Grand Hotel Excelsior - Valletta

This hotel is centrally located, within easy walking distance of the centre of Valletta. Its location directly on the harbour is stunning, making a swim in its pool a memorable experience. Our room was very comfortable, well insulated from sound outside the room and beautifully appointed. It was great to have a reasonably sized, efficient fridge in the room, which we could fill with what we liked including drinks bought outside the hotel, rather than a traditional minibar. The convenient parking free of charge was very welcome in a city where it's difficult to find a parking space.

Food was very variable in quality. Dinner was overpriced for what it was. The buffet arrangements for breakfast and dinner were good in that they meant one could ensure a choice of the best available option, but they became wearing after a few days . We did long for one exquisitely crafted meal, rather than trying to choose the best of a pretty mixed lot. Service was similarly variable, some of the staff providing faultless service whereas others were either slapdash or officious to the point of interfering. Having said all that, this was essentially a pleasant, comfortable hotel that we would stay in again and recommend to others because of the comfort of the rooms and the stunning location.

Great location, rooms and friendly recpetions taff.

Poor staff by the Tiki bar. Awful service and poor quality food for the price. A very disappointing factor that would stop me coming again. Also the pool was closed early twice due to wedding which is not good for paying guests and made me feel like a second class citizen. Also having to give your name to get a towel is not standard practice in a 5 star hotel. Needs improving

The staff are always fantastic. Rooms larger than average hotel rooms whatever the price. Location - close to city and bus station.

Although I have mobility issues, I find the Excellsior okay for me. However, I think they could make it clear on their website that mobility could be an issue because of the steep steps and hill before you get to the city/bus stops. However, think it up to individuals to look out for that sort of thing if they do have mobility issues!

Hotel is very well situated to Valletta. The staff are helpful, friendly and polite. The room was large and well furnished.

The guest folder in the room stated that after the guest has left the room would be checked and any item missing would be charged to the guest. A long list of items followed. Many of these were not in the room to start with. This is not what one expects in a 5 star hotel.

Location and view from sea front rooms are breathtaking. Easy access to Valletta

In my eyes price/value for money is awful since the service is really not 5 star level. A lot of extras, which makes your stay feel uncomfortable

The location was good and the Spa was excellent.

The staff were a little arrogant at times. I put this down to the hotel trying to maintain 5 star status.

The location and magnificant views of the harbour

A large party checked in at the same time in another part of the hotel. A 'manager' working at the main check- in desk completely ignored me - a word of apology for keeping me waiting would have been sufficient.

Nice view and superb swimming pool. The Indian Buffet dedicated every Tuesday night is amazing! Tasty and various indian food selection. I appreciated a lot. You will love it!

The moquette in the room was old. It needs to be replaced.

all staff are very kindly, location also nice place

the floor carpet in room are dirty (same as 2 star hotel level or less) Tiki restaurants staff are kindly but bit slow every thing, might be management is not enough. we've taken Chinese buffet Friday, taste was not good and high price compare than taste (more less euro 20 for two parsons is enough)

Good size rooms and bathroom. Lovely pool with super views over the sea Good restaurants

Too many steps to enter and exit hotel.

The staff were amazingly polite and couldn't do enough to help, a very enjoyable stay.

Location, most of the staff, food and price were all good.

However upon arriving, knowing that we did not prepay this hotel, we paid cash upon arrival plus a security deposit of 50 Euro, which would be refunded upon check out in addition to a 12 Euro charge for taxi to the ferry. Upon check out we were told to pay the bill of 107 Euro plus 12 Euro minus the 50 euro deposit. We told them we had paid cash for the hotel, drinks at the bar, supper etc but they insisted we were lying, that the computer is never wrong and called security. This all took place at 430AM on our day of departure. Finally after we were totally frustrated, they did agree to refund us the 50 euro minus the 12 euro and we left stzating that we would never return. We also stated that they should investigate this incident and provide us with a response. No comment. We will never again return to Malta. The unhappy Haystons

Overall excellent with extremely friendly personnel. The price we got through this booking site was much less than what one would expect to have to pay for a hotel of this caliber. Breakfast and dinner bars were ample and very good. If we went to Malta again, we would likely stay here, and definitely recommend it to our friends.

The only place where light food and snacks are available during day-time is at the Tiki outside pool bar. Given that the climate of Malta is very hot (95-104f; 35-40c) the hotel ought to have an air-conditioned day- time facility for light food. - At dinner we ordered two bottles of sparkling water and were surprised about their price of 5.75 euro (approximately $7.20 us). We consider this excessive and mentioned it in the comment card the hotel gave us. - Malta provides some inexpensive electro taxis (glorified golf carts). We wanted to use one of them that had dropped off somebody at the hotel, but the driver told us that the hotel did not permit pick ups, unless ordered by phone ahead of time, because the hotel wants its guest to use its own (more costly service). Since one needs to climb up 87 stairs from the hotel reception to the street level and then must venture up about 300 meters (1000ft) on a road, the hotel should think about being more customer friendly in this case.- The carpets in the hotel seems to approach their economic life and would want to be replaced soon.

The best asset this hotel has is it’s friendly staff. Our room was very clean and comfortable. Anywhere we travel cleanness is our top priority and Excelsior ticked this box. As the trip was a surprise trip for my wife’s birthday the hotel was very kind to us. They upgraded our room to executive sea view. The room had a wonderful view of the sea. They had also put towels in shape of swans, put rose petals on the bed, put a flower bouquet on a desk and to top it all they had left us a cold sparkly wine and some fruit in the room. All this was complementary from the Hotel. So when we arrived the room gave a romantic experience. I really appreciate the effort staff at Grand hotel Excelsior made to provide us the best atmosphere on our arrival. The hotel is beautiful all around and looks very luxuries throughout. We stayed at this hotel 5 days and 2 days at Hilton. If I compare, although I should say Hilton was a nice Hotel too but if I go to Malta again I must say I will choose Excelsior before Hilton. The reason for this is that Excelsior is much more value for money. We spent less funds at Excelsior but got more for our money. Almost all staff were pleasant but I like to mention the name of few that went the extra mile for the customer and impressed me the most: Lorraine (customer relation), Vally (Tiki bar and restaurant chef), Luka (porter), Joseph (driver), Pawel (Waiter), Guillame (service desk), Chris (transport manager).

The one bad experience we had was right at the last day when I had booked a hotel taxi that are normally the most expensive mode of transport. The hotel advertises late model cars but instead a driver arrived somewhat later than booked time with an old dirty car from another taxi company. I was upset and went to the person at the transport desk. I think he was one of the drivers and had no training to deal with customers. He ended up making me more upset. He first said that his colleagues had made a mistake and not him. As a customer it is not my concern who made an error but how the person I am talking to will solve the situation. Then he said he will make a refund to us, but that was no solution to us as we needed to go to our destination. His comments and gestures were not 5 star at all. I saw I am not getting anywhere with this person I then complaint to the service desk and out of all this a clever porter came forward and suggested to take us with a hotel car that was parked outside and had no driver. We accepted and needless to say this porter got a generous tip from me. It is a shame I have this story to write as the rest of our experience was excellent. The hotel should think of having more persons at their desk same Chris Grech . Others at this desk do not have the necessary skill to deal with a problem. Also, if the hotel deals with another taxi firm for their over booking they should make sure that company has the same standard of cars as the hotel has.

Perfect we already used this before when we raced the powerboat p1 now we recommended the hotel to a friend mr paul joos how his comming for bussines this evening to malta so for us is a super hotel we already visit before 4 other hotels in malta