Westin Dragonara Resort

The resort is great but service is mid - I notice there are a lot of high score reviews for this hotel - however for anybody who has actually stayed in a decent 5 star hotel, then don’t expect the same level of service.

The facilities are great, there are loads of outdoor spaces and private areas, in fact the quality of the actual facilities are excellent.

We were a family of 6 and always found plenty of options for sun bathing areas. There are some great locations by the sea, head for the hidden entrance to the right as you exit the rear of the hotel you will find the ‘reef’ this is a great place to soak up the sun and sea.

What lets this place down is the service (It is not 5 Star) don’t expect pool attendants coming round offering you drinks or checking if you need a change towel etc. an ice cold flannel to cool you down - forget it, help setting up your sunbeds and a bit of chat explaining the facilities around the pool (that isn’t happening), a bucket full of ice to keep your drinks cold (nope), a frosted glass to keep that beer chilled, for that refreshing afternoon pint (dream on). You can use the QR code near the sunbed and order drinks and food which is handy (but not sure I would class this as 5 star service).

Another difference to other 5 star hotels is that usually you see managers floating round and saying hello, checking if your ok and just having general chit chat - this never happened once during our stay. You just don’t get that personal connection, like in other 5 Stars hotels.

Other issues / lack of service:

When we arrived at the hotel we never received any welcome drinks, although the reception staff were friendly.

Turn down service is seriously lacking, you may get somebody come to the door and offer you some towels and water - but the usual reconfiguration of the bed sheets, laid out towels, quick spruce up of the room, little chocolates left out on the bed etc. is non- existent.

All the staff are friendly + hard working that we met, although there does not appear to be many local Maltese employed.

Some of the staff try their best with speaking English, you can tell they are nice people, but struggle to interact fully with guests due to the language barrier.

I would say value isn’t the best, the prices in the hotel reflect a 5 star service, which certainly is not the case, even in the hotels restaurants (expect to pour your own wine and plates to be cleared only when the next course is being served).

Overall if the service was improved, we would definitely come back as we really enjoyed the facilities. As it stands though, if you want the 5 star service, try somewhere else.

This resort is truly in a class of its own. Our 11-day stay was an exceptionally pleasurable experience.

Everything was outstanding, from the friendly and attentive staff to the comfortable rooms, lobby restaurants, swimming pools, breakfast restaurant, and the fantastic, well-equipped gym and spa. The sea views from the hotel were simply marvellous.

There are so many staff members worth mentioning, starting with Sweta, Arti, and the rest of the team, who made us feel welcome from the moment we checked in.

The breakfast service was out of this world—the best we have ever experienced—and the choice of food was incredible. The omelette chefs, among others, were exceptional.

We must also mention Ramesh, who was such a jolly and welcoming person. He always greeted guests warmly and helped them settle into their deck chairs throughout the resort. The pool doorman was another true gentleman who provided excellent service.

The resort is in a great location, with easy access to nearby bars and restaurants.

The management team were also highly visible and made a genuine effort to engage with guests throughout their stay.

Overall, this was a truly wonderful experience, and we would highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for exceptional service, excellent facilities, and a memorable holiday.

We had a fantastic stay and will definitely be returning next year.

The location was perfect for us. It’s just a short walk into St Julian’s, with the bus stop for Valletta right outside the hotel gates, making it incredibly easy to explore the island. It was the ideal base, whether we were heading out for sightseeing or enjoying a relaxing day by the pool and the sea.

Our room was beautiful, spacious, spotlessly clean, and the air conditioning was an absolute lifesaver during an incredibly hot week!

What really made our stay special, though, was the staff. Every single member of the team was friendly, welcoming and genuinely happy to help.

A few people deserve a special mention. Joseph on the concierge desk was absolutely amazing when my daughter, twisted her ankle. He was kind, reassuring and went above and beyond to help us, which we really appreciated.

Ramesh, the pool host, was an absolute joy. He greeted everyone with a smile every morning and always stopped by for a friendly chat, making the pool area feel even more welcoming.

Jake in the breakfast buffet was also outstanding. He was incredibly efficient, polite and worked so hard while still making guests feel welcome.

It’s the people that turn a great hotel into a memorable one, and this team certainly did that. Thank you all for making our holiday so wonderful. We can’t wait to come back next year!