A step back into the past in this elegant hotel. So different from the usual modern hotel that could be anywhere. Large airy rooms and halls with beautiful period furniture, pictures and even painted ceilings. Although the front rooms have views across the river the students could be a bit noisy at night. However the roof top terrace with its plants and terracotta was a peaceful haven. The staff are extremely pleasant and helpful and a more than adequate breakfast is provided. The situation could not be better being easy walking distance between the Leaning Tower and bus and train station and next to the pedestrian areas with the shops, bars and cafes.

I fly almost every month out of Gozo and Malta for a week's break, thanks to great prices and timimngs with Ryanair. My tenth visit to the Roayal was the best because I stayed 4 nights ang got to know owners better and had a stunning private tour of all the most interesting public rooms and bedrooms. The hoteliers are passionate about their family palace started by a tour operator about the time of Thomas Cook in the 19th century, who saw the gap in the market for catering for aristcrats from Scotland and england on the 'Grand Tour' Previously travellers like Byron and Sheelley, Keats, etc. stayed free with local grand families or after a moth's hospitality, rented for a longer period one of the family villas. But for shorter stays for those who had not such connections or leisure, a hotel in the right location was needed.
The Royal Victoria proved a great, sustainable success and is still in the families safe and progressive hands. More and more heirlooms decrate this venerable hotel and it gets better every vist. The staff from willowy blond, happy waitresses at breakfast to flashing dark ,smiling receptionists are talented, multilingual and charming. A treasure no other hotel in the area can compare. The roof terrace is a constant if underused delight, there's good wifi, great evening snacks plus wines and an air of happiness and tranquillity, right on the river right by the real old town, fine restaurants at all prices,untouristy , by the university and blissfully not by the ooverrated tower!

This is not an ordinary hotel, or a hotel for those who want newly decorated rooms with postmodern chrome showers or burgundy carpeting that makes you wonder if you are in Washington DC or at the airport in Amsterdam. No this is a hotel for those that are thrilled by the high ceilings, the occasional murals, the antique and beautiful but not always super comfortabel furniture. And for those that just love that every afternoon beautiful trays with cocktails, wine and olives are placed for anyone who cares for an aperitif or a chat with other residents or passers by in the lounge area. This is truly a hotel for the bon vivants.

This old and very historic hotel was definitely above-average for us already based on its central location, amazing historical charm with lots of old furniture and pictures. Largely we found it positive that it did not renovate away the old charm but probably the actual bedrooms could have done with some renovation, particularly the bathrooms and it was not clear what double vs two singles is in booking.
But because of the overall atmosphere, very nice staff and not too high rates it was definitely a positive experience and highly recommendable!