| Holiday-Truth Readers Reports |
Paul Richley from Chorley travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Own arrangements
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2009 |
Paul Richley rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: We spent a presentation week at the “5 star” Radisson in Golden Bay, costing £99 – excellent value. It was more like 4-star with poor towels and pillows and little storage space. We had to call reception on returning one day at 2.30 pm to have the room serviced. The fridge charges you for lifting an item off the electronic pad! We asked for it to be emptied so we could use it as a fridge. Someone else said they want 5 euros a day for this.
The location is somewhat remote, but the 652 and 47 buses take you to Valetta. The hotel lays on a free bus to Sliema and Valetta.
The hotel is very pleasant with good swimming pools. But all the prices are more than 6 star – eg £15 each for breakfast, £29 each for a buffet dinner and £6 delivery charge for room service delivery. Some people we spoke to said they had eaten in the pasta restaurant and were not impressed with the food. There are however, two restaurants nearby. Munchies on the beach doesn’t look much, but the meals were excellent – around £20 - £25 for two.
We opted for the morning ‘presentation’ so it wouldn’t be open-ended. It was leisurely until we were asked if we were interested. We said we would like to discuss it, but they didn’t want us to leave. We were offered 20% off (off what we weren’t sure) and then a manager was summoned, saying: “I understand you want to leave”. The service charge wasn’t mentioned until I asked and it’s over £400 a year. So I didn’t have any trust in them. The product wasn’t for us, but we were told we had to attend a customer satisfaction meeting together, where they tried the sales pitch again and offered trail membership.
The guests were timeshare owners and presentation weekers like us, but the place seemed a bit soulless and we wouldn’t go there year after year. Given the recession and the weak pound against the Euro, and the fact that the prices are considerably higher than when they were first sold a few years ago, I would guess it’s a difficult sell.
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John & Lynne from Durham travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Air Malta
on a family holiday.
There were 3 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2009 |
John & Lynne rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Stayed in our own 2 bed appartment/cooked own breakfast but ate in aguilios and flavours restaurants. All the food was good and reasonably priced for a 5 star hotel. Staff excellent and very helpfull. location is out of the way but stunning, transport both taxi and local bus no problem.Entertainment was good during the day and evening. Will be back next June 2010 in fact have already booked.
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D from F travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
booked through ebay
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2008 |
D rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We paid £45 to stay at this hotel for 3 people for 1 week on a time share viewing - which we did not buy and were not pressurised into buying. We had a studio room - double bed and a pull out sofabed, but sufficient for us.
There was a small cooking facility in the room - double ring hob, toaster, fridge, kettle, iron, ironing board etc. So we managed to keep drinks cool and made our own breakfast/lunch each morning from grocery supplies. The only snag was the heat sensor that was activated easily by steam from pasta boiling and set the security into a tizz - silly place to put a heat sensor - over a cooker.
The hotel was clean, although a few little things were noticeable - the vents around the pool did have a bit of green algae on, the odd information board in the lift needed replacing, and some of the lights had been fitted away from their original holes etc. but generally good. The restaurant was being re-painted whilst we were there.
We ate at the Agliolio restaurant - pizza or pasta was about 9 euros and it was good, the maltese house red 11 euros/bottle. There is an on-site "deli" but not what I would call a deli - more a little supermarket with inflated prices. Food from the Lagoon bar could be purchased to be eaten around the pool - but at 12 euros for a burger and chips, not the cheapest lunchtime if you have a family to feed.
The hotel is remote, but this adds to the beauty of the setting - the beach is on the doorstep and locals and tourists do come to the beach via local buses as it one of the best on the island. Barbecues on a Saturday night. There is a free courtesy bus, which needs booking and we used it to go to Valetta - very good service.
The hotel staff were all very helpful, courteous and friendly.
We didn't attend any hotel entertainment in the evening, but throughout the day the staff by the pool were doing activities with the kids and adults - anything from face painting and water football, to pool races and salsa lessons. Water sports from parascending to scuba diving available.
I would visit this hotel again, next time hiring a car and stocking up with fruit and veg from the supermarket before arriving.
I wouldn't class it as a 5* but certainly one of the best hotels, if not the best on the island.
Fantastic for a week relaxing by the beach with the family as safe and relaxing - probably mostly families in School holidays, so if you don't mind competing with inflatables in the pool this is OK - otherwise June would be a better time to visit.
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Chris from Ramsey travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Air Malta
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2008 |
Chris rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The Radisson at Golden Bay is the best hotel in Malta for luxury, comfort, seclusion and is right on a sandy beech. We stayed there for a week on a room only basis for 3 of us £180 (£60 each!). The downside was that you had to sit through a timeshare talk, this took 3 hours but during that time you were shown various units and all around the hotel facilities. The talk was on a one to one basis and was not pressurised, if it was not for you then fine you have the remainder of the holiday at a fantastic luxury hotel for very little cost. I told Sladja (the sales girl) that I wanted time to think and that I would give her an answer in a couple of days, fine no problem. I was interested but wanted to find out if it was kosher, I have Maltese contacts and needed time to check it out. In the end I bought one week in 2008 and have just completed on a second week.
This hotel is unashamedly luxurious and is located in a secluded part of Malta right by a sandy beach; there are only about 5 sandy beaches on Malta.
During the talk it was mentioned that the hotel was going to build a golf course opposite the hotel. I understand from my local contacts that this is extremely unlikely to happen as the area has been declared a National Park status, meaning that nothing can be built in the area. This includes the golf course, however I understand that the land could be grassed and trees planted under the National Park status. Also quite a bit of the land in question is owned by the scouts. The National Park status does have its advantage in that this unspoilt area, which also only has a few buildings will remain a secluded and enjoyable area with a fantastic small sandy beach. I understand that there is a shop and a bistro, 2 snack bars on the beach, a few local houses and in the distance is a group of holiday apartments owned I believe by Air Malta, I was told that the hotel was in 2008 trying to acquire these apartments
The hotel is 3 small towers interconnecting on the first 2 levels; it has a fantastic out door pool as well as an indoor pool and spa. It is located at the top of a cliff overlooking Golden Bay and has its own internal lift down to the beach.
This is a 5* hotel and the restaurant prices are not cheap; however there are a couple of beach restaurants/bars that are much cheaper. I would recommend hiring a car as this hotel is secluded and rather expensive, having a car means that you can eat out and also see the Island.
We decided to buy into the timeshare, however this is not for everyone and there are plenty of people that go just for a cheap holiday with no intention of buying.
In 2008 we were offered a platinum week (peak season) in a studio apartment (sleeps 4) with kitchenette country view for £9,000 or a 1 bedroom (sleeps 2 in bedroom & 2 in on a sofa bed in lounge) basic unit (kitchenette only and shower over the bath) again country view for £12,000 or 1 bedroom deluxe (full kitchen and shower separate from the bath) sea view was £17,000.
2010 maintenance fees per week owned are:- studio € 384, 1 bedroom €481, 1 bedroom deluxe € 529, 2 bedroom € 578, 3 bedroom € 673 and 4 bedroom € 865. Considering a studio and 1 bedroom sleeps 4, then in my humble opinion these fees plus purchase makes it a cheap holiday in the long term. The purchase is for up to and including the year 2045 and once purchased all you have is the maintenance fees, which can increase but are capped by the rules to 7.5% above Maltese inflation. The increase in 2010 fees compared to 2009 was 2%
HAGGLE, do not accept the first price they offer you! The purchase is for a week or weeks up to and including 2045 and normally includes 1 off free week to be taken within 2 years (this free week is also maintenance free), first year of occupancy maintenance free (1 bedroom basic is Euro 481) and 3 years gold membership of Interval International (the company that you can swap your week(s) with).
In 2008 we bought a week in a 1 bedroom deluxe sea view in platinum season for only £12,000 and negotiated 2 free one off weeks (without time limit), we were also given a evening meal in one of the restaurants, Euro 70 in spar vouchers as well as being bought the full breakfast in the restaurant. The 1 off free weeks are maintenance free.
In 2009 I made enquiries about purchasing a second week in the same unit, I was offered it at £13,000 and knocked it down to £10,000. My purchase of the second week included the free 1 off week and the first year maintenance free being 2010, I also negotiated that the first week purchased was also maintenance free in 2010, so I have no maintenance charges for the until 2011.
We bought the weeks to use at the Radisson at Golden Bay and not as an investment nor for swapping. I believe that this is a cheap way of having a 2 week holiday in a fabulous hotel, for 2 weeks a year in high season it works out at less than £630 + maintenance each year and that is for 4 people, obviously food and flights are extra
Flights to Malta are cheap; I have booked flights with Air Malta for August 2010 from Gatwick for £145 per adult.
If you get a chance of going then jump at it, it is a fantastic holiday but cheap, there is no commitment.
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Peter Harris from Manchester travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Island Residence Club
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2008 |
Peter Harris rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Visited the hotel on final visit of three year temporary IRC membership. Hotel is lovely but food is very boring with same choice every breakfast and dinner little more than a carvery. Continually harrassed to buy a 40 year lease on timeshare. Reps are continually taking punnters round hotel and even conduct their business at tables in restaurant. The entertainment is ok but one female singer needed putting out of her misery!!
The golf course has not materialised and so back view from hotel not brilliant. Hotel very isolated so need transport.
The so called private members pool is used by all and sundry including a group being taught life saving for five out of our seven days.
Balcony light and one interior light not working on our arrival and took four days and four requests before they were put right.
We will not be returning to this hotel and we would be very hesitant to recommend it to others.
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LEWIS from SWANSEA travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
IND
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2008 |
LEWIS rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel was spotless, rooms and public places. The staff were very good and helpfull.
Visited the hotel on a timeshare offer, so room only.
If you order breakfast in your room there is far too much for you to eat.
It was just begining to get busy, and there often not enough sun longers out by the pool side.
Evening meals cost in the region of 45 euros per head.
Although public transport does reach this hotel, a hire car is almost essential.
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McMillan from Alyth travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Air Malta/Timeshare Offer
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2008 |
McMillan rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel was spotlessly clean although the room could have done with a better clean daily in particular the bathroom area.
The food was okay although a better selection could have been offered. Room service breakfast was excellent but too much for two!!
The staff were fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble.
Entertainment was pretty good most nights.
I would not hesitate to recommend this hotel.
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Tony from Newcastle travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
None
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2007 |
Tony rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This is the second time we have stayed in this hotel.
The first time we were invited to stay on a special deal for the Timeshare promotion they have going.
We enjoyed it so much we went back this year.
If you hire a car the hotel is situated in one of the nicest parts of the Island. A car is a must in this place.
If you are after entertainment look elsewhere as this hotel is more for pampering and relaxing.
The breakfast is superb however I have found the rest of the food in the restaurants very hit and miss.
Overall I rate it highly and shall be returning.
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wadsworth/donohue from wigan travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
booked direct
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2007 |
wadsworth/donohue rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Stayed at the Raddison Golden Bay Resort for thew last 3 years since it opened, fabulous hotel great food and the staff are wonderful and always willing to help.
will be back on 30th July 2008, cant wait !!!
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B Pitcher from Eastbourne travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Island residance club
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2007 |
B Pitcher rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Memeber of Island Residance club so part own apartment as a gold week.
Booked the breakfast for the 7 days well worth it.
Entertainment is low key but then again you are staying in a 5 star hotel and not a holiday camp.
Was concerned that the holiday did not police the residance club area's and allowed Non members in members area's.
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fossi from gravesend travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
lone traveller
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2007 |
fossi rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: 5 stars!!! I dont think so !
The buildings and pools may rate this high but the service is below standard, the food is warm, dry rubbish.
The location is nice but so remote you need a car or travel on local transport.
Entertainment-- there was none boring boring boring.
Still if you like quiet this is the place for you its like a tomb!
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happy kent from Kent travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
independent
on a singles holiday.
There were 4 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 12 2006 |
happy kent rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We stayed here between Christmas and New Year. The rooms were large and very comfortable ,with all you would expect from a hotel of this rating.
The food was wonderful!! Great choice of very high quality , both at breakfast and dinner.
You will need transport , as the hotel is a little off the beaten track. We hired a car so no problem!
The plus side to the location is the pretty beach, right below hotel.
Would stay here again without any doubt.
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Dave from Portsmouth travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Expedia
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2006 |
Dave rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Quite simply, this is the best hotel we have ever stayed in. It is superb in every way.
The breakfast is something to be seen, fantastic choice and very well presented. The hotel was fully completed and built to a superb standard. We had a sea facing suite which was very large. I would visit this hotel again without a second thought. Brilliant.
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Gary from Leeds travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 09 2006 |
Gary rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: They haven't quite got the customer service right with this one, infact it is extremely poor and certainly not what you would expect from a 5 star. The hotel is nice enough but the food was poor, bar and waiter service akin to the Caribbean and overall levels of attentiveness low.
In short the building is probably 5 star but nothing else is. If you are expecting a 5 star experience don't stay here !
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Peter Weeks from Bolton travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Island Residence Club
on a singles holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2006 |
Peter Weeks rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This is a 5 star hotel with 2 star service. The only criteria of your holiday is to be persuaded into buying a 40 year timeshare - beware!!!
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Steve Crump from Margate travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Island Residence Club
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 01 2006 |
Steve Crump rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The Hotel has now been completed but there are plans to build a golf course and associated facilities right next door. They were in the process of repairing some serious water leakage problems which required the terrace to be pulled up outside as this was overlying the lower levels where the dining area was situated.
The facility we had was the timeshare apartments in a separate block. The walk from this block to the main hotel reception and dining, bar area was a trek!
The hotel was located a long way out of town although there is a bus service now.
It is a good idea to book a sea view room as the other side is just scrub land but will be the golf course. It also faces North so no sun.
The food was excellent.
There was no entertainment but this was off season.The spa treatments were open.
The staff were very good however we asked for a couple of things from reception which never turned up.
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Mr Williams from Bournemouth travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Malta Bargains
on a family holiday.
There were 4 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2005 |
Mr Williams rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: As far as the hotel it was not completed and the Island Residence failed to inform me of this prior to our arrival.
However I must say that the staff of the hotel were very good and the food was of 1st class standard.
The views from the hotel were great and the pools were also great. The entertainment was limited due to the fact that the complex was not ccomplete.
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Ms M C Bradley from Merseyside travelled to Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa with
Air Malta
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 09 2005 |
Ms M C Bradley rated the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We were members of the Islands Residence Club and receved a phone call the night before we left to say we had been upgraded (H/B).
The maltese staff where very polite,The hotel location is bad (we had to hire a car)On entertainment there was a piano player in the bar adjaicent to the restaurant, but there where no toilet facilities, it was a long walk up the stairs and across the reception area (not very good if you are disabled).
No problem with the food. Cleanliness I was bitten very badly on my feet and hands only when we were in the room (from past experience this was caused by fleas do to building materials sand/cemen)being carried into the room and getting into bedding),as the hotel was only partly finished and there was a lot of work going on (which we where not told about).
Because we had hired a car we wanted to make full use of it but where told an appointment had been made for us to have a guided tour. We made a appointment with the rep for Islands Residence Club who phoned us and asked could we see her at 5pm instead of 6pm on the 15th we said ok, she neither turned up or phoned to cancel.
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