AX The Victoria Hotel

The holiday was a return to Malta having lived on the island. Sliema was seen as the best location for easy access to the town, neighbouring Valletta with onward ferry to the Three Cities. The AX Victoria was chosen for its convenient location. Located at the top of Gorg Borg Olivier Street the hotel gives the opportunity to walk through the back streets taking a short cut to Spinola & St Julians in one direction and Gzira, Manoel Island or Ta' Xbiex the other. Or straight down to the Sliema Ferries. Beware though, without careful planning or navigation some of the streets are very steep returning to the hotel. Especially St Vincent Street from the Sliema Ferries. The 'easy option' is via Dingli Street which is relatively 'flat'. The AX Victoria has a an architecturally pleasing façade and inside a welcoming lounge area in a classic style. Reception is opposite where the staff are most welcoming and friendly. The House Manager Dorianne Camilleri is to be commended for her interaction with guests. Her smile and willingness to talk and be helpful was always welcome. On the hotel ground floor is the Penny Black Bar and Copperfield's Restaurant which serves daily breakfast with a plentiful choice of food for any diet or palate. The welcoming faces of Charles and Dominica (I don't like potatoes !) was always appreciated. Again friendly staff willing to have a chat and not just treat one as a number on the guest list. As half board was opted for surprisingly Dinner was served in the Tabloid Restaurant of the adjacent Five Star AX The Palace. Access to the Palace is via a connecting corridor on the first floor. On the first night the other surprise was that the dinner is 'half board plus' with a bottle of wine and a bottle of water per couple. Very pleasant. There is always a good selection of dishes every night, everything from salad and pasta to roasts and fish. In fact everything even for those who may be choosy about what they eat. It is just a pity that the dining room and the reception area may be a bit too clinical in design not displaying the virtues of a 'palace'. Again interaction with the staff in the restaurant was a pleasure and there pleasant attitude, service and attentiveness is to be commended. A superior room was allocated which was surprisingly large, clean, tidy and decoratively of a relatively modern standard. All the usual amenities were in place. Tea and coffee making, fridge, TV and safe. Bath robes and slippers were available and in the bathroom the towelling was of a high standard. Pity about the one ply toilet paper ! But I believe this is to do with the vagaries of the Maltese sewage system ? Nothing changes ! The room had a reasonably sized balcony which overlooks Gorg Borg Oliver Street so one could sit with a pre dinner drink and view the traffic carnage that seems never to have changed in forty odd years ! Even though the room was overlooking what could be construed as a 'rat run' on the fourth floor with the door closed one was not aware of any traffic noise so a good nights sleep was assured. One does not require an alarm as the building work on the corner of Victoria Street and Gorg Borg Olivier was enough at 08:00 ! It was fairly muffled but hammering was discernible. Beware. Sliema and farther afield is in constant change with building works and cranes every where so if visiting Malta choose the destination carefully though it would be difficult wherever one stays to avoid construction work. But do not let this dissuade one from visiting the island. On the ninth floor is the infinity pool and lounge area which both the Victoria and Palace share. There are recliners for sun bathing and a bar. The TemptAsian fusion restaurant is also located here. The view of Valletta from the ninth floor is good and was the place to be for the finale of the Fireworks Festival. Overall the Victoria is a comfortable, friendly place to stay. The rooms, staff and amenities make it a true four star hotel and worth the stay.