As a frequent business traveller all over Europe, for vacations I try to find a more personal alternative to well-run hotels, and that is a well-run bed-and-breakfast. Fortunately, there is such an establishment on the very interesting island of Malta, the “Selmunett Luxury Bed and Breakfast” away from the countries near the lovely town of Naxxar (walking distance to a beautiful baroque church). The owners Maria and Roger Strickland are true Maltese in the best sense of the word: privy to all secrets of their country so rich of history, and most gifted for hospitality, also thanks to extensive professional experience in the tourism trade. The two double rooms are pleasant, spacious, totally silent and perfectly equipped. So are the individual, modern yet user-friendly bathrooms. Breakfast is provided with all amenities, including local delicacies, well-behaved cat and dogs, and sense of humor. Most notable is also Roger’s ability to point guests in the right direction for touring, or even personally driving them, with the possible additional services of excellent guides if required. This is a definite bonus in a place where driving oneself, let alone finding the places one is looking for, can be too much of a challenge if you are aiming to relax. This attentive expertise also applies to advice on the many local restaurants. The combination of comfort, flexibility, and reliability makes Selmunett an ideal hide-away. We can say even having been there in the Christmas period, and it can only be all the more true for the months when guests can enjoy the pool as well as the beautiful garden which cheered up our views in winter, and were we understand that very nice barbecues are held in the appropriate season. In summary, in light of our high standards, we wish it were possible such accommodations everywhere we go for a holiday.
Staying at Selmunett was a treat – and reminded us of our Wolsey Lodge stays in the UK where you are made to feel so welcome in a family home. It is a rare find – Maltese hospitality with a huge warm welcome. Our room was beautiful with a new private bathroom with both bath and shower. Breakfasts were a showstopper, with Roger’s excellent full cooked breakfast and Maria’s homemade marmalade from orange trees in their garden. One of Malta’s hidden gems. If you don’t have a car then Roger can take you on day trips – one of which we did to Gozo. We cannot speak more highly of our stay at Selmunett.
After giving up the idea of spending our time in Malta in a hotel we came across Roger’s and Maria’s B&B in Naxxar on the internet. Our email contact was very pleasant, as Roger always responded in a flash to our queries and requests. The fabulous house and lush gardens (probably a rarity on this otherwise desert-like island) immediately appealed to us. From the rooftop we enjoyed the magnificent view of the island with the sunset on one side and the moonrise on the other. After a hot day touring the islands we felt pampered in the swimming pool (which we had practically to ourselves) and quiet surroundings. Also noteworthy are Roger’s legendary barbecue breakfasts on the lovely verandah and the chats to and tips from the host and hostess. And last but not least: We were amazed at the spacious room and sizeable bathroom, all spick and span. Plus: No matter what ungodly hour you arrive or depart, Roger picks you up from or takes you to the ferry or airport, which we really appreciated. All in all, it was everything it promised and more and is definitely something to rave about.
The facilities were of a high standard of comfort, cleanliness and neatness; the decor warm, homely and welcoming. The proprietors, Maria and Roger, were gracious hosts. Their approach was one of high standards of professionalism combined with the warmth and caring of a family home (a beautifully decorated one at that). The garden suite consisted of a small kitchen (equipped with kettle, kitchenware, a stove/oven and fridge…convenient for preparing quick snacks purchased at the well-stocked, nearby supermarket, if one doesn’t feel like going out for dinner) + dining table and chairs, + a double sofa-bed with a customized mattress for added comfort + bathroom with shower (no bath) + cable TV with a reasonable choice of multilingual viewing options. The suite is adjacent to the pool area, complete with pool loungers and an outdoor table and chairs. It’s a good setup for a couple seeking a comfortable base for relaxed sightseeing. The breakfast served was delicious and generous, served on the patio, next to a peach tree laden with fruit, on warm days or in the warmth of the family kitchen on cooler days. Many a lively conversation was held around the table with Roger and Maria, and other houseguests, before we ventured out for a days’ sightseeing. Fortified after a hearty meal and many helpful tips from Roger, who is an excellent raconteur and most knowledgeable about anything to do with Malta, we set out confidently, knowing that Roger was always a phone call away if we got stuck. The island has a long, rich history and many excellent tourist facilities. Much appreciated by us was the fact that Roger fetched us from the Airport, giving us friendly welcome upon our arrival, even though we arrived on an evening flight. He also assisted us in arranging car hire, giving my husband a lift to the nearby rental agency the next morning in order to collect the vehicle. Maria is a warm, caring lady who fussed over us like a lovely Italian ‘mama’, eager to ensure our comfort at all times. This is a couple that ‘goes the extra mile…’If you are considering an upmarket bed & breakfast option while staying in Malta, I highly recommend placing “Selmunett’ at the top of your list of choices.
If it were not for this fantastic bed and breakfast we would never have visited Malta. From the first point of contact with Roger he could not have been more helpful. He wanted to make sure our stay was as comfortable, enjoyable and relaxing as possible from the start. He picked us up from the airport and within an hour of us being at Selmunett our hire car was delivered to us and we were free to explore the island. We wanted a clean, friendly bed and breakfast and this is certainly what we got and more. The rooms were spotless, large and extremely comfortable. There was ample storage and a great en-suite bathroom. Although there was no air conditioning the room had a large ceiling fan and a standing fan, which even in the 35-degree heat kept us nice and cool. Although the room did not have a maiden to dry our clothes on after a day at the beach, Maria gave us space outside in the courtyard to do this. The nice things about the rooms were the small touches such as the small glass vases of fresh flowers and the daily bottle of fresh water. Roger also left a very useful booklet of information in the room for us to refer to. Every morning we had breakfast on the terrace. There was always plenty of choice including breakfast cereals, toast or bread with homemade jam from the peaches grown in the garden, olives and sundried tomatoes (also home grown in the garden), yoghurts and a cooked breakfast (bacon, sausage, egg and tomato) cooked by Roger on the BBQ. There was also a great choice of drinks including a variety of teas, coffee, fresh juice and water. Breakfast was always relaxed and gave us a chance to chat to Roger and Maria who helped us to plan our da so we could get the most from it. Roger also recommended numerous restaurants for us to try, which were all very good. Roger and Maria were fantastic hosts and made us feel part of the family. We met plenty of their friends and family, who were all very welcoming and enjoyed joining us for a dip in the pool on a lazy afternoon. We also became friendly with Max and Sasha (2 lovely boxer dogs), Sushi (the cat), Bruna (the rabbit) and Peter (the canary). We had a fantastic stay at Selmunett Bed and Breakfast and I would be more than happy to recommend it to anyone thinking of holidaying in Malta.
If you are looking for a great place to stay, tranquility, friendly hosts, great room, wonderful setting, then do not look any further and stay with Maria and Roger in their top B&B Selmunett. Roger came to pick us up at the airport and we are very grateful for that because being very late at night and our first trip to Malta we would never have found the house before the next morning :). It was almost midnight when we arrived but still Roger wanted to show us around which we appreciated very much. The following day we met the other members of the family being Maria (the lady of the house), Max and Sasha (the dogs), Sushi (the cat), Bruna (the rabbit) and Peter the canary. We loved them all and they all made us feel more than welcome. The house is beautiful with a beautiful garden. The rooms are of a good size and very nicely decorated, spotless and oh so quiet at night (we slept like babies). There is also a good size pool with a nice terrace and lounge chairs to relax in. In the morning at breakfast (which is by the way excellent) we always had a chance to chat with Maria & Roger. Roger was very helpful with recommendations on sightseeing and restaurants. They are super hosts and make you feel part of their family. We also had a great time with the dogs, they are adorable and we miss them already. I would recommend Selmunett to everyone visiting Malta and we will certainly do our best to recommend this to our friends and neighbors back home. Maria & Roger, you are doing a great job and we had a wonderful time at Selmunett.
Doubt there is a better B&B in Malta if you are independent and driving. This is a lovely house with wonderful hosts, well situated in a quiet village but with easy access to most of the Island. Roger and Maria went especially out of their way to look after our children (6 & 9) – we had adjoining rooms and the kids loved it. We actually stayed in mid 2009 and it has taken me a very long time to write this review (sorry Roger!) but the wonderful memory lives on.
We had an excellent time in Malta, and the thought of coming back to Selmunett at night after trekking round the island, and getting up to Roger’s wonderful cooked breakfasts in the morning, were a definite highlight of the programme. Roger and Maria are excellent hosts, and our holiday in Malta would not have been the same without them. We heartily recommend Selmunett to anyone visiting Malta. Quality, relaxation and professionalism are assured.
My stay at Selmunett is without doubt a highlight of my many travels around the world. The hospitality shown by Roger and Maria was simply wonderful. It made my stay fell like it was a home away from home. The breakfasts in the morning were absolutely amazing. I will definitely be back and would recommend this to anybody as the best possible way to stay in Malta. I was here on business, and I must also compliment Selmunett for have a reliable and fast Internet connection. I was able to have a great quality voice and video Skype call with my family back home.
What can we say: we loved staying with Roger & Maria in their beautiful home! You can book a bedroom there with both eyes closed, you won’t be disappointed!! The bedrooms are fantastic, they have a great garden you can laze around (watching the sunset while enjoying a beer on their terrace!! ;-), and the swimming pool is a great plus on a hot Maltese summer day. And the best way to start the day is the delicious barbecued breakfast Roger prepared for us every morning (enough too to keep us fed pretty much all day long!!) But more than anything else there warm welcome and friendly personalities are what made our stay so greatly enjoyable. The travelling advices and the many laughs we shared around the breakfast table got us starting the day in the best possible way every day! So thanks again Roger & Maria, and hopefully we will be back!
We stayed at the Selmunett for 7 nights and there is absolutely nothing you could not like, it’s spotless. The breakfasts are fantastic we have stayed in lots of 5* hotels and none have been a patch on what we had here. Overall though what really makes it such a special place are the owners Roger and Maria they really do go the extra mile with everything for you, they booked marvelous restaurants for us to eat at on an evening and gave us loads of ideas for places to visit. I would recommend the Gullet cruise round Comino and Gozo it’s a really lovely day with great food! Also eating at Marcella’s in Naxxar the chef is exceptional, Ta Marija is great fun and Bacchus in Mdina just beautiful.
Staying at Selmunett is fantastic. Your hosts take the effort to guide you to the best places to experience the real Malta. I believe this is the best deal you will ever get – I will be back – again! The rooms are spacious, airy & clean.
Selmunett was much more enjoyable for us than a large high-rise hotel. If you do chose to go to Naxxar, I would recommend a rental vehicle as it provides a greater deal of flexibility. Bottom line – I would stay there again in heartbeat and I would recommend the Selmunett B&B to my friends and family. You will not be disappointed!
Selmunett Bed and Breakfast is a top-notch establishment, run by experienced, caring and professional owners. Every aspect of our week long stay was well orchestrated and facilitated by Roger and Maria. We were met upon our arrival by Roger after a very long flight from Canada and conveyed to the B&B. I must state that had Roger not picked us up, we most surely would have been lost as it is not the easiest place to find, so do take him up on this offer. The B&B is meticulously well maintained and surrounded by beautiful and fragrant gardens, in essence, an oasis of color and tranquility. Our room was quite lovely and although there is no central air conditioning, we found that the ceiling fan kept us cool during the hot nights. Each of the rooms has its own bathroom and everything is kept immaculately clean. Every morning we had a very filling and delicious breakfast provided by Roger and Maria – bacon, sausages, grilled tomatoes, beans, eggs, toast, cereals, croissants, juices, tea and coffee and jam made from the fruits of their garden – more than enough to keep us going throughout the day. Roger has decades of experience in the tourism business and he capably provided advice on the best sites to see, making excellent suggestions. He booked a cruise for us to Gozo and Comino and recommended good restaurants around the island. Truly he is a wealth of knowledge and this personal interaction was so appreciated. The Selmunett is really a home away from home and includes well-behaved pets that will charm and delight you. I am terrified of big dogs, but I can personally assure you that the two Boxer dogs are very gentle and will not do anything to frighten. There are also cats, a bunny, and birds to add to the welcoming environment. At the end of the day of touring, we would frequently sit at the pool and chat with another couple and Roger & Maria.
I stayed at Selmunett for two days whilst visiting Malta for a friend’s wedding. I could not have asked for a better place to stay or for warmer owners. I arrived quite late at night but Roger was extremely gracious and gave me a lovely room to stay in. The next morning he and Maria had a lovely breakfast spread out for me. They also made me taste their freshly made olive oil (made from olives from their garden) and sun dried tomatoes and some other Maltese specialties…very rare to find two genuinely lovely caring owners!! I very much enjoyed chatting with Roger and Maria every morning over my coffee, toasts, fresh fruits, yoghurts and sausages (there were more breakfast items as well which were laid out). Roger and Maria are so proud of their house and this shows clearly as the property is beautifully maintained and everything has a personal touch. The rooms are tastefully done up and clean. The garden is also very relaxing. I loved playing with their dogs (who were very well behaved) and also watching their cats and rabbit all co-habitat harmoniously together. I would return to Selmunett in a heartbeat – not only to enjoy some peace and tranquility but also to meet Roger and Maria again. Thank you for a lovely stay!!
The charm of Selmunett lies in the lovely gardens and terraces, the warmth of the Stricklands’ welcome, and the comfort of the accommodations. It is a hidden treasure with bougainvillea spilling over the walls, on a quiet residential street that belies its convenient location near the center of Malta. Our tranquil room, in muted colors and lovely fabrics, overlooked the garden and olive trees. Anything we needed, from morning wakeup coffee to help with a pesky camera charger, was cheerfully supplied. Our hosts knew everything about the island, from the history to the latest restaurants, and put us in touch with guides and taxi drivers as needed. Roger’s breakfasts were delicious and varied productions, with everything one could want. Roger “harvests his own acres,” so we were treated to his olives, sun-dried tomatoes and herbs, and homemade jam. We lingered on that terrace; dogs at our feet, watching the pomegranates ripen on the tree.
Do it!! This is an extraordinary place of history, beauty, food and pleasure. When you go, Selmunett B&B is the place to stay! Enjoy the quiet comfort of a lovely family home, set in beautiful gardens in the Embassy area, with your choice of private, perfect suites. Your Maltese hosts, Roger and Maria, will spoil you with their food and concierge talents, enhancing your visit beyond your wildest dreams.