| | Tower Road, Sliema, SLM05, Malta
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Overall Community Rating: |   8.4 (based on 3 user reviews) |
 Plaza Regency: A room with a view. by Trevor Rands |
| Posted 18 October 2007 about a visit in May 2006 | Overall rating: 7.9 |
Four a.m arrival gave its immediate bonus - a sensuous, quiet dawn with the intriguing Portomaso Tower on sentry duty guarding the silky-watered Balluta Bay, St Julian's and the entrancing vista all around. The Cavalieri Hotel, opposite, watched us and we watched it. The Casino winked its teasing light intriguing all to sample its deep-within maybe fortuitous mysteries.
The Plaza Regency's seven or so steps up to the reception from the tables and chairs of the open air Mezzo pizzeria below meant that the limited overnight staff didn't carry our bags in. No matter - that seaward sight created the enthusiasm.
A small lift carried us to our room on floor four. A small balcony, adequate for two, showed even more of the splendid location we were in. Although rather plain the room was in need of full refurbishment (proceeding) but was adequate in that we went for Malta and not to spend our days in the room! Ha!
The air conditioning made the usual quiet hum but it was good to note that it worked. We were to need it! The bathroom and lavatory were within a small room with a window looking into an internal ventilation and service shaft which could bathe you with (none of) the thousand perfumes of Arabia! Keep the door closed!
From the earliest hours you can watch the highly enticing red promenade filling with the pre-work joggers and speedwalkers. Old and young trod the tree-lined and sea-partnered pavings in their quests to be fit and strong and rid themselves of the demon fats! How different to the drudging pavements of the UK cities!
Malta is re-developing. Mourn the loss of the decorative old Colonial houses if you must but Malta is set about taking its place in the fast-expanding business of world tourism. Expect some noise - building noise. How strange that even the Maltese papers can be found complaining about the noises and dusts of demolition and rebuilding. Like love and marriage - you can't have one without the other!
Tower Road (below your window) - Triq - it- Torri - runs from St Julians to Sliema Ferries and then on to Valletta. Thus, it is a constant source of mixed traffic composed of buses, builders' lorries, taxis, cars, motor cycles and bikes. Major noises start around five a.m. when the builders start trucking in the materials with which to earn their daily bread. There was a loose drain cover plus nearby grid when we were there. Almost everything which wanted to turn into the small road between the two Plaza hotels managed to hit them and make clanking or shivering noises. Of course Maltese drivers are seemingly renowned for their fast driving antics and it's not unusual to hear the odd crunch as vehicles collide. If there's a jam - then the hooters come alive!
The hotel dining room serves both Plazas and is connected to both by a suspended glass corridor on the sixth floor. Take the lift or walk. When you arrive in the dining room you'll have the most stimulating views of the bays and over the rooftops and especially - up along Tower Road. See the daily cruise ships arrive and depart.
Breakfast is pretty much the standard food to be found most everywhere you go except that this at the Plaza Regency is rather mundane and monotonous. Have a care when you use the jugged milk for cereals - it's usually standing close onto the hot beverage jugs and so is rather tepid. The evening meals are alright but rather limited. Fish or meat and two vegetables plus a sameness of coconut desserts are the norm although generally appetising.
The waiting staff are usually pleasant and will greet you with a smile. Don't be afraid to do an Oliver Twist and - ask for more! The white clothed tables are overlaid by salmon pink cloths to preserve their freshness. Yes - clean laundered linen napkins for every participant. When anyone vacates a table the overcloth is immediately replaced. Like the chairs - the cutlery is a trifle hotel plate heavy. You can gain access to the roof , pool and loungers via a door in the main wall of the restaurant. Don't open the french doors if the winds are cool. We had a young man go out onto the balcony of the dining room one dinner time. Perhaps it was a kind of cabaret show but the ensuing well-nigh fisticuffs twixt warring fathers gave we chomping diners some excellent entertainment.
There's a swim pool on the roof and there are drinks purveyed if you need them.
Back on the ground floor is the entertainments room with a good singing gentleman who keeps the spirit of holiday going. Electronic organ is another of the chap's fortes and very good he again is, too.
For a change from the hotel food - go into Mezzo where we understood that the pizzas are brilliant. Of especial note is Cara's Cafe on the ground under the main Plaza. Perfection in cooled air conditioning whenever you go in. The selection and quality of the savoury and sweet menus is renowned throughout the island -people travel from far and wide to sit awhile and enjoy good food and excellent views of the outside scene. The outside seating is brilliant at both cafes and, in case there's a chill in the weather - there are those carbon footprint-increasing overhead paraffin heaters on central stands!
Opposite the Plazas is Peppy's. Another excellent eating place for any time of day. Good food and splendid drinks whilst you sit on the outer side balcony overlooking the tiny beach and the seaside scene.
Next door is the drinkers' delight - the Cisk Bar. Both are usually very busy. Sit of your room balcony and simply watch them all guzzling and even if you've recently signed the pledge - such an attractive situation will soon have you down and "back in the swim".
The weather was stifling - yes, even in May, when we were there. So the two small adjacent piers are well in demand with young swimmers and the odd elderly but happy gent casting his line into the blue, blue depths.
The evening favorite with the residents as well as the holidaymakers is to walk that gorgeous promenade or stroll - in the cool, cool cool of the evening - through the delightful Independence Gardens towards Sliema Strand or stay on the main promenade and go towards St Julian's. Arrive in short time at the palm-lined part of the promenade and find a seat. Sit awhile in the dusk and watch. It may prove to be your very own "some enchanted evening"! The raven-haired Maltese girls and ladies are very, very fetching! The handsome,brown, Maltese men balance them exquisitely. Who knows - whichever your gender, you might just catch one of those roving and sparkling eyes and maybe find yourself going back to Malta - not as a hotel resident but as a regular, Maltese family - FRIEND.
Do go to Plaza Regency if you've never before had a splendid hotel location. Ask for and book a front room. I'm sure you'll go again and again. Most people do!
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 Plaza Regency Reservations |
| Plaza Regency: Lovely holiday by Jackie Lawrence |
| Posted 10 September 2005 about a visit in July 2005 | Overall rating: 8.8 |
Stayed here for two weeks 9th-23rd. Weather was brilliant!
Booked two rooms, one for me and my husband,one for two boys 15&11. Had requested rooms next door to each other but when we checked in we were given a room on the side of the Plaza and one seafront,not next door but only one room in between so was fine. Rooms could do with updating in the Plaza,our room was very clean but bathroom could have done with a makeover-wasn't very clean when we checked in but then we had had to wait for rooms to be finished so maybe they rushed a bit,was ok after that tho. Boys were in room 105 which was nice room but later that day after being out went back and there was an awful smell from their bathroom-the window had been left open when we checked in and we shut it when we went out. Complained to the Chevron rep the next day who said he would sort it however all they did was pour loads of cleaning stuff down plugholes which was fine for couple of hours,in the end we had to leave bathroom window open all the time!
Food in the Hotel was great tho-loads to choose from and as much as you wanted,as we went for two weeks we thought food may be repeated each mon,tues etc. but that was not the case couldn't fault it at all.
Only bad thing was having to pay for sunbeds on rooftop around the pool-they have them packed in so you couldn't just sit on a towel! Only went once then spent the rest of holiday on beach outside hotel-not very big but was never crowded.
Fantastic holiday tho but if you go on Blue
Lagoon trip would not go with Alliance cruises may be a bit cheaper but you get what you pay for put it that way!
Fantastic ferry service from Sliema harbour to Valletta-about 5mins and very cheap.
Would definately go again but maybe would ask to stay in Regency side of hotel.
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| Plaza Regency Reservations |
| Plaza Regency: Lovely Late Break in November by Roamerkin |
| Posted 22 December 2004 about a visit in October 2004 | Overall rating: 8.5 |
Ratings| Dining | 6 | | Location | 8 | | Cleanliness | 10 | | Service | 10 |
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Having left behind a grey, damp Exeter airport, our descent into the lovely warm sunshine of Malta's International airport was very welcoming. No fuss or hassle, First Choice had it all organised. I was taken by taxi to the Hotel Plaza in Sliema and checked in. I was travelling solo this time and my room was en suite but at the rear of the hotel, which overlooked a rather untidy yard and a sea of tv aerials, however, I didn't intend spending a lot of my time in my room so I wasn't that disappointed. There was a radio and a limited reception tv. Breakfast was the usual continental affair with a twist, scrambled eggs and baked beans were available and the means to make toast. Fresh orange and gallons of coffee always help to kick-start the day and these were in ready supply. The dining room was situated on the 6th floor and looked out onto Sliema bay and nearby St Julian's. Evening meals consisted of a choice of three dishes, usually fish and two meat choices. Desserts were gateaux or fruit (tinned) or cheese and biscuits. Although the meals were pretty mundane, there was plenty of it, and tea and coffee were freely available.
The hotel is situated about 3 kilometres from Sliema main town, there is a lovely promenade opposite the hotel and it is a very pleasant and comfortable stroll into Sliema in one direction or St Julian's in the other. Getting around the island couldn't have been easier, the bus stop was right outside the hotel and the fares are very inexpensive. I had a lovely stay, the hotel staff were reliable and friendly. The island has a fascinating history and the capital Valletta is a must to visit. It will be an abiding memory, strolling along Republic Street in T-shirt and shorts admiring the Christmas decorations and hearing carols being played on the loud-speakers dotted all along the street.
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
| 12 of 12 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? | |
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| Plaza Regency Reservations |
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Plaza Regency Questions | Have you got a question about Plaza Regency that you want answered before you book online? If our reviews do not contain the information that you need, ask a question and let other visitors tell you the real story!
 Plaza Regency: Are the adjoining hotels identical? |
| 03 Feb 2008 by Gondolfa60 Stead |
I prefer the smaller of the hotels, how can I make sure that I book that one, which is called what? for booking purposes.
>> Answer this question | |
| Plaza Regency: is this hotel suitiably situated for an elderly person? |
| 29 Jul 2007 by tipsyletti |
Hi
I would like to know if this hotel is situated on a hill and how far is it to sliema promenade for bus stops, ferries etc. I am coming to malta next april with my mother and although she is not disabled, would find any hills a bit too much. Would really like to stay here as it has good reviews. Can you help me to decide?
Many thanks
>> Answer this question | | | | >> | Answer 1 by Trevor Rands (18 Oct)
Plaza Regency, (with Mezzo Pizzeria underneath), is virtually on level ground which is elevated above the sea. Superb front views! There are some steps to ascend to get into the hotel reception. The seafront Tower Road, all the way from St Julian's to Sliema waterfront (ferries, shops, cafes etc) does ascend, gradually, but many (reasonable-fare) buses stop right outside the hotel front doors!!!
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