THE SAINT JOHN

About

4.5

Excellent

112 reviews

Location

Cleanliness

Service

Value

Certificate of Excellence

A #Smart Space for Smart #People Set in the heart of Valletta, a smart luxury boutique hotel invites you to experience a new type of hospitality in Malta. Only at AX The Saint John, capital’s history, style and innovation go hand in hand to create a unique experience for every adventurous traveller. Equipped with the latest technology, the boutique hotel breathes a new life into a historic 17th century building and offers a hassle-free environment. Drift into a retro inspired and industrial vibe, created by raw finish design, a mix of materials, complemented by awe-inspiring architecture. #GetComfy and have full control of your space managed directly on your smartphone. Easy luxury and comfort #AtYourFingertips

Full view

Property amenities

Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)

Bar / lounge

Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)

Airport transportation

Meeting rooms

Non-smoking hotel

Dry cleaning

Laundry service

Free internet

Wifi

Public wifi

Internet

Restaurant

Breakfast available

Car hire

Room features

Air conditioning

Minibar

Room types

Non-smoking rooms

Suites

Good to know

HOTEL CLASS

HOTEL STYLE

Boutique

Romantic

Location

Full view

100Great for walkers

213Restaurantswithin 0.5 km

83Attractionswithin 0.5 km

Contact

176, Merchants Street, Valletta, Island of Malta VLT 1174 Malta

Getting there

Luqa Airport0 kmSee all flights

Car HireSee all Valletta car hire

See all nearby hotels

Nearby restaurants

Sally Port - Caffe & Pizzeria

87 reviews

4 minItalian

Beati Paoli Restaurant

See all nearby restaurants

Nearby attractions

St. John's Co-Cathedral

11,401 reviews

4 minArchitectural Buildings

Upper Barrakka Gardens

8,000 reviews

6 minGardens

See all nearby attractions

112Reviews6Q+A22Room tips

So much potential...

First of all you need to check in at the hotel a few doors down – it would be useful if this information was provided with the booking confirmation or if there was a sign on the door, as you could be ringing the doorbell for quite a while otherwise. Asked for a twin room and was given room 102 which was very spacious, well decorated and had a large bathroom with walk in rainshower. The water temperature in the shower is not consistent, so you need to be careful, one second it will be boiling the next cold. The location of the hotel is fantastic, right in the centre of the old town and only 10 mins walk from the bus station where you can easily and cheaply get to the rest of the island. Breakfast (full English and continental option) is provided in the pub/restaurant next door (there is an internal connecting door from the hotel). Our room was directly above the pub/restaurant and, due to the lack of adequate soundproofing, you could hear the thump of the music, which is fine if you don’t want to go to sleep before 1am. The first few nights we didn’t go to sleep early so didn’t notice it as much, however we did want an early start one day and not only was the music on till late, after that you could hear the movement of furniture as they probably set up for breakfast the next day, so no peace until about 2am. I called the reception the next morning to request a room change and the person I spoke to said she would have to speak to someone else, and wanted to know how long I would be in the room for as she would call me back. I said I’d remain another half hour, when I really would have preferred to go out. While waiting we packed up our belongings so there wouldn’t be any further delays. After over half an hour I called reception and spoke to someone else who didn’t know about my earlier call, but when I outlined the reasons for wanting to change rooms she apologised and offered a free room upgrade to another twin room, told us to pack and leave our belonging in the room and they would arrange everything while we were out. We returned in the evening and went to reception to collect our new keys and were shown to our new room by the concierge. However, the new room (302) was definitely not an upgrade, the room was significantly smaller and the bathroom was more like a closet at a third the size of our previous. In addition the bed was a double, not twins. We were taken back to reception (a couple of doors down the road) and the receptionist said that it was 2 floor above our original room, so the room size should be the same. I had to outline the different floor setup and then he said well it’s a converted house so the rooms will be a different size. He then checked the computer and said there was another twin room available which would be more spacious, but at the back of the hotel. We didn’t have any preference as to front or back as long as it was peaceful, so were taken to see that room (305) – it was fine aside for the bed being a double setup. So we went out and back to reception again to wait for housekeeping to change the setup to a twin room. However, despite their system saying it was a possible twin, housekeeping then rang back to say the bed couldn’t be split and we were asked by the receptionist if we would still take it if they put on separate duvets/sheets on the double. It had been an hour since we had come back from a long day out and we were tired so we asked to have room 302 amended to a twin. Once again housekeeping went and then called back to say the bed setup couldn’t be changed there either! Then we were told that it was illegal for loud music to be played after 23:30 in the central of town and they would speak to the bar to turn it down by then, so we could go back to our original room! Anyway, we went back to our original room, which should have been prepared for new guests, however whoever had sorted the room had failed to provide pillowcases and there was no bath mat (they had also failed to provide a bath mat another day before that, but we had made do with towels on the floor), so we had to contact reception again and wait around for the receptionist to come as housekeeping had gone home by that time. The noise did not stop by 23:30, but did by midnight which was better than nothing given that it was a Sunday. When we came to check out the next day we were told that we had a charge for the mini bar for a bottle of red wine for the first night. We had not used anything from the mini bar, and I always go through the mini bar list when I check into hotels to ensure there is nothing missing in advance, so we disputed this charge. The receptionist (who appeared to have been the one who I initially spoke to, but then never called me back after half an hour), then went to speak to a manager and came back and said we didn’t have to pay this charge, implying that they were doing us a massive favour after all the issues we had had! Bloody cheek! The location is great, the majority of staff are friendly and helpful, but they need to sort out their computer system to show what rooms are possible twins and which cannot be converted, and also additional charges system. Also, they should not be using room 102 unless they check the occupants don’t want to sleep before midnight, they get proper soundproofing or they ensure the bar turns down/off the music at 23:30 as stipulated by law. It was a great first impression, but very disappointing in the end. I did complete the feedback sheet and hand it in to reception when were left, but I haven’t heard back and I’m sure they just put it in the bin.…

Date of stay: November 2019

Value

Cleanliness

Service

Room Tip: Avoid room 102 unless you are out all night!

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Lovely central hotel

Stayed at the St John for four nights. On arrival at reception our room was not quite ready so we were taken to the sister hotel about 4 doors down where we were taken up to the lovely roof terrace and served Prosecco while we waited about 20 minutes. A nice touch. The room was very modern , all touch button trickery. Very comfy bed. The breakfast was in the cheeky monkey bar next door. There was plenty of variety on the buffet and they served a very good cooked breakfast to order.The hotel is in a perfect position for all the main sights and lots of restaurants and bars. We a had a thoroughly enjoyable stay. Would recommend.

Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple

Very enjoyable stay

There was a lot to like about our recent four night stay. We were able to check in early which was great because we were dead tired and hot. The room had a large street balcony which let us feel part of the action and added a romantic flair. The roof top terrace of the sister hotel with a refreshing dip pool was nice to unwind and recharge. The staff were gracious. There were some quirks about the set up that were odd, but overall insignificant.

Date of stay: September 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple

The Best Location.

We stayed at The Saint John in a super room on the fifth floor with excellent views across the roof tops to the sea. The staff were amazing , they couldn't do enough for you. The breakfast buffet was great but we could also have a cooked breakfast which was totally unexpected. The receptionist who is located in the Rosselli hotel a few doors down was so helpful and kind.Everyone was great and would certainly return to The Saint John next time we visit Malta.

Date of stay: September 2019

Rooms

Service

Sleep Quality

Room Tip: Higher floor, out the back. Room 504 is excellent.

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Great Location

We stayed as a couple at the Ax Saint John in the busy month of August and had a great experience. We were received with Champagne and refreshing towels at the neighbour Hotel belonging to the same chain. The room was very nicely decorated and the bathroom was of a very good size with all the expected/needed amenities. The room was quiet and very well equipped. The location couldn’t be better. On one of the main streets with Restaurants very near by (on the same street). The staff was very nice. Breakfast is served in the Monkey Bar but is very good and with the possibility to order English breakfast. Very good breakfast. Should we return to Valleta we would definitely stay here again.

Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple

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I’m about to book an easy jet holiday for myself and a friend staying at your hotel. The accommodation is for a double room can you advise whether the bed can be made into two single beds Thank you

Dear Deb G, Many thanks for showing an interest in our hotel. We have twin rooms, so your request will not be a problem when booking comfort or deluxe rooms. Kindly make sure to indicate this in your booking. We look forward to hosting you at The Saint John and feel free to contact us should you require any further assistance. Regards, Matthew Gingell Littlejohn

Can you use the hotel towels to take out to the beach etc or do you need to take your own?

Sorry no idea

Show all answers

Is the balcony the only difference between Superior & Deluxe categories? Do you provide Nespresso machines in all room categories?

Dear 53glenns, Thank you for your question. The Superior & Deluxe rooms both have balconies. Nespresso machines is also provided in all rooms. Feel free to contact us for further inquires. We are looking forward to host you shortly in our boutique hotel. Thanks and regards The Management

Is Saint John a new hotel? I don not see any reviews on TripAdvisor or Booking. If new, when did it open? Is there a website?

Dear Angelarn1, Thank you for your question. The boutique hotel has been open since end of July. We also invite you to visit our website on thesaintjohnmalta. We look forward to host you at our boutique hotel. Thanks The Management

What star rating - 4 or 5

Dear Anne C, Thank you for your interest in The Saint John Boutique Hotel. The Saint John is not a 5 star hotel but a Boutique Hotel on the merits of a 4 star with 23 rooms in the heart of Valletta on Merchants Street. Please let me know should I be of any other assistance. I am at your convenience. Thank you, The Management

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