Pergola Hotel & Spa, Mellieħa

The Pergola Hotel & Spa is a 4-star hotel in the village of Mellieħa, in the north of Malta. It is built in tiers on the side of a valley, in a quiet residential area. The heart of the village is two minutes’ walk away. Views stretch over the parish church, Mellieħa Bay, Comino and Gozo.

The hotel has 105 units: 51 rooms and 54 studios or apartments. Almost all standard rooms have a balcony or terrace, often overlooking the pool. The studios and the one- or two-bedroom apartments come with a fitted kitchen. Some categories look out to sea or towards the church. Interior rooms without a balcony complete the range.

The Bonaventura restaurant serves breakfast and dinner as a buffet. In the evening, the buffet theme changes from day to day. Da Ciccio Cucina offers Mediterranean cuisine, with homemade pizzas and pasta. The Cave Bar sits inside a real cave, opening onto a panoramic terrace. In summer, it also serves as the pool bar.

For relaxation, the hotel offers two outdoor pools, including a rooftop infinity pool. Each one has a children’s pool. The indoor pool, heated from October to May, comes with a jacuzzi and a sauna. The Nataraya spa offers paid massages and treatments. A gym and a roof terrace with sunbeds round off the facilities.

Recent reviews praise the kindness of the staff above all. Reception, the buffet waiters, the Cave Bar team and housekeeping receive the same praise. Guests also love the pools and their view of Mellieħa’s church. The Cave Bar, carved into the rock, is a favourite for a sunset drink. Thanks to the three pools, sunbeds are generally easy to find. The apartments, spacious and with a balcony, also score well.

The location is seen as convenient. Shops, restaurants and the bus stop are a few minutes’ walk away. The beach at Mellieħa Bay, however, requires a short bus ride. The breakfast buffet scores well for choice. The themed half-board dinners please most guests. A few, however, find them repetitive over a long stay. The Cave Bar adds a simple menu, served overlooking the pool.

The air conditioning is the most frequent complaint. In summer, many rooms stay too hot, and some units are noisy. A damp smell also comes up in several rooms. Furniture and bathrooms are sometimes dated, despite renovated public areas. The indoor pool and jacuzzi are often felt to be chilly. Several pieces of gym equipment are also reported as out of order. Finally, the hotel is spread over several levels. Getting to your room sometimes means taking more than one lift.

The Pergola is best suited to families and couples who want a full-service hotel at a reasonable price. The apartments with kitchen are practical for a long stay. Spring and autumn offer the best balance between comfort and price. In high summer, it is best to ask for a recently renovated room. Guests with reduced mobility should check before booking, because of the steps and levels. Finally, the atmosphere stays calm in the evening, far from the buzz of St Julian’s.

The Pergola Hotel & Spa is on Adenau Street, high up in Mellieħa. The village lies in the north-west of Malta. Its centre, shops and restaurants are two minutes’ walk away. A bus stop is a few metres from the hotel. Routes serve Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s and Mdina. The sandy beach at Mellieħa Bay is about 2 km away. Golden Bay is around ten minutes by car. The international airport is about 28 km away, a 40-minute drive.

Good to know: the main entrance is at the top of a long flight of steps. A lower entrance served by a lift, however, leads to the street and the bus stop. Ċirkewwa harbour, where the ferries to Gozo leave from, is about fifteen minutes by car.