Solana Hotel and Spa

This colonnaded, three-story limestone building has several attractive black iron balconies overlooking the street and a few terraces with tables scattered out front. Inside, the tiled lobby is spacious, bright, and relatively modern, with polished travertine pillars and a seating area adjacent to the front desk with whimsically proportioned black high-back chairs, sofas, and contemporary dark wood tables. Yellow tulip wallpaper adds a dash of color, though the warm wood display cases and less contemporary furniture in the bar diminish the stylish effect. There are several places for guests to gather and linger throughout, including the rooftop terrace and pool with Mellieha and Mediterranean views, and popular Tosca Restaurant, a bright and casual Italian restaurant that draws plenty of guests and tourists from around town. The hotel is mostly quiet and suits couples and other travelers who want a good value, low-key vacation.

Located on a fairly busy street right in the middle of Mellieha town, there are restaurants and shops surrounding the hotel, and the historic Parish Church is a 10-minute walk from the front door. Malta’s largest sandy beach, Ghadira Bay, is a five-minute drive or 10-minute bus ride from the nearby Adenau stop and the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, where ferries and boats depart for scenic Gozo and Comino Islands, is a 20-minute bus ride. The family-friendly Popeye Village Fun Park -- once the set for the 1980 movie -- is 30 minutes away by bus and the nightclubs in Paceville can also be reached by an often overcrowded one-hour bus ride, or 30 minutes by car. Valletta, Matla's capital, can be reached in an hour and 30 minutes by bus, or 40 minutes by car, and the city is home to historic sights like St. John's Co-Cathedral and Fort St. Elmo, while Malta International Airport is 40 minutes from the hotel by car or taxi.

Ranging from Standard Rooms to Studios and One-Bedroom Apartments, clean and comfortable guest rooms have a homey atmosphere thanks to neutral, if outdated tan furniture, tiled floors, and gaudy wrought iron light fixtures. Beds are decent, though the headboards are lifted straight from an earlier decade and the quilted bed spreads aren't chic. Many guests opt for apartments here, which may include sofa beds, can accommodate up to six people, and offer cabinet-stowed kitchenettes with microwaves, electric ranges, sinks, and toasters. However, guests should know that there are daily fees for kitchenette usage. Most rooms include balconies or terraces, and while some provide views of Mellieha and/or partial sea views, others face neighboring buildings or interior courtyards. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, small seating or dining areas, individually controlled air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, though safes and in-room Wi-Fi are only available for a fee. En-suite gray-tiled bathrooms are fine but similarly outdated, with large hairdryers and pump-dispensed toiletries, porcelain vanities, and bathtub/shower combos.

The Solana Hotel offers peaceful and well-maintained facilities, including a rooftop pool and sun deck next with decent views over Mellieha to the Mediterranean. The indoor pool and hot tub area has a dated, Miami-style vibe, with recessed purple lighting, large neutral tiles, and a sky mural overhead, and there is a sparsely outfitted fitness center with a few cardio machines -- but no treadmill -- and free weights. Laid-back SPA Harmonique has attractive treatment rooms and lounge areas with wooden and wicker furniture and features a couples hot tub treatment room and a large menu of massage, wellness, and beauty treatments. Cafe Puccini, the casual lobby bar, has a nicely stocked pastry case, coffees, and drinks, while Tosca Restaurant is a bright and cheery, if slightly suburban looking, Italian eatery that serves great food and is popular with Mellieha visitors. Bellini Restaurant serves the hotel's buffets, including an excellent breakfast with hot and cold options as well themed dinners and live entertainment, though meals are not included with most bookings. During the summer, lunch is served at Vista Del Mar Terrace Bar, adjacent to the pool. For business travelers or groups, two meeting rooms that hold a maximum of 80 people and the rooftop deck is also available for private functions. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby of the hotel, but not in guest rooms, and the hotel's 24-hour front desk can assist guests with booking excursions throughout Malta as well as airport transfers and private car services.