Malta in February; first visit – Marriott or Westin Hotel?

[MisterE]

We have a 4 night stay to use up an expiring 2-4-1 Companion Voucher. I’m Titanium at Marriott and am wondering whether the Marriott or Westin would be best. Rates are more or less identical; both hotels have rooms with sea view and balcony.

Do any HfPers have any post-pandemic experience or views?

TIA

[kwho]

I can only comment on their location. Marriott is closer to the Valletta centre, walkable if you dont have mobility isues. Westin is further out, in St Julian’s. Basically Marriott is halfway between Valletta and Westin.

There is a very little beach in front of Marriott, which is in a harbour. The Westin has its own private seafront looking out onto the sea. Though it’s a rocky seafront. Either way, I do not think you’ll be bathing in February. So probably location is more important.

The Westin is nice and very large, but Marriott probably it is better located considering is February.

[SBIre]

I’ve not stayed in the Marriott but I’ve stayed in the Westin Dragonara a few times before and after the pandemic, as I’m a fan of the attached dive centre (DiveWise).

Kwho is spot on with regards to the location – neither are perfect, but the Marriott is a little better. There are slightly nicer bars and restaurants around the Marriott – St Julian has a few more party bars and clubs, but there is quality around there too if you look. For example there is a lovely little restaurant serving local game, specialists and wine at the quieter, Westin end of one of the party streets. It is easy to get a taxi into Valetta though, and I’ve walked it too!

The Westin has a fun casino if that is your thing. It is a big complex, the staff are decent, I liked the breakfast and I’ve been treated well as both a Titanium and a Platinum. The rooms are a little dated but they are a great size, with big balconies. The lounge is a nice space on the top floor of one of the building, with an lovely outdoor terrace, but post pandemic the hours were cut and the food and drink quality dropped – my last trip was Dec 2021 though, so it may be back to normal!

[Swifty]

Went to Malta in Feb this year. Sea was freezing, and it was windy. Pick the one with the nicest pool? and most to do within hotel complex. There were very few people. Most restaurants were deserted. Whole plane was full of silver haired “ex pat’s” who dove back into their apartments, never to be seen again. Also visited gozo etc and ferries shut early. All pretty sights were closed for winter Inc the multi coloured boats on gozo

[MF176]

I’m staying at the Marriott in December. Appreciate a lot of things will be closed down for the winter but it seems a nice spot for a few quiet days away.

[bungalow]

kwho wrote:

I can only comment on their location. Marriott is closer to the Valletta centre, walkable if you dont have mobility isues. Westin is further out, in St Julian’s. Basically Marriott is halfway between Valletta and Westin.

There is a very little beach in front of Marriott, which is in a harbour. The Westin has its own private seafront looking out onto the sea. Though it’s a rocky seafront. Either way, I do not think you’ll be bathing in February. So probably location is more important.

The Westin is nice and very large, but Marriott probably it is better located considering is February.

No idea where the Westin is, but assuming we’re talking about Marriott Malta here, I stayed in it last month and IT is most certainly located in St Julian’s! And I did visit Valetta, by both bus and taxi, didn’t try to walk as it seemed quite far to me, because the bus takes over 30 minutes!

[malteser]

The Westin has some good restaurants and a casino. Most of the rooms have lovely balconies with sea view and Some of the rooms have been refurbished. Location – it’s in Paceville, the party town of the country. Clubs, bars, loud music but 5 min away on foot you are in St Julians where there are some nice restaurants. The promenade along the waterfront is also 5min away and it is a lovely walk all the way to Sliema ferries where you can take the ferry across to Valletta.
The Marriott is only 10min away from the Westin on foot, towards Sliema and it is overlooking a small pretty bay. The promenade is right there and loads of nice restaurants around.
Plenty of rooms with sea view.
For location I would choose the Marriott. The restaurants in the area will all be open in February.
The weather could be anything, this year we had storms and it was cold. No one here swims in the sea in February.