Pergola Hotel & Spa

The Pergola Club Hotel is housed in two buildings built into one of the steeper hillsides in Mellieha, with a long flight of stairs separating the two. The layout of the seven-floor hotel, which has multiple elevators, can be confusing as facilities are spread between buildings. At the top of the stairs, a small glass entrance leads into the modern lobby, and though the design throughout the hotel isn’t particularly memorable, there are some nice touches here, like checkerboard floors, ostrich leather armchairs, and red contemporary sofas (though the mirrored ceiling undercuts these stylish choices). The atmosphere throughout the hotel is relaxed and there are several on-site pools and casual restaurants, including the colorful and homey Da Ciccio's Cucina. There’s isn’t much of social scene here, but guests -- mostly families and middle-aged couples -- do enjoy the summer barbecues and the poolside Cave Bar that’s carved into the side of the hotel and dripping with ivy.

Mellieha town sits on several hills, so travelers should be prepared for steep inclines when walking about, and the Pergola Club Hotel sits on one of the more dramatic hillsides in the center of town. There are a few restaurants on the same street as the hotel, and two blocks away is the Adenau bus stop, which provides bus access to Malta's party capital, St. Julian’s, in 45 minutes. It’s a 10-minute walk to the historic center of town where there are more dining options, shops, the Parish Church of Mellieha, and the Mellieha's WWII Air Raid Shelter. Malta’s largest beach, Ghadira Bay, is a five-minute bus ride from the hotel and the quirky Popeye Village Fun Park, the original set of the 1980s movie, is a ten-minute drive. Ferries to Gozo and Camino Islands depart from the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, 20 minutes away by bus, or 15 minutes away by car, and the hotel also arranges excursions to Valletta and Sicily, among other destinations. Malta International Airport is about 45 minutes away from the hotel by car or taxi.

Tile-floored guest rooms are clean, simple, and spacious, and are perfectly fine for a value holiday near the sea. Interiors range from modern, blue-accented, Mediterranean-style Standard and Internal Rooms with cheap-looking wood veneer furniture to Studio and One-Bedroom Apartments with outdated floral patterns and fabrics. Many rooms feature balconies or terraces that overlook Mellieha town, the sea, and/or the pool, though Internal Rooms don’t have balconies. Every room has weak air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, writing desks, kettles, mini-fridges, and for a fee guests can use safes and DVD players. Studios, One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments have sitting areas with uncomfortable sofa beds and kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges, toasters, stovetops, and dining tables. One-Bedroom Deluxe Apartments have extra beds on request and panoramic views. Deluxe Two-Bedroom Apartments fit up to seven people, with two bathrooms and optional extra beds. Located on the top floor, One-Bedroom Executive Apartments overlook the sea and offer fruit platters, bottled water, wine, bathrobes, and free safes. Again, many of the apartments appear dated and the motel-style comforters on beds leave a lot to be desired. Bathrooms have marble and ceramic tilework with shower/tub combos and hairdryers, though we did notice some dirty grout throughout.

The Pergola Club Hotel’s pools are a quiet contrast to the boisterous crowds and loud poolside music typically experienced at resorts on Malta. Both pools are small and have kids' pools, while one is attached to the seasonal Cave Bar and is surrounded by a deck with blue lounge chairs overlooking the Parish Church of Mellieha and Mediterranean Sea. The clean indoor pool and hot tub face the small gym that offers a few cardio and weight machines. Da Vinci Spa isn’t fancy, but has nice Roman and Asian design motifs and offers a range of standard spa treatments. There are several on-site dining options worth sampling, including pastas and pizzas at Da Ciccio Cucina, and the breakfast and dinner buffets at Bonaventura Restaurant, which also has a bar. Guests should keep in mind that breakfasts are not included. In the summer, the La Valle Al Fresco has barbecues on the terrace and there are a few spaces available for private functions, fitting up to 460 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but can be spotty, and the hotel can arrange excursions to Sicily, scuba diving trips, car rentals, and airport transfers. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and there is a small computer corner for guest use as well. Babysitting is available for guests with small children (for a fee) and cribs are free.