Gozo for my 2008 holiday - Malta and Gozo Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

Gozo for my 2008 holiday

2007-09-24 12:44:17

Hello!

I am looking at the 2007 brochures for Gozo for next year (Cheveron as its been recommended from previous posts.) and am a bit unsure where to stay so looking for some advice on the island.

We like B&B so we can eat out at local restaurants and like walks in the evening after dinner and daytime. We are happy lazying around but like to explore or go for a stoll when I get bored of sunbathing after an hour or so. I enjoy diving (so this is possible anywhere in Gozo). We like people watching and seeing the world go by. Like to visit the beach and have a paddle at odd times but are not really beach babies, if roasting in the sun we prefer the pool. Gozo appeals as it is peaceful, traditional and interesting. (and no chavy nasty football holiday place)

We would hire a car during our stay to explore (and do some bus outings and trip to Malta etc).

Any ideas on resort and or hotel?

I like the look of The Calypso as it seems clean, pleasant, good value and in Marsalforn (brochure has said this is a bigger resort, but is this too big?) what is Xlendi and the other resorts? Boyfriend likes the look of Ta Cenc and Kempsinksi San Lawrenz Resort but is there anywhere to eat out around there and is it easy to stroll around (he is recovering from a knee operation so it has to be pretty flatish.) Would Marsalforn and the Calypso be a good choice or is there any other hotels that I should bear in mind?

I won't be booking this till the spring as I need to find out about shift rotas etc so I have lots of time for research and am getting excited already!

Justval

2007-09-24 15:25:41

Calypso in Marselforn is clean and pleasant. In xlendi there are plenty of places..perhaps you might like to read my first post in Gozo adventures..it can be found on this forum..it is in the sticky post it bit..but i don't know how to do the link to it I am afraid...

Lazying by the pool

2007-09-24 16:01:47

hello!
Ooooo your post Justval........ fab! Thank you, that is very helpful.

I have a complaint though......... I am waiting for part 3! Hurry up!! :lol:

I shall await for the 2008 brochures and keep on spying. I know this sounds daft but I do like a recommendation

Another big factor is that I want my boyfriend to do his open water (as I did my advanced a while back) and I think Gozo would be a good place for him to do it.

Just out of interest, what is the nicest B&B hotel in Gozo in different peoples opinion?
(By that I mean in all aspects - we all like different things so some people will like luxurious, some will like peaceful, some like small and friendly etc)

gozomark

2007-09-24 18:07:54

I'd recommend checking out The Grand and St Patricks as well - of the two St Pats seems to fit your requirements the best (and better than Kempinski or Ta Cenc)

Justval

2007-09-25 07:39:47

I agree with Mark, St Patrick's is highly recommended.
In Xlendi, there is also the smaller San Andrea Hotel that I could recommend.

It might be ok for your boyfriend to do his OW in Gozo as the water will be far nicer than qualifying in Stoney Cove or Capernwray over here but I would be wary of qualifying in the sea, purely becuase of the number of skills you are required to perform ie: several mask floods and removal and replacement..and salt water in your eyes is not nice. On the other hand, the vis is so much better, you will be in a wetsuit/semi dry rather than stuck in a cumbersome dry suit and suffering from cold. Often people find it a big shock to go into such a big wide space after being in a confined pool, especially if they have never tried it before. It would depend how confident your boyfriend is. I was very nesh to start with but egged on by Rob, my DM partner..i finally managed to get it done and now I will dive anywhere!

If you contact the Gozo tourist board, they would supply you with a list of private places you could rent for your holiday..it really depends what you are looking for.

Lazying by the pool

2007-09-25 12:22:04

Thanks Justval and Gozomark.

I personally was not keen on Kempinski or Ta Cenc as they looked a bit artificial if you know what I mean? (The b'friend showed an interest in those!)

All we (well, my criteria as I am chief holiday chooser!) want is clean, pleasant, friendly and in a handy location. (Your post Justval is keeping me swayed to Marselforn but I will check out Xlendi.)

I am going to have fun doing my research I will check out the reviews for all the hotels you have mentioned and look into the other types of places to rent from the Gozo tourist people

Think we would prefer a B&B type hotel just out of the lazy factor of having everything done for you.

The diving thing is a good point Justval so perhaps I will look in to him doing a referal where he does the theory and tasks in the pool then the actual dives on holiday. (That is how I did my whole course in Cyprus many years ago - the pool was all the training to practise etc then you did your skills in the sea but as you had the pool to perfect them it was not scary)

Thank you for your help both

gozomark

2007-09-25 12:29:45

Calypso Hotel is very nice - I just don't like Marsalforn, where its situated. Its the closest Gozo gets to being like the Maltese holiday resorts like St Julians and St Pauls Bay - many people who prefer Gozo to Malta do so because they don't like this type of resort. Xlendi is just more classy in my opinion, and certainly alot less built up - Marsalforn is built along the coast, whereas Xlendi is in a beautiful bay - still too developed, but far less than Marsalforn

Justval

2007-09-25 12:30:44

The beach and bay is better in Xlendi, more secluded, picturesque and sheltered from the nasty winds that can come across the sea. I prefer Xlendi for the swimming and even if your boyfriend wants to do his qualifying dives in Gozo then I would say Xlendi bay is ideal. Xlendi is the place where the natives flock to at weekends..mind you marselforn gets busier too at weekends. I think Marselforn is more commercial than Xlendi..but obviously it depends what you are looking for.

Lazying by the pool

2007-09-25 13:24:33

Xlendi sounds about right so I will concentrate on that area. it does have a few places to eat in the evenings? (good local interesting non-english food?)

You two are very kind helping and advising but the boyfriend is going to pulling his hair out if I am excited already and we can't even contemplate when until the new work rotas are prepared in a few months! The living room already has piles of print outs and brochures all over the floor! :lol:

Xlendi is where I think would be nice.

Thank you!
Carole
x

gozomark

2007-09-25 13:44:59

Xlendi has lots of good restaurants - about 10 I'd say - generally serving Maltese/Italian food

Justval

2007-09-25 14:12:54

Xlendi has some lovely restaurants and the bay looks very nice lit up at night. The Stone Crab is nice and Zafira's also is nice. There are many places serving all types of international cuisine.

Enjoy....we loved it when we went. In fact we love Gozo so much we are taking 30 mates back with us in May to go diving..and it is a toss up between Xlendi or Marselforn where we stay. I think as there will be a big gang, marselforn will suit us better. Make sure you explore though as Gozo is so beautiful..i prefer it to Malta.

Lazying by the pool

2007-09-25 14:18:03

Ooooo that is a big bonus! yummy!

Thanks

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