Stuart Forster samples the Maltese hospitality of the Radisson Blu Resort Malta
The Radisson Blu Resort Malta St Julian’s is rated as a five-star property and offers a comfortable place to stay. A stone’s throw from the Mediterranean Sea, it is a 20- to 25-minute drive north of Malta International Airport and a similar journey time from Valletta, Malta’s capital city.
The popular resort town of St Julian’s is located midway along Malta’s northwest shore, making it an ideal base for exploring the compact island nation – something I enjoyed doing with my camera. Placed next to St George’s Bay, this 252-room property is a short walk or taxi drive from the heart of the town, helping ensure this proved a quiet place to stay.
That means the numerous bars and dining venues of St Julian’s are easily accessible but there are onsite options if you prefer staying in the hotel to eat and drink. Kon Tiki hosts a generous buffet breakfast as well as a buffet lunch on Sundays and a buffet dinner on Saturdays. Le Bistro offers Mediterranean cuisine in a casual environment while The Bridge serves drinks and light bites overlooking the Radisson Blu Resort’s outdoor pool.
Shielded by the wings of the U-shaped hotel building, the poolside offers a relaxing and secluded place to enjoy the Maltese sunshine. There’s also an indoor pool as part of the spa where therapists offer a range of treatments, from facials to full body massages. Relaxing in the steam room, sauna and hot tub is an alternative way of unwinding during a hands-on treatment.
This Maltese hotel has nine classes of room, ranging in size from the 28-square-metre Standard Rooms up to the 70-square-metre Presidential Suite. All of the rooms have sizable balconies with outdoor seating and a table. I enjoyed sitting outside sipping coffee or wine while gazing along the coastline and listening to the Mediterranean slapping against the stony shore below.
At night, with the sliding door of my room open, that rhythmic sound and the fresh sea air helped ensure that I slept soundly after exploring tourist attractions on both the main island and neighbouring Gozo. (Driving to the ferry, which crosses the Gozo Channel between Cirkewwa-Mgarr, took about 40 minutes from the hotel.)
My sleep was probably aided by soaking in the bathtub before bed. The warm bathwater helped relax my well-walked legs and ready me for slumber.
The desk within my bedroom proved ideal for checking email and backing up the images that I photographed. While reading emails and sending photos I drank coffee made using the facilities provided in the room rather than taking anything from the mini-bar.
Wi-Fi access here is complimentary and the safe provided all the assurance I needed that my kit would remain secure while I was out of the room. And with plenty of charging points, it meant that my work-related requirements were satisfied.
All told, the Radisson Blu Resort Malta St Julian’s provided the comfort and security that I look for while on the road with my camera.
Images (C) Stuart Forster.
Tell me more about the Radisson Blu Resort Malta
Radisson Blue Resort Malta St Julian’s is at St George’s Bay, St Julian’s, STJ3391, Malta.
T: +356 21 375894
Rooms from £100 per night in the low season.
Stuart Forster used the Radisson Blu Resort Malta St Julian’s as a base to focus on travel photography in Malta.
Discover things to do and see in St Julian’s and elsewhere in Malta on the Visit Malta website.
