The Manoel Boutique Hotel

We, friends, arrived at the Hotel Manoel at night. A very friendly, likeable young man greeted us at reception. We even had a choice of rooms, as it was winter and the hotel was not fully booked. He gave us lots of information and waited patiently for us to decide which room we wanted. The hotel is small with large rooms, some with balconies. From the roof terrace you have a fantastic view of the dome of the Carmelite Church in Valletta. As soon as you step out of the hotel you are in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Valletta. Everything was within walking distance. After 5 days at the hotel we can say that almost all the staff are friendly and helpful. There was only one dispute with an unfriendly and not very cooperative female receptionist with the first name K., after there was no breakfast offer.

The deal breaker was the noise from outside. The hotel is literally across and next door to bars and restaurants. So if you have a bedroom facing the front noise is an issue. Also if you're on the top floor the roof terrace is above and once again you get thumping noise from music on the terrace. First time I've been on holiday and was tired because unable to sleep. Also also the so called buffet breakfast is a joke. You have to get it from a dark grotty bar about 5 mins from the hotel. The selection was disappointing and below standard. You are better off going to the Spar supermarket on Republic Street which has a variety of cooked pastries, baked items and drink all reasonably priced. After the morning I didn't bother with the so called breakfast. There was also the fact I was worried I would get food poisoning. Nothing boutique about the hotel. Yes the room was spacious but I would prefer to have a proper closet rather than a customized clothes rack and shelves. Nowhere to put toiletries in the shower. The cleaning was minimal I had to ask receptionist to get house-keepiong to replace the toilet roll and provide water. A major problem when the temperature was in the high 20°s C. Finally the mini fridge was barely better than a cool box

The location of the hotel is great, right next to the Grand Master's palace, excellent for sightseeing. Our room was in the back, so we did't experience noise, but I guess it's noisy in the front. They gave us a room in the back right above the ventilators, even though I asked for a quiet room because of a baby. Changed it after one night, it was ok after that. It was pretty clean, the housekeeping lady was nice, but one day they didn't change our towels and coffe cups we had to go to the reception, the man who was cleaning that day gave us new ones after intervention. The reception staf was nice and friendly. Breakfast was ok, the food was good quality but poor choice. It is located 5 min from the hotel, not far, but be prepared to walk and it is a bit steep when you go back to the hotel. Not in the direction of atractions. They have buffet and a la carte but when you order a la carte be prepared to wait. One morning we waited for 40 minutes. The other 30minutes. Coffe was ok.

Located right on the center of Valletta, only a few minutes walk from the main attractions of this city. The terrace has a beautiful view of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Aside from a very accommodating staff, facilities are well maintained and clean. Regarding the breakfast, it takes place not in the hotel but in a restaurant about 2 minutes walk away.

This small hotel is set in one of the liveliest and loveliest streets of Valletta, just a short walk from Republic Square and most of the city centre attractions. My large spacious room had a lovely little Juliette balcony looking down over the street - no wardrobe, though, which was an inconvenience. A word of warning - Old Theatre Street is full of eateries, many of them fast food joints and one hosting live music at weekends, so it attracts a younger crowd at night and can get noisy. Closing the balcony doors seems to cut out most of the noise. My first impressions weren't so good. The balcony doors were difficult to open and close and so I had to spend the first night listening to raucous music and singing. When next morning I asked the young man at reception to help me with them, he refused to come up and do so (he was not on his own and reception wasn't busy) and simply barked some confused instructions. After several unsuccessful attempts to get help from him, I got the cleaner to open them for me. That night and others I found a younger and stronger guest to close them for me again. That same first morning I tried several times to find the cafe where the receptionist told me I was to have breakfast (included in the price but not on the premises). The same unhelpful garbled nonsense. Eventually I insisted on him personally showing me the way. He made a big fuss about it and angrily strode on ahead up the hill then waited impatiently for me to catch up, tapping his foot (I'm in my seventies and have an obvious spinal condition). I complained later to the owner/manager (?) about this unpleasant young man, whose behaviour was not only unhelpful but also rude. After that, I didn't see him again during my stay. I would have that morning given this establishment a very negative review, but the prompt intervention of the manager and the subsequent courtesy which I was shown by the other hotel employees has enabled me to give the Manoel the four stars it otherwise deserves. Hoteliers should take note that good or indifferent staff can make or break the guest experience and will be reflected in their recommendations to others.

A small hotel right in the centre of Valletta, close to everything. Our room had plenty of space and was very clean. It had everything we needed for a short stay and was cleaned daily. Yes it was noisy on some mornings but it is in the centre of a city so you have to expect some early deliveries. Breakfast was in a restaurant a short walk away and had enough there to choose from. An enjoyable stay.