http://www.destinationmalta.com has photos of the Andar, on its main page click into hotels then to 4star. Andar is there. Looks fine.
Have only seen it when driving to Xlendi. it is at the top of the valley that leads down to Xlendi. Gozomark should be able to fill you in more. Don't want to ruttle any feathers but think Gozo would be the place to go for diving, just swimming is a delight with the beautiful fish you see. Plus I know the are Padi schools on Gozo. Alot of hotels in Marslform do diving holidays,spelling not right I fear.
Hope this helps till the expert comes along. The village of Munxxar is walking distance, but Xlendi is down a hill so might need a car. The hotel and all questions I,m sure Mark will answer as he is sound living in Gozo.
Julie

Hello jonti, the first time we went to Malta we did a two centre holiday with a week on Gozo and a week on Malta, it was some years ago but we stayed in the Andar hotel, at that time the hotel was very new and I am sure we were the first to use the towels.
Anyway the hotel is in a place called Munxar up a hill from Xlendi and in walking distance from the capital Victoria and all this has to offer, if you do go ask for a room with views to Victoria they are great with the country side and the citadel in the distance.
The food was very good and it has a small pool, though the nightly entertainment was not up to much.
Down the hill to Xlendi there is a disco the islands one and only if you are into that sort of thing, the resort has a little beach and a few bars and restaurants and there is a dive school car hire on the island is alright as there is not many cars and they are not so mad as the Malta drivers.
So all in all I would say try it you may find out more on the site below.

http://www.destinationmalta.com/andor.htm

Dave

Hi Jonti

are you a first time diver ? There are loads of dive schools all over Gozo - I would recommend Xlendi ones over Marsalforn, only because Xlendi is nicer. Andar is up the (steep) hill from Xlendi - also think about staying in Xlendi - Munxar where the Andar is, is very quiet - Xlendi has lots of restaurants and a few bars - very nice in the evening

search this forum for the thread "diving in Malta" - I put a load of stuff on there, here's the main bits (hopefully cut and pasted OK

"click on the "diving" tab on
http://www.gozo.gov.mt/pages.aspx?page=En
for details on diving in Gozo - I took my open water course in Gozo 2 years ago - absolutely loved it - you will see on this tab that alot of hotels with dive centres - I used the one at the Grand Hotel, which isn't mentioned, but highly recommend them.

Diving is excellent - only downside is not alot of colourful fish, but visibilty excellent, great caves. Best time ? I'm not an expert, but prob Autumn - water warm !"

"A good middle ground is stay in Xlendi http://www.gozo.gov.mt/pages.aspx?page=32
at St Patricks Hotel http://www.vjborg.com/stpatricks/index.shtml
I know the manager and the hotel, dive with St Andrews, 1 minute from the hotel http://www.gozodive.com/098.htm"

another friend did the PADI open water course with St Andrews since that thread, and loved it.

any other questions just ask - the http://www.gozo.gov.mt website also has details of nearly all the hotels (but not the Andar - not sure why not) - oh yes there's also a bit on sailing on that website at http://www.gozo.gov.mt/pages.aspx?page=363
this website is the best place to start looking for all things Gozo !

when I saw mention of Andar hotel, and then I couldn't find it on the gozo.gov.mt website, it rang alarm bells - now I remember why ! - its closing/closed, and being turned into flats - I will drive past it today and see if its closed yet

Thanks for the info already given now i need to pick your brains a bit more what about the Calypso hotel just seen a great deal and can use my Thomas cook voucher i believe it has been refurbished and are there any decent dive centers nearby

-ve its in Marsalforn - I prefer Xlendi, but if you are going outside of peak its fine
+ ve Calypso Hotel has been done up very nicely , and just about deserves its 4* rating, unlike many Maltese hotels which you can knock atleast 1* off their rating ! Its on the edge of Marsalforn, by the sea, and nice restaurants both in the hotel and nearby - loads of dive centres nearby, including one at the hotel. Room rates are cheap - what are you being quoted ?
http://www.hotelcalypsogozo.com/main1280.htm - don't know anything about any of the dive schools in Marsalforn, but basically all the one in Gozo seem to be about the same, high standard

to gozomark we are being quoted £590 for 2 in a seaview room flights extra so xendi is the best bit of the island?

when are you going, and for how long, how many of you, and B&B, HB or FB ???

you can get a quote directly on their website to compare

we are travelling on the 24th september there are 2 of us for 1 week bb

on their website, the quote is lm 301 = £480-500 - your quote of £590 - did that include transfers as this doesn't

One for gozomark, do you know if these bars are any good they are all in Victoria ?
The Chip and Dale bar, Bellusa bar, Tapies bar.
Also what is the night life like in Xlendi these days and what would be the price of car hire for a few days ?

Cheers Dave

Tapies bar - still good - Chip & Dale - might be closed for good (looks that way everytime I drive past), Bellusa -where is it ?
night life in Xlendi - I live in Sannat - 2 miles from Xlendi, so honestly no idea on the nightlife !!
Car hire - depending on season, small car 6-8LM, incl insurance

hope it helps

Hi Mark, the last day we were in Ghawdex we went to Gleneagles for a quick half prior to catching the ferry but it was shut at about 2pm , is this the norm ?.

Regards
Sliema2

not normal, but if it was quiet that could have been why, or perhaps the fishing was good that day !

Well Mark, you will have to go down there (Xlendi) this weekend I do a bit of looking round so you can let me know what its all about

The Real Holidaymaker needs your help

Cheers Dave

in fact I was down there this lunchtime ! nice pizza at Moby Dicks, sitting outside in the sunshine - quite windy though - too rough to swim - will try and force my way down there at the weekend

Thanks Mark a lot hangs on your report, I am not after wild night life just a few bars to a nice time of a night time and if I do get there I will let you bye me a beer, or should that be the other way round

Dave

if you do want a wild night (or atleast as wild as Gozo gets) there is a nightclub 1/2 a mile up the hill from Xlendi, called La Grotta - not sure when they close for the winter though (just realised you mentioned it in your earlier posting - let me know when you are in Gozo - hopefully can meet up for a beer - however, if you hate Xlendi, I might go into hiding !

Thanks Mark, but look at the bit under the stars and name next to this post that says age do you think they would let me and Mrs holidaymaker in a disco, they don't even give us those cards for the disco when we are on holiday these days, the best I can do these days is a slow smooch or a bit of Karaoke if pushed.
You don't have to go in hiding for a bit as it will be next summer before we get over there and the first ones on the Mrs

Dave