Having booked this hotel we were informed that there was building work adjacent which could cause some noise and dust. Instead of moving to another hotel as suggested by Airtours, we decided to upgrade and pay the extra £98 for a front sea view and although emailing the hotel and getting a confirmation we did in fact on arrival get a side sea view but we were not facing the building work located opposite the main enterance/street side. Did not hear any noise from this project and the Airtours rep said most of the problem were 2008.

Rooms were quite big and always kept clean by pleasant staff. Aircon can be a bit noisy but you seem to get used to it. The animation in the evening seemed to be geared to the older generation but you can expect this in Sept-April. Hotel was full of Austrians but there was always loungers available by the pool.

The food was ok, we were on BB but decided to eat at the hotel for 4 nights at a discounted price, The food suited us and we did not hear anyone else complaining but then again we do no speak German. The only thing I notice is that they don't include coffee in the price but the Olivier Cafe near the hotel entrance and part of the complex will give a pot of coffee/jug of hot milk for four at 3 euros.

Did not see many time share reps and never bothered once, think it may have been that we did not have a welcome to Malta meeting{at the hotel) as there were only two British couples that arrived that day so they probably thought it was a waste of time.

Never been to Malta before so decided to get a cheap 3 day bus pas and just jump on/off the many buses. Great for getting around but the buses look dated and can be a bit bumpy and noisy but it was good to meet the local people who are lovely.

Just did one or two organized/non hotel/rep trips which were half the price. There are many of these small travel agencies scattered around the hotel, just make sure that you are getting what you pay for. Example, purchased two tickets from Marys, corner shop opposite the hotel for a trip to the craft markets and Blue Grotto and ended up walking around a fish market for nearly 3 hours. The small fishing boats needed to get in the caves will not sail if it is windy and it was - all week.

Reading some of the reviews before we left I was a bit worried that I had chosen the wrong hotel but we really did like the stay and everyone could not do enough to help. I f we decide to go back to Malta we will certainly consider the San Antonio again.

I think holidays are what you make of them and we just go to enjoy.

We were at the tail end of the high season, so there were only about 20 or so at the pool at any given time. Water temps were still great though and the beaches plus Blue Lagoon not terribly crowded.

We had a first floor family room, in the middle. Our view down to the pool was blocked by the restaurant whose roof was below us, but we had an awesome view over St. Paul Bay, to Comino and even saw Gozo. I would try higher up next time.

We did half board, which was fine. Breakfast was plentiful and routine...plenty to keep you happy although scrambled eggs were runny. No omelettes. Dinner was surprisingly good which we looked forward to. The people who said it was horrible didn't give it a chance. We thought it was mediocre the first night and fantastic every night after that for a week. There was variety, regional dishes and wonderful salads. The people who complained must be used to their food from home and not willing to try new things. They did always have pasta with multiple pastas in the pasta area, and I noticed some kind of rice and potato dish every evening. Also a vegetarian choice and a few cooked vegetable dishes, tons of salads. At least four dessert choices all very good and very good ice cream choices, also varied.

I always saw staff cleaning in the early mornings all over the hotel. Hotel is VERY centrally located and this part of St Paul's Bay isn't dead like the other side by Qawra Palace. Also a block from the bus station.

And yes, the AC works terribly and is very loud. Common areas are fine. In room, they are door/motion activated (when you leave the room they turn off) but you do have to talk loud to be heard in the room w/the AC on...terrible but not so bad in Sept! I can't imagine the summer!

We booked the San Antonio on a HB seaview basis. We arrived late evening and were given a ground floor room. We went out onto the balcony and found that we were in the corner of the complex-so we had a wall directly opposite and one to the side. No sea view to be seen!
We spoke to reception the next morning and were told a seaview may be difficult. So we compromised with having a pool view higher up and along the corridor so we didn't have to llok at a wall! (On speaking to other people, we were very lucky, one lady had paid for a sea view, had not got it was the hotel told her she would have to pay 120EU for it!) On the subject of the balcony-all the lights are on a timer to go off at 11pm. So if you sit on the balcony in the evening be prepared for black out at 11pm!

The room was fine and was cleaned everyday. My only complaint, and I have read it elsewhere on tripadvisor about this hotel: check out is 11am. On our last day we were woken at 8am by the cleaners asking when were vacating the room. As far as I am concerned-the room as ours until 11am and we should not be disturbed.

Food. I have to say the food at the SA is nothing to shout about, but in the same way they don't do anything bad either. It really is just average.
Breakfast has a good range of choice. Although I was a little disappointed to find that the fruit was all 'tinned' in the morning.
Dinner-good selection of veggie, meat and fish. However, the fish was overcooked every evening and they did serve tuna-which is out of season -so it must have been frozen. Something I wouldn't expect from a 4* hotel.
I also agree the air con in the dining room does drip/leak on you!

Evening ents and kids club. Kids club was a success with our 2 children (9 & 5). they didn't go much, but enjoyed the mini disco in the evening.
Evening ents was pretty much what you expect and is just not really our thing.

Pool-the tiling around the pool is lethal and I spent a week being paranoid that the children didn't slip over.
My children also found a dead cockroach on the crazy golf. Whilst this is not a major problem, it isn't very nice and it is worth pointing out that I never actually observed any one actually sweeping up during the day..or doing general maintenance. (we were in Egypt last year and you constantly saw cleaners, gardeners, workmen)

My main gripe was that EVERY afternoon from about 4pm, the pool was invaded by about 40-60 Italian students. On one occasion my 9yr old was knocked off his lilo and had to be pulled out from under it as the students were oblvious to what they had done. They did have supervisors with them, who often went to sleep whilst this was happening. I did speak t the SA manager, who basically told me it was not his problem and they were paying guests. Granted-these are teeneagers who have spent all day in a classroom learning English and when they get out they go completely crazy!
I personally feel that as a 4* hotel, the SA should not be accepting group bookings of students, Everytime we were at recpetion people of all nationalities were complaining about it.

On a positive note is very conveniently situated to the Qwara bus station so its really easy to get around the island from there.

We did have a good holiday and the SA didn't ruin our time in Malta, but would I stay there again or recommend it...probably not.

Hotel was in a good position.Short walking distance to main square in Buggiba or st Pauls bay if you wanted to walk a little further. Qwara was just at the end of the street. The san antonio hotel is very close to the bus station, very handy and cheap. would definatly advise you take a trip on a bus as they run well and cover all the tourist areas so you get a free tour inclded.
Don't expect to find a strip of bustling bars and resturants. However there are lots bars and eateries if you take a wonder down the side streets.THe hotel beach is a sunbathing beach. Leave the bucket and spade or footballs behind. Malta is very rocky so definately take swim shoes.Li los are also good as the swimming areas are roped off. Meliah beach is the one to go if you are after traditional sandy beach, shallow water hence gets very busy.
THe hotel was very clean, staff were very pleasent. Rooms were big and although we did not book a seaview our room was at the side of the hotel and the view was equaly as good if you were on 1st floor or above.. Housekeeping was excellent, our room was cleaned daily. WE went B+B , Buffet style but plenty of choice and replaced frequently.
Overall the hotel was good but it just seemed to lack a little opulence for a 4* rating. I would stay here again But the Dolom hotel across the road (also 4*) is superior. The biggest drawback to the hotel was the time share/holiday club touts both in the hotel and outside. offers of free holidays, complmentry bottles of wine,tours for 1 euro, you are constantly being subtly drawn into signing on the dotted line. JUst say No No No thankyou.
overall enjoyed the area and malta