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The best hotels in Malta
An unassuming spit of land in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, Malta (and its sister islands Gozo and Comino) is a destination which has it all: ancient history, striking architecture, boundless natural beauty and an exhaustive array of accommodation – not to mention serious sunshine and ocean views for days. As adaptable as it is appealing, these three islands are a generous host for all kinds of bliss-filled getaways: whether it’s lounging by the pool before hitting vibey bars, hiking rugged coastlines and tucking into freshly caught seafood or discovering age-old cathedrals and underground bunkers. From weekend breaks to summer holidays, Malta’s got something for everyone. Here are the best hotels to book.
What’s the best part of Malta to stay in?
It might seem an obvious choice, but the best place to stay in Malta is either in, or near, its capital city. The UNESCO designated, walled burg of Valletta is a must-see destination on any Maltese itinerary, and its great transport links (a sizeable bus station, ferry ports to Gozo and the Three Cities) and a broad array of accommodation options make it a pretty and practical spot to base yourself.
Within its walls, a variety of hotels and rental properties offer everything from affordable modern spaces to barely-altered traditional homestays. Plus, its position on the Sciberras Peninsula means breathtaking scenery abounds. All the amenities of a capital city – restaurants, galleries, museums and more – are right on the doorstep. Those deterred by the compact nature of the city need only look to the surrounding area, which offers plenty of more spacious, but equally well-serviced, hotels.
How we chose the best hotels in Malta
These properties have been chosen by our Malta specialist for their location, service levels and relevance to each specific audience.
The best hotels in Malta:
Ramon Portelli1/5The Phoenicia Malta, Valletta, Malta
Best hotel in Malta for: wellness lovers
There are almost too many reasons to stay at The Phoenicia Malta, a place where Queen Elizabeth the Second once danced the night away and today, international deals are done while sipping 18-year old Lagavulin. Its impressive neo-classical facade is steps from the famous Triton Fountain and Valletta’s domineering city gates, its tranquil gardens are a revelation kept solely for guests and its elegant rooms spoil with views unrivalled in the region.
If anything were to tempt you though, let it be the storied five-star property’s glorious wellness spaces. Opened in late 2020, the Phoenicia Spa blends modern angular aesthetics with ancient history, headlined by an 18-metre indoor pool running alongside a portion of Valletta’s 16th-century bastion walls. Impurities are expunged in the salt room, sauna, steam room and beneath a variety of showers, all doing their bit to complete the serene, daylight-flooded space. Treatments are plentiful and primarily focused on anti-ageing and rejuvenation: jet-peels, brightening facials and jet-lag recovery massages are the order of the day. In summer, guests can work out their kinks with yoga classes in the garden, while the striking Bastion Pool at the garden’s furthest point becomes a hub for cocktails, nibbles and yacht-gazing.
It’s no secret that a hotel’s food offering is a kind of wellness in itself, and The Phoenicia Malta doesn’t scrimp here either. Its primary eatery, Contessa, features a conservatory of brightly-coloured banquets, sky-filled views and lush, leafy greenery. Its fish-focused menu highlights its Mediterranean locale, while service is provided with a flourish: waiters plate up many dishes table-side, including the popular ‘Benedetto Cavalieri’ spaghettata with prawns and freshly-prepared tiramisu. Carnivores meanwhile can tuck in at Beef Bar in the City, which boasts almost every kind of steak – Wagyu, Kobe, Pepper, Spicy and even Cauliflower.
One of our favourite wellness experiences however was simply taking a bath, balcony doors open, the sound of hoofbeats from passing karozzin drifting up and the sight of Floriana’s Parish Church bells filling our view. Bliss.
Address: The Phoenicia Malta, The Mall, FRN1478 Valletta, Malta
Price per night: from €327
2/5The Xara Palace Relais & Chateau, Mdina, Malta
Best hotel in Malta for: Secluded luxury/cultural immersion/timeless elegance
There’s something transformative about stepping through the doors of The Xara Palace Relais & Chateau in Mdina. The quiet of The Silent City seeps through its limestone walls into this expertly converted 17th-century palazzo. Today, this grand manor of colonnaded corridors, refined artwork and antique furniture offers 17 individually designed rooms, all decked out in Parisian fabrics, gilded mirrors and marble bathrooms – many with stunning views across the island and out to the ocean beyond. Two of the nine room classes sport a terrace and jacuzzi, while a swimming pool is available just a few-minutes' shuttle away at the property’s villa. Adding to the property’s decadence is the new Palazzino Belvedere, an expansive two-bedroom residence featuring its own towering courtyard, deep, limestone vault and panoramic views. Interiors are flush with neo-classical furniture, hanging tapestries and accentuated by 14th-century Maltese tiling.
As one of only two hotels inside Mdina’s storied bastions, this exclusive five-star property possesses a sense of tranquillity unlike anywhere else on the island. Outside, the city’s streets are flushed with tourists, but inside the palace is all glittering sunbeams and wafts of sea breeze. In the evenings, guests can soak up the (now emptier) city on their doorstep, though sunsets are best enjoyed with a Michelin meal on the hotel’s rooftop. De Mondion’s delicious Maltese fare; rabbit thigh, fish of the day and locally caught seafood, are cooked exquisitely by the kitchen team, led by executive chef Clint Grech. Downstairs, Trattoria AD1530 offers Italian, Maltese and Mediterranean dishes at more wallet-friendly prices, served up in either a vaulted wine cellar or al fresco in the adjoining square.
Address: The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux, Misrah Il Kunsill Mdina, MDN 1050, Malta
Price per night: from €225
3/5Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Malta, San Lawrenz, Gozo
Best hotel in Malta for: Spa lovers
For many visitors to Malta, Gozo features only as a day trip for zipping around its charming capital or sunbathing on the red sands of Ramla Beach. But this smaller, prettier, yet equally enigmatic island is worth more than a flying visit, and the decadent Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz is a reason to stay alone.
The Kempinski is perfectly positioned on the outskirts of San Lawrenz, a quiet village in western Gozo. Just five minutes’ drive from the striking coastline of Dwejra, the photogenic Inland Sea and a range of cliff-edge walks, it’s perfectly set for a serene escape. Inside, contemporary rooms and suites and five restaurants cater generously to guests, but it's the on-site spa which makes this property stand out. The Ayurveda Centre offers various therapies focused around the ancient Indian practice of health and wellbeing. Kativasthi eases spinal pains, Mukha Lepam provides herbal infused facials and Naranga Kizhi loosens tight muscles via a bag of medicated lemon (yes, you read that right). Some of its most impressive treatments however are its extensive array of hammams. Signature and bespoke therapies offer black soap, kessa mitt and foam massages along with clay and mud body wraps, all provided within tranquil white and blue-tiled bathing rooms.
Address: Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Malta, Triq ir-Rokon, San Lawrenz, Gozo, Malta
Price per night: from €169
4/5Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard, Malta
Best hotel in Malta for: Romantic escapes
Birthplace of Corinthia’s now-revered hotel brand, the Corinthia Palace Hotel exudes refinement and regality. Overlooking the 17th-century San Anton Palace (now the home of the President of Malta) and its abutting botanical gardens, this property mirrors its neighbour in style, welcoming guests with weaving, paved walkways flanked by low hedges and trickling water fountains under fluttering palm fronds. It’s the perfect place for couples looking to lose themselves in the romance of Mediterranean life and, following recent renovations, now is a great time to visit.
All its spaces have been refreshed to blend its 1960s roots with a more contemporary style. Rooms and suites are now kitted out in sumptuous ivory and teal tones and accentuated with velvet and copper furnishings. Thick curtains hang languorously over floor-to-ceiling windows, and all room types come with a balcony or terrace. The 60 metre-square Executive Suite is our pick, which features a walk-in wardrobe, generous living area and private terrace with loungers. Spend a day in the Athenaeum Spa, whose Twice the Experience couples’ massage soothes loved-up duos into a state of bliss, while the seashell and bamboo massages offer something a little different. Dining is equally divine, with four restaurants offering a range of cuisine. Michelin meals at Bahia are delightfully named after different locations in Malta – Comino is miso glazed pork collar, Dwejra is cashew nut and mushroom mousse. Elsewhere, the ‘coffee shop’, al fresco afternoon tea and asian fusion at Rickshaw round off a varied gastronomic offering.
Address: Corinthia Palace Hotel, De Paule Avenue, San Anton BZN 9023, Malta
Price per night: From €151
A.Praga Photography5/5Iniala Harbour House, Valletta
Best hotel in Malta for: Breath-taking views
Locations don’t get much better than this. Situated right on the edge of Valletta’s iconic walls, equidistant between the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens, these luxurious rooms, suites and residences look out directly over the capital’s magnificent Grand Harbour and Malta’s historic Three Cities.
A combination of four townhouses, Iniala Harbour House has added a modern spin to the buildings’ 16th-century roots, highlighting its age-old architecture with sympathetic modern finishes. Statement walls, retro furnishings and a combination of stone, wood and other natural materials accentuate its older assets, while free-standing baths, leather-clad kettles and other distinctive design touches lend it a unique aura. As a protected building, the exterior is all classic Mediterranean grandeur: honey-hued colonnades and windows framed by cobalt-blue shutters. The rooftop is the real showstopper though. A low limestone balcony fringes an intricately tiled space, open to the skies and jaw-dropping views of the Three Cities’ bastion walls beyond. Guests should take their time soaking it up; the rooftop is the location of the Michelin-starred restaurant, ION - The Harbour, which serves up delectable Maltese cuisine by chef Simon Rogan. An equally decadent spa, and services including the private hire of Iniala Spirit, a 44 foot-long Riva Rivarama yacht, round off a stay at the very highest end of Malta’s hospitality offerings.
Address: Iniala Harbour House, 11 St Barbara Bastion, Valletta, Malta
Price per night: From €551
