Ridott Street, Xemxija Bay, St. Paul's Bay, Malta | (356) 21 58 5171
Close waterfront access, near the bus stop to Bugibba
Apartment units with kitchens, flat-screen TVs, and safes; some have bay views
Two outdoor pools with lounge chairs, a kids' pool, and two hot tubs
Cozy English pub, restaurant, and a pool bar on-site
Dive center with rentals and tours
Basic fitness center
Self-serve laundry room and mini market on-site
24-hour front desk
Free parking
Fee for Wi-Fi
From the waterfront, it’s an uphill climb to the hotel
Refundable deposit required for TV remote
Location is slightly removed from the touristy areas
The mid-range Porto Azzurro is an affordable, homey apartment hotel with 110 One- and Two-Bedroom or Studio units located in a quiet spot overlooking Xemxija Bay. Rooms vary between plain, basic decor and upgraded, modern furnishings with a sleeker style; all have kitchens, living rooms, and a fee for Wi-Fi. Penthouses overlook Xemxija Bay from nice terraces. The quiet location is slightly isolated with few dining options -- aside from the hotel’s cozy English pub, restaurant, and bar at the outdoor pool, where there’s also a hot tub and kids' pool. The hotel also has an indoor pool, fitness center, and dive center that offers guided trips. For free Wi-Fi and a livelier location, consider the Hotel Topaz.
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Scene
Homey, mid-range apartment hotel overlooking Xemxija Bay
The six-floor, mid-range Porto Azzurro is a small, family-run property with a cozy atmosphere and inexpensive prices that appeal to a variety of travelers -- couples, groups, and families -- who appreciate a vacation with home-cooked meals prepared in their private kitchens. Common areas in this apartment hotel are small, but guests have plenty of space within their units. The lobby, which faces a quiet side street, has comfortable rattan chairs and blue striped pillows and drapes. Blue sofas are found in some narrow hallways that are clean, but lack character. The residential-style six-floor building -- painted cream with iron balconies -- wraps around a corner, providing half of the building with lovely Xemxija Bay views.
Location
On the northeast end of Malta, overlooking Xemxija Bay
The hotel is located on a hill in a low-key area of Xemxija that’s a two-minute walk to the waterfront promenade, with a few restaurants and shops. Returning to the hotel requires walking uphill, which can be a challenge for those with limited mobility. Go Dive Malta is on-site, offering guided dives to wrecks, rentals, and scuba courses. A five-minute walk from the hotel is the Is-Simar Nature Reserve, where there are campsites and nature trails. For travelers who want a more lively atmosphere, the Roti bus stop is beside the hotel, and a 15-minute bus ride can take guests to Bugibba Square. Mellieha is a 10-minute bus ride, and Golden Sands beach is 21 minutes by bus. The lively nightlife in Paceville can be reached in 30 minutes on public transport. Malta International Airport is a 30-minute car ride away.
Rooms
Cozy apartments with balconies or terraces, kitchens, and some with bay views
Interior design in the units ranges from quite homey to sleek and modern throughout the Studios, and One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments. These spaces have family-friendly extras including free high chairs and cribs. The less attractive, somewhat dated rooms have checkered blue-and-yellow bedspreads, striped drapes, and light-wood furniture. Every room has a kitchen with a stove and oven or a kitchenette with hot plates, toasters, electric kettles, microwaves, and mini-fridges. Balconies or terraces face the bay or outdoor pool and countryside. Penthouses are more sleek and modern, with dark-wood furnishings, dining tables and living rooms, guest bathrooms, whirlpool tubs, and stunning bay views. All rooms offer flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, safes, irons/ironing boards, electric kettles, and Wi-Fi (for a fee). Bathrooms -- which either have mosaic designs or white tiles -- offer hairdryers, shower/tub combos or showers, and some have whirlpool tubs.
Features
English pub, casual dining, poolside cocktails, indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, and a mini market
Avalon Bar, Porto Azzurro’s English-style pub, is the hotel’s most charming amenity with wooden ceilings, brick accents, leather-tufted furniture, cigars for sale, and live local entertainment. Porto Fino Restaurant is clean and large, offering ample space to dine on Mediterranean cuisine. In the summer months the outdoor pool -- with a snack bar, kids' pool, and hot tub -- hosts weekly barbecues. Lounge chairs are set around the pool and on a separate sun terrace. The indoor pool is heated and also offers a hot tub. Older exercise machines are in the bright fitness center. A mini market sells provisions for meals to cook in apartments, along with wine, souvenirs, and sundries. Wi-Fi is available, but incurs an additional fee.
