The apartment itself was lovely and in a great location. Dario helped us with check-in and check-out and was very easy to contact via whatsapp for any issues.
Does not deserve 5 stars for the following reasons:
- Sneaky "late" check in fee if you are unable to check into the flat within the restricted hours of 3-7pm. Given how tricky it can be to get flights that arrive at a specific time, this 40EUR fine for only being able to arrive at 10pm seemed like a cheeky way to make a bit of extra money off of guests. It is also not stated anywhere on the apartment page or on the booking confirmation. When I questioned this fair online ahead of arriving in Malta, whoever I spoke to was patronising and condescending ("Should we tell you that it is not possible to check-in after 19:00 would the situation be better for you?
If you wish we can check you in next morning free of charge of course.") - this was in response to asking where they had included the check in fee in the terms/conditions of the booking which had been paid for. With this fine included in the final price, it actually would have been cheaper for us to have gone with a hotel with breakfast included - had we known this,we would not have booked this apartment.
- They offered to book a taxi from the airport to the apartment for a fee of 35EUR - do not accept this. A taxi from the airport to Valletta is a fixed price of 17EUR and is very easily booked once you arrive at the airport. Again, seems like a way to try and get extra money from guests.
- Shower was dirty with hairs from the previous guests. The toilet itself also had a very strong odour of sewage -- this might be down to the sewage systems on the island, but we didn't experience this smell in public toilets. The bathrooms are also an en suite to one of the rooms - guests staying in the other room in the apartment had to keep going through the bedroom which was quite annoying at night/in the morning when trying to sleep.
- Quite thin windows/walls so you'll be able to hear the noises from other guests staying in the building or outside.
- They own the whole building of flats - I don't think this is made 100% clear on the apartment page, but worth noting that the flat you get might not look exactly like the photos. We thought our apartment looked significantly smaller.