LABRANDA Riviera Hotel & Spa

The cream building and copious balconies of the Riviera Resort & Spa looks a bit like a docked cruise ship from the outside, while inside, cushioned chairs and sofas are arranged throughout the large, bright lobby, with glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea available from some vantage points. Warm wood details and swirling iron railings create a classic, if not exactly contemporary, ambiance in the reception area, which has a large lobby bar and a gift shop. The rooftop terrace offers ample lounge chairs for sunbathing and unobstructed sea views, and the atmosphere throughout is relaxed. There isn't any wild nightlife or major crowds across the hotel's many dining and drinking establishments -- though don't expect the most stylish design throughout. The resort provides entertainment and animators to liven things up, especially for kids, though the majority of guests here are older couples on holiday. 

The hotel sits on a small bay on Malta’s northern coast, along a rocky beach overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The area is fairly quiet, but it can get busy in the summer months, though there aren't many sights within walking distance. A booth across the street from the hotel sells excursions to Gozo and Comino islands and the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal is 20 minutes away on foot, or five minutes by car. From there, travelers can explore popular dive sites, like the Rozi Wreck and P29 Wreck. For travelers without cars, the Ahrax bus stop is a four-minute walk from the hotel and Għadira Bay, the largest sandy beach in Malta, is a 10-minute bus ride, while Paradise Bay is 20 minutes away by bus. Mellieha town -- with its historic Parish Church, shops, and restaurants -- is a 15-minute bus trip, though there’s not much nightlife there, and St. Julian's, which is better for barhopping, is an hour away by bus (or 40 minutes by car). The drive to Valetta, which has several historic sights, takes about 45 minutes, as does a drive to Malta International Airport.

Like most aspects of this resort, rooms are comfortable and clean, with Mediterranean views from balconies or terraces in most rooms. Standard Rooms could use an update, with terra cotta tile floors, outdated oak headboards and nightstands, cheaply framed images of Malta, and motel style bedspreads in solid red or floral patterns. Suites, which have more contemporary oak furniture and overstuffed love seats and chairs in separate comfy living rooms, offer good king beds, while Standard Rooms feature twin or double beds. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safes (for a fee), and while some balconies face the sea, others overlook the countryside or pool. Family Rooms, which are two interconnected rooms that fit up to five people, have countryside views and extra beds or dribs are available. Bathrooms throughout are clean, though outdated, and feature bathtub/shower combos, unattractive pink granite vanities, tiled floors and walls, hairdryers, and toiletries. Guests should note that air-conditioning and heating are only available during scheduled times and there are deposits charged for things like remote controls and safes. 

The Riviera Resort and Spa provides gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea from a terrace with two outdoor pools and a kids' pool. On-site Elysium Spa is a small but clean facility with neutral decor that has a clinical look, and the complex includes a hot tub and indoor heated pool set amid a mosaic-tiled terrace and a vaulted sky-scape mural overhead. The hotel has its own dive school, racquetball court, and fitness center, which is large and bright, though cardio and weight equipment are older and the hideous green floor is bubbling up in places. There is a small sand beach at Hola Beach, adjacent to the hotel, but access closes early. 

The restaurants and bars on site are all perfectly fine and serve a decent range of food, just don't expect high-design or style. Mirasol Restaurant, the main on-site eatery, serves the hotel's good buffets, including breakfast and themed dinner nights, while Sol e Mar Bistro serves Italian dishes and has a summertime terrace facing the Mediterranean (so long as guests don't mind staring at the cars parked along the street, or the rusting railings in the foreground). Zelano, the on-site Chinese restaurant, is a favorite among guests. There is also a lobby bar, the Hola Beach bar, and Lookout Pool Bar, while Charley Noble Bar -- a nautically themed space -- serves cocktails in a comfortable English pub setting. All-inclusive options and various meal plans and packages are also available, and there are animators (entertainers) throughout the resort during peak seasons.

The hotel has six meeting and banquet spaces that fit anywhere from 48 to 250 people and there are two PC computers in the lobby that serve as a business center. There is a gift shop/mini-mart in the hotel's lobby as well as a tour desk that can book excursions. Bicycle rentals and water sports are also available here. Wi-Fi is only available for free near the pool and in the hotel's lobby.