British Hotel

For what is certainly a budget-level hotel, the British has an impressive and varied background. Firstly, it's one of the oldest hotels in Valletta originally being used as lodging for the famous Knights of St. John and then later catering to the British forces from the early 19th century. It has also been the used for various movies and TV shows, mostly notably numerous scenes in Steven Spielberg's 'Munich'. The hotel also qualifies as the longest established family-owned and run property in the city, being managed by the Montebello family since 1930 -- now by the third generation. 

Evident from the outside, the hotel comprises three buildings, two with charming traditional sandstone facades with shuttered windows and enclosed balconies, and one renovated section where the entrance is found. The modern side was updated in 2016 and houses a bright contemporary reception, plus restaurant and bar lounge on the two floors above. In two of the three buildings, all six floors are serviced by an elevator, and the higher up the better one can appreciate the hotel's main selling point -- superb views across the Grand Harbour. Clientele leans toward British couples, though it includes plenty of friend groups and solo travelers.

The hotel is located on a quaint, sloping street on the southern edge of Valleta overlooking the Grand Harbour. Most of this historic town's attractions are within walking distance: The gorgeous Co-Cathedral of St. John (home to a stunning Caravaggio painting), the Palace of the Grand Master, the National Museum of Archaeology, are all within a 10-minute walk. The ferry terminal and the main bus station are also less than 10 minutes on foot, while Malta International Airport is a 15-minute drive away. The historic cities of Rabat and Mdina are about 20 minutes' drive away.

The 44 guest rooms range in size from tiny Single Internal Rooms (popular with students and backpackers) to spacious rooms sleeping up to four and opening to shared terraces with superb views over the harbor. Some rooms also open to small sea-view balconies or have windows with the same vista. Some have complained the cheaper rooms can feel particularly cramped and gloomy. While rooms are clean, the dated decor feels decidedly budget, with no-frills interiors that combine simple wood furniture, patterned bedspreads, tiled floors, and slightly slapdash paintwork topped with floral art pieces. 

In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs (either 19- or 24-inch and around a dozen English-speaking channels), manual safes (for a fee), and free Wi-Fi (which can struggle through thick walls). Most rooms have air-conditioning (for a daily supplement), though standing fans are provided free of charge. En-suite bathrooms are functional, with step-in showers, basic toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers in upgraded rooms. Not all rooms are accessible by elevator, so guests with mobility issues should confirm their room does.

Completed in 2016, the renovated restaurant combines stylish contemporary decor with original ancient stone arches and sea views to impressive effect. Although not included as standard, a decent buffet breakfast of hot and cold items is available each morning. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, offering a menu of Maltese dishes, for both guests and the public. Light bites are served in the similarly upgraded bar and lounge, alongside a quality drinks menu and alfresco terrace with harbor-view panoramas. There's also a TV lounge -- where the free Wi-Fi signal is the strongest -- and a rooftop terrace where guests can take drinks.