Ian's studio flat was a wonderful base for exploring Malta. Situated in a quiet neighbourhood, we were able to escape the mainstream of tourist-dominated areas, and we got a real taste of how Maltese people live their lives. The flat was well equipped with everything a couple of tourists would need, and its close proximity to Valletta and the bus terminus allowed for easy access to pretty much the entire island. For future visitors, I would recommend buying food to store in the fridge, as small shops and places to find food have different opening hours than, say, Western Europe. Cooking some food and having breakfast at the roof balcony (which overlooks the city and harbour) is a great idea, and you could even prepare dinner and enjoy the sun set in the evening. In total a great alternative for those that want the authentic Maltese experience!

Ian was a very friendly and nice host! It was easy to get in touch with him throughout the booking process, and once we landed in Malta he was flexible enough to let us drop our bags at the flat hours ahead of the agreed check-in time. Ian also gave us great recommendations on places to visit, special experiences and events that were not mentioned in our guide book, and restaurants that served great food - all of which, it is safe to say, we benefitted from. He is also a really nice guy, so he made us feel welcome right from the beginning.

PS: Ian provides the Lonely Planet guide, which is a superb tool for anyone visiting Malta!