If you want to experience Malta as a holiday destination and want to experience tranquility than there is nothing better than to visit the Hotel Ta Cenc and Spa which is located on the island of Gozo. The Malta archipelago in the Mediterranean sea is just over 316 km2 and has a population of around 450,000 people making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. To find some peace and I ventured out to the island of Gozo which can be reached via a 20 minute ferry ride from the main island of Malta. I took the hired car and my family down to Gozo and after a 15 minute drive from Mgarr, where the ferry arrives, I was at the Hotel Ta Cenc & Spa.
After being in hectic Malta with a lot of cars, busy roads and a lot of building work, arriving in Gozo feels already so much more relaxing. This island has about 30,000 inhabitants and is 15 km by 8 km in size. The first thing that amazed me about the Hotel Ta Cenc and Spa is that it is at the edge of the village of Sannat and it has uninterrupted views towards the sea and the islands of Comino and Malta. The hotel has 84 rooms and the total land it occupies is almost 4 km2. This makes it an oasis of tranquility, it is a hotel that blends in well with its nature surroundings.
Uninterrupted view towards the sea.
The hotel blends in beautiful with the natural surroundings
The hotel was built in 1969 by an Italian family, you notice this the most in the Trulli domes that are part of this hotel, which can also be seen in the Italian region of Puglia. Also part of the hotel grounds is
Perfect For Both Couples and Families
Requirements for couples and families are different and this hotel seems to cater well to both of these groups. There are two unheated outdoor pools one if which is perfect for families and has two shallow parts, the second one is only for adult use. There is a third pool which part of the spa and this one is heated all year around to 33 dgerees. It is part indoors and outdoors, it was perfect for us as in mid May it was still a bit to cold to use the other pools. Children are allowed to use the spa pool from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00 hours.
The Family outdoor pool with 2 shallow areas perfect for small children.
Enjoy this pool in peace and tranquility as children are not allowed.
Family Room
We stayed in the family room which was a two bedroom apartment with a double bed, two single beds a living room and a generous size bathroom. It also comes with a private patio with beautiful lemon trees and some sun lounges. There patio also has stairs that take you to a roof terrace where you can enjoy views of Gozo and the hotel site. The family room is large enough to chill out as a family of four. Internet is available at a charge, if you want free WiFi you have to go to the hotel lobby.
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- Living room
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- Patio with sun loungers
View from the roof terrace
Deluxe Junior Suites
We were also shown the new junior deluxe suites which come with a private terrace overlooking the pool and the countryside. The rooms come with a separate sitting area , a desk and 2 flatscreen TVs.
Breakfast
The breakfast which was included in the room rate is served in a beautiful outdoor patio area (weather allowing) where you will sit and enjoy your food under a 300 year old tree. The buffet style breakfast is continental and also has a British breakfast section as well as local Maltese delicacies like the pea and cheese pasitizzi. The tree is over 200 years old, it looks amazing.
Breakfast and lunch in great outdoor section.
The Spa
The Spa part of the hotel comes with a variety of beauty treatments and massage options. It also has a steam room, sauna, gym, jacuzzi and indoor/outdoor heated pool. This heated pool was perfect as even in mid may we still experienced mild temperatures of 21-22 degrees. I loved the rocks and the garden setting the pool was in, it felt like a true little piece of paradise. The kids loved it so much too. In May where it was a tad cold this was so amazing to have not common at all. Gracie Opulanza loved it so much we could not get her out.
The Jacuzzi under the Trulli shaped dome
The indoor outdoor heated pool
The outdoor heated pool surrounded by rocks
What To See Around Gozo
Gozo although small has enough attractions to keep you occupied for at least one week. Whilst we were visiting we were impressed with the following four sights.
Victoria & Citadel
Victoria is the main city and is in the centre of Gozo it is famous for its old town and cathedral and the beautiful citadel from where you can see the whole island of Gozo.
Dwejra
At Dwejra you can find a natural arch called Azure Window and also an inland see which is connected via a small tunnel to the Mediterranean sea. We took a boat tour which took us through this tunnel.
Ta Cenc Cliffs
Theses cliffs share the same name as the hotel and are dramatic in their heights of up to 140 meters. These cliffs are only a short walk away from the hotel.
Ggantija Temples
The Ggantija Temples are one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and date from around 3600 to 3200 BC.
Conclusion
If you want to visit the islands of Malta and you are after a resort where you can truly relax in a setting that blends in with nature than the Ta Cenc hotel is perfect. The island of Gozo has plenty to offer for a week or longer holiday.
Details
- Room reviewed: Family Room (2 Bedroom apartment) – €295 flexible rate
- Website: www.tacenc.com
- Address: Triq ta Cenc, Triq Ta Cenc, Sannat SNT9049, Malta
- Phone: +356 2219 1000
