Fortina Spa Resort

As well as being one of the tallest buildings in the area, the Fortina Spa Resort's distinctive pastel pink and yellow undulating facade certainly makes it hard to miss. Although the hotel was opened in 2006 -- in a ceremony attended by then Prime Minister of Malta, Dr Lawrence Gonzi -- the lobby already feels a little passe with an uninspiring blend of brown stone cladding, dated generic furnishings, and busily patterned carpets (little of which coordinates). A staircase with polished brass and wrought ironwork does add a little class to what purports to be a luxury-level hotel. As well as the 17-story tower, the property consists of two wings that overlook a long central garden brimming with palm trees, colorful tropical flowers, and even the odd chirruping bird. A lagoon pool surrounded by restaurants provides a real resort feel. Note that the hotel is adult-only except during Easter and Christmas holidays and July and August. 

The Fortina Spa Resort is located at the end of Sliema's long waterfront promenade that looks out toward Manoel Island and the historic Maltese capital, Valleta, beyond. As well as being located right next to The Point Shopping Mall, there are plenty of bars and restaurants within a short stroll of the hotel. The historic landmark of Fort Tigne is also just a few minutes away on foot, while the flat rocky beaches and various lidos are within 10 minutes on foot. The bus station and ferry terminal to Valletta is a five-minute walk away, while Malta International Airport is a 25-minute drive away.

Starting at 375 square feet (35 square meters) the hotel's 220 rooms are some of the most spacious to be found in Malta, and are certainly large by most European standards. Decor mostly leans toward dated, however, with typical chain-style wood furniture, patterned fabrics, and carpets -- though some have been updated with wood-veneer flooring. All rooms open to large furnished balconies either overlooking the lush central garden or harbor and Valletta's ancient walls beyond. Some lower-level rooms overlooking the garden, however, can lack natural light and street-facing rooms are prone to noise.

While all rooms come with a decent selection of amenities that include 32-inch flat-screen TVs, fully stocked minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities (that includes espresso machines), its the Therapeutic Spa Bedrooms that truly stand out. These rooms provide spa facilities such as therapy baths (with up to seven different programs), steam showers, whirlpool tubs, and "Dermalife Machines" that combine steam, vibrating massage, and infrared light aimed at body detoxification. Some of these rooms also open to private rooftop pools their own barbecue facilities. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available, but it can be patchy and slow. 

Health facilities certainly aren't confined to guest rooms, with an impressive spa that combines neoclassical and Japanese-style decor with a huge whirlpool tub, steam rooms, saunas, and a long list of massage and body treatments. There are also a heated saltwater therapy pool and another indoor pool long enough for a swim (with lessons available). Outside the large lagoon pool meanders through the tropical gardens, and features a swim up bar -- though mostly in the shade, the water can be very cold during cooler weather. Surrounding the gardens are most of the hotel's six restaurants, with menus ranging from Italian and Mediterranean to Thai and Vietnamese; while food quality is generally good, prices are slightly higher than average. A decent breakfast buffet is served each morning, with cooked-to-order a la carte items, though it is not always included in the rate. Bed-and-breakfast, half-board, and all-inclusive packages are available.