island will now sink under the weight of popularity. 🙂 🙂
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2018 might be a little more expensive as Valletta is the European Capital of Culture!
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I remember seeing that. It’s ok- it’s not on the cards for us this year. 🙂
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Never in a million years would I have thought about going to Malta but now, as we’re planning a beach holiday with the kids and grandkids, I’m putting Malta on the list. Thanks for the recommendation.
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Malta has everything and you would love the history – more about that later!
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We went to Malta for a few days between Christmas and New Year’s years ago. (My Boy was about five.) It’s a special place, and a wonderful destination for families with children as the Maltese genuinely love kiddos.
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It will always be one of my favourite places!
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Looks like a good place to go!
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It gets my recommendation that’s for sure!
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We certainly enjoyed Malta and will most likely return. Mosta was a town we found interesting also.
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It will always be one of my favourites!
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I love Malta. I returned 3 times in 3 years and always stay in Mellieha☺ x
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You must like it as much as I do…
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Whenever I see or hear the word Malta I immediately think George Cross. closely followed by Faith Hope & Charity and lastly an old chum from the 1950’s, a real character who finished up doing ‘time’.
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Small island, big memories. I wrote about Malta in WW2 last year…
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Tempting, Andrew! I’ve never been to Malta… –Curt
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I think you would like it, I tell everyone that!
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And so much history!
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I’ve never been, but those I know that have been said it closes down at 8pm every night. As an early bird, that would suit me, but do the bars, shops and restaurants close early every night?
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It certainly isn’t Ibiza Hugh but there is life after dusk!
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