Malta is small and strategically positioned in the sun-drenched Mediterranean between North Africa and Sicily, so probably every inch of it is historic in one way or another. From its neolithic temples to its incredible Crusader architecture. Its cliffs are packed with fossils, its coastline is littered with shipwrecks and coral reefs. So it probably comes as no surprise that some of the best places to stay on Malta have been converted from historic buildings. In Valletta there are converted villas aplenty, and in Birgu and St Julian's too. And we’ve included a couple of converted palaces on our list of the best places to stay on Malta too.

Some of our Malta Collections:

• 10 of the Best Luxury Hotels in Malta
• 17 of the Best Small Hotels in Malta
• 5 of the Best Family Hotels in Malta
• Malta's 5 Best Beach Hotels

If you’re searching for a Maltese escape you’ll find converted farmhouses, and, on Gozo, you can even stay in a trulli. But don’t be put off if your tastes run more to the contemporary, as well as some of the villas being converted with contemporary tastes in mind, we’ve also listed some lovely new hotels, including a couple of impressive beach resorts, which are perfect if you’re looking for summer (or winter) sunshine and a beautiful view.

If you’re not sure which part of the island you want to stay on your might want to look through our ‘Where to Stay?’ recommendations before you check out our hotel recommendations.

Our guide to the best places to stay Malta has something for all tastes and budgets whether you're looking for a cheap and cheerful B&B, luxury boutique hotel, or no-holds-barred, five star luxury.

Explore the best hotels in Malta

For a room with a view

• The Duke Boutique Hotel is one of those hotels our Gurus find it hard to agree on a category for. It’s small, elegantly contemporary, and romantic, with just 11 rooms and suites, and it's in a fantastic spot in Gozo’s Victoria. It’s great for divers, couples and they have really private, self-catering suites which are ideal for families. But the views win out, especially the views of Victoria from the terrace, and from the private suite terraces with their hot tubs and sun loungers.
• Casa Birmula, in Cospicua, is a beautifully decorated boutique hotel, which is small, but wonderfully located to overlook the Grand Harbour. There are just 11 rooms and suites, with elegant, and pleasingly original decor, plus some comfortable public spaces, including a lounge and a rooftop pool and bar. The best rooms have harbour views from private balconies too.
• The elegant and traditional Victoria Hotel is very charming for a large hotel, with welcoming public spaces with grand pianos, open fireplaces, oil paintings and leather armchairs. The 150 rooms and suites are elegant too, but also spacious and comfortable, and some of them have fantastic views over Sliema. There’s a luxurious spa and a rooftop terrace with a pool and restaurant.
• The Palace is a contemporary, cosmopolitan sanctuary in the heart of Sliema, with 149 spacious rooms and suites in a variety of minimal, contemporary styles and colour ways. Expect state of the art everything. Including the spa, and a rooftop terrace with an incredible infinity pool — definitely one of the most spectacular views on Malta.

For a romantic stay

• Valletta’s Palazzo Prince d'Orange is an adults-only collection of one and two bedroom apartments in the heart of the city, but facing the harbour, so that its roof terrace has a wonderful view of the Grand Harbour, as do some of the private balconies. The rooms are all full of light, and have their own private sitting rooms and kitchenettes, and they’re decorated with art and antiques belonging to the owners. The location is perfect for sightseeing, and while there’s no hotel restaurant you’re surrounded by great places to eat.
• The three apartment style Valletta Suites, in an unassuming townhouse, brim with stylish, ornate interiors and historic charm, offering a really memorable base. The private suites are lavish, with high ceilings, antique furnishings and beautiful sun-trap terraces or balconies. But they have kitchenettes too. Perfect for an intimate escape.
• The Stone House is a charming, two bedroom bolthole in St. Julian’s, converted from a really wonderful traditional home, with stone walls, beamed ceilings and a lovely interior terrace with a plunge pool. And you’re close to some of the best restaurants in town.
• Birgu’s Locanda La Gelsomina is a four-suite retreat in one of the town’s oldest buildings, with eclectic interiors which ooze character. This is a ‘join in with Vinyasa yoga’ kind of place, and enjoy a relaxing mug of tea afterwards in their tea-house.

Malta’s Best Luxury Hotels

• The Phoenicia Hotel is the grande dame of Maltese hotels, an Art Deco masterpiece which still reeks of 1930s style glamour. Enjoy cocktails on the terrace with an incredible view of Valletta, and then dance in the ballroom, which was once a regular haunt of the soon-to-be-Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. There are 136 rooms and suites, the best of which are on the third and fourth floors and look out over the hotel’s seven acres of garden and the Grand Harbour. The facilities are everything you’d expect from a hotel of this calibre too.
• You can tell from the stunning Baroque exterior that The Xara Palace in Mdina promises luxury. Its 17 sophisticated rooms and suites have high ceilings, antique furniture and plenty of natural light. The rooftop restaurant is often referred to as one of the best on the island. This hotel also has a reputation as one of the most romantic on the island. It’s got wonderful views too, from private terraces of course, and the duplex suites have jacuzzis on their private terraces.
• Directly overlooking the Grand harbour of Senglea, the Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour has some of the best ocean views of any hotel on the island. It’s also an extremely elegant place to stay, with 21 rooms and suites in a range of shapes and sizes, but all really beautifully decorated in stylish contemporary neutrals and plenty of pale wood — there’s certainly a Scandinavian feel to the decor, but with the original Maltese stone, and the arched shapes of the fort it’s been converted from. The best views are from the roof terrace and pool, but there are pretty good views from the restaurant too. This is one of the best luxury hotels in Malta for families too.

For Valletta

• Rosselli is a beautifully converted villa in the heart of Valletta, which just oozes with glamour, from its serene, white marble lobby to the gorgeous plunge pool and roof terrace — which has an incredible view. Rosselli’s 25 rooms and suites are a beautiful mix of up-to-the-minute luxury, original features and period charm. You’re just moments from the ocean, and there’s an excellent restaurant onsite.
• The Saint John which comes from the same stable as the Rosselli, is an equally impressive and elegant Valletta conversion, and today this old merchant's house has 21 chic rooms and suites in a location perfect for seeing Valletta’s sights. The decor is stylish and contemporary, in a colour palette of greys and neutrals, and with a masculine feel. There’s no restaurant, but they serve breakfast at the gastropub next door.

For Families

• The Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz is a luxurious, yet affordable, property with incredible views over the island of Gozo. There are 122 rooms and suites, several beautifully landscaped pools, and a private beach on the Dwejra coastline. The spa is award-winning and the Mediterranean restaurant is excellent. For the kids there’s a kid’s club, tennis courts and snorkelling school. The family suites are generously proportioned.
• The Westin Dragonara is perched on its own peninsula on the edge of St. Julian’s, overlooking its own private beach. Most of the 340 rooms and suites have balconies overlooking the sea — it’s cleverly angled. Above the private beach is an elegant, resort-stye pool terrace. And there’s an indoor pool too. And a choice of three restaurants. As well as offering an excellent range of accommodation to suit every family, there’s a kid’s club and plenty of facilities laid on to entertain the whole family.
• A seafront neighbour to the Westin Dragonara, the Corinthia Hotel runs along similar lines, but it’s not quite as big, and has some smaller, more affordable rooms. Most of its 249 rooms and suites have views of the pools, with their enticing arrangements of sun loungers, and the best rooms have sea views too. There are six pools in all, plus a private beach with great watersports facilities. There’s an impressive collection of bars and restaurants, and plenty of other facilities too, including babysitting.

For Divers

• Gozo’s eco-friendly Ta'Cenc hotel is a collection of 83 rooms, suites and converted trulli buildings, all at ground level, and spread around beautifully landscaped grounds rich in local flora and fauna. The location is incredible, close to the coast. There are two pools, two tennis courts and an impressive spa.

For great value

• The aptly-named Quaint Boutique Hotel offers just 12 smart, spacious, contemporary rooms in an historic property. This is a really comfortable option, great for exploring Nadur and Gozo.
• St. Julian’s Hotel Juliani was the island's first true 'boutique' hotel, a contemporary styled, 44 room property with wonderful harbour views. The rooms and suites are unfussy, and there’s a fantastic roof terrace with a pool and a view, and a great restaurant.
• Naxxar’s Knights in Malta is a five room B&B in a peaceful spot, converted from an elegant residential building complete with a private courtyard, filled with tropical plants and trees, and sun terrace. The rooms are rustic and elegant, decorated with a collection of antiques. There’s a jacuzzi too. And while there’s no restaurant the owners do run regular themed dinner evenings. Intimate and atmospheric.

Prefer an Apartment or Villa?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Malta has just one international airport, the Malta International Airport. And Malta’s dimensions are such that you can pretty much get from the airport to anywhere on the island by taxi in 45 minutes or under. The other way to arrive in Malta is by sea, on either a ferry from Sicily, or a cruise ship. Both dock at Valletta waterfront.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• With an average daily temperature of 27°C, July and August are the best months weather-wise to visit. However, Malta boasts a typically Mediterranean climate with around 300 days of sun each year, and it is a popular year round destination. There's likely to be more tourists in the height of summer, so perhaps visiting in September, when the average temperature's still 25°C, or October is a better choice if you have no restrictions on timing. Plus, accommodation's a bit cheaper at this time of year.

Still Not Sure?

• You could refine your search to just the best places to stay in Valletta, or in St. Julian’s on the coast, or consider the best hotels on the island of Gozo, just off the coast.
• Or refine your search to the kind of hotel you’re looking for, for example the best luxury hotels on Malta or the best family friendly hotels in Malta.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly gurus for personalised advice