Malta - where to stay?

 Mon 1st Nov

 Hi Folks!

 Planning to spend a week in Malta Nov 15-22, never been there before, can anyone tell me the hotels to avoid? Looking for something cheap & cheerful, in a quiet location, with no bedbugs!

 By the way, was recently in Alston youth hostel in the Pennines, wardens were nice, and the hostel is OK. There is a nice fish & chips shop in Alston and 2 good pubs, and scenery out that way quite spectacular, fantastic view of the Lake District from the Penrith-Alston road!

Malta has plenty of hotels, but cheap AND cheerful might be asking a lot. Most people grab a package deal, so they don't have much control over where they're staying. I assume you're making your own way to Malta and so you could stay anywhere. There are some cheap digs in Valletta, which are OK if you plan to be out all day long and just want somewhere to put your head down at night, but you probably wouldn't relish lounging around in them for any length of time. There are some budget hotels at Bugibba and Mellieha Bay. Young folks tend to go for Paceville and St Julians, which is fine if you want to sleep all day and party all night, but if you plan to make the most of daylight hours, and want to sleep at night, then don't go anywhere near those places! It might be worth looking at apartments, and don't be afraid to bargain. I heard of a British couple a few years ago who took a long let on an apartment and got it for £8 per week. The owner of the apartment kept lamenting the fact that he'd let the place go for the price of a day's bicycle hire, but I guess he needed the cash!

If you're planning to go walking... there's a guidebook and you can read a hefty chunk of it for free!