Coral Hotel

The six-story Coral Hotel is a budget property with a faded blue exterior that’s in need of fresh coat of paint. Outdoor dining tables are on two small patios on either side of the entrance. At the glass door entrance of the hotel is a small front desk and a few chairs placed against mirrored walls. A narrow elevator is available by the hotel’s stairwell. This property is an ordinary, budget option in Malta, but the friendly staff members make up for the dated interiors -- when they're not busy, that is. 

This hotel is in a convenient location that’s a five-minute walk on foot to the touristy Bugibba Square and the shops, restaurants, and bars on the waterfront promenade. The street where the hotel is located isn’t especially attractive, but there are a few restaurants nearby. The beaches in Bugibba are mostly rocky. There is, however, a small sandy beach 15 minutes away on foot. Also in walking distance is the Malta Classic Car Collection and 20 minutes on foot is the Malta National Aquarium. Ghadira Bay, the largest stretch of sand in Malta, is 30 minutes by bus. Getting to the lively bar scene in St. Julian’s takes 30 minutes by bus. It’s a little over an hour to Malta’s capital, Valletta. Driving to the Malta International Airport takes 30 minutes.

The style in rooms is simple and traditional, with light wood furniture, tile floors, bistro tables, and balconies that face the streets or other buildings. Three to four people can fit in rooms that offer air-conditioning, hairdryers, tubes TVs, and ceiling fans. For a fee, safes and mini-fridges are also available. Glass doors that lead to balconies provide a lot of natural light and there are also blackout curtains. Rooms at the front of the hotel can sometimes pick up the lobby’s free Wi-Fi signal. Streets outside are fairly busy, but rooms are adequately soundproofed. Bathrooms are basic, featuring shower/tub combos with showerheads attached to hoses.

The Coral Hotel offers a rooftop pool with a few lounge chairs and shade under wooden awnings. While the pool is clean, the views of Bugibba aren’t spectacular. On the ground floor is a buffet restaurant furnished in blue chairs with large windows that provide natural light. Yellow chairs and cocktail tables are in the small lounge bar that has flat-screen TVs and vending machines. Guests can connect to free Wi-Fi in the lobby, where there’s also a computer terminal. In contrast to the hotel’s mostly homey facilities, the recreation room is modernly designed, offering pool tables and comfy lounge sofas around a bar.