Best hotels in Malta for luxurious breaks, peaceful getaways and family-friendly holidays
Once upon a time Malta was a package holiday paradise of cheap sun and sea for the over-sixties, but in the last 15 years that has completely changed – and with it the style, quality and range of hotels.
Today all ages flock to this island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean – six times as many people visited last year as live here – and there's accommodation for them all. Some people come for a sunbed by the pool or an umbrella on the beach in a need-never-leave resort, while the active seek the dive centres, sailing charters or cliff-top walks.
Some drop in for a festival from rock to baroque, and want stays to match. Many now visit for Malta's USP, its unique and fascinating history (and prehistory) from Neolithic temples older than Stonehenge to the honeyed limestone legacy of the Knights of St John and remains of the nation's starring role in WWII. Historic buildings have been restored and converted into hotels full of character and comfort, while new accommodation has been constructed to cater for different tastes. Here are 10 of the best hotels in Malta for 2025.
Best hotels in Malta 2025
1. Phoenicia Malta hotel
Enter the fresh Art Deco foyer of the Phoenicia and step back in time to the British colonial heyday of this then-and-now glorious grand hotel. Imagine the late Queen, as the newly married Princess Elizabeth, then resident in Malta, dancing with Philip in the ballroom. And colonial Malta's great and good – Maltese and British – in full bib and tucker, sipping cocktails on the terrace overlooking the garden. Things are more relaxed now, and besides standard rooms being small for a five-star, the Phoenicia is Malta's best hotel, with prices to match. Being just outside Valletta's towering bastion walls, it is walking distance to everything in the capital while having space for a long garden, pools (inside and out) and a spa. Service is attentive and friendly, with many long-serving Maltese staff. All in all, it is a destination in itself and if you can't stay here, drop by for a drink.
2. Casa Rocca Piccola B&B
Live like a Maltese aristocrat in this B&B within the only privately inhabited but publicly viewable palazzo in Valletta. Your hosts are the Marquis de Piro, a modern-day Knight of Malta, and his English wife. Oh, and their talkative parrot. Your stay includes a visit to the historic parts of the house full of fascinating furniture, art and objects from a portable altar to a Knights-era sedan chair, paintings from the Grand Master's galley to silver surgical instruments from the Knights' sacred hospital – not to mention the World War II shelter beneath the house. And you're right in the heart of Malta's tiny, walkable capital, just 100m from the main square and the Grand Master's Palace.
3. BOCO Boutique hotel
In Bormla-Cospicua (hence Boco), a traditional area of the Three Cities, little touched by tourism, this enjoyable, good-value boutique hotel is full of contemporary art and humorous touches: life-size Boco in human form climbs from floor to floor; glass shower doors are painted with colourful figures; and headboards become installations. Outside, a five-minute walk takes you to the labyrinthine Medieval streets of Birgu (or Vittoriosa), the Knights' first base in Malta, or to Galley Creek and the picturesque 10-minute ferry ride across the Grand Harbour to Valletta.
4. Corinthia Palace hotel
In an upmarket residential area of Malta, opposite the palace of Malta's president, this peaceful hotel offers a stay away from the tourist hordes. Its main restaurant occupies the original 19th-century villa around which the hotel was built. Spacious and traditional, each with a balcony, while in the garden there is a large multi-level outdoor pool and behind a glass wall, a lovely, well-heated indoor pool and spa and a substantial gym. Service is attentive and helpful, and there's a complimentary shuttle into Valletta twice a day. On the roof is a Michelin -mentioned restaurant and, in the foyer, with plenty of seating, a vegan café.
5. Kempinski San Lawrenz hotel
Just fully refurbished, this low-rise five-star hotel tucked into the landscape on the edge of a traditional village on Malta's smaller, more rural island of Gozo has palm-fringed pools in the gardens and a substantial heated pool in the spacious spa. An extensive menu of treatments ranges from the usual massages and facials to specialist Indian Ayurveda. This is a place to relax. Gozo moves at a more leisurely pace than the main island and the Kempinski has all you need for a real break, as well as easy access to the rest of Gozo. It is a few minutes' walk to the village square with its oversized parish church, bar and blacksmith, and less than half an hour to the dramatic coastal landscape of Dwejra, the 'inland sea' and cave tunnel, a little boat trip and a Knights-period tower.
6. Villa Serenity B&B, Gozo
A lovely family-run Gozo B&B with large rooms, great breakfast, a plunge pool in the garden and a wonderful location between the traditional village of Sannat and the towering Ta' Cenc cliffs – the perfect place for a sea view sunset walk. Join locals in the village square (at the bar of the football club or the band club where musicians rehearse for the annual festa) or follow the cliffs down to Mgarr Ix-Xini for a swim or a snorkel in clear blue sea. Alternatively, take up your hosts' offer of a personalised Gozo tour seeing the sights with them, both on and off the beaten track.
7. Iniala hotel
The USP here is the iconic view (and the price). This luxury ultra-designer boutique hotel full of original contemporary art sits atop Barbara Bastion fronting a sweeping panorama of the famous Grand Harbour. It's quite something to wake to this vast expanse of (almost always) sparkling blue water surrounded by history in golden limestone. Straight ahead is Fort St Angelo, Malta's oldest castle and first base on the island of the Knights of St John (the Knights of Malta). The view continues over breakfast as you eat your fresh fruit, pancakes, or full English in the rooftop restaurant. The view is equally spectacular by night, and, come evening, the rooftop turns into ION by Simon Rogan, Malta's only restaurant with two Michelin stars.
Address: 10-11 St. Barbara Bastion, Valletta VLT1961
8. Cugó Gran Macina hotel
On the banks of the Grand Harbour's most historic creek, Cugó Gran Macina is named for the masting-crane (il-macina) that used to stand on the Knights-period bastion into which the hotel is built. Close to the entrance to Senglea – one of the Three Cities (really three tiny towns) that fringe Galley Creek (or Dockland Creek as the British called it), the hotel is backed by residential streets relatively untouched by tourism. Rooms are built into the fortifications, so they are all different shapes and sizes, some with glorious views over the water. Interior design is contemporary with lots of black slate, striking against the honeyed stone of the original structures. The roof terrace affords panoramic views, and just below it is the rooftop pool. Little Bastion restaurant at ground– and water–level serves Mediterranean and fusion food at breakfast and dinner.
9. Westin Dragonara Resort hotel
Malta has quite a few large resort hotels but this one is a cut above with large rooms, great food and facilities for all the family. In an enclave all its own (which is just as well as it's not in the nicest area) it has everything you need for a summer holiday – and, unusually, for a spring, autumn and even winter one too. Crucially, the main outdoor pool, two Jacuzzis and a kids' paddling pool are heated year-round. So too is the indoor pool, and there's a spa and an on-site dive centre. The seaside Reef Club – with thatched umbrellas on the rocky beach and tiny sandy cove – is open in the warmer months. The Westin does the best buffet breakfast in Malta, which will set the whole family up for the day, be that in the resort or out exploring the island.
10. Palazzo Consiglia hotel
In the heart of historic Valletta, this 400-year-old townhouse has been miraculously converted into a 13-room boutique hotel with full hotel facilities in miniature. The central courtyard in warm limestone has been covered with a retractable roof, while the chapel is now a pretty breakfast room. Reception doubles as the bar (and has some bar food), while down in the vaulted cellar, the original cistern has been converted into a spacious hot tub – and there's a room for spa treatments, too. The rooftop terrace boasts views and a plunge pool, and the staff are helpful and friendly. It's a welcoming place to return to after a day out seeing the sights.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
The tiny village an hour from London with its own Shakespeare house and award-winning micro bar
It's near another village known for a famous castle and gardens KENT GEM The tiny village an hour from London with its own Shakespeare house and award-winning micro bar NESTLED away in the countryside of Kent is the village of Headcorn that has its own Shakespeare House and you might even see a big cat. The village is just an hour away from London - but with its quaint charm and Tudor houses it will feel like you're even further from the city. Advertisement 5 Headcorn is a village in Kent with a high street and Tudor houses Credit: Alamy 5 Around the village are large Tudor-style houses Credit: Alamy Headcorn has even been listed as one of the 100 best commuter towns by The Telegraph, being praised for its "picturesque setting and rich history". Direct trains from London go from Charing Cross, stopping at the likes of Marden and Staplehurst - and it only takes an hour and five minutes. The village has a number of Grade II listed buildings and one of the more recognisable is called Shakespeare House which was built in the 16th century. In actual fact, it has nothing to do with Shakespeare, and was originally used for cloth production. Advertisement Surprisingly, there's also the opportunity to see big cats like lynx, cheetahs, lions and leopards. Luckily, they'll be in enclosures at The Big Cat Sanctuary which is a registered animal charity dedicated to global conservation. For anyone who is curious about the sanctuary, you can even organise a stay there at one of their eight lodges. Nearby is also the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, which for aviation enthusiasts, has an extensive collection of aircraft relics, mostly from World War Two. Advertisement Headcorn dates back to Neolithic period and very near the local church are the remains of the Headcorn Oak tree. The huge tree was around 500 to a thousand years old when it was severely damaged by a fire in 1989. The up-and-coming English seaside town with cheap booze and huge beaches 5 17 Micro Bar won "Pub/Bar of the Year" in 2025 It continued to grow until 1993 but only the remains of the old oak are left. Advertisement As for what to do there, the Headcorn Farmers Market has stalls selling food, fruits and vegetables, homemade jams, honey, cakes and pastries too. Local artists selling handcrafted goods also set up shop so you can have a wander around. The market hits the streets on the second Saturday of every month. There's also three pubs, George & Dragon, The White Horse and Tap 17 Micro Bar. Advertisement Tap 17 micro-bar, located in Headcorn won the "Pub/Bar of the Year" award at the Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards. earlier this year. One visitor even called it the "best micropub ever" on Tripadvisor. 5 The nearby village of Sissinghurst has a famous castle Credit: Getty Headcorn is just 15-minutes away from the village of Sissinghurst which has its own castle. Advertisement It's found in the borough of Tunbridge Wells in Kent and it has been included in the Telegraph's 10 prettiest villages in Kent 2024. Sissinghurst is best known for its famous gardens and castle that is run by the National Trust The village's tower was never actually a castle, but got that title from the 3,000 French sailors who were imprisoned there during the 1700s. You'll find Headcorn in 'Royal' English town which has one of the UK's fanciest Wetherspoons, and was named one of the top place to live in the UK. Advertisement And another castle in Kent that people say looks like a Disney film.
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
Exactly what long car journeys do to your body
If you spent your childhood in Britain, you likely have memories of many a car journey: the early starts, the packed lunches, the boots full to the brim. Then there are the hours spent playing I Spy and singing, driving through the countryside, to get to the seaside, holiday camps or visit family. Long car journeys are quintessentially British. And such trips came into their heyday in post-war Britain, when car ownership had become more common and trips abroad were unusual. While the advent of the cheap package holidays to Spain (where good weather is nearly guaranteed) reduced the number of people flooding seaside towns, so-called 'staycations' are in demand for their cost and convenience. However, it does mean hours in the car and the familiar feelings of tiredness, travel sickness and muscle aches that it brings. So, what's actually happening in our bodies, and what can we do to keep in good health during the journey? Tiredness It's common for passengers to nod off on long journeys, but obviously, it is extremely dangerous if the driver succumbs to drowsiness – between 10 and 20 per cent of all crashes are caused by fatigue. 'For the driver, tiredness will eventually kick in,' says Prof Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist at the University of Oxford, who researches car design and how it affects driving. Studies suggest that, beyond just the mental effort of driving, driving can induce sleepiness within 15 minutes due to the natural vibrations of car seats, while the white noise made by the engine, wheels and passing cars is also thought to play a role. 'Several car companies' idea of success in recent years was to design car interiors such that when commuters got home at the end of day, they would just sit in the driveway because the multisensory environment was so comfortable,' Prof Spence says. 'Ultimate comfort might not be ideal for keeping a driver on a long journey in peak state of arousal or alertness.' How to prevent it 'Opening a window to get some fresh air can help,' Prof Spence says. 'But ultimately, presumably, the thing to do is take a break.' Some cars now come with driver drowsiness detection, which makes a loud noise or causes the wheel to vibrate when it senses – by analysing speed, time of day and weather – a driver might be becoming tired. 'Cars can monitor drivers nowadays, but an urgent alert sound may be too unpleasant,' Spence says. Getting enough sleep the night before a long journey is also key. Research shows that drivers who get less than five hours of sleep are just as likely to crash as if they were over the legal limit for alcohol. Motion sickness During a long car journey, around one in three of us will experience the symptoms of motion sickness to some degree, from mild nausea to vomiting that forces us to pull over. It's thought that motion sickness is a result of a sensory mismatch between the movement the body is experiencing (sensed by the inner ear) and the movement that we're seeing (logged by our eyes), explains John Golding, professor of applied psychology at the University of Westminster, who has previously worked with RAF pilots and sailors in the navy to desensitise them to motion sickness. Experts believe the resulting unpleasant symptoms occur because the body believes that this sensory mismatch is a sign that it has been poisoned, he explains. 'In response, the brain tells the stomach to stop moving its contents further through the gut (a protective reflex called gastric stasis) because, according to this poison detector theory, that would be preventing any further poison from being absorbed,' he says. While some people never suffer from queasiness in the car, others reach for a plastic bag on every long car journey. This is a result of an accumulation of risk factors, Prof Golding says. Women are more susceptible than men, as are people who suffer from migraines, and there is a genetic element as well, with research showing that there are 35 genetic markers that contribute to motion sickness. Age is also a factor, with children between eight and 10 most likely to suffer. 'Drivers hardly ever become sick because the car becomes an extension of their body and they control the motions of the car as they steer into curves or brake or accelerate,' Prof Golding notes. 'But for the poor passenger, they're not in control.' How to prevent it 'There are three basic approaches,' Prof Golding explains. The first is to expose yourself enough times so you get used to the sensation – an approach used to desensitise RAF pilots, he says. 'However, that's time-consuming, and if you're not frequently making long car journeys, this might not be the best option for you,' he notes. Another approach is to try behaviours that limit the severity of motion sickness, such as sitting in the front passenger seat and focusing on the road ahead to anticipate the movement, which reduces sensory mismatch, he explains. 'Sitting in the back seat and looking out at flashing scenery as you drive by is no good,' he notes. Some turn to acupressure travel bands (wrist bands with a plastic button attached, which is placed over the centre of the wrist). 'Trials show that they work as well as a placebo, but the placebo effect can be wonderful, so they really do work for some people,' he says. Avoiding looking at your phone, reading a book or moving your head around too much, as this will only worsen the sensory mismatch, Prof Golding says. The third option is anti-sickness drugs. These include hyoscine hydrobromide (sold under brand names including Kwells) and cinnarizine (branded as Stugeron). These work by preventing symptoms and typically need to be taken an hour before you get in the car, Prof Golding notes. 'There's no point in taking it once you start to feel even slightly queasy, as at this point, gastric stasis has already occurred, so you won't be able to absorb it,' he notes. Some companies are developing devices that they hope will target motion sickness. One example is Apple's 'vehicle motion cues', which allows iPhone users to have six static dots on their screen, which, once a person is in a moving car, shift in the direction of travel in a bid to reduce motion sickness. 'It does not provide any anticipation of the motion – it is not a 'warning cue',' Prof Golding notes. 'I would have doubts about the usefulness of this phone software. Especially because it is making the passenger concentrate on looking at the screen. We know that reading, looking down at mobile device screens, tends to exacerbate motion sickness.' It might help some people but will likely make things worse for most, he adds. Gut discomfort Long journeys in the car disrupt our usual routines, throwing our activity levels and eating habits out of whack, which has a knock-on effect on how our gut is feeling. 'People often drink less water when travelling, snack at odd times and disrupt their normal bathroom habits,' notes Dr Emily Leeming, a microbiome scientist and dietitian. This isn't helped by the food available at petrol stations and motorway services, which is often ultra-processed convenience food. Additionally, sitting for long periods of time can slow down gut motility for some people, which are the wave-like muscle contractions that move food and waste through your gut, she notes. Each of these factors contributes to sluggishness and can lead to bloating, wind and constipation, Dr Leeming notes. How to prevent it 'Try getting out of the car for regular breaks, go for a short walk or do some stretches every few hours to help stimulate your digestion,' she suggests. 'Take a water bottle with you to stay hydrated.' Dr Leeming also recommends trying to eat your meals at the same time you would if you're not travelling. If you want snacks for the car, nuts and fruit like bananas and apples are great choices, she says. 'They'll keep you feeling full and also provide plenty of fibre and other nutrients.' Tight-fitting clothes, like jeans, dresses and skirts, can put extra pressure on the abdomen, which traps gas and slows digestion, which makes any bloating feel even more uncomfortable. 'So, wear loose-fitting bottoms when you're travelling instead, that have some give around your stomach,' she says. Muscle stiffness Tense shoulders, tight calves and back pain are common grumbles from drivers and passengers during long stints in the car. This is a consequence of remaining in a seated position for too long, though, for drivers, the small adjustments in the neck, shoulders, arms, lower back and lower limbs that our bodies make while behind the wheel is also a factor, explains Prof Lee Smith, a professor of public health at Anglia Ruskin University, who has expertise in sedentary behaviour. 'Sitting for too long, particularly in a position that is not aligned with the natural curves of our spine, can contribute to a number of musculoskeletal problems,' he adds. These include lower back pain and stiffness, neck tension, shoulder strain and lower limb fatigue and stiffness from operating pedals, as well as sciatica-like symptoms from poor hip positioning. How to prevent it Prof Smith recommends scheduling a break in your drive every two hours, giving yourself and your passengers enough time to stretch and have a short walk. Passengers can also stretch out their neck, arms and legs while in the car. Additionally, the Royal Automobile Club recommends checking your driving set-up to prevent muscle stiffness, aches and pains. You can do this by making sure the seat is upright at around a 100-degree angle; ensuring your head is centred in the middle of your headrest; adjusting wing and rear-view mirrors so you don't need to twist to see out of them; and making sure your back and shoulders touch the backrest when your hands are on the steering wheel. Poor blood flow Beyond our muscles, sitting for too long can also lead to problems with blood flow, says Prof Smith. 'It can contribute to the prevention of effective circulation of blood through our bodies, and this can cause blood to pool in the veins of the legs,' he says. 'Sitting uninterrupted for long periods of time can ultimately cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of blood clot that forms in a vein,' he says. Normally, blood flows through the veins, helped by movement in your muscles. However, if you are seated for too long (typically four hours or more), the flow of blood can slow down and pool in the veins, causing a clot to form, which either partially or completely blocks a vein. Common symptoms include swelling and pain but there may be no signs of a clot. 'The clot can break free and travel to the lungs, causing a sudden blockage of arteries in the lung, known as a pulmonary embolism,' Prof Smith explains. 'Although serious, these types of blood clots are rare.' How to prevent it When in the car for three hours or more, the NHS recommends taking breaks where possible to walk around, as well as wearing loose-fitting clothing that doesn't prevent blood flow, drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol. While typically associated with long-haul flights, compression socks can be worn on long car journeys to encourage blood circulation. 'If a passenger in the vehicle, exercise your calf muscles and exercise your legs while sitting,' Prof Smith recommends. 'For example, you could raise and lower your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, raise and lower your toes while keeping your heels on the floor, and tighten and release your leg muscles.'
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK abandoned wartime village frozen in time where empty terrace houses sit
In Dorset, you can find a ghost village that has been frozen time from which residents were forced to evacuate with just a few weeks notice during the Second World War This ghost village is completely frozen in time - as if the residents simply vanished. Tyneham, in one of the most picturesque spots in Dorset, has become a land that time forgot, and a capsule to one of the darkest periods in British history. As the autumn days began to become chillier, with winter fast approaching in 1953, the residents of this once-bustling village received shock news. They were being ordered to evacuate their homes with just 28 days notice, leaving behind a place where for generations, many of the same families had lived. The British Army needed more space to train troops for D-Day and given Tyneham's rural positioning and proximity to the Lulworth firing ranges, it was decided it had to be requisitioned for the war effort. On 19 December, 252 people had to say goodbye to their homes - on the promise that once the war was finished they could come back to the place they loved. The community gathered for one last service in the local St. Mary's Church that day - and pinned a heartbreaking note to the door, for those who would come after them. "Please treat the church and houses with care. We have given up our homes, where many of us have lived for generations, to help win the war to keep men free. We will return one day and thank you for treating the village kindly." However, not one of them was ever allowed to go home again. The war stretched out longer than had been anticipated, and in 1948, the Ministry of Defence took over the village permanently through compulsory purchase. To this day, Tyneham is used as an active military training ground, but visitors are allowed to come on holidays and select weekends to explore the ghostly area, that has been dubbed Dorest's "Lost Village". Part of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School - alongside nearby Worbarrow Bay and Lulworth Ranges - tourists may only enter the area at specific times because it could be dangerous. The stunning and remote Worbarrow Bay, part of the Jurrasic Coast World Heritage Site, is well worth a visit. You can only access it from the ghost village of Tyneham, so it is quieter than other parts of the gorgeous coastline, but visitors must stay to the paths that have been marked with yellow paths for safety reasons. Most of the original Tyneham residents, who so badly hoped to return home after making their huge sacrifice to the war effort, have since passed away, but their stories have been collected in the film Tyneham Remembered. The film gives a glimpse into what live in the strong community was like, before they were asked to give up their homes for the greater good. When visiting Tyneham, glimpses of the old way of life there are visible. A series of terraced houses called The Row, provides insight into the lives of their former occupants, a restored public telephone box provides a snapshot of how the villagers would once have stayed in touch with loved ones during the trying times of war. The local church and school house - also both lovingly restored - are also open to visitors, and operate as mini museums, giving insight into life in the once idyllic rural community. Visitors hoping to picnic should also visit the restored local farm, the barns of which have been reconstructed, and also feature exhibitions. It's free to visit this memorial, but a suggested donation of £4 is recommended. Dogs are welcome, and there are basic facilities like parking and toilets - but remember to check the official website to see what days visitors are able to enter.
