Review
A spacious complex meant for a wide array of activities, the Dolmen will please everyone : families, water sports lovers, as well as those who love the thrills of the casino.
Advantages
- The developed private beach.
- The spa.
Disadvantages
- The location of the central swimming pools ( above the street ).
- Not so charming lobby decoration.
Price and availability of the Hotel
Very appropriate for a relaxing stay, whatever the season, the Dolmen has a MyoKa spa. Specifically, it offers a la carte or as cures relaxing baths with essential oils, four handed massages, holistic care ( aiming at restoring energy balance ), Reiki, seaweed body wraps and slimming treatments. 3 rooms are equipped for hydro-massage. For aesthetic treatments, the spa uses La Prairie and Decleor products.
Another asset of the Dolmen : its casino, which is located down below the main swimming pools. We also want to mention the ruins of a Neolithic temple which were discovered at the time of the hotel's construction, and which can still be seen in the gardens. But their state of preservation is very limited.
7.25/10
Built in 1968 and renovated in 2000 then expanded in 2004, the Dolmen is set up as a 5 storey tall amphitheatre facing the sea. The exterior architecture is not that charming ( brown and beige concrete ) and the inside also lacks style. The lobby has a marble floor and walls which give it an impersonal kind of appearance. A decoration more in the style of the archipelago, with white walls, exposed beams and floor tiles would be appreciated. You can then quickly head to the gardens and swimming pools that have a view of the sea. Paved olariums surround two 25 X 5 meter pools. It's too bad that the highway along the seashore is located right below. That doesn't spoil the view, but the sound of all the cars is a bit disturbing. So, you should settle as far as possible from all of that in order to not be bothered. Deckchairs, sunshades and towels are all provided.
7.75/10
The hotel has 375 rooms, 21 superior quality rooms and 17 suites. 80% of the rooms have a view of the sea, because of the way the facility is built. The other rooms, located in the back, ovrelook the car park and the buildings in the surrounding areas. On the other hand, all the suites have a view of the sea. An extra bed can easily be added in the spacious ( 35 m² ) double rooms. Their minimalist contemporary decoration consists of fair wood furniture and brushed metal wall lamps. Paintings decorate the rooms' walls, which are painted white : they are stylized representations of Maltese Neolithic sites. The balcony has a plastic garden set. The other amenities ensure a good level of comfort : air conditioning, telephone, TV, a mini-bar with a coffee and tea kit. The bathroom is equipped with a bathtub, hairdryer and a small basket of welcome products.
7.25/10
Breakfast and dinner are served buffet style in the main restaurant. It is located inside of a large room, with a bay window. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a terrace. It is simply furnished but the variety of dishes makes up for that. For breakfast, cereals, bread, Viennese pastry, cold meats, cheese, fruit salads, scrambled eggs, bacon and baked beans are offered. In the evening, a show cooking stand offers a selection of pasta, meats and grilled fish, mixed salads, cakes and ice creams. Maltese recipes are regularly offered. At noon, a snack bar, with a terrace that has a view of the swimming pools and the seashore, offers sandwiches and sweet delicacies. Note that for parties, or if you get up late : it is open 24 hours a day. An a la carte restaurant allows you to eat Maltese and Mediterranean specialities, in a fancy setting.
6.5/10
The private beach is a lido, that is to say a concrete superstructure built on the rocky beach that runs along the sea. You access it through an underground tunnel. Access to the facilities ( swimming pool, deckchairs ) is free for the Dolmen's guests, but the beach is also open ( for a fee) to other holidaymakers. Be advised that it is crowded in high season. Go in the morning to avoid the crowd. Stretching out on 15 X 5 meters, the swimming pool is a good place to paddle in. You can relax on the edge ( limited space ) or a little farther, on the rectangular concrete area that is 500 meters long and 20 meters wide. As for water activities, a diving center offers a first dive in a swimming pool and sea outings. Some other water sports are also possible. You can do any of these activities if you pay an additional fee.