Malta packs an astonishing amount into a tiny island: a UNESCO-listed capital, 7,000 years of history, warm sea and some of the best year-round sunshine in Europe, all just over three hours from the UK. And because the island is so compact, where you stay shapes your whole holiday.
Here’s our guide to the best areas, with ten of our highest-rated hotels, from grand five-star Valletta to rooftop pools in Sliema and beachfront stays in Mellieħa.
You’ll find on this page
- Where to stay in Malta: Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Qawra and Mellieħa compared
- Ten top hotels, including five-star, rooftop-pool and adults-only picks
- Quick verdicts for luxury, sightseeing, the beach and value
- A comparison table and answers to common questions
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Phoenicia Malta The Leading Hotels of the World | Valletta, Malta and Gozo | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.6/5 | No |
| Rosselli AX Privilege | Valletta, Malta and Gozo | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.6/5 | No |
| Hyatt Centric Malta | St Julians, Malta and Gozo | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.8/5 | No |
| Hyatt Regency Malta | St Julians, Malta and Gozo | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Courtyard by Marriott Sliema | Sliema, Malta and Gozo | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.9/5 | No |
| Verdi Gzira Promenade | Sliema, Malta and Gozo | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.7/5 | No |
| AX ODYCY | Qawra, Malta and Gozo | 4★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board Plus | 4.8/5 | Yes |
| Best Western Premier Malta | Qawra, Malta and Gozo | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Seaview Hotel | St Paul’s Bay, Malta and Gozo | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | Yes |
| Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Malta Golden Sands | Mellieha, Malta and Gozo | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Where to stay in Malta
Valletta: the honey-stone capital, perfect for culture, restaurants and grand hotels. Sliema and Gżira: a lively seafront promenade, shopping and ferries to Valletta. St Julian’s: Malta’s dining and nightlife hub around Spinola Bay. Qawra and St Paul’s Bay: relaxed seaside resorts with great-value hotels. Mellieħa: in the north, near Malta’s best sandy beaches and the ferry to Gozo.
Our top picks
1. The Phoenicia Malta The Leading Hotels of the World
- Valletta, Malta and Gozo
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, The Phoenicia is Valletta’s classic grand hotel, with elegant style, an infinity pool and superb dining just outside the city gates.
Best for: Classic luxury and sightseeing
2. Rosselli AX Privilege
- Valletta, Malta and Gozo
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Set in a 17th-century building in the heart of Valletta, Rosselli has Michelin-starred dining and a rooftop panoramic terrace.
Best for: Foodies and history lovers
3. Hyatt Centric Malta
- St Julians, Malta and Gozo
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Hyatt Centric Malta in St Julian’s has a rooftop pool and bar and a boutique spa, right in the centre of the island’s dining and nightlife scene.
Best for: Couples who like to go out
4. Hyatt Regency Malta
- St Julians, Malta and Gozo
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Overlooking the Augustinian priory in St Julian’s, Hyatt Regency Malta has a rooftop pool and terrace, an indoor pool and wellness centre, and rooms with lounge access available.
Best for: Five-star comfort in St Julian’s
5. Courtyard by Marriott Sliema
- Sliema, Malta and Gozo
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Close to the Sliema promenade with a rooftop pool, Courtyard by Marriott is rated superbly by guests, an easy and stylish base for exploring the island.
Best for: A great-value city-and-sea base
6. Verdi Gzira Promenade
- Sliema, Malta and Gozo
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Stylish and right on the Gżira promenade, Verdi has a small rooftop pool and views across to Valletta.
Best for: Waterfront walks and Valletta views
7. AX ODYCY
- Qawra, Malta and Gozo
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
- Adults only
AX ODYCY in Qawra has adults-only rooftop infinity pools and stunning sea views, plus an on-site aquapark for families.
Best for: A bit of everything in Qawra
8. Best Western Premier Malta
- Qawra, Malta and Gozo
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Best Western Premier Malta in Qawra has a rooftop pool and bar, a laid-back atmosphere and a restaurant with panoramic views.
Best for: Relaxed seaside value
9. Seaview Hotel
- St Paul’s Bay, Malta and Gozo
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
- Adults only
Adults-only with a rooftop infinity pool and spectacular sea views, Seaview Hotel in St Paul’s Bay has great dining options.
Best for: Grown-up relaxation
10. Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Malta Golden Sands
- Mellieha, Malta and Gozo
- 4-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
With direct access to the beach at Golden Sands and panoramic views, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in Mellieħa has a great range of facilities and three restaurants.
Best for: Beach lovers and families
When to go
Malta is a year-round destination. April to June and September to October are ideal for sightseeing and swimming, while winter is mild and perfect for a city break. Flights from the UK take about three and a quarter hours.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 44 hotels in Malta. To build this list we started with every hotel on the island, from grand five-stars to boutique stays, then read what our guests say: every hotel here scores highly on TripAdvisor. We spread our picks across different resorts so you can compare areas, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices and room types change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Things to do in Malta
Explore Valletta’s Grand Harbour and St John’s Co-Cathedral, wander the silent city of Mdina, take a boat to the Blue Lagoon on Comino, visit the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum and the megalithic temples, and spend a day on Gozo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Malta?
Valletta for culture and grand hotels, St Julian’s for nightlife and dining, Sliema for a lively seafront, and Mellieħa for the best sandy beaches.
What is the best luxury hotel in Malta?
The Phoenicia in Valletta, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, is Malta’s classic luxury hotel.
Does Malta have sandy beaches?
Yes. The best are in the north, around Mellieħa and Golden Sands.
Are there adults-only hotels in Malta?
Yes. Seaview Hotel in St Paul’s Bay is adults-only, and AX ODYCY has adults-only rooftop pools.
Find your Malta holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer where to stay.
Keep planning
- All Malta holidays
- Cyprus holidays
- Where to stay in Cyprus
- Malta vs Cyprus
- Best winter-sun hotels under 5 hours
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
