The Riviera Resort & Spa

The fresh, stylish architecture, design and décor combined with professional leadership and teamwork reflect the highest standards of hospitality and service. The Barceló Riviera Resort & Spa is situated in one of the most picturesque areas in the north of Malta, just across the channel from the sister islands of Gozo and Comino. The Resort enjoys a quiet, relaxing location, immersed in pristine countryside and boasting of an unspoilt shoreline and sea.

Mellieha Bay, the island's largest sandy beach is just a couple of minutes away by car or bus. A regular public bus service connects the resort to all major towns of the island including the historic capital Valletta, the nightspots of St. Julian's and the shopping mecca of Sliema.

All areas and facilities are accessible by persons with special needs and the lack of traffic makes it particularly suitable for those seeking fresh sea and country air as well as a safe and clean environment.

The Barceló Riviera Resort & Spa enjoys a tranquil location, right on the seafront and surrounded by countryside for kilometres in every direction. Footpaths and country lanes take the wanderer or cyclist along the waterfront or along the cliff tops, past acacia, carob and fig trees, rubble walls, small cultivated fields, medieval watch towers, chapels, religious statues, farmers' stone huts and wind-driven agricultural water pumps. The road to the Gozo Ferry Terminal is level and follows the coastline for two kilometres, providing spectacular views of the South Comino Channel and the islands of Gozo and Comino. The island of Comino is a protected nature reserve, famous for its Blue Lagoon, a sought after swimming spot during the summer months. It lies directly in front of the Resort and small, colourful ferry boats sail to and from this island from the pier located opposite the Resort's Lobby. Malta's largest sandy beach, Mellieha Bay, is two kilometres away. The town of Mellieha itself, with its shops and restaurants is four kilometres away.

A scheduled bus service links the Barceló Riviera Resort & Spa to all other beaches, towns and villages on the island and operates all year round. The Gozo and Comino Ferries also operate all year, subject to weather conditions.

It is easy to rent motor boats, sailing boats, cars, jeeps, motor cycles, motor scooters and bicycles or to go horse riding. Information and booking services are offered at the Resort's Reception Desk.

Most of the 200 lavishly furnished Guest Rooms, including a number of Suites, enjoy an enchanting view of the Mediterranean Sea and the islands of Comino and Gozo. Others enjoy views of the tranquil Maltese countryside or views of the bay.

All rooms have Air-conditioning and Central Heating, Satellite TV & Radio, Direct Dial Telephone, Mini Bar, Safety Deposit Box, Data Port Connection and ensuite Bathroom complete with Hairdryer. A choice of Room types is available to suit guests' special requirements, whether travelling for leisure or business. Non smoking Rooms, Rooms for the physically challenged and Family/Interconnecting Rooms are also available.

THE SPA:

The Barceló Riviera Resort & Spa has one of the best-equipped Thalassotherapy Spas in the Mediterranean, the Elysium Spa. which offers guests the opportunity to renew body, mind and spirit to reach a state of physical and mental well being. The Spa facilities include a number of heated Pools, the largest of which is 14 metres by 6 metres and Jacuzzis for both relaxation and therapy purposes. The Sabbia-Med Room enables guests to relax on a warm sandy floor, listening to gentle music with the luxury of computer-controlled lighting reflected from a myriad of tiny stars on the ceiling. The Rasul Room is a humidity-controlled room in which guests apply different muds for skin cleansing and regeneration treatments.

Individual treatments as well as tailored packages are offered. All fitness, wellness programmes and treatments are administered by trained personnel using first class products and state-of-the-art equipment. The Gymnasium offers fitness programmes on a wide range of modern cardio-vascular machines. An international standard Squash Court is also provided for enthusiasts of this sport.

PADI DIVING CENTRE:

The Subway Scuba Diving School at the Barcelo Riviera Resort % Spa is a PADI 5 star IDC Centre incorporating an indoor training pool for beginners. Here you are taught everything you need to know about Diving by a professional qualified Team. Course can be held in your language with books, videos, CD-ROMs and Exams are also available in most languages, making things easier for you.

The philosophy at the Subway Scuba Diving School extends to a real sense of responsibility for the conservation of the undersea world. Throughout the courses and dive expeditions our instructors and guides pass on their experience and skills, not only to achieve safety and responsibility that the sport requires, but also to ensure the same for the environment. The Subway Scuba Diving School offers lessons delivered in most European languages. Courses from beginner to instructor and 15 specialty Courses to choose from. Instructor Development Courses and Instructor Examinations throughout the Year. An in-house Medical Practitioner is available at all times to offer guidance and assistance to all those making use of our facilities. The Subway Scuba Diving School has a well-stocked retail outlet offering a large variety of the latest equipment from CRESSI SUB, SCUBAPRO, MARES, SPIRO, etc. An indoor training pool for training is also available as well as showers, changing rooms and lockers. PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the largest dive training Organisation in the world, therefore all of its Courses are recognised throughout the world. Whether you are an absolute beginner or you have trained with another organisation, PADI extends an open arm to welcome you to start or continue your diving education. Take advantage of the vast range of diving materials and ideas that have helped make Scuba accessible to everyone. PADI Courses:

• PADI Discover Snorkelling
• PADI Bubblemaker
• PADI Discover Scuba Course
• PADI Scuba Diver
• PADI Open Water Diver Course
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
• PADI Medic First Aid
• PADI Skin Diver Course
• PADI Discover Scuba Diving
• Scuba Diver Referral
• PADI Adventure Diver Programme
• PADI Extreme Programme
• PADI Rescue Diver Course

PADI Speciality Courses: Provide you with in-depth knowledge and skills for an area that has captured your attention and enthusiasm. Remember that each dive from the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course and Adventure Programme may be counted as the first dive in the related specialty thus reducing the price for the course and help you towards obtaining your Master Scuba Diver certification.

Speciality Courses include: Boat Diver Course, Cavern Diver Course, Deep Diver Course, Diver Propulsion Vehicle, Dry-Suit Diver Course, Equipment Specialist Course, Multilevel Diver Course, Night Diver Course, Nitrox Diver Course, O2 First Aid Course, Peak Performance Buoyancy Course, Search & Recovery Diver Course, Underwater Naturalist Course, Underwater Navigator Course, Underwater Photography Course, Wreck Diver Course PADI Professional Courses: The Recreational Diving Industry today is innovative and dynamic. Recent years have seen an acceleration in growth that has taken the sport to the doorsteps of millions around the world. PADI Dive Centres have become the focus for the public's opinion of diving as an enjoyable, easy to learn sport. It is this fact that leads us to realise this same Industry now offers everyone the chance to succeed as a dive professional. More and more people are turning to our Industry for a change in career and lifestyle. PADI Divemaster, PADI Assistant Instructor Course, PADI Orientation Course, PADI Instructor Development Course

Recreational Diving: The Subway Scuba Diving School is in a great position to offer you a unique diving experience, not just because of the magnificent Mediterranean Waters, but also the expertise of our staff. All the centre's dive team see it as part of their job to help and advise you on any aspect of the diving industry. Beginner Dives: Learning with us is easy and fun. Malta offers the ideal conditions to learn, let us take care of you, rest assured you are in good hands. One Try Dive including briefing, equipment and PADI Instructor + Course including 4 progressive dives, equipment and PADI Instructor Accompanied Dives: For the experienced diver who does not need instruction to dive we can offer the most magnificent of dives around our islands. Accompanied by our instructors you will be taken in groups, according to your diving experience, to exotic dive sites by boat or car. Some of these sites are remote so adventure is guaranteed. Various dive packages are on offer to experienced diving divers. We are sure you will find dives that suit all your requirements: - One Dive - One shore dive - Six Dive Pack - May include wreck, cave, reef, night, etc.- Ten Dive Pack - including above dives. - Exotic Boat Dives Pack - Including six boat dives.- Ten Dive Pack Special - includes two dives in Gozo, two dives in Comino, as well as six dives in Malta of your own choice. Boat fares to Gozo & Comino are included in price. Unaccompanied Dives: Divers who want to dive unaccompanied by our guides, must hold a valid Maltese diving C-Card. This card can be quickly processed by our centre. You must be certified at least as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, CMAS 2 Star Diver, or equivalent to apply.

The Riviera Water Sports Centre:

During the summer months, the water sports centre provides pedal boats, canoeing, windsurfing, skiing, jet skiing and other activities.

Excursions to various places of interest on the Islands are also sold by the tour operators' representatives from the Resort.

The Mirasol Restaurant invites your to dine in a relaxed atmosphere and in the most elegant surroundings. The Resort's Main Restaurant offers Buffet Breakfast, Lunches and Dinners as well as an a la Carte menu and wine list. It is located on the ground floor and is easily accessible by persons of all ages.

The Bistro Sol e Mar features a full coffee shop style counter and its own satellite kitchen. It will offer popular cuisine including pizza and pasta, salads and main courses with a Mediterranean flavour and emphasis on fresh ingredients. It is located on the ground floor for easy accessibility.

The Charley Noble Pub is located on the ground floor and decorated in a maritime style, for pre-or after-dinner drinks, will serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and provide live music as part of the entertainment programme.

The Lobby Lounge is a popular meeting point offering hot and cold beverages and pastries in the Lobby area with magnificent views of the Islands of Comino and Gozo.

The Lookout Bar is situated on the Pool Deck enjoying magnificent sea views from its elevated position. Serving a wide range of meals and beverages including summer barbecues with live entertainment.

La Bodega Wine Bar is located below the Bistro Sol e Mar, provides an intimate, secluded atmosphere, will serve selected local and imported wines, delicacies and themed specialties in an intimate ambience. Its location away from Guest Rooms and public areas makes it ideal for group entertainment, live music and dancing.

Packed Meals: Interesting hot or cold meals are available on request for guests who wish to eat on board their boat or take a cold Lunch or Picnic with them on their wanderings or excursions. One can also simply order a Packed Lunch, a Picnic or a Snack to share with friends at the water's edge or on a grassy spot in the countryside.

Should you prefer to be served in the quiet privacy of your room, you will be attended with a Room Service Menu especially prepared to suit your needs.