Paradise Bay Resort, Mellieħa

The Paradise Bay Resort is a 4-star resort hotel. It occupies the headland of Ċirkewwa, in the north-west of Malta, within the municipality of Mellieħa. The ferry terminal for Gozo is a few minutes’ walk away. The hotel has 274 rooms, all with a sea-facing balcony.

North-facing rooms look out over Comino, Gozo and the comings and goings of the ferries. South-facing rooms, known as Bay View, overlook Paradise Bay and the sunset. They measure 28 to 30 m², apart from the small 15 m² Economy rooms. The 16 junior suites add a sofa bed and a large bathtub. Two connecting rooms can sleep up to eight people.

The Il-Merill restaurant serves the breakfast and dinner buffets, facing the main pool. The Porto Lounge offers a menu of pizzas, pasta and grills by the water. The Cockerel Bar, in the lobby, is open from 9 am until late in the evening. Its terrace faces the sunset.

For relaxation, the hotel offers three terraced outdoor pools and a large indoor pool heated in winter. A sauna, a whirlpool bath and a beauty salon round off the facilities. Opposite, a small private sandy beach is open from May to October. A jetty also lets you swim in the open sea from the pools. Families can enjoy a playground, a games room, a tennis court and a diving centre.

Recent reviews praise the location above all. The ferry terminal for Gozo and Comino is a stone’s throw away. Buses to the rest of the island leave right outside the hotel. Guests also love the sea views, from the balconies as well as from the pools. The spacious rooms win near-unanimous approval. The terraced pools and direct sea access complete the picture. The restaurant, bar and housekeeping staff are often mentioned for their kindness.

The dining clearly divides opinion. Some guests find the buffet generous and varied. Many others find it repetitive, especially at breakfast, and unrefined for a 4-star hotel. The à la carte Porto Lounge leaves a better impression. The site is also isolated: there are no shops or restaurants within walking distance. Guests on full board therefore depend on the hotel for every meal.

The main complaint concerns the age of the building. Furniture, corridor carpets, bathrooms and air conditioning are often judged dated. Some report a damp smell or air conditioning that is too weak in high summer. North-facing sea-view rooms also overlook the road and the harbour, which are noisy at night. The private beach, facing the harbour, disappoints some swimmers. Finally, the pool water gets very warm in August and the pools close at 6 pm.

The Paradise Bay Resort is best suited to families and couples who want a base for exploring Gozo and Comino. Its value for money is still seen as fair for such a well-equipped complex. It is best to book a quieter Bay View room, and not to rely entirely on the hotel’s meal plan. Travellers seeking modern comfort or nightlife will be better off elsewhere.

The Paradise Bay Resort occupies the headland of Ċirkewwa, at the north-western tip of Malta. The ferry terminal for Gozo is 500 m away. Boats to Comino’s Blue Lagoon also leave from this small harbour. Paradise Bay beach is about ten minutes’ walk away. The centre of Mellieħa is around 10 minutes by car. Buses to Valletta leave from the terminal, but the journey takes over an hour. The international airport is 27 km away, around 40 minutes by car.

Good to know: the site is isolated and has no shops. For a quiet night’s sleep, ask for a Bay View room, on the bay side, away from the road.