Carlton Hotel

Carlton Hotel is a modern property that occupies a seven-floor building across from St. Julian Bay's promenade and sandy beach. The streamline lobby has a splash of trendy decor -- there are floor-to-ceiling platinum-gray drapes, a black leather sofa, and a sleek, marble front desk backlit in fuchsia. While the dining room is considerably less attractive, with greasy spoon diner-style tables and chairs and a drop ceiling, it offers terrific bay views from its big picture windows. Guests gather here for breakfast, and the rooftop pool is a popular spot in warmer months, which is surrounded by artificial turf and striped sun loungers. Couples are the hotel's main clientele, and the property also draws a handful of families and friends traveling in groups.

The property is located in Sliema, an area with numerous cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops, all of which are a short walk away from the hotel. Getting around by bus is a snap, as the Antik stop is right across the street. 

Balluta Bay is less than a five-minute walk, where there's swimming, diving, water sports, a public square, and the neo-Gothic Carmelite Parish Church. Capua Palace and Parish Church of Stella Maris (Our Lady Star of the Sea) is about a 10-minute walk or a five-minute bus ride, as is Il Fortizza (Fort Sliema), a former British coastal battery that's now a restaurant. 

The hotel is roughly a five-minute drive or a 10-minute bus ride to Sliema Bus Terminus and the ferries to Valletta, the location of Grand Master's Palace and St. John's Co-Cathedral. It's about a 10-minute drive or 15 minutes by bus to Fort Tignel, which is next to Point Shopping Mall. Malta International Airport is a 20-minute drive or 40 minutes by bus from the Carlton. 

Guest rooms have budget-quality furniture and basic tile floors, but the overall look is modern and pleasant.  Walls are accented with a splash of fuchsia, and the color is picked up in the striped throw pillows on beds covered with lavender jacquard comforters. Green glass lamps on desks are topped with aquamarine shades, and red chairs provide an additional pop of color. All units have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes (for a fee), and free Wi-Fi, but there are no kettles. Some rooms have small furnished balconies with bay views. Bathrooms are simple, done in all neutrals, but they have chic, circular mirrors rung with mini lights, plus hairdryers and toiletries, and stall showers or shower/tub combos.  

The Carlton's top feature is its seasonal rooftop pool, which has a deck with loungers, direct sunlight, and fantastic views of the bay. Another highlight is the breakfast buffet (for a fee), with a rotating spread of cooked eggs, sausages, pastries, breads, and other standard American fare. There's no full-service restaurant. 

Other amenities include a lobby vending machine and business center with multiple desktop computers, plus a 24-hour front desk and concierge service. There's no on-site parking, and it can be difficult to find spots in paid lots and on the street. Wi-Fi is free throughout.