Malta packs an astonishing amount into a small island: a fortified capital under UNESCO protection, sea in every shade of blue, and hotels that would hold their own in any Mediterranean capital. The key decision is location. Stay near Valletta and you live among history, stay in St. Julian's and you are in the middle of restaurants and nightlife, or head northwest to Golden Bay for a real sandy beach. All six hotels below carry five stars and come from our current Malta offer, with real starting prices for two people.
At the gates of Valletta
Grand Hotel Excelsior in Floriana is the address for anyone whose Malta is first of all Valletta. The hotel sits right on the water with a view over Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island, a short walk from the main gate of the capital, 500 meters from the central bus station and 8 km from the airport, with the Sliema ferry landing nearby. Its 433 spacious rooms are spread over ten floors, each with a large bathroom with tub and shower. You step out of the lobby and the whole island is within reach. Prices start from 232 euros for two people.
The St. Julian's cluster
Radisson Blu St Julians Resort proves you can sleep peacefully a few minutes from the busiest part of Malta. It stands on the shore of St. George's Bay, 50 meters from its rocky beach, with bus and hop on hop off stops close by for easy trips to Valletta and Sliema. The 252 rooms are functional and bright, all with balcony or terrace, minibar, safe and tea and coffee set, and standard rooms measure a solid 28 square meters. Prices start from 276 euros for two people.
Hyatt Regency Malta is the newest name in this guide, in the center of St. Julian's about 300 meters from the sandy beach of St. George's Bay, with the promenade, restaurants and the Bay Street shopping center on the doorstep and the airport 9 km away. It is a boutique sized hotel by chain standards, 151 rooms, from 30 square meter standards to suites of up to 95 square meters, all with coffee machine and Wi-Fi. Prices start from 258 euros for two people.
Intercontinental Malta sits in Paceville, the entertainment heart of the island, yet hides behind a genuinely beautiful garden, 150 meters from its section of the sandy St. George's Bay beach. A cinema complex and bowling alley are next door and a mall across the street. With 481 rooms it is the largest hotel here, and Classic rooms already measure around 35 square meters. Prices start from 248 euros for two people.
Corinthia Hotel St Georges Bay is the grande dame of the bay, built around cascading pools that spill toward the open sea, 50 meters from its rocky beach, with buses and the hop on hop off stopping in front of the entrance. Each of the 249 rooms comes with a sea view balcony, bathrobe and slippers, and the level of polish explains why guests return year after year. Prices start from 304 euros for two people.
For a sandy beach: Golden Bay
Radisson Blu Golden Sands Resort stands on a cliff above Golden Bay, one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Malta, on the quieter northwest coast, 20 km from the airport. The hotel has two beaches, a rocky one below reached by stairs or a lift, and the groomed sandy bay itself. Between 144 rooms and 164 suites, all with sea air and big views, this is the closest Malta gets to a classic beach resort. Prices start from 256 euros for two people.
How to decide
History first, take the Excelsior. Restaurants and nightlife on foot, choose among the St. Julian's four, with Corinthia as the most refined and Hyatt as the freshest. Sand between your toes, go to Golden Sands. Malta works beautifully outside peak summer too, spring and October prices are noticeably kinder. Send us your dates and we will match you with the right bay.
