My friend and I headed to Number 11 St. Julian’s in Malta a day before our official Gate 1 Malta tour began. This hotel was a perfect spot for adjusting to the time change, regrouping, and starting out on our good friends’ getaway. We became friends in college. I knew my friend to be an adventurous traveler when she stayed with me in my village in The Gambia when I was in the Peace Corps. On this Malta trip, we found ourselves in an area worth exploring. Within close walking distance to several cafes, restaurants, a grocery store, a few souvenir shops, and St. George’s Bay in the Mediterranean, Number 11 became our hub for five days.
Getting to Number 11, St. Julian’s, Malta
Getting to the hotel was an easy 30-minute Bolt car ride from the airport. Bolt is similar to Uber and easy to use. My friend downloaded the Bolt app before we arrived in Malta. Minutes after she connected with the service, our driver arrived. He met us inside the terminal, making our Malta introduction easy. As we headed into the heart of St. Julian’s, he gave us a few tips on what to see before he dropped us off with a “Here you are.”
Number 11 is shouldered in between a mix of residential and commercial buildings in a blend of modern and classic Malta-style architecture. Most of Malta’s old buildings, whether ancient or from colonial times, are made of limestone that turns a honey-colored hue in the sun. Doors and shutters are painted in a mix of bright blues, greens, and yellows. Narrow balconies are also signature features. Walking through St. Julian’s is a visual treat.
Number 11 Hotel Features
Number 11 fits the purely modern version of Malta’s building landscape. The lobby is mainly the reception check-in desk, where the helpful staff is ready to answer any questions and give recommendations on where to eat. Near the elevators, lemon-slice-infused water is a welcome touch. This is particularly lovely because tap water in Malta is not drinkable.
The hotel’s rooftop pool is fabulous and heated with views of St. Julian’s cityscape. Chaise lounges and chairs are plentiful.
For a view of the Mediterranean, hang out in the rooftop bar area. The bar, I was told, is mostly open during parties. Still, bring your own food and a beverage for a bit of solitude in this lovely space with floor-to-ceiling windows. My friend and I did. One night I attended a zoom meeting using this space, but did have to leave since this area closes when the pool does.
The hotel includes Hammet’s Mestizo, a modern restaurant with contemporary lighting and a glass atrium specializing in Meso-South American fusion cuisine. For guest rooms that include a buffet breakfast, this is the place. There is a bar with a robust selection of libations for folks just wanting a drink. Each night as we headed into the building, people were sitting at Mestizo’s outdoor tables that edged the sidewalk.
Once our official tour started, we did eat a fabulous breakfast here because it was included. An assortment of cheeses, meats, fresh pastries, breads, fruit, yoghurt, eggs, sausage, bacon, fried mushrooms, coffee, tea, and juices was a perfect way to start the day.
Our Room
At first, our room with its modern, sleek furniture was configured with one king-size bed. This changed. Once we told the reception desk staff we’d like two beds, within minutes, housekeeping arrived. The bed became two twin beds, the bedding was switched, and the headboard was adjusted. Bed pillows were arranged so each of us had matching accent pillows. Clever. Each of us had a bedside table, reading light, USB plugs, and other electrical outlets.
My friend’s side of the room had a small couch where she put her stuff. I had a lower table for mine. We put the desk to good use with a variety of snacks we bought at the grocery store down the street. Also, the small refrigerator came in handy for leftovers and other food we bought for a couple of dinners and breakfast on our first day.
Although the room had a flat-screen TV, we didn’t turn it on. The bathroom’s hairdryer was put to use.
I also hung out on the balcony a bit, taking in the urban development. A building to the back of the hotel is undergoing renovation. The inside is totally gutted. From the outside, the facade has retained its classic Malta architecture look. I’d love to see the completed work and wondered how they managed the demolition without destroying the rest of the structures around it.
If I smoked, the provided ashtray on the small table on the balcony would have come in handy. Instead, I enjoyed a cup of coffee. Coffee packets and tea bags are provided with a kettle for heating water.
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Other Room Features
Our bathroom was as modern, clean, and aesthetically pleasing as the rest of our room. The pinkish tile of the walk-in shower matched the accent pillows on the bed. The provided soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner are lovely and in large bottles, adding to the environmentally friendly aspect of the hotel.
Also, environmentally friendly are the water dispensers on each floor. Instead of providing guests with bottled water, the dispensers across from the elevators allowed us to fill the kettle and our own bottles when needed.
St. George’s Bay with a view of the casino in the distance
Places to Eat and More
With so many places to eat close by, we were not at a loss for where to eat dinner. We had terrific pasta at ImPasta, sushi at Okurama Japanese Cuisine, and traditional Gozo-style Maltese food at Gozitan. Each of them is in a block or two of Number 11. A few times, we headed to a cafe for specialty coffee and treats. I also walked to the Dragonara Casino one night to check it out. The casino overlooking St. George’s Bay requires a membership to get in. Membership is free. On our initial exploration, we walked the few blocks to the bay. It’s a craggy, uneven surface, so be cautious with your step.
Our room rate was included in our Gate 1 tour, but I paid for the first night since we arrived a day early. Our rate for a Superior room at Hotels.com was less than $100. Rates do change based on the season. Currently, they start at $145. By the way, this is an adult-only hotel. In addition to a Superior room that has more space, there are a Classic room and a Junior Suite.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
