Location by the Qawra promenade and beach
Most rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and balconies
Apartments have kitchenettes and some rooms are well-configured for families
Rooftop hot tub and indoor/outdoor pools are popular among families
Restaurant, pizzeria, and bar on-site, which feature live entertainment
Cafeteria has games, pool tables, and a kids' play area
Hair salon, massage services, a small gym, and a sauna on-site
Two meeting rooms for up to 85 people available
Interiors sometimes look neglected and in need of updates
Rowdy student groups frequent the hotel
Air-conditioning is on a timer and isn't strong
Fees for use of safes, mini-fridges, kettles, Wi-Fi, and (in apartments) air-conditioning
Small pool gets crowded
Some rooms have flat-screen TVs
The Canifor Hotel is a basic, budget-priced property with 170 plain rooms that feature small flat-screen TVs and balconies; kitchenettes can be found in the apartments. Dated decor and fees for use of safes, mini-fridges, and Wi-Fi are drawbacks. The location is a 10-minute walk to the Qawra promenade and its rocky beaches; on-site here there are outdoor and indoor pools, and a rooftop hot tub. There’s a pool table in the cafeteria, a pizzeria, a bar, and a buffet restaurant. Unfussy facilities -- a small gym, hair salon with massage services, and a sauna -- offer relaxation. For better maintained interiors, check prices at the Park Lane Aparthotel.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Modest, low-priced hotel with classic designs
The Canifor Hotel, one of four hotels under the Formosa Group, features modest and traditional designs that aren’t reflective of this property’s four-star rating. (We here at Oyster consider it a three-pearl, mid-range property.) The exterior of the hotel features red-painted balconies with black rails. On the sidewalk in front of the entrance are benches and tables. Marble lines the lobby floors and crawls up the facade of the front desk. Despite the spaciousness of the lobby, seating is limited to a few cushioned chairs. With a casual ambience, the hotel’s scene varies from rowdy when school groups visit in the summertime to relaxed in the winter months. This property isn’t suitable for travelers looking for swanky poolside lounging, but the hotel is an inexpensive Malta base for budget-minded travelers who plan to explore the islands.
Location
In the heart of Qawra, near the waterfront and beach
Nestled in a quiet area, the hotel is an easy walk to the Malta National Aquarium and the rocky shores of Qawra, where there’s a small sandy beach. Shops, bars, restaurants, and other hotels are nearby, and across the street is the Malta Classic Car Collection. In walking distance is Bugibba Square, which is surrounded by tons of dining options. Several bus stops are less than 300 meters from the hotel; buses can take travelers in 30 minutes to the bars in Paceville. Valletta is an hour and 20 minutes by bus. The island’s best beaches -- Ghadira Bay and Paradise Bay -- are about 40 minutes to an hour by bus. Malta International Airport is a 30-minute car trip away.
Rooms
Plain, comfy apartments with kitchenettes and rooms with flat-screen TVs (tube TVs in some), balconies, and safes
Homey and basic interior designs -- with tube TVs in some -- are comfortable, but they certainly aren’t upscale. Standard and Superior Rooms have traditional wooden furniture and white tile floors with balconies that overlook the pool or streets. One-bedroom apartments, which are 30 meters away from the main hotel, offer kitchenettes that have kettles, mini-fridges, and stovetops or convection ovens. All rooms have air-conditioning and ceiling fans, but use of Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, kettles, and safes require an extra charge. Air-conditioning is an additional fee in apartments, which also come with irons. Standard bathrooms -- which at times are in poorly maintained condition -- have shower/tub combos or showers.
Features
Outdoor and indoor pools, a game room, a rooftop hot tub, casual dining and poolside snacks, and meeting spaces
The Canifor Hotel’s outdoor pool complex is divided into four sections, including two designated kids' areas. Lounge chairs are clustered on the small deck that offers plenty of sunlight and snacks in the summer from the cafeteria, where there are pool tables, games, and a play area. On the rooftop guests can find a hot tub and terrace that mostly overlook the city, but have partial views of the sea.Amenities here are casual and modest in design. Blue walls surround the pleasant indoor pool and hot tub. A hair salon offers a massage table and a small fitness center has a few weights and older cardio machines. There’s also a sauna. The main restaurant serves buffets and the Persjana Pizzeria has pasta, pizza, and Saturday night entertainment. The Oak Tree Lounge Bar organizes occasional bingo games and live entertainment. The outdoor pool features summer performances and movies on a big screen. Two meeting rooms on the sixth floor are available; one can hold 25 people, while the other can accommodate 60.
