Name: Valley View Villa Retreat
Address: Garden Street / Triq il-Gnien, Rabat, Rabat, Rabat, RBT6407, Malta
Rating: 6.6

Location

Malta International Airport

Valley View Villa Retreat

I had a peaceful and relaxing time which is what I was looking for in terms of a getaway it was great to experience a quiet countryside area of Malta. There a few restaurants and 2 small grocery shops nearby

Recommended as I was looking for a rural place to stay to see the real Malta and escape from the tourism scene. I went out of my way to find this place, and it was really nice, but also different. We never received a key for our room, but we had a lot of freedom to roam around a large country house. The area is really remote and peaceful and has the nicest valleys to walk through; a perfect escape from the tourism scene in Malta. The town is famous for its Rabbit dishes and the locals are all so friendly and welcoming. 
The house is located in Bahrija, easy to access from Rabat via Public Transport.

We spent 3 nights  here in June, it is a private house hosted by Aldo, a beautifully decorated and big house on the countryside in Bahrija, Malta. Bahrija is a small village and many Maltese will laugh at you for going there, but it's worth it. It's like Gozo, more fields and trees than in the typical Maltese tourist areas. Very peaceful and beautiful with views to the sea and Gozo. Fomm ir-Rih Bay is walking distance away, it's worth seeing (Aldo took us there by car and we went again by foot) but it's a bit hard to find the way to the (rocky) beach. Better beaches not far away either but you need to go by car or bus (Ghajn Tuffieha, Golden and Gnejna bays).

The value for the money here is excellent, one of the least expensive places to stay on Malta and relatively good facilities, including a common kitchen and wifi. The shared bathroom caused some problems, the toilet wasn't always working well and once there was no water. We got the biggest room with a comfortable bed, but someone might have a problem with the fact that the only entrance to the rooftop is through that room so others might have to pass through it while you're there (Aldo, however, was very delicate and respectful in asking permission and passing through). Once Aldo organized a free BBQ party on the rooftop for the three couples staying there, in addition to offering us the possibility to cook lunch for ourselves for free from whatever he had in the fridge. These are not examples of something you'd have the right to expect if  you go but illustrations of the hospitality. One small minus in addition to the shared bathroom would be the absence of Aldo (or his mother) from the house sometimes, so there is no "24-h reception", but Aldo tried to make himself as available as possible by telephone.

One note about getting there by bus. Bus 109 goes from Rabat, but it is more like a van than a bus, a van (white or red) with the number 109 on a piece of paper on the windscreen, and the driver doesn't sell tickets so you have to have one beforehand (once he let us go back from Bahrija without a ticket as we promised to buy a 7-day ticket as soon as we got to Rabat). The bus goes once an hour and sometimes (often) leaves even 5 min earlier than scheduled!

There was no electrical air-con but a fan was provided. There was some trouble with mosquitoes... Oh, and Bahrija is famous for the fenek (rabbit), it is recommended you try it there, Aldo recommended New Life, which opens at 7 for dinner Tue-Sun and for lunch on Sundays, when people from all around Malta go there. It was our first time, and won't forget it!

Rabat

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peaceful and relaxing

Exactly what I was looking for.

Countryside peace:)

It was great to experience a quiet countryside area of Malta. The host was a nice guy who gave us a guided tour (and a glass of water) as soon as we arrived.

We were allowed to use the kitchen as much as we want and cooked food in the oven. Our host allowed us to use his bread, meat, and cheese at no extra cost. The balcony was great but we only ventured up once as we didn't want to disturb the people who's room we had to get through to access it. We had a nice walk down to the beach but make sure you have some strength in your legs and some water, it's further than the locals describe and some parts are quite steep. The wi-fi was perfect for our phones during our stay. There are 2 small grocery shops very close by and a few restaurants/bars.

We bought a 7 day bus ticket which was great value to get around on, we found the 109 bus reliable but often got to the bus stop early. It runs once every hour.

Mdina is the main tourist area and is very close by.

We felt a little awkward to begin with, feeling like we were in someone else's house, but we soon got used to it.

No hot tub on the balcony as advertised. The bath/shower was a bit awkward to use as there wasn't enough hot water for a bath, and the pressure too weak for a shower, and you have to hold the shower head. The room didn't have it's own unique lock and one of the windows were missing from the balcony door (but wasn't an issue during our stay - it wasn't windy). Despite all this we still had a really nice stay and we still felt we got value for money.

Don't let the bus driver(s) con you into paying €1.30 extra for bags on the 109. One tried before giving the money back to us after I threatened to report him.

Excellent value for money if you're looking for a countryside/peaceful getaway

Valley View is a large end of terrace house in a fairly unattractive village.  That said, there ARE excellent views.  The village is remote, although Malta is small and nowhere is too far from anywhere, and the bus service is excellent.  There are many unfinished properties and its plagued with litter - as are most places in Malta.

The location is certainly off the beaten track, but I had no objection to the lack of noisy hotels/bars!

Valley View is not the actual name of the property and must not be confused with a retreat further up the coast.  It's called Eden Ville.

The proprietor is easy-going and allows guests to do their own thing.

Breakfast is a case of help yourself.  Sadly much of the food offered is out-of-date and the kitchen is dated and not terribly clean.  I bought my own food most of the time and kept it separately in their fridge.  We had to remind owner to buy various things, basics like bread, milk and water.

Washing up got left in the sink, although the guests did their own.  It was like being in a student house, would be the best description.

The decor is dated and 80s-ish, the rooms large, but binless/no bedside lights.

We shared one bathroom, three ladies.  My companion cleaned it herself.

The roof terrace is basic, but, ok.

There's nothing dreadfully wrong with this accomodation, but 50euro a night is steep.  I wouldn't call it particulary good value given what you get.

I am a keen walker/snorkeller so it was a good base for the Victoria lines, but I am glad I met a fellow-guest whom I got on with, otherwise I'd have moved on after first night.

Fine if you are young and not too fussy, but not for middle-aged people who like crisp white hotel sheets and a well-presented breakfast!

Valley View Villa Retreat

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