My partner and I have just returned from a winter week away at the Santana Hotel, Qawra, Malta. Overall, not bad. We stayed half board and the food was fine although not very varied-same stuff for breakfast every day and mainly English style food for evening meal, even on Malta night there was a carvery but it was nice.

The hotel was clean but our room was a little shabby with encrusted grime on the taps and a couple of broken bits here and there.

Staff were friendly and would give help if required.

My only gripe is the noise. Our room was on the fourth floor faced the back of the hotel where the kitchens, boilers and aircon units were located. The aircon units outside made an awful noise every night, so much that on our first night we thought it was workmen with pneumatic drills until we discovered what it was the next day. The worst noise came from the entertainment which was foolishly located in the cocktail bar on the sixth floor instead of in a basement where moist hotels would have it. As we were on the fourth floor the entertainment (singers and caberet) travelled right through to our room and for four nights out of seven we had to wear ear plugs but the noise and vibration from the singer still got through!

Overall the hotel is recommendable but if you want a quiet break, call the hotel or travel agent and make sure you are not located at the back of the hotel or near the cocktail bar or you will have to sleep with ear plugs.

We have not been to Malta before and were a little unsure about what people said about hotel ratings so we took a chance and booked the Santana we were not disappointed, very helpful staff.

Rooms cleaned every day, Towels changed every day Food was very nice something for everyone entertainment was a bit it and miss but plenty of bars just outside the hotel The Hotel itself was in a superb position for the bus station where you could get a bus anywhere on the island we will certainly be going back to the Santana.

Originally intending to stay in Malta on a one week self catering holiday, we found that the difference in price did not warrant that, so we booked half-board, quite expecting, nevertheless, that we would find ourselves eating out.

The arrangements for us were perfect. Breakfasts were typical of buffet style hotel food, with choice and quality more than adequate. The benefit to us was that we did not have to rely on an evening meal, as on most days we would have taken the opportunity to sample the wonderful and varied delights of the Maltese and Gozitan culinary scenes. However, the evening meals were of good quality with a reasonable choice, and, being buffet style, suited our appetites of the occasion. The food here was obviously not haute cuisine but of a high standard, and good for its style. There was always a fish dish, and usually a roast to give an alternative to the more interesting choices. The variety was excellent throughout. Perhaps a strict vegetarian might have reason to complain, but I would quite imagine the staff to be accommodating in any way possible should that be the case.

Nothing seemed to be too much trouble to the helpful and friendly staff. One of the reasons for choosing the Santana was its Hospitality Accreditation - one which we found it to have deserved.

Housekeeping was excellent, with towels changed every day.
Entertainment was a little limited, but probably little different from other hotels and bars in the area, especially at this time of year, where the island was just waking up to the new season.

Whilst the position of the hotel is perhaps not the best in the resort from the seafront point of view, and the rear rooms receive no direct sunlight in the winter months, it's proximity to the bus station gave us the ability to explore the islands as we wished.

When reading other reports, the reference to how close the hotel was to this facility made me question whether it would be subject to a lot of traffic noise. I need not have been concerned. The bus routes do not pass by the hotel.

We would certainly visit this hotel again if returning to Qwara ( pronounced 'our-ah' - if that helps anyone such as me before I went )

We shared a room and the third bed had been put in an awkward place, virtually blocking the bathroom door but our request to move out the mini bar to give us more room was swiftly seen to by the friendly hotel staff.

The hotels public areas and bedrooms were very clean, the towels were changed every day.

The food was good, not exceptional but plenty of variety, you would have to be really hard to please not to find something you liked.

The entertainment was the usual Karaoke, pub singers and bingo but just fitted the ticket for a good sing along and knees up!

The All Inclusive rules were easy to follow, and the local wines / beers etc were fine. One thing though they won

Hotel generally very clean, towels and sheets changed regularly. Room did smell very strong of stale tobacco. Hairdryer, mini bar, safe and TV all provided, be careful with TV remote control, very easy to select pay to view channels.

The restaurant was clean, food hot with several choices of main course. The Malta night was very good, breakfast had plenty of choice. The Italian restaurant definitely worth a visit. The 24hr cafe bar serves a very limited range of snacks and after finding mouldy lettuce in the salad was put off eating there again.

Staff are all friendly and very polite and helpful.

The outdoor pool area looked like it needed a lick of paint but in fairness it was Jan and pool was closed. The indoor pool area is lovely, a little small and the water not hot enough but the room was warm.

Did go to entertainment but could never get early enough to get a seat.

In all would stay here again. For a ex smoker found the tobacco smells in the rooms and corridors off putting. Also smokers note you can only smoke in your room, Malta is completely non smoking in all public areas.

We arrived at Santana hotel 4hrs late at 9pm we had missed our evening meal as dinner was not served after 8pm. However staff went out of their way to provide us with a feast fit for a king.

My 16 yr old son is 6ft 3 and had been provided with a folded z bed but staff were very quick to rectify this without any delay or grumbles.

Rooms were cleaned and towels changed daily sheets were changed twice in a week.

The quality of meals was top class and could not be faulted.

We experienced a very enjoyable week nothing was too much trouble. The staff were courteous and went out of their way to help.

I would recommend this hotel to anyone - well done !

Just returned from a week at the hotel Santana.The location was great,close to the bus station,bars and only a short walk to the sea front. Not much view from our room looking over the air con units but the room was clean and maid service was very good.Food was good and plenty of it.I paid

Just returned from a lovely week at the Santana Hotel. We had our daughter with us so upgraded to a superior room, this was well worth the 2ml a night as it was huge with a kitchen area and 2 sofas.

No problems with the hotel staff they were very helpful

The hotel was very clean and there was plenty of choice with food and it was always hot.

I would certainly stay at this hotel again.

Hotel Santana very clean, staff helpful and pleasant can not fault this hotel and I have stayed in two in malta.

Food very good and choices were too everyones taste although you can not please everyone.

Rooms very clean and always smelt clean even the lifts.

The place cannot be faulted and no children running amock as in other hotels.

The foyer and reception area were very welcoming with lifts close by. Many of the rooms do not have a sea-view, as did our 2 rooms between our group, however the rooms were of a decent size. The general cleanliness was excellent, the rooms, corridors, pool in fact all areas of the hotel were spotless. The large dining area served a buffet style meal, which was never the same choice over our week stay. The food was superb, without question. We found the Santana staff to be friendly and very helpful and generally they seemed proud and happy to be working there, so this only added to pleasent nature of the hotel.

We did not the entertainment as such but used the childrens games rooms which we found to be average. There was a pool table, a couple of aged video machines and a shuffle air game, which needed an overhaul. The rooftop pool was filled with salt water, which we found unsual but the bar staff etc were prompt, friendly. There was also an indoor pool & jacuzzi with gym facilities and sauna, which we found very nice, thou the pool water was cold.

Our stay was made that bit better because of this hotel experience and I would defintely recommend the Santana.