Surrounded by the bright blue of the Mediterranean, sun-drenched and historic, and crowned with exceptional architecture, Malta knows luxury. A prize through history, her winners have fortified her beautifully and built their palaces even grander with every change of hands. Her many marinas bristle with yachts and fancy sailboats, her churches are rich with art, and some of her hotels are the kind of places that still have a grand ballroom. And one which Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have frequented! Some of our recommendations for the best luxury hotels in Malta have been converted from grand Italianate mansions or 17th century palazzos, while some are purpose built, but all are very special places to stay.
In Valletta
- The Phoenicia Hotel is Malta’s grande dame: a glamorous Art Deco behemoth, by Malta’s standards, with 136 rooms and suites, and a grand ballroom that has hosted the soon-to-be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. The Deco decor has been refreshed but retained, and there’s a great nautical colour palette that reminds you to look outside, beyond the walls of the elegant cocktail bar, the tea rooms with their huge windows and the highly regarded restaurant. There’s also a large pool and seven acres of garden leading down towards the harbour. The best rooms are on the recently refurbished third or fourth floor, with views looking out to The Grand Harbour or the city walls of Valletta.
- The Rosselli is one of the newest entries in Valletta's luxury hotel scene and it certainly packs a punch. Its gorgeous rooms and suites ooze with glamour and style, there's a sumptuous lounge area where you can enjoy a relaxing drink or simply watch the world go by, plus there's a small rooftop plunge pool and excellent onsite restaurant.
- 66 Saint Paul's is a beautifully renovated 17th century palazzo in the heart of Valletta which offers a real sense of luxury, both old and new. 66 Saint Paul’s has just six individually styled rooms, though when you first enter you’ll probably feel as if this is a much larger hotel. While renovating, the architects kept as many of the original features as possible, so all the rooms are quite different, and the larger ones have traditional Maltese balconies or private terraces. There’s also a roof terrace with panoramic views, and a courtyard, and spa and solarium. Perfect for seeing the local sights.
- If you like your luxury with all the trimmings the Palazzo Consiglia is for you. In this 13 room boutique hotel no opportunity for opulence has been missed, and there’s an inventive fusion of stylish original features, contemporary comforts and luxury details. The rooms and suites are all different shapes and sizes, and there are several good family options. There’s also a chic spa and a sunny terrace.
In Sliema
- The Palace is one of Malta's few five star hotels and it offers a cosmopolitan sanctuary in the centre of buzzing Sliema. There is a good range of accommodation here, but for something truly special you need to book one of their signature suites; each has been specifically designed around a central theme and all are superb! Plus there's a great spa area and fabulous rooftop pool terrace and lounge with panoramic views over city and sea.
- The Victoria is a four star hotel, but we reckon it manages to punch well above its weight in terms of rooms and services. Here the vibe is almost gentleman's clubby, with deep leather sofas and gilded mirrors - you'll find true traditional elegance. There's also a couple of dining options, plus indoor pool and spa area and superb rooftop pool and terrace.
The Most Romantic Luxury Hotels
- One of Valletta’s charms is her array of elegant 16th and 17th century palazzos, and some of the most beautiful have been carefully converted into small hotels. Hotels like the 28 room Palais Le Brun, a baroque-era palace turned refined boutique hotel. As well as keeping many of the original architectural features, the designers of the Palais Le Brun have also kept the decor regal, with Persian carpets, antique furniture, rich damask fabrics, spiral staircases and beautiful balconies. The most indulgent of the suites has its own private terrace with a hot tub facing the sea. For the rest of us there’s a rooftop pool with 180° views. The hotel’s restaurant is run by award-winners and it’s certainly one of the places to eat in Valletta.
- Luxury is often romantic, but there’s something especially romantic about the Domus Zamittello. It could be the building? There’s certainly romance in a meticulously restored 16th century palazzo. Or it could be the matching decor with hints of baroque and weighty fabrics? The sea views from the roof terrace are certainly romantic, especially of an evening, and a private balcony is always an enchanting place to watch the sun go down. There are just 27 rooms, and a very elegant restaurant.
- Perched on the ancient bastions of Mdina is The Xara Palace, a 17th century palazzo given the Relais et Chateaux treatment. Now the only hotel within the walled city, this is a really special place to stay, with just 17 rooms and suites and the kind of discretion and service that attracts everyone from rock star to royalty. There’s a lot of charm in the detail of the decor: a curated mix of Maltese antiques and treasures from farther afield, in spacious rooms with high ceilings and lots of natural light. On the roof terrace is the hotel’s award-winning restaurant which has panoramic views all the way out to sea.
Malta’s Best Luxury Waterfront Hotels
- Directly overlooking the Grand harbour of Senglea, the Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour has some of the best sea 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, 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 affordable luxury
- Stylish and contemporary, with a real focus on clever design, the Valletta Suites are a collection of just three apartment suites within an elegant townhouse. Two of the apartments have their own kitchenettes, and two of them have a private balcony, and one a sun-trap of a terrace. All of them have chic, personalised design, with traditional Maltese brickwork, antiques and objets d’art, oriental rugs, lavish fabrics and witty contemporary designer pieces. These are romantic, as well as great value.
- Also in a great Valletta location, The Coleridge is another beautifully and carefully converted townhouse. There are just five rooms, of all different shapes and sizes, but this does feel more like a hotel than the Valletta Suites. The decor ranges from quite traditional luxury: gilded frames, heavily draped windows and velvet upholstery, to contemporary luxury: think bolder shapes and colours. There’s no restaurant, but breakfast is included.
Still not sure which to book?