Hyatt Regency Malta

Don’t book the breakfast. Among the Maltese specialties, ants were on the plates. There were not ripe pineapple and watermelons. I read Prosciutto Crudo on the menu and didn't get one, although I asked for it. I had to bring my luggage to the room myself and could not decide between several rooms. The rooms where clean. I can also book a nice a 3 or 4 star hotel and get the same for a cheaper price.

This hotel is an absolute gem and less than 3 hours from London with all year good weather.

It is a beautifully designed building with a very large Piazza which combines an old religious building with the modern hotel in a seamless way which adds a sense of space, history and peace as you sit outside on the Piazza having a delicious breakfast or eating dinner in the evening when the whole Piazza is lit up - it is just beautiful and so quiet and restful.

Before our visit I contacted the hotel and Valentina ( Head Concierge from Italy ) was so very helpful and remained so throughout our stay - she managed to sort all sorts of things for me and always had a smile - thank you so much for all you did before and during our stay.

Anna, the Guest relations Manager, also reached out to us prior to our visit and throughout our stay was just amazing, making contact every day without fail to make sure all was well - quite an amazing young lady who will go far in the hospitality industry - she has my very grateful thanks for making our stay so very special.

You arrive at the hotel at the back of the hotel and have to cross the Piazza but usually the doormen are aware of your arrival and come to help with luggage - otherwise it could be a struggle.

The Doormen, Hoque and Diego were always around to help and always with a smile.

We were allocated a most wonderful suite right at the top with a lovely balcony and sitting room - the room was clean and very well appointed with a very comfortable bed and excellent shower.

Housekeeping were also excellent and indeed we met some of them, who again always said hello with a smile and would service the room at whatever time you asked - we had a particular encounter with Kris who was charming and showed us some of the equipment used to clean the rooms ( I did ask to see the item he had in his hand ! )

Our Check in was very good, both professional but friendly and whenever you passed the Front Desk you got a wave and a smile and my thanks go to Franklin and Lotte and of course Wendy the Front Desk Manager, who was lovely.

Breakfast was excellent, with a very good choice of food and all freshly replenished when needed - as an example as regards the hot food and the bacon - there was never too much on display so that it goes cold and dry but enough and constantly topped up with fresh bacon - the same with the eggs and all the food was hot and of really good quality.

I also liked the fact that there was quite a calm and friendly feeling about the restaurant, without the rushing all over the place with staff - they just quietly got on with the job but were always there when needed with a smile - this made for a very relaxed feel at breakfast which I like and so few hotels achieve.

In the evening we were served by Shalina from Nepal on 6 of our 7 nights and she was simply wonderful - she got everything right and made our whole eating experience a special event each night, remembering our preferences etc but especially because she had such a lovely manor and an infectious smile - she has my grateful thanks.

We also met Esme, another waitress from the Netherlands who again looked after us very well.

The food was excellent - cooked to perfection and the menu choice was also very very good and of a reasonable price and we were able to have something different most nights - our thanks to the Head Chef John and also to Prashanta who came out to see us one evening.

We were also entitled to use the Club Lounge and on our first night the Pre Dinner drinks and canapés were sited on the main Piazza which was very nice and everybody was very happy but after this the weather started to deteriorate a little and it was moved to the downstairs original lounge and pretty well everyone was unhappy about this and so most took their drinks etc up to the Piazza - I can see why this change occurred but the downstairs lounge is not so inviting and in need of a decor change with perhaps some alcoves or screening with seating. This might make it a little more inviting - it does have a small outside terrace which we were happy to sit in but there were very few tables - I think this is the only negative point that I wish to make and is by no means huge as the overall hotel and staff are the most important - I do think that the Piazza could have been used for a few more nights - this is a small point but it might be worth trying to make it a little less stark downstairs.

As to the food and choice of wines etc - really excellent again and changes each night - we saw the chef in charge of this area - Raship who, like the rest of the staff was lovely

Mohammed in the Club Lounge was also lovely with a great smile

Mirrko - the Food and Beverage Manager was very visible and also very smart and very approachable and he should feel very proud of what he has achieved in the time he has been at the hotel - a really nice but professional guy who keeps an eye on everything and is willing to make changes where necessary.

Janko, the Manager of the Restaurant was so good to us and like Mirko was professional but knew exactly what was going on and ran a very good restaurant in a friendly manor so that it was efficient but relaxing for the guests.

I could not possibly end this review without mentioning one of the longest serving members of staff, Matthew, one of the most charming and genuine people I have ever met, who has now been promoted to Director of Rooms and is such a caring and competent man who clearly loves the hotel and just wants it to be successful - he has many ideas and I am sure they will all be good ones - all the staff, without exception talk of him with high regard and respects I do.

I have only done this review and mentioned the names of staff because I do believe that this hotel is a gem as are all the staff.

Dr Trevor P Rees