The Canifor Hotel in Malta is an "upper middle class" hotel and is located in the heart of the busy tourist resort of Qawra. At first glance, the location of the hotel may seem advantageous, as it is close to many restaurants, cafes and shops and is well connected to public transport. However, a closer look reveals some weaknesses that put the hotel in a less favorable light - especially if you consider it a resort with a focus on the beach and relaxation.
The Canifor Hotel has long since seen its best days. It may have once been "upper middle class", but it has simply become outdated and is shown by many tour operators and hotel room agents as inexpensive accommodation when searching for "San Pawl". You have to accept one or two limitations, because it is not a luxury hotel, but it is definitely not a "flophouse" either.
location and surroundings
First of all, the location itself: The Canifor Hotel is strategically located and benefits from its proximity to the Qawra coast and the coastline of Bugibba, a popular and busy tourist area in the north-east of Malta. Qawra is one of Malta's largest tourist resorts, but the town suffers from overdevelopment and heavy traffic, which is not necessarily conducive to the ambience. It is difficult to escape the hustle and bustle, traffic jams and a certain artificiality created by the large number of hotel buildings, apartment blocks and concrete surfaces.
The Buggiba bus station is within walking distance, which is advantageous because from here you can reach many destinations in Malta by public bus. The X3 bus line also ends here, which takes you from Luqa Airport to/from the hotel at a reasonable price. However, so-called shared transfer services are not particularly expensive either, as they cost between five and ten euros per person, depending on the provider. The nearby bus station is not a problem for a stay at the Canifor Hotel.
Since there are a number of places to eat in the area around the hotel, it is not necessarily quiet at night. The surrounding pubs can be particularly noisy at weekends, which you will of course notice if you are unlucky enough to get a room with a window or balcony facing them. The surrounding restaurants are not exactly top-class either, but are geared towards the mass processing of tourists. Accordingly, you will mainly find pizza and British cuisine. It's a shame, because Maltese cuisine has a lot to offer.
Valletta and Sliema are far away
One aspect of the location that should be viewed critically is the distance to Malta's cultural center Valletta and other important sights on the island. By car or bus, it takes about an hour to reach the capital or the historically significant cities of Mdina and Rabat. Tourists who want to experience Malta not only as a sunny destination but also discover cultural and historical facets will find themselves away from the hustle and bustle here. Longer journeys should therefore always be planned for excursions. You also need to plan plenty of time to get to the Cirkewwa ferry port (Gozo Channel Line). It takes around an hour by bus.
Anyone who thinks that a rental car is "the solution" does not know the situation on the Maltese islands. It is not a good idea at all to rent a car and stay in a hotel in "big" cities like Sliema or Valletta or tourist resorts like San Pawl il-Baħar, whose municipal area also includes Qawra and Buggiba. Why? Parking spaces are in short supply, usually subject to payment and it is extremely difficult to find one at all. The narrow streets are almost a guarantee for parking damage, because buses, trucks, construction vehicles and the like also use them - no matter how narrow it is. Some hotels have underground car parks, but these charge a princely sum for their parking spaces. The Canifor Hotel does not have its own garage.
The “sandy beach” and bathing options
One of the main criticisms of the Canifor Hotel is the so-called "sandy beach", which is mentioned in the hotel descriptions and creates expectations. When booking, it is easy to assume that this is a beach that is exclusively accessible to hotel guests or at least can be reached easily and on foot from the hotel. Here, however, reality meets the well-calculated language of the hotel's advertising: the "sandy beach" is in fact not a private beach, nor a notable bay with fine sand, but merely a small, artificially created area on the coast of Qawra. This section is rocky, narrow and is also used by many other visitors. Canifor guests therefore stay away from the fine sandy beaches that you know from postcard motifs.
In this context, it is important to point out that the Formosa Group, to which the Canifor Hotel belongs, does not advertise the supposed sandy beach. On their own homepages and in their own brochures, they point out that the hotel is in the center of Qawra and that the sea is within easy reach. There is no mention of a sandy beach at all. Some tour operators and sellers of contingents who access so-called bed banks do not take this particularly seriously.
In a nutshell: There is no sandy beach in the entire bay. There is a pebble beach in Buggiba and about a one to two minute walk from the Canifor Hotel - very close to the National Aquarium - at the so-called Qawra Point there is another pebble beach that is even nicer. Otherwise, rocks dominate.
Sandy beaches in Mellieħa, hotel has two small pools
Real sandy beaches in this region of the island of Malta can only be found in the municipality of Mellieħa. Worth mentioning here are Riviera Bay, Golden Bay and Għadira Bay. The latter is by far the largest sandy beach in Malta. More information on the most beautiful sandy beaches on the Maltese islands with this linkThe journey time from Buggiba bus station is between 20 and 30 minutes each way, depending on traffic.
The Canifor Hotel has two small pools that are built right next to each other. There are loungers and umbrellas all around that can be used free of charge. This bathing area is located in the inner courtyard of the hotel complex. It is getting old and needs a freshen-up more than ever.
Large parts of the hotel are showing their age
The same applies to large parts of the hotel, as it is evident in every respect that it is no longer up to date. The dining room, where breakfast and, if booked, lunch and dinner are served, can be very hot as it is not adequately air-conditioned. The entire facility has seen better days, but is still in acceptable condition.
Some rooms have already been renovated and are therefore up to date. A special feature of the Canifor Hotel is that there are no explicitly non-smoking rooms. This is definitely no longer state-of-the-art in Malta, as the vast majority only offer non-smoking rooms. Not so at the Canifor Hotel. Some rooms are in a just about acceptable condition because they are getting old and should be renovated at some point.
The biggest drawback in this hotel is the water pressure. It is unstable and sometimes a lot of warm water comes out of the shower, other times just a trickle. This is simply annoying, as other hotels manage it better, as Malta is not a country where there is an acute water shortage. Rather, the technology in the Canifor Hotel simply seems to be very outdated.
breakfast and meals
Depending on whether you have booked bed and breakfast, half board or full board, you can have your meals on the same level as the outdoor pools. You can also go out to eat spontaneously by paying in cash.
Drinks such as juices, still water, coffee and tea are only included at breakfast and are unlimited. Otherwise you have to pay extra, although it is unusual for the waiters to take cash in advance when you order. However, you are always given a receipt when you hand over the drink and change.
The quality of the food is OK. Not outstandingly good, but not bad either. Right in the middle and appropriate for a holiday hotel. It is served buffet style, so it is all you can eat. It should be noted that the staff are very different. Some are extremely helpful and service-oriented, others you have to speak to repeatedly before you can place an order.
Conclusion: Holiday destination with restrictions
In summary, the Canifor Hotel in Qawra can only be recommended with reservations. The location may seem advantageous at first glance, but due to the heavy traffic and the lack of quiet beaches, it does not offer the relaxation one would hope for from a Mediterranean holiday. Anyone who chooses Malta as a bathing and relaxation destination may feel out of place in Qawra.
In the summer months, this building often accommodates language students from a wide variety of countries. They make a lot of noise at the pool, in the dining room and everywhere else in the hotel. You have to be able to deal with that, but it is actually completely normal for children and young people to be out and about in groups. Incidentally, there is no explicit mention anywhere that language courses are being held here or that the students are being accommodated in this building.
However, those who value proximity to restaurants, bars and affordable prices will feel more comfortable at the Canifor Hotel. The hotel is a good value option in the heart of Qawra, especially for holidaymakers who can deal with the hustle and bustle of the city and crowded beach areas. However, it should be noted that Malta has many other places that come much closer to the image of a classic Mediterranean holiday - and they are not in Qawra. The Canifor Hotel may have once belonged to the "upper middle class", but those days are long gone. Who knows, maybe a general renovation will bring it back to that level?
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