Gillieru Harbour Hotel

This hotel is widely recognized for its prime location directly on St. Paul's Bay, offering stunning sea views that many guests find memorable. It is particularly well-suited for sightseers and couples seeking a tranquil base with easy access to local transport and attractions. While the hotel generally receives praise for its staff and cleanliness, some aspects of the rooms and facilities are noted as being dated. Guests appreciate the convenience of nearby bus stops for exploring the island and the peaceful atmosphere of the bay. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a sea-view room for the best vistas, and be aware that ongoing harbor construction might occasionally impact the views and quiet.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a saltwater pool that is often described as lovely and relaxing, providing ample sunbeds for guests to enjoy the Maltese sun. While some guests note the pool area can appear tired with grubby sunbeds or that the pool bar may close early, its refreshing water and availability of sun loungers are generally appreciated. Guests also benefit from free Wi-Fi, though its coverage can be patchy. Each room is equipped with a mini-fridge and coffee/tea making facilities, and a highly valued feature is the presence of filtered water dispensers on each floor, allowing guests to refill bottles conveniently. The hotel also has two lifts for easy access to rooms.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Rooms are consistently reported as clean and are serviced daily, with many guests praising the housekeeping staff. However, feedback on room comfort and condition is mixed. While some rooms are described as spacious and comfortable, many guests find them dated, tired, or in need of refurbishment, with issues like peeling paint, scuffed furniture, and broken fixtures. Beds receive varied comments, with some finding them comfortable, while others note basic bedding or two single beds pushed together. Bathrooms are often criticized for poor water pressure, slow hot water, or signs of wear like mold and threadbare towels. Noise levels are a recurring concern, stemming from thin walls, other guests, street activity, or noisy air conditioning units.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience receives varied feedback, particularly concerning breakfast. While many guests find the breakfast to be good with a decent selection of cooked and continental items, others describe it as mediocre, lacking variety, or having lukewarm food and watery juice. The main restaurant operates as a separate entity, and guests on half-board often report feeling like "poor relations" due to a limited, repetitive set menu and being seated in a less desirable area. Despite this, the food quality itself is sometimes praised as tasty. A cafe and snack bar on-site are generally well-regarded for quick bites and coffee.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location directly on St. Paul's Bay, offering picturesque views of the harbor and sea. It is situated in a quieter part of the bay, providing a peaceful retreat while remaining highly accessible. Bus stops are conveniently located just a short walk away, offering easy connections to major attractions across the island, including Valletta, Gozo, and Mellieha. The bustling center of Bugibba, with its array of shops and restaurants, is also within a pleasant 10 to 15-minute walk. However, guests should be aware of ongoing construction work in the harbor area, which can lead to noise and impact views. Parking can be challenging, though some guests have found spots nearby during off-peak seasons.

Staff & Service
Guest feedback on staff and service is notably mixed, yet many highlight positive interactions. Most guests describe the staff as friendly, helpful, accommodating, and welcoming, particularly at reception and among the cleaning teams. Many appreciate the quick check-in process and the staff's willingness to assist with requests. However, some reviews mention instances of unhelpful or unmotivated staff, particularly in the restaurant or at the bar, and some report issues with staff being slow to resolve room-related problems. Housekeeping is generally efficient, providing daily cleaning, though some guests note inconsistencies with towel replacement.

Additional Information
The hotel is notably pet-friendly, a policy appreciated by guests traveling with animals, with some amenities provided for canine companions. A recurring point of concern for many guests is the condition of the towels, which are frequently described as old, threadbare, stained, or having holes, suggesting a need for replacement. The soundproofing in the rooms is often cited as poor, contributing to noise disturbances from neighboring rooms or corridors. While the hotel has undergone some renovation, some areas still appear dated, and guests should be aware that some facilities, like the main restaurant, are operated independently from the hotel.