FORTINA HOTEL - Sliema Tigne Seafront 3 SLM15 Malta Map

3.5 out of 5 Based on 565 guest reviews, Average

Based on 601 traveler reviews

Value

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Excellent

127

Very Good

210

Average

150

Poor

Terrible

Most Recent Traveler Reviews:

“Avoid at all costs”

May 16, 2013 EssexCritic, essex | Trip type: Family

Despite its claim of being a premier four star hotel, the Fortina Hotel comes across as a run-down seedy establishment in urgent need of total refurbishment and professional staff training, and by doing so does little to enhance Malta’s reputation as a quality tourist destination. The first room we were shown was no 102. A great view of Valletta but was in urgent need of some refurbishment particularly the tatty bathroom which was in very poor state with discoloured grouting, mould and dislodged fittings hanging from the walls. A particularly rustic feature was the broken pull cord for the bathroom mirror light. The carpet seemed in need of a good clean, as did the room in general, particularly the accumulation of dust on top of the fridge and the bottom shelf of the cupboard. The depth of filth though was nothing compared to the ingrained layer found on the top of the fridge wall switch which was probably not a regular cleaning item as it is hidden away behind the cheap drawer unit. The huge obsolete silver TV set perched on top of the drawer unit completed the retro look of the room. The privacy of the room was badly compromised by the restaurant/bar on the opposite side of the main road.
Disenchantment grew with the first of only two visits made to the buffet dining room, a noisy uninspiring environment with Formica tabletops with a paper napkin and knife and fork showing vacant tables. Food choice uninspiring and only attempted one main dish chicken with rice, which was tasteless. Staff obviously not chosen for their charm. Second attempt the following night just as disastrous with bland roast pork and bullet hard roast potatoes. Subsequently ate out of the hotel for the remainder of our stay. Even the attractions of the alternative in house restaurant options were unattractive. In the pasta restaurant our table was swabbed down with a damp cloth with no attempt at drying and the cutlery then thrown down. Combined with sullen staff we decided to eat out.
The only pleasant and helpful staff we encountered was at reception when we asked for a room change. A transfer to room 606 was swiftly arranged. Alas, apart from being five storeys higher the general ambience was little improved. The bathroom was just as decrepit and reeked of the stench of sewage from the bathroom. A blocked basin was brought to the notice of a housekeeper and a promise of action was given but never delivered. Further proof that client service orientated staff training is urgently needed. The flooring on the 6th floor rooms landing and corridors have been cheaply refurbished with wooden laminate flooring, leaving gaps in the jointing and a trip hazard at the exit to a sixth floor lift.
Both rooms were very noisy, particularly from the early morning traffic on the main road outside. Double-glazing would be of benefit. Even though six floors up you could still clearly hear people talking in the street below. For true four-star accommodation, comfort and service you will be better served staying at the Waterfront Hotel. « less

“Pleasantly surprised.”

May 15, 2013 fussyeaterNottingham, Nottingham | Trip type: Friends getaway

Just back from a sunny but rather windy Malta. Having read some of the previous reviews I was a tad concerned about standards in the hotel but our garden view... more »

Just back from a sunny but rather windy Malta.
Having read some of the previous reviews I was a tad concerned about standards in the hotel but our garden view room on the third floor was excellent. It was spacious - two double beds - clean and well furnished.(settee, coffee table, flat- screen t.v., fridge and modern décor).We even received free wifi in the room.( It is being extended throughout but has only reached floor 3 so far.)
The only drawback was that it was rather cold on our balcony as it tended to be in shadow, except for early mornings.
We tried all of the eating establishments and the food was fine but choice was limited for those on half-board, especially for none meat eaters, unless ,of course, you were willing to pay extra. Service was slow at the Tigne and particularly so at the Terrace Restaurant, across the road. You do need mobility if using La Vallette to negotiate the tables when heading to and from the buffet areas. It tends to be packed and has two sittings in the evening.
It doesn't open until 7.30am for breakfast, so if you have an early start for a trip or have an early flight, you are out of luck. Excellent views across to Valetta though and the fastest toaster ever!!

The reception staff were helpful, particularly Angelique. They had the dubious honour of trying to book guests into the various restaurants. Even when trying to book two days in advance ( the start time, in theory, for booking), you could find that the popular restaurants were already fully booked. This is because the hotel is allowed only a limited number of bookings. I did find the booking system rather onerous and it took 10 days to get a booking at the Tigne, despite numerous attempts.
Evening entertainment was limited if you wanted to stay in the hotel but there was plenty to do outside.
The lifts at the side of reception were generally in good working order, the others were not so reliable. Indeed, one was out of action throughout the fortnight of our stay.

The location of the Fortina is brilliant for getting about. Valetta is just across the water and you can catch the ferry just down the road. It runs every half hour and costs 2.80 euros. There is a steep walk the other side to get into the centre of town but you can get a shuttle for one euro.
There are also plenty of bus stops near the hotel for exploring the island and tickets can be purchased on the bus.
The walk down the harbour side can be annoying because you are constantly pestered by touts trying to sell the various bus tours and harbour cruises.
Shopping- wise you find most of the stores you find in any UK High Street. Turn left out of the hotel and then left again, keep walking straight on, through the car park, and you will find the entrance to the Tigne Point shopping mall at the side of you. There is a big supermarket on the lower level where you can stock up on water, wine, soft drinks, toiletries and food.
For a small island, Malta has a rich history and there is so much to see. If you want to visit the Hypogeum you must book weeks in advance, on-line. I tried 6 weeks before my holiday and it was already fully booked for my entire stay .
On the whole, I had a very pleasant stay in Malta and, specifically, in the Fortina. « less

“Great holiday”

May 12, 2013 sueg47, Shropshire UK | Trip type: Couples

Like MikeSutton ( below ), we've just returned from a week at the Fortina and had a wonderful time. Room 305 had clearly been recently refurbished and was more than... more »

“Fantastic views of Valetta from seaview balcony on fifth floor”

May 10, 2013 MikeSutton, Sutton | Trip type: Couples

A bit surprised by some of the recent negative reviews. We had a great stay there! Our room - 507 - must be one of the refurbished ones? Furniture is... more »

“Avoid at all costs”

May 9, 2013 Irene H, Dublin, Ohio | Trip type: Couples

We had the misfortune to recently spend a week in this hotel. The deluxe room on the 8th floor which I had paid extra for wasn't habitable, it was wet... more »

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