Pebbles Resort St Paul's Bay

We booked this hotel knowing it as Pebbles resort and advertised as a calm and relaxing hotel with a lovely chilled pool to relax by however when we arrived the name had changed to Bora Bora which we wasn’t aware of and also got told this changes to a party hotel during peak summer months which we had no idea about as it never said anything on our booking/was never advertised as that. We was very dissapointed walking in as it was very loud, music blaring and nowhere for us to chill at the pool. On our confirmation it also said the check in was 2pm however when we arrived reception told is that was wrong and it was actually 4pm which we wasnt happy about having to wait all day to check into our room. We will be emailing and hope to get some sort of compensation.

Disappointing Stay – Overrated for a 4-Star Hotel

I recently stayed at Pebbles Resort (formerly Bora Bora) during a long weekend in Malta and, unfortunately, I left feeling that this hotel is significantly overrated.

The biggest issue was the mattress in our room. It was extremely soft to the point where you would sink straight into it when sitting or lying down. There was virtually no support or firmness, making it uncomfortable to sleep on and not ideal for anyone with back problems. For a hotel marketed as four-star accommodation, I would expect a much better standard of bedding.

The bedding itself was also disappointing. We were provided with only a sheet on the bed, with no blanket, duvet, or additional cover available in the room. I have stayed in many hotels and have never encountered a situation where guests were not provided with suitable bedding options. This felt like a very basic omission for a property claiming a four-star standard.

Another frustration was the lack of basic room amenities. I requested an iron and ironing board and was provided with what appeared to be a small travel iron. Not only was it inadequate for properly pressing clothes, but it also did not work correctly. Again, this is not what I would expect from a hotel of this rating.

The breakfast was another major disappointment. When booking, it was not made particularly clear whether breakfast was included in the package, and on arrival we were informed it would cost €11 per person. We decided to try it one morning and regretted it. The buffet offered very limited choice, much of the food was cold, and overall it was bland and unappetising. For the price charged, the quality was far below expectations.

Interestingly, the room service food was noticeably better. While not exceptional, it was perfectly pleasant and far superior to the breakfast offering. However, the hotel charges an additional €3.50 delivery fee for room service, which felt excessive on top of the meal cost.

The staff were generally friendly, professional, and helpful throughout our stay, which was one of the positives of the hotel.

One thing that also seemed odd was the mix of guests. Pebbles Resort is marketed heavily towards party-goers, particularly during the summer events season in Malta, yet there were a significant number of young children staying at the hotel during our visit. The atmosphere felt confused, as the hotel seemed unsure whether it wanted to be a family resort or a party destination.

Overall, I would say this hotel just about scrapes a four-star rating, but in reality I believe it is much closer to a three-star experience. While the staff were pleasant and the location is convenient, the poor mattress quality, inadequate bedding, disappointing breakfast, and lack of basic room amenities left me feeling that the hotel does not deliver the standard its rating suggests.