You’ll be greeted by the scent of lavender, basil and rosemary from the moment you arrive at this secluded retreat. Wrapped in over 30,000 square metres of garden, this old-world resort is an elegant hideaway on the western side of relaxed Gozo, just a ten-minute drive from the capital, Victoria. Take a stroll among the beautiful grounds on a cool morning, or spend long summer days under a parasol by one of the three outdoor pools where refreshing cocktails are served poolside at the bar. At Kempinski The Spa & Ayurveda Centre, traditional treatments like the hammam and facilities including a heated Jacuzzi instantly ease away everyday stresses. The food here focuses on fresh, organic ingredients, echoing the local way of life on Gozo. Vegetables, fruit and herbs served in both the exquisite Mediterranean L’Ortolan and Italian Trattoria San Lawrenz are hand-picked from the hotel’s own garden. During the warmer months, you can experience al fresco dining at the grill and fish restaurant, Gazebo, and order a refreshing cocktail or snacks at the Pool Bar. As the evening draws in, head to the Il-Baldakkin Lounge for sunset drinks on the elegant terrace. The rooms and suites have a classic Mediterranean feel and each features a private balcony. Standard Rooms have countryside views of San Lawrenz, while Deluxe Pool View Rooms are slightly larger and look onto the resort’s meandering pools. To upgrade on space, opt for a Junior Suite which also features a small seating area.
The Palace is an elegant hotel in the heart of Sliema, with intricate chandeliers and plenty of art adorning the walls. Its superb location means you’re just a few minutes’ walk from both the seafront and the main shopping centre. Mornings start with a wholesome breakfast at The Tabloid. Then make your way up to the rooftop where sun loungers line the infinity pool with views of the city and the sea beyond. The pool bar is just steps away and the top floor of the hotel is entirely dedicated to leisure facilities including a spa and fitness room. Head to the award-winning TemptAsian Restaurant for panoramic ninth-floor views and an innovative menu of Asian-fusion dishes with flavours from China, Japan and Singapore. The Tabloid buffet restaurant focuses on Mediterranean fine dining with tables for al fresco dining. The cool rooftop Lounge360 bar is a great place to unwind after a long day with comfortable seating to sink into and a seasonal bar for late summer nights. The classic Comfort Rooms overlook the hotel’s central atrium. The larger Deluxe Rooms have a balcony with city views while Superior Rooms are larger again and are on the higher floors of the hotel.
Newly refurbished, The Phoenicia Malta is one of the country’s finest hotels. It’s the oldest luxury hotel in Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Valletta icon just outside the city gate. A favourite with honeymooners for its sumptuous interiors, the hotel has recently been beautifully restored with modern touches that complement the elegance and nostalgia of this local landmark. The seven and a half acres of beautifully manicured gardens that form the centrepiece of the hotel have been re-landscaped, and a new infinity pool gives guests sweeping views of the harbour. Relax at the Bastion Pool deck and bask in the breathtaking views of the Marsamxett Harbour from your sun lounger or swim beside a huge bastion in the infinity pool. Award-winning restaurant The Phoenix serves a choice of buffet or à la carte breakfasts and an eclectic menu for lunch and dinner that’s inspired by traditional Maltese and European flavours. The Palm Court Lounge is a great spot for a morning coffee, traditional afternoon tea or an early evening cocktail. Head to the Club Bar where you’ll find colonial décor reminiscent of Malta’s past and a terrace with beautiful harbour views. The rooms are refreshed and colourful with youthful pops of colour that breathe a freshness into the historic building. Superior Rooms are comfortable and light, while Executive Rooms and Harbour View Rooms are more spacious with respective views of the city or harbour.
Quietly tucked away on a side street, this sophisticated hotel is just minutes from Valletta’s elaborate cathedrals and people-watching piazzas. Its rooms are hidden behind the elegant doorway of a classic stone building, where the space opens up to a lobby with a high ceiling and a small atrium that forms the centre of this modern retreat. The hotel is surprisingly well equipped for its size. There’s a small gym and a magical hideaway heated pool hidden underground in a cave. The restaurant, L’Artiglio, has made a name for itself by serving plates that are packed with creative flair. The seasonal concept lends itself to a brilliant variety so it’s worth booking a table for lunch or dinner on top of the included à la carte breakfast. The clean lines, grey geometric patterns and functional furniture makes each room feel light and uncluttered. Each room can be arranged with a double bed or twin beds and has a modern en suite with walk-in shower. Double Rooms and Large Double Rooms look into the atrium and differ only in size; opt for the large if you need a little extra space for comfort. Double Balcony Rooms are the same size as Double Rooms with the addition of a French balcony looking down onto views of the narrow side street for added atmosphere. For a classic stay, upgrade to a Superior Room for a good-sized room complete with a Maltese balcony – an enclosed balcony that juts out from the hotel façade.
The Saint John
4.5
This modern hotel is right at the heart of the action of Malta’s capital, Valletta. Stay on one of Valletta’s main streets, Merchants Street, and walk straight out into the buzz of life of people passing by on the way to historic attractions like the Grandmaster’s Palace and café-filled piazzas just minutes away. The townhouse has a classic stone façade and inside there’s a vintage-meets-industrial sophistication that makes it feel fun and grown-up at the same time. Like the inside of a hip barbershop, there’s a refined swagger that sets The Saint John apart from its clean and classic neighbours. Cool greys, leather chairs and black and white framed photographs decorate the inside. There’s a lovely intimate feel thanks to the attentive bow-tied staff and small number of rooms – there are only 19. Since the hotel only opened in 2017, each room comes with thoughtful modern features like charging USB ports and smart light switches that make travelling that little bit easier. Comfort Rooms are well-sized and look out onto an internal courtyard. Upgrade to a Superior Room for windows that look out onto Merchants Street to feel like you’re in a home away from home in the city. The hotel’s restaurant is the laid-back gastropub, the Cheeky Monkey, where continental breakfast is served on the bar and there’s a menu of burgers and refreshing beers throughout the day. There’s even a couple of swings in place of chairs – a fun twist that goes down well when guests come back from sightseeing for happy hour cocktails. A new crêperie adds another draw for sweet-toothed guests with several ice cream flavours to choose from to devour alongside warm, freshly made crêpes.
This comfortable yet stylish hotel is located near the sea in the heart of Spinola Bay in fashionable St Julian’s. Home to a pretty harbour that is often dotted with colourful fishing boats, an expansive beach and some of Malta’s best restaurants and cafés, this small city has retained all of its Mediterranean charm. Providing the perfect base from which to explore, the Hotel Juliani also features a superb rooftop infinity pool, with views out across the city to the glittering sea beyond – the ideal place to unwind after a morning of discovery. Breakfast is served in Café Juliani until 10.30am, meaning you can enjoy a long lie-in. Offering an array of buffet food, you can tuck in to everything from a full English breakfast to savoury pastries, cakes and fresh fruit. There are also plenty of Mediterranean dishes to enjoy, including specialities such as pastizzi, qassatat, fresh Maltese bread and puddina. Open throughout the day, this seafront café offers light meals, sweet snacks, and Italian coffee. In the evening, Zest Restaurant serves up some of the finest dining in St Julian’s to the beautiful backdrop of Spinola Bay. With a menu inspired by the theme of ‘east meets west’, here you can indulge in dishes from Thai curries, Indonesian noodles, and Singaporean seafood laksas to continental pan-fried lamb and Japanese teppanyaki. Rooms are decorated in a Mediterranean style, with a twist of pale blue and dark chocolate furnishings. Standard Rooms are comfortable and functional, while Deluxe Seaview Rooms benefit from a view out across St Julian’s Bay. Junior Seaview Suites are more spacious and feature a Jacuzzi in the bathroom as well as a separate sitting area. For the ultimate luxury, the Ambassador Seaview Suites have a large living area and stunning sea views.
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
The Palace
Hotel Phoenicia
La Falconeria
