Be.Hotel

Located inside a busy mall in lively Paceville, the be.Hotel is anything but a quiet retreat. Right outside the hotel, hundreds of people come and go throughout the day, and loud music is played until late at night seven days a week. The hotel is fully integrated in the mall, with elevators shared by guests and shoppers, a restaurant operating independently from the property, and few common spaces beyond the lobby. The entrance can be mistaken for one of the dozens of store windows around it, with a long glass wall, and just a small neon sign above the main door. With all-black surfaces, a few pops of turquoise and charcoal-gray, and dim lighting, the lobby is hip and stylish. A wall behind the front desk covered in large fashion photos is a nod at the hotel’s location inside the Bay Street Mall. This trendy, bold style continues in hallways and rooms. 

The multi-room apartments with kitchens, and the rooftop pool are convenient amenities for families, but the overall vibe is more party-oriented than family-friendly. Also, the noise seems to be a common complaint here, and the busy atmosphere doesn’t convey peace and quiet, but those looking to explore Paceville’s famous nightlife may find this hotel to be a good option.

Although fully refurbished in early 2015, several floors are currently being added to the building, so construction noise may be an issue through the end of 2016. 

The hotel is located inside Bay Street Mall, one of Malta’s largest shopping and entertainment centers. The area around it, known as Paceville, is busy and loud, with tons of restaurants, bars, clubs and shops within a couple of blocks. Hundreds of students and young tourists flock here every evening to attend the bustling parties thrown at local bars, most of which are directly across the street from the hotel. St George’s Bay, located a couple of minutes down the street, is one of the few sandy beaches in the area. Although somewhat unreliable, buses are a good way to explore the island, and there is a bus stop a two-minute walk from the hotel. St Julian’s Terminus, the area’s main bus station, is a six-minute walk away. Valletta and the airport are each a 20-minute drive from the be.Hotel.

A mix of trendy and Nordic-minimalist elements define the hotel’s 129 rooms, all of which feature clean lines, natural wood touches, and black accent walls and floors. Wine-red accent walls add a sexy touch, while heavy gray curtains keep rooms dark at night. All rooms have at least a small seating area with two cushioned chairs and a tiny round table, and many have sofa  beds for an extra guest. Standard rooms (known as Deluxe here) have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, but safes, Wi-Fi, electric kettles, and most TV channels come at an extra fee. Superior Rooms rates include all of these. Many rooms have furnished balconies, some offering sea views, and some overlooking the street or the mall. Studios and Two-Bedroom Apartments feature kitchenettes equipped with sinks, ovens, toasters, electric kettles, and cooktops. Bathrooms are clean and sleek, with black floors and walls, round sinks over natural wood countertops, and rain showers stocked with a nice array of hotel-brand toiletries. 

There is a "quiet wing" at the be.Hotel, but most guests complain of poor soundproofing throughout, which allows for noise from the nearby bars, the mall, and the on-site construction works to carry to the rooms. 

With a spacious deck and bay views, the long, skinny rooftop pool is one of the hotel’s top features. It is open during the warmer months only, but guests are allowed on the deck year-round. A seasonal bar serves cocktails and snacks. The bi-level restaurant is located outside, in the shopping mall and has a popular terrace, but food is just average. The fitness center has a handful of cardio and strength-training machines, and the spa offers salon services and massages. Additionally, the hotel has fully equipped meeting room, and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. Indoor and outdoor parking are available for a fee.