Malta - golden sands. Anyone know anything?

[Jux]

This guy rang a couple of weeks ago offering me 7 free nights in a hotel in Malta and directed me to the site www.goldensands.com.mt. He said it was a promotional thing where we go, have a fab time and tell all our friends - then of course, all our flat-broke friends will just storm the place.

I've looked at the site and it is GORGEOUS.

He rang again tonight; we asked if we could take dd too, no prob.

We pay an admin charge (100 quid for dh and me - not each - and 29.50 for dd) and then for flights. I've just looked up flights for the time around half term. It's almost do-able (on a credit card).

Is this a scam? I'm getting very excited at the thought. We've had such a shit time recently and we could really do with a holiday like this. I haven't had a holiday for over two years, and dh/dd have only been camping in UK for no more than a week each year.

He's going to ring again on Sat to let me know about flights and things. If we go ahead, then I want to give him firm dates then and get it booked.

Don't mince your words for me, I'd rather come down to earth now with a big bump.

I don't know if it's a scam, as it does sound a bit odd/too good to be true. But I've been to the hotel and can vouch that it is very nice. The hotel itself is all above board etc.

We went around Easter a couple of years ago. DH was doing some work for a Maltese business and they paid his expenses, so we all went for a long weekend. They recommended the hotel for the family. It's a lovely setting, nice beach, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pool - it was too cold to use the outdoor pool when we were there, but we swam indoors. Various restaurants etc and we had a great family suite with 2 bedrooms and a living room. A downside would be that it's not really near anywhere; you need to get a taxi to get around.

They organised a tour of the island for us and we also got a ferry to Gozo and had a taxi tour there.

Do you know the name of the organisation doing the promotion? I'd try to find out more about them before I booked any flights.

I think it's the hotel themselves afaicr.

I don't know much about Malta; just they have brilliant dentists (best in the world I beleive) and that my dad was stationed there for a while during WWII, flying reconnaissance.

I'd better start finding out. Mind you, I think I'd be happy just on that beach!

I love Malta, but we stayed at the Pergola in Melleiha so I'm of no help :/

We went to Malta several years ago & stayed at a friend's place. The hotel you linked to looks very familiar - I am sure they had just started building it when we were there. The beaches in Malta are generally rubbish - actually there are very few beaches as it's so rocky. So, the beach the hotel is located on is one of the best on the island.

I would though be highly sceptical about someone calling me and offering something that sounds too good to be true - only because it probably is too good to be true. But then I am an old cynic so don't listen to me.

If it's the hotel themselves running the promotion and not some dodgy 3rd party, you should be ok.

Be aware though on what basis you are booking the holiday - room only, or b&b, etc. I am guessing you could run up huge expenses if it's just on a room only basis.

Jux, I know Malta quite well - lived there for a year in 2003/4, and have been back for visits since. This hotel is fairly new and pretty posh, I believe, tho' I haven't stayed there myself. If I remember right, it's where the Commonwealth heads of govt. stayed for a big meeting a couple of years ago.

Golden Sands is a bit out on a limb, but the beach is good. There is a bus service, or of course you could hire a car - fairly cheap there compared with other countries.

Do double check who is offering the deal - hotel or timeshare company - some timeshare companies there (as everywhere, I guess) are a bit dodgy. Also suggest you check if the deal includes food - as a posh hotel, eating there might be pricey.

Valletta is a great place to visit - for its history, and boat trips round the island.

Sliema also very nice.

There is an Aquapark near Sliema - can't remember the name - flumes, etc., and also a dolphinarium which kids often like.

Mdina (the silent city) - fabulous.

Marsaxlokk - fishing village with market every Sunday morning.

Weather can be a bit variable in February though.

I don't work for Malta tourist board - honest! - I just love the place. And the Maltese people are friendly and I've never yet met anyone there who doesn't speak English.

Try visitmalta.com for info (tho' the last time I looked, was an exasperatingly slow-to-load site), or phone 020 8877 6990 to get info sent to you.

Enjoy!

PrincessFiorimonde, that's great and sounds wonderful. Valletta and Mdina sound right up my street. DD will love the aquapark. I'd like to go to the market at Marsaxlokk too. DH has said he's not moving from the beach (we'll see).

Thanks everyone. I now have a list of questions ready for him when he calls on Saturday.

Jux - they could actually be selling you a vacation ownership - eg timeshare. The place will be stunning and that is what they hope you will fall in love with and of course the promises of swapping your weeks and going to beautiful exotic places.

We are actually going to Malta in August and are staying at the Westin.

Bellavita that's another question I'll have to ask! I don't want to be stuck in a 3 hour sales pitch while I'm there.

Sorry but sounds like a timeshare holiday to me!

Oh dear, and I've just found my swimming costume too.

Well, we shall see. Actually I could probably ring the hotel itself now and see what they know of it. Why have I only just thought of that? Dur.

But, can I just say... we have a time share and it is not like the old days any more where they used to chase you down the street. Many many moons ago, before we were married, DH and I went to Portugal and they were literally touting on every street corner.

Our home resort is Florida and we have a two bed apartment in prime time. Ours originally was a package holiday through Virgin holidays to Sheraton Vistana Villages. There are some beautiful places you can go to and there was definitely no hard sell. We just fell in love with all the places we could go to and how you can maximise your weeks etc.

Sounds lovely bellavita. The major problem we have with timeshare is that our income is very erratic and mostly we wouldn't be able to afford to go!

We can only think about doing this because we have just sold some rather lovely guitars. DH would actually prefer the security of keeping the dosh for bills, but I won't let him! Anyway, if he's that worried he shouldn't be a musician should he?

These people went there. It's def to get you to buy a timeshare. Doesn't sound appalling tho.'

here

oh look at this too

Jux, I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm if you do decide to go - but, if your DH just wants to be on the beach, please NB (as I said before) that weather in Feb can be a bit variable.

Definitely a timeshare holiday! Could you not look at putting something together with cheapo Ryanair flights and accommodation if you want to get away. We did this when we went to Spain in October and it worked out so cheap.

I think we may just be lucky that we are with Starwood and they use Interval International as an exchange company.

We have been to the US 4 years running with a trip to Portugal in between. This year we have decided to go to Europe and have less of a hectic holiday and save some money on flights so we have turned our weeks into points and settled on Malta. Our flights for four of us are £519.

Hmmmmm. OK, it's timeshare thing and we will have to sit through a sales pitch for more hours than we want to.

They have said that they will extend the period to end of August for us (presumably not getting many takers?). We were looking at Feb because of half term and we're so bloody miserable here atm.

I am pretty sure I could take a long sales pitch for the sake of 7 (free-ish) nights in Malta. I have always wanted to go to Malta.

It is likely to be the only chance I get to go. DH wouldn't countenance us putting together something for ourselves; he'll just carp on about wasted money etc. His idea of exotic holiday is camping in Dordogne! (never again, shudder).

I'm going to have to tell him though. Perhaps he'll surprise me.

Jux - if you go between 8th & 21st August we could meet up! We could leave the men talking about music and guitars - my DS1 who will be 13 is learning the guitar and me & you could nip off for a few G&T's somewhere

It's a timeshare sales pitch.

You go on the holiday and have to listen to a presentation for either one morning or afternoon.

I just had the same call and decided to investigate further.

The man told me that the MT on the end of the web address stood for Malta, it's not true, the MT I think is to do with this

www.dreamholidays.com/malta/?gclid=CKfEnsfgup8CFcts4wod6D740g

(MTA regulations)

Truth is if they cannot be honest about a simple web address why would you trust them to accommodate you in a foreign country?

He rang. I asked him if it was timeshare and he said "it is absolutely not timeshare".

He then said there is a members only part of the hotel where we will not be allowed.

He has found flights for the 3 of us which amount to a total of 160.00 in total.

Meals are not included. The hotel will pick us up from the airport. The hotel will provide us with free transport (bus presumably, but who cares?).

He is employed in the marketing dept of the Hotel by the Hotel.

What else was I meant to have asked?
Tupty, I hadn't read your post until just now.

Bellavita, that is seriously tempting. I have to warn you, I stopped drinking regularly years ago, and may disgrace myself! (Oh joy!)

We wnt to melliaha bay a few years back. It is very lovely. We also did a similar 'promotional' hol in tenerife. It was a bit of a bore spending a day before talked at about buying timeshare, but if you stay really firm and focussed and politely refuse it will be worth it. We looked at it as one day out of our week and enjoyed it. If you;re strong enough you'll have a lovely time. That hotel is right on the seafront and did look v swish!

Jux did you call the hotel?
You need to get the guys full name and ask him for a contact number.

Every review i have seen on this deal says it is a timeshare offer, if you are willing to sit through that then pack your swimsuit!
(I know the guy said it wasn't but once you have booked and you are there he has got his commission)

I have found a couple of things on this deal, some people have said they were told they had to use a credit card to pay as if you do not attend a timeshare presentation they will then charge you £200 - £400 per person on the holiday!

They will also ask you to bring your credit card to the presentation, they will say it is for a small deposit for your room key or similar, they are actually making sure you will be able to pay the deposit on a timeshare without having to go off and find it,(you have time to think if you leave the room!!)

Alot of people have used it to thier advantage, as it is a cheap holiday and they don't mind sitting through the presentation.

Reviews also say that the food is very expensive and the hotel is remote so you can't really nip off to a local restaurant.

Hope this helps you make your decision. X

Oh yes, I forgot they do ask for a credit card when you get there 'in case' and yes, they will charge you if you don't attend the presentation.

It was my local beach 40 years ago when it was called Ghajn Tuffieh - I suspect it might have changed a bit!