We are just back from 2 wks in Malta! (We are same age as you too!) We stayed at the North end of the island - at the Melieha Bay Hotel (booked through Portland Travel, part of Thomson group). It was very nice but probably upper 3* rather than the 4* advertised.The hotel has its own sandy beach - sandy beaches are rare in Malta. (Paradise Bay & Golden bay are worth visiting) It was quite quiet but there are local buses very regular and very cheap. (They are very old and very rickety but fun too!) We used them to go to Valetta and from Valetta to Marsaxlokk (a lovely picturesque fishing village) Also went on the hop on hop off bus tour round the North of the island £15. Also went on a day trip to Gozo island, booked through oasis travel in Melieha. (Ferry was 4.65euros each and trip was 11euros each compared with Thomson at 50euros!) Ask me any more questions!