Santana Hotel Malta

📍 Great central location in Qawra resort centre
🏙️ Rooftop pool and bar with wide-open bay views
🌊 Stunning outlook towards Bugibba Bay and St Paul’s Bay
🛏️ Spacious rooms and family options sleeping up to four
♻️ Certified Sustainable Hotel (GSTC-recognised standard at time of review)
📶 Free Wi-Fi throughout

Official rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Board options: Half Board Plus

Child age guideline: up to 12 yrs (for room and meal reductions; may vary by season)

Rooms: 253 | Floors: 6 | Lifts: 4

Qawra is one of Malta’s most popular seaside spots, set along the beautiful sweep of St Paul’s Bay. Santana Hotel Malta sits right in the resort centre, so you’re close to cafés, ice-cream parlours, lidos and the bus stops for exploring the island.

Bugibba Bay is an easy stroll away for waterfront walks and swimming platforms, while Qawra Point beach and the rocky headland offer clear waters for snorkelling and views across to St Paul’s Islands. Malta’s National Aquarium and the Classic Car Museum are nearby, and Sliema and Valletta are within day-tripping distance by bus or ferry.

In Qawra resort centre
Bugibba Bay: approx. 450m
Qawra Point beach: approx. 950m
Sliema ferry port: approx. 13km

Approx. transfer time from airport: 50 minutes (Malta International Airport – MLA)

Qawra, Malta and Gozo, Malta

Santana Hotel Malta keeps dining relaxed and easy with a main buffet restaurant and a trio of characterful bars.

La Canoa is the main buffet venue, serving breakfast and dinner (and lunch on some board plans), with a mix of international favourites and Maltese dishes, show-style counters and a children’s buffet section plus highchairs for younger guests.

You can grab quality coffee and cakes at Café Castagna (seasonal), head up to the rooftop Pool Bar for cold drinks between swims, or unwind amid greenery at Zazen Garden, an atmospheric cocktail bar in the hotel’s gardens that’s lovely at sunset.

A smart-casual dress code may apply in the restaurant, and opening hours or reservation rules can change seasonally, so use this as a guide rather than a guarantee. The Half Board Plus package typically includes buffet breakfast and dinner with unlimited local beer, local wine, soft drinks and mineral water at dinner.

What All Inclusive typically includes.

The hotel’s stand-out feature is the rooftop outdoor freshwater pool, complete with a children’s section, sunbathing area, loungers and parasols. Up here you’ll catch cooling breezes and long views across Qawra and St Paul’s Bay – ideal for a lazy day in the sun. The rooftop pool usually operates between May and October, weather and occupancy permitting.

For year-round dips there’s also an indoor freshwater pool, perfect if you’re travelling in the cooler months.

While Santana Hotel Malta isn’t directly on the beach, you’re within easy walking distance of Bugibba Bay’s seafront and swimming platforms, and Qawra Point’s rocky beach with crystal-clear water that’s popular with locals for snorkelling and sea swims.

After a day of island-hopping or sightseeing in Valletta, retreat to the small spa area, which offers a sauna, whirlpool and a menu of massage and beauty treatments (all at an extra charge, with typical opening hours from 10:00–19:00).

Evenings are sociable, with regular entertainment across the year – think live music and karaoke in the warmer months, then a lighter schedule through winter. With its central location you can easily alternate between the hotel’s programme and Qawra’s bars and promenade.

Practical touches include a 24-hour reception with luggage storage and local information, and English-language newspapers available for purchase.

Family Room
Sleeps: minimum 2, maximum 4
Designed with groups and families in mind, these rooms offer extra space plus flexible bedding options (often a mix of twin/double beds and sofa beds or pull-outs). Expect:
– Flat-screen TV
– Free Wi-Fi
– Safety deposit box
– Hairdryer
– Balcony
– Coffee-making facilities and kettle
– Minibar (stocked on request, charges apply)
– Bathroom with shower
– Air conditioning
– Daily room cleaning and towel change

Double or Twin Room
Sleeps: minimum 2, maximum 3
Comfortable, bright rooms ideal for couples or small groups of friends. Facilities match Family Rooms, including balcony, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, shower bathroom and daily housekeeping. Some may accommodate a third guest on a sofa bed or similar.

Comfort Double or Twin Room
Sleeps: minimum 2, maximum 3
These upgraded doubles/twins typically offer a refreshed look and a few extra comfort touches compared with the standard rooms, while keeping the same great core facilities: balcony, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, shower bathroom, coffee and tea setup and minibar (local charges).

Single Room
Sleeps: minimum 1, maximum 1
Ideal for solo travellers wanting their own space. Similar in style and facilities to the Double or Twin Rooms but tailored to single occupancy, with balcony, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and shower bathroom.

*Images indicative; layouts/views may vary.
Room views, exact layout and décor can differ within each type; you’ll be able to choose from the available options when you book.

🎤 Regular evening entertainment, including live music and karaoke (programme varies by season)
🏊 Rooftop and indoor swimming for relaxed days in and out of the sun
🧒 Family-friendly dining with kids’ buffet corner and highchairs
🚶 Strolls along the promenade linking Qawra and Bugibba, right from the hotel area
🎟️ Easy access to local attractions such as the Malta National Aquarium, Classic Car Museum and seafront lidos via a short walk or bus ride

🛎️ 24-hour reception and luggage storage
📰 English-language newspapers available (local charge)
🌐 Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
🧴 Spa with sauna, whirlpool, massages and beauty treatments (charges apply)
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly facilities including children’s buffet and highchairs in the restaurant
♻️ Certified Sustainable Hotel status, working to GSTC-recognised environmental and social standards at the time of last review

Qawra is a lively yet relaxed resort on Malta’s north-east coast, sharing a long seafront promenade with neighbouring Bugibba. Expect rocky swimming spots and lidos rather than classic sandy beaches, with warm, clear water ideal for snorkelling and boat trips around St Paul’s Bay.

Local language: Maltese and English
Currency: Euro (€)
Time difference: GMT +1 hour
Average flight time from UK: approx. 3.5 hours

Many facilities at Santana Hotel Malta – such as entertainment, pool opening dates and bar hours – are seasonal and may change depending on occupancy and local regulations. Some services and facilities carry an extra charge, payable locally.

For entry rules and health guidance see the UK FCDO Spain advice.

Santana Hotel Malta Prices & Book
Choose your dates in the search box for live availability and offers. Book with low deposits. ATOL Protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where exactly is Santana Hotel Malta and what is nearby?
Santana Hotel Malta is in the centre of Qawra on Malta’s north-east coast, close to the seafront promenade that links Qawra and Bugibba. Within walking distance you’ll find Bugibba Bay (around 450m), Qawra Point beach (around 950m), lidos, bars, restaurants, the Malta National Aquarium and local bus stops for exploring the island.

2. What does Half Board Plus include at Santana Hotel Malta?
Half Board Plus at Santana Hotel Malta typically includes buffet-style breakfast and dinner in the main restaurant. At dinner, you’ll usually have unlimited local beer, local wine, soft drinks and mineral water included. Exact offerings and times can change by season and hotel policy, so always check the latest details at check-in or when booking.

3. Is there a dress code for the restaurant?
A smart-casual dress code may apply in the buffet restaurant, particularly for dinner. Swimwear is not usually permitted inside, and guests are generally asked to wear footwear and cover-ups. Requirements can vary, so refer to the hotel information on arrival.

4. Is Santana Hotel Malta good for families with children?
Yes. The hotel offers spacious family rooms sleeping up to four, a children’s section in the outdoor rooftop pool, highchairs and a kids’ buffet area in the main restaurant, plus easy access to family-friendly attractions like the aquarium and seafront lidos. The indicative child age used for pricing is up to 12 years, although this may vary by season and offer.

5. Does Santana Hotel Malta have indoor and outdoor pools?
Santana Hotel Malta has both an outdoor rooftop freshwater pool with children’s section and sunbathing area, and an indoor freshwater pool which is especially useful in the cooler months. The rooftop pool usually operates between May and October, subject to weather and occupancy.

6. What wellness facilities are available at the hotel?
The hotel’s spa area includes a sauna and whirlpool, along with a range of massage and beauty treatments available for an extra charge. Typical opening hours are from 10:00 to 19:00, but these may vary by season and occupancy.

7. How long is the transfer from Malta International Airport to Santana Hotel Malta?
The transfer from Malta International Airport (MLA) to Santana Hotel Malta usually takes around 50 minutes by coach, depending on traffic and any additional drop-offs in resort. Private transfers may be slightly quicker.

8. Is Santana Hotel Malta a sustainable hotel?
Yes. Santana Hotel Malta is listed as a Certified Sustainable Hotel, which means that at the time of the most recent review it met a GSTC-recognised sustainability standard. This generally reflects efforts in areas such as energy and water use, waste reduction and support for the local community.

9. Is Wi-Fi free at Santana Hotel Malta?
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, including in guest rooms and public areas, making it straightforward to stay connected, stream or plan your days out around Malta.