Howard Johnson Hotel Diplomat Sliema

i have just returned from a weeks holiday in malta. before i left i checked the trip advisor comments on the howard johnston diplomat in tower road sliema and was dreading the thought of spending any time there. as it turned out the hotel was excellent, the food well prepared and the staff couldnt be friendlier- so much so that we upgraded to half-board from b&b.

goodness knows what some of the reviewers expected from a tourist hotel- if you want 5 star quality expect to pay 5 star prices!

i intend to return to malta and i will be checking on the availability of this hotel when i do.

Although it looked rather old inside at some points, I think the Diplomat is a fair, if not to say good hotel to stay at.

The rooms aren't big, but have everything you need and the staff has been very friendly and helpful; p.e. manager on duty Mr. Grech kindly offered me to use his computer for the Internet, since the guest's computer didn't work for a day. Also a big compliment for the staff at the lobby bar and the restaurant.

The food was really good, breakfast as well as dinner.

The location is very nice, right between the shops of Sliema and the bars and discotheques in St. Julian.

I would certainly recommend this hotel to anyone who's going to Malta.

Greetz, Adriana S.

Netherlands

Location was great....but. Over-priced for the quality of the hotel. This should not be considered a 4-star hotel. I don't imagine anyone from HoJo's has made a trip here since it first acquired their name. Small room, no view of the ocean, tiny bathroom and no TV (not that I would have watched it). However, pool on the roof, A/C that worked, wonderful breakfast and a quaint bar with some seating outside. (Which is where the view of the ocean was.) And only a short 10-minute walk to the ferry to Valletta.

Hotel rooms are dumpy, poorly lit, and the bathroom was awful. The included breakfast was pretty good.

The location is wonderful. Near bus stop, across from a swimming area, restaurants close by, tour agency for some touring.

The hotel desk manager was so very nice I hate to give this poor review. Oh, and when we arrived they were overbooked (can't imagine why) so even tho we had made reservations many months in advance, we had to be transferred to a different hotel. Actually that was a blessing in disguise because it was much nicer, and when we were transferred back to the Diplomat we were very disappointed.

This Hotel gives the Howard Johnston chain a bad name. If you have stayed in any of their hotels give this a MISS. THe rooms are small and tired looking. The normal complimentary things like coffee you have to pay extortionate prices for, the breakfast is awfull!!! I would advise anyone thinking of going to this hotel to think again and find another.

Stayed at Diplomat 1st week in september. It has to be the noisiest hotel I have ever stayed at. The rooms were dark and dismal and the Balconies were a waste of time as they were not big enough to sit on. In General the staff were polite and helpful , especially the bar staff .

Overall not good value for money and I wouldnt stay again.

I stayed at Diplomat Hotel with my wife from July 30 until August 6, 2004. This is the worst 4-star hotel I have ever visited.

It is an old hotel, looking rather agly from outside, that needs renovation urgently.

The swimming pool was very small and dirty; the pool bar and surrounding area look abandont.

Weiters in the restaurant were not polite at all, they kept on loudly talking to each other paying vary little attention to the visitors' needs; their service was of no acceptable quality.

Finally the rooms were very dirty; can you immagine that our room was not vacuumed cleaned during the whole 7-day period we spend there (I am positive on this because there was a small white piece of cloth under my bed when we arrived that was still there when we left and I afraind that it will at the same place for long). I am not sure but I think that bed sheets have not been changed over the same period. Finaly, the cleaning woman insisted to come in the room immediately after knocking the door withour waitind for our responce.

I would not stay again in this hotel even if I was going to be paid for this

The hotel is rather old and shabby. It could use a good renovation.

Location is great, it's right across the street from the promenade, and close to some restaurants and bus stops.

Bus stops are important in Malta, the bus service is excellent, and you can get anywhere you want.

Swimming is close to the Diplomat, altho not sandy beaches. Its' referred to as off-rock swimming. We liked it a lot.

Staff was very nice, restaurant was fairly good.

We probably would not stay here again, there are so many other hotels.

I stayed at this Hotel between 19th November 2003 and 10th December 2003 on a HB basis. I emailed Ian Laferla(Duty Manager) before I arrived to ask could I have a packed lunch each day instead of an Evening Meal. He replied straight away and said this was not a problem and also that he would do everything possible to make my stay a memorable one. FROM DAY ONE HE WAS AS GOOD AS HIS WORD and he and his staff were so friendly and helpful. My packed luches were terrific and healthy and the kitchen staff and restaurant staff were so friendly and professional, especially the head chef and one of the waiters named Joey. Special mention also to one of the Housekeeping staff, Rita and the Lobby Bar/Cafe staff named Anne who originated from Ireland.

The rooms were very clean, comfortable and bright, with mini bar and cable TV. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff at the Diplomat and the General Manager, Conrad should be very proud of such a commited and dedicated team. Mr Ian Laferla is a top class duty manager and a first class human being.

The Restaurant and food were first rate as were the Lobby Bar/Cafe and the on site Pub just next to Reception.

IF YOU ARE THINKING OF VISITING MALTA, DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR AND MAKE SURE YOU STAY AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON DIPLOMAT HOTEL IN SLIEMA.

I will be going back again and again for the friendliness, comfort, lovely atmosphere, great decor and rooms, and most of all a super group of staff, who really made me feel at home and made my holiday so special, even though I travelled alone for the first time away from my two teenage children.

WELL DONE DIPLOMAT, TOP OF THE CLASS!