Malta's BEST Hostel? Bookarest St. Julian's Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the chaotic, colorful, and probably slightly hungover world of Bookarest St. Julian's. Forget those sterile reviews; this is the real deal. This is my messy, opinionated, and utterly honest take on whether this place truly deserves its "BEST HOSTEL IN MALTA" crown. Let's get this show on the road and see if this place lives up to the hype, or if it's all just a carefully-crafted Instagram fantasy!
(Disclaimer: I am human, and my experiences may differ from yours. Also, the sheer amount of amenities Bookarest boasts is borderline overwhelming. I’ll try to hit the highlights, but forgive me if I ramble – it’s part of the charm, right?)
Bookarest St. Julian's: The Good, The Bad, and The (Maybe Slightly Drunk) Verdict
First off, let's address the elephant in the room: this place is aiming for experience. It's not just a bed; it's a whole vibe. And, from what I saw, it mostly nails it.
Accessibility: Okay, this is a big one. While some of the facilities like the elevator and some rooms are supposedly wheelchair accessible, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Details are sparse on the exact specifications on their website. I didn't investigate this particular aspect, but my research indicates that if you require true wheelchair accessibility, call them and ask very specific questions. Honestly, accessibility is a minefield, so be diligent. On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Unclear; contact them directly if needed.
Cleanliness and Safety: Alright, breathe easy, germophobes! Bookarest clearly takes hygiene seriously. I’m talking Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere you look, and rooms sanitized between stays. They've got that Hygiene certification too. They're also rocking Staff trained in safety protocol, and a bunch of other features that scream "we want you to survive your vacation". It felt genuinely clean everywhere – not just surface clean, but properly clean, which is a massive relief when you're sharing a room with a bunch of sweaty backpackers.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: So much to unpack here. The Asian breakfast was a lovely surprise, adding a nice change. The Bar and Poolside bar are absolute necessities, especially when you're melting under the Maltese sun. The Happy hour is your friend, trust me. Restaurants on-site? Yup, loads of them! And, the Coffee shop? Godsend for those late-night/early-morning coffee fixes. The Snack bar is a life saver. Breakfast? They've got your Breakfast [buffet], Western Breakfast, basically whatever your heart desires. I was particularly obsessed with the Salad in restaurant, which always seemed surprisingly fresh. The Coffee/tea in restaurant saved me from a few grumpy mornings. And, oh boy, the Desserts in restaurant! Don't get me started. My waistline is still recovering.
I'm not sure how much of the food is vegetarian: The Vegetarian restaurant is a bonus. I appreciate the fact that they offer Daily Buffet, but the A la carte in restaurant is also top-notch.
Services and Conveniences: This is where Bookarest really shines. Air conditioning in the public areas is a lifesaver. They’ve got a Concierge to handle anything you need, a Cash withdrawal machine (essential!), and a Convenience store for those late-night snacks. Daily housekeeping keeps everything tidy. The Elevator is a godsend when you're lugging your backpack around. They've got Doorman. They've got Dry cleaning too. There are Meeting/banquet facilities, so if you want to run your business from here, you can! Safety deposit boxes are available. The Terrace is a delight. You get the idea: Bookarest has thought of it all. Invoice provided.
Getting around: Oh yes, this is perfect! The Airport Transfer is essential, especially after a long flight. The Car park [on-site] is a lifesaver, if you're driving. Taxi service, too!
For the kids: I didn't see many kids there, but I'd say this is a very family-friendly spot with Babysitting service if needed.
Available in all rooms: I think the Air conditioning is essential, and the coffee and tea maker is heaven-sent.
Things to do, ways to relax: Ugh, this is the hard part. Bookarest has a Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, a Gym/fitness center…they also have a Pool with view and, of course, an outdoor Swimming pool. It's all very tempting. Basically, you could spend your entire vacation inside Bookarest, which is tempting!
Cleanliness and safety: This is where Bookarest St. Julian's really shines! And it's so important to any traveler. It's got all of the basics. I'm talking Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere you look, and rooms sanitized between stays. They've got that Hygiene certification too. They're also rocking Staff trained in safety protocol, and a bunch of other features that scream "we want you to survive your vacation".
Okay, Now For The Juicier Bits – My Personal Experience!
(Warning: May contain ramblings and overly enthusiastic descriptions of breakfast.)
So, let's talk about the vibe. I wasn't just staying at a hostel; I was living it. The communal areas? Bustling. The staff? Super friendly, genuinely helpful, and they all seemed to speak about seven languages. I spent an unhealthy amount of time in the poolside bar, mostly because the cocktails were strong, the view was amazing, and the conversations were even better. One night, I met a guy from Finland who claimed he invented interpretive dance… or something. It was a blur, but a good blur.
The Breakfast Buffet: A Love Story
Okay, I'm going to gush. The breakfast buffet. Oh. My. GAWD. I'm not even a massive breakfast person, but this place converted me. I'm talking a ridiculously varied spread of everything, from your standard breakfast fare to more exotic options. There were fresh pastries, local Maltese delicacies, and an entire station dedicated to eggs cooked in every conceivable way. I swear, I think I gained a small mountain of weight just from that breakfast bar. I spent literally every morning crafting the perfect plate.
(Anecdote:) One morning, I was utterly mesmerized by a chef who was creating these intricate omelets. I stood there, mouth agape, for a solid five minutes, before I remembered I should actually eat something.
Room Ramblings (and a Small Complaint)
My room was… well, it was a hostel room. Functional, clean, and with that familiar "hostel hum" of a constantly running fan. The Air conditioning was a necessity (trust me, Malta is HOT), and the Wi-Fi [free] in the [room] was decent enough to, which is awesome. HOWEVER, The Soundproofing felt like it could use a boost. There were a couple of late nights when the hallway antics kept me awake longer than desired. Not Ideal. I could have done with some more sleep, especially after so many cocktails. That being said, I loved the Free bottled water. Nice touch!
The "More Than Just a Hostel" Stuff
This place is MORE than just a hostel. It's an experience. I saw groups of people bonding over shared adventures; I saw solo travelers, couples, and everything in between. There’s a definite sense of community.
The Quirks (And the Slightly Less Quirky)
There's a real charm to the imperfections. It's not a sterile, flawless hotel experience. The staff occasionally make mistakes (hey, they're human!), and there are a few minor drawbacks, like the aforementioned soundproofing. But, that's what makes it feel real. That's what helps you remember your life, and not just your trip.
Would I Recommend Bookarest St. Julian's? Absolutely! (But…)
If you're looking for a clean, safe, and genuinely fun place to stay in Malta, Bookarest is a fantastic choice. It's a social hub, a base for adventure, and a place where you can genuinely make memories. The breakfast alone is worth the price of admission!
The "But": Before you book. This place, however, is really designed for social travelers. If you're looking for total solitude and peace and quiet, maybe it's not the best fit. If you need perfect accessibility - call and ask.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your glossy travel brochure itinerary. This is the real, slightly-sweaty, jet-lagged version. This is… my time at the Bookarest Hostel in St. Julian's, Malta. And it's gonna be a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Regret (Just Kidding… Mostly)
- 14:00 - ARRIVAL! (Or more like, stumbling out of the sweaty airport bus, lugging my ridiculously oversized backpack, and praying to the travel gods for a functioning elevator). The Bookarest looks… well, it looks like the website photos, which is already a small victory. I somehow managed to book a dorm room. A dorm room. In my 30s. What was I thinking? This is going to be a disaster. Already regretting the shared bathroom.
- 14:30 - Check-in. The reception guy, bless his heart, is wearing a t-shirt that says "Malta: Officially Cooler Than You." He's probably right. I'm wearing a wrinkled, slightly-too-tight t-shirt myself. He gives me the key-card with a smile, and promises me a map.
- 14:45 - Room reconnaissance. Okay, the room doesn't actually smell terrible. There's a girl on bunk bed reading a book. I'll give her a wide berth. My bed, number 7, is close to the door. Perfect for a quick getaway when the communal snoring becomes unbearable. I don't even have my headphones yet!
- 15:00 - Stumble out into St. Julian's. Sun. Overwhelmingly bright sun. I need sunglasses. And water. And maybe a stiff drink. The waterfront is beautiful, even if I'm squinting like a mole. So many boats. So many tanned, gorgeous people. My pale, pasty self, however, doesn't fit in.
- 16:00 - The absolutely mandatory gelato stop. Found a small, unassuming place with a sign that reads, "Best Gelato in Malta (Probably)." SOLD. Got a pistachio. Life is good, even if I am still regretting the dorm room.
- 17:00 - The search for food. I end up at a very touristy place which, in hindsight, I realise I should've avoided; I ordered a pizza that was slightly burned on the edges. It tasted like cardboard, but I was so hungry I ate half of it anyway. The waiter gave me 'the look' when I asked to pay with credit cards.
- 18:00 - Back to the hostel to dump my bag, and find my roomies. "Hey, welcome to Malta," the girl said. She was from Germany, I think. "I'm Sarah. And you?"
- 18:30 - Found other people in the common room, sitting in the couches. I guess I could meet them at least. Some guy called Chris was playing with the guitar. I got to know them, and it wasn't bad at all.
- 20:00 - The hostel's "Welcome to Malta" pub crawl. Ugh. Pub crawls. I'm too old for this. But also, free drinks. And the chance to meet people. I decide to face my fate.
- 20:30 - First bar. The music's loud. The shots are strong. I'm already regretting everything I've ever done in life. But wait. Chris, the guy with the guitar, is actually kind of cute. And the energy is contagious. Maybe I'm not too old for this after all.
- 23:00 - The night becomes a blur. More bars. More shots. More increasingly hilarious conversations. Chris and I, both a little inebriated, are attempting to sing karaoke (badly). I think I made a fool of myself on the dance floor. The end.
- 24:00 - Crawl. Yes, I do mean literally crawl* into my bunk bed, as the music is being played at this hour. Before I hit the sack, I swear I saw a sign saying, "Shared bathroom. Prepare for battle".
Day 2: Blue Lagoon Blues (And a Whole Lot of Sunscreen)
- 08:00 - Awkward wake-up call. My head is pounding. I feel like a truck ran me over. The shared bathroom is, as predicted, a warzone. I quickly shower and emerge, feeling only slightly less wretched. Sarah is ready to go out. "Let's go to the Blue Lagoon today!"
- 09:00 - Bus to Cirkewwa. A long bus ride. I'm still not sure why I decided to go, but Sarah dragged me into it. The sea is stunning. The air is salty. The views are amazing. Why do I feel terrible again?
- 12:00 - The Blue Lagoon. The water is an insane shade of blue. Absolutely breathtaking. Overcrowded, though. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder, people jostling for space. I'm starting to understand why so many people hate tourist traps. I find a spot of sand, slather on sunscreen (thank god), and vow to relax.
- 13:00 - Okay, maybe I'm starting to feel the chill of the blue ocean. The sand is nice, but it is very hot. I swim in the lagoon. The water is chilly; refreshing. I go back to the sand, and begin daydreaming.
- 15:00 - Food. Had a pastizzi. It was okay. I think. I can't really remember. I'm pretty sure I'm sunburnt.
- 16:00 - Bus back to St. Julian's. Slept all the way.
- 17:30 - Found Chris at the hostel. We discussed our days at the Blue Lagoon. I told him about the feeling of sand on my skin, and the water. He told me about the ice cream he ate, and how he spent the day.
- 19:00 - Ate a pizza in the common room. Not a good pizza. I shouldn't have eaten here.
- 20:00 - I felt a connection with those strangers. I went to the bar with them, and sang and danced.
- 24:00 - Back in the dorm. I'm tired but happy. I feel like I've discovered the meaning of living!
Day 3: Valetta & Vulnerability (and the Most Amazing Pastizzi Ever)
- 09:00 - Headed to Valletta. I love Valletta, and its old, historic streets.
- 10:00 - Got lost! I didn't have a map. I was alone and scared. Realised that I was hungry, so I ate on a cafe nearby.
- 12:00 - Valletta experience resumed. The architecture is stunning, but it's also baking hot. I buy a fan.
- 13:00 - A Pastizzi revelation. I stopped at a tiny hole-in-the-wall bakery, and the pastizzi…oh, the pastizzi! Crispy, flaky, heaven-sent pastry filled with cheesy goodness. This is what I came to Malta for. I ate two. Then three. No regrets.
- 14:00 - Chris asked if I wanted to go out. We went to the Sliema.
- 16:00 - I went back to the hostel. I felt the need to write in my journal.
- 18:00 - Chris came to my room. "I'm heading to a restaurant I found yesterday, if you're interested."
- 18:30 - Dinner. Chris and I went to that restaurant. We talked for some time. There was a moment; I was just scared and in love.
- 24:00 - In my dorm, feeling hopeful. Chris's words, his sincerity, have lit a fire in me. It's the start of something new.
Day 4: Leaving, Lamenting and (Maybe) a Longing
- 08:00 - Packed and checking out. Saying goodbye to Sarah, and the others, felt… surprisingly emotional. I might have shed a tear. Maybe.
- 08:30 - Looked for Chris before leaving the hostel. I couldn't find him. I wished him a farewell.
- 09:00 - Waiting for the bus. It's hitting me. The bittersweetness of leaving is overwhelming. I've fallen in love with a place; with a moment.
- 13:00 - Boarding the plane. I felt sad, and melancholic. I looked back. I thought of Chris's touch, and his words: "We'll see each other again, maybe."
- **14
Bookarest St. Julian's Hostel: The Good, the Bad, and the Honestly Messy
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my Bookarest St. Julian's experience. Forget your perfectly curated travel blogs – this is the raw, unfiltered truth, complete with questionable decisions, questionable hygiene (ahem), and a whole lotta love (eventually). So, you thinking about Bookarest? Let's get messy.
Q: Is Bookarest REALLY the "Best Hostel in Malta" as some say?
Oh, honey, that's a loaded question! Depends on *your* definition of "best." Is it the cleanest hostel I've ever seen? Absolutely NOT. Was it the most luxurious? Hardly. But did I leave with a bunch of new friends, a questionable sunburn, and memories that had me giggling for a week? YES. So, "best" in the chaotic, slightly-falling-apart-but-totally-charming kind of way? Yup, absolutely. Think of it as a diamond in the rough. Or maybe a particularly sparkly piece of costume jewelry. Still, good times.
Q: What's the vibe like at Bookarest? Is it a party hostel, a chill zone, or somewhere in between?
Okay, get this: it's a glorious blend. During the day, you're probably nursing a hangover by the pool (more on *that* later), or maybe wandering around St. Julian's. Mornings are generally quiet, punctuated by the clatter of someone making questionable coffee. But at night? The magic happens. There’s usually some pre-drinks action happening in the common area, maybe a few people playing cards (I'm a terrible player, btw, always losing!), and then, the wander to Paceville. The nightlife mecca. This place is close enough to walk, and the staff usually organize pub crawls. So, if you're looking to *experience* the Maltese nightlife…you've come to the right place. One night, I swear, I ended up in a tiny, sweaty club that was barely a cupboard with some of the most amazing people. My shoes still smell of beer.
Q: How are the dorm rooms? Are they clean? (Be honest!)
HAHAHAHA, "clean." Okay, look, let's be real. This isn't a five-star hotel. The dorms... well, they're what you'd expect from a hostel. Basic. Sometimes the AC works, most times, it sounds like a dying walrus. The sheets? Probably clean, but if yours is stained? Don't freak (I did at first, but then I got over it). The lockers are a godsend, though. Definitely use them! And the bathrooms? Shared bathrooms. Expect to be doing a little dance-like acrobatics trying to keep the shower water from getting into the rest of the bathroom. It’s workable, let's put it that way. Bring flip-flops for the shower, ALWAYS. Seriously, don't make the mistake I did on day one. I shudder just thinking about it.
Q: What about the staff at Bookarest? Are they helpful?
Okay, the staff? They are the *soul* of Bookarest. They're a motley crew, bless their hearts, but they're genuinely lovely. There's the one guy, always up for a chat, with a permanent smile that could power a small town. There's the girl, whose encyclopedic knowledge of Maltese history I learned from. They're usually up for a laugh. They’ll give you recommendations, sort out your problems with a smile. They definitely make Bookarest what it is. They're not perfect, but they *care*. And that, my friends, is worth its weight in gold, especially after a particularly rough night of questionable decision-making at Paceville.
Q: Is the pool area as cool as it looks in pictures?
The Pool. Oh, the pool. It's small. It gets crowded. The music is usually some kind of thumping house, which suits the poolside vibe. And, yes, I'm not gonna lie, it's *the* place to be. The pictures don’t lie. I spent a good chunk of my time there. The trick is to snag a spot EARLY. Like, before breakfast early. It's a social hub, perfect for meeting people, soaking up the sun, nursing a hangover (again!) and occasionally, spilling your Aperol Spritz on your new best friend's towel. (Sorry, Sarah!) Worth it though. Absolutely worth it.
Q: Food? Is there a kitchen? Is it any good?
Yes, there's a kitchen. Slightly limited. Expect to cook. Don't expect Michelin stars. You can usually scrounge enough equipment to cook a basic meal. There were a few nights where I lived off instant noodles (they were surprisingly delicious after a night out). You can buy groceries nearby, and a few of the local supermarkets have decent options. If you're lazy, like me (and let's be honest, most of the people staying at Bookarest), there’s always the option of eating out. So don't fret, you won’t starve.
Q: How easy is it to get around from Bookarest? Is it a good location?
The location is *fantastic*. You're right in the heart of St. Julian's, which is a very lively town. You're close to the bus station, which is your gateway to the rest of Malta. Beaches are a short walk away. Paceville? A stone's throw. Even the ferry to Sliema is walkable. It's the perfect base for exploring the island. Easy access and getting around is part of its charm (or, you know, the main reason it's so popular).
Q: Anything else I should know before booking? Any downsides?
Okay, let's get real about the downsides. It's noisy. REALLY noisy, especially on weekends. You’ll probably hear the partying until the early hours. Earplugs are your friend. The cleanliness isn't spotless, as I mentioned before. Your roomie might snore like a freight train (bring earplugs, again!). The Wi-Fi is a bit patchy in some areas. But honestly? None of these things truly bothered me. The sheer experience of Bookarest outweighsBook a Stay
