Travelling D.
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The Corinthia Palace is located in the quiet residential area of Attard, just opposite the beautiful San Anton Gardens and the Presidential Palace. It’s a charming, elegant property with old-world Maltese character and modern comforts.
Arrival & Check-In
We arrived at around 1 p.m., but unfortunately, there was a mix-up with Expedia/Hotels.com — the hotel hadn’t been informed of my Platinum status. As a result, early check-in wasn’t offered initially, and we were asked to return at 2 p.m.
At the front desk, Antonella was very helpful and even made a few calls to our previous hotel to help retrieve a lost item. Alessandro, the Front Desk Manager, handled the situation professionally and turned the experience around, even though the issue wasn’t the hotel’s fault.
When we returned at 2 p.m., the room was still not ready, and we waited until around 2:30 p.m. before being shown to our suite.
Rooms
Our first suite (Room 123) was spacious, nicely decorated with elegant panelling, a marble bathroom, and a large bed. However, the view was of the building’s roof structure, which was disappointing. We requested a change and were moved to Room 320, also a suite, with a much better view of the surrounding area.
The second suite was slightly smaller — essentially two standard rooms combined — but still comfortable and tastefully designed. Alessandro kindly sent a bottle of champagne to our room as a gesture of goodwill, which we greatly appreciated.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the lovely Villa Corinthia restaurant, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Angela was particularly welcoming, and the staff — especially the Filipino team members — were warm and attentive.
The buffet includes both hot and cold selections, as well as a dessert section and a central drinks station. Fresh juices include orange, kale and pineapple, and beetroot with ginger. The coffee was excellent. The only minor letdown was the cooked breakfast — the omelet resembled a thick crêpe and the mushrooms were just average.
Facilities
Gym:
Located past the pool and accessed via a metal spiral staircase, the gym is also open to non-guests, so it can get busy with personal trainers and their clients. It’s well equipped with cardio machines, weights, and resistance equipment, all overlooking the pool and gardens. Water and towels are provided, though the wall-mounted sanitiser dispensers weren’t working.
Tennis Court:
Situated behind the pool and visible from the gym.
Pool Area:
There are two outdoor pools surrounded by sun loungers. The cushions are in need of replacement, as single towels don’t fully cover them and many have visible wear. The pool attendant was slow to assist with setup and reluctant to prepare loungers on the terrace. The area enjoys good sunlight until around 3 p.m. (in November), after which nearby trees block the sun. The pools are unheated, with fountains providing pleasant background noise.
Spa:
The Athenaeum Spa has two sections — one with bookable facilities (sauna, hydro beds, and hot/cold stone loungers, available for 45 minutes), and an indoor pool and small jacuzzi that are free to use. There’s also a small outdoor plunge pool and loungers, perfect for summer. More dry relaxation areas would be welcome, as these fill up quickly.
Dining
Dining at Bahia and Villa Corinthia was excellent, with great service and food quality. However, lunch at The Secret Garden was underwhelming. On the other hand, Josephine’s Coffee Bar in the lobby serves very good coffee and pastries.
Parking & Departure
Parking is free and convenient — either in front of the hotel’s roundabout or in the lot directly opposite.
The team kindly offered us a late check-out and even provided a smaller room to shower and freshen up before departure. Check-out was a bit slow due to a busy front desk handling check-ins, but overall, it was handled courteously.