Pampering and relaxing, why Malta's Fortina Spa Resort could be your perfect autumn getaway
With a long and rich history, glorious weather and party spirit to rival the Balearics, Malta has become something of a hot autumnal destination – quite literally, in the case of our visit, when the mercury nudged a bone-warming 40 degrees centigrade.
The all-inclusive Fortina Spa Resort is one of the island's premier hotels, located on Tigne Point in the town on Sliema and offering views across the bay to the historic, capital city of Valetta with its bastion walls and imposing dome. It has direct access to Spa Mediterannee, which is vast and one of the best thalassotherapy centres in Europe. This place serves up treatments using unpolluted seawater, muds and algae. Lie back and revel in a mud mask or go easy and enjoy anti-stress treatments such as the relaxing Dead Sea bath. If you are fat-busting, there are detoxing, weight-loss and anti-cellulite programs, and food intolerance testing is also available.
Most bedrooms are also fitted with 'private spas' which include a hot tub, steam room shower, a massaging bath a detoxing Derma-Life machine that is great for sweating out all the toxins – all very pleasant distractions and lots of fun for couples.
But the rooms do vary immensely in quality. The décor in many feels a little dated and, sadly, our room didn't have much of a balcony to speak of. However, the newly-built rooms on the top floors of the tower are immaculate, with hot tubs on large balconies and truly stunning views across to Valetta. They even feature magnetised beds, which claim to give you much deeper, more rejuvenating sleep.
If your budget can handle it, we would recommend you go for a Garden View Therapeutic Spa Bedroom, with private pool. As the name suggests, these are more like mini apartments with all of the gee-whizz spa features mentioned earlier plus a small private terrace and pool. This is really handy because while the resort’s main pool, situated on the harbourside, has great views and ambling distance from a cooling dip in the bay waters with the locals, it is shared with the neighbouring Fortina four star hotel giving a slightly touristy, package holiday feel.
The Spa Resort also has six restaurants ranging from Japanese to traditional Mediterranean eating which is included in the price if you have an all-inclusive package – although you will have to pay extra for decent wine. That said, we found the food at breakfast, lunch and dinner delicious, varied and plentiful – luckily there’s that handy Derma–Life to counter the effects!
Marie Claire flew with Air Malta: www.airmalta.com
For general Malta info: www.visitmalta.com
7 nights all inclusive in a Wellness Rejuvenating Room starts from £879. Luxury Spa Bedroom prices start at £999 per person.
For a booking or further information call 0800 917 3001 or visit www.fortinaspareresort.com