Set upon seven acres of lush semi-tropical gardens on the outskirts of San Lawrenz village, Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz has been the crown jewel of Gozo, Malta’s perennially sunny, idyllic second-largest island, for more than 20 years. Built of yellow limestone and framed by palm trees that surround a series of oasis-like pools, the classically designed luxury property exudes elegance from the moment you enter the grounds. The 137 rooms and suites are tastefully appointed in soothing neutral tones, each with brown marble bathrooms and balconies. The spa is a sanctuary, with a full indoor hydrotherapy circuit, a Turkish hammam, and one of Europe’s largest ayurvedic centers. There’s an excellent fitness facility and two outdoor tennis courts. Hotel dining includes L’Ortolan and Il-Baldakkin Bistro and Lounge, Mediterranean restaurants that feature locally sourced meat and seafood and organic produce grown on the grounds; Gazebo, a seasonal alfresco grill; and The Pool Bar, a warm-weather spot serving refreshing cocktails and snacks to replenish you after a swim.
READ MOREEnjoy views of Spinola Bay at Hotel Juliani, set in a historic stone building about a 12-minute walk from Balluta Bay Beach. This Malta hotel features 65 accommodations, some with panoramic bay vistas, and three types of designer suites, one of which has a traditional gallarija (closed wooden balcony). The family-run boutique hotel also contains a gym; Café Juliani, located in the lobby, serves housemade pasta as well as drinks that you can take to the rooftop pool; and Zest, an Asian and Japanese-Peruvian restaurant (Zest is not inside the hotel, but it’s in the same building and is owned by the property).
READ MORETucked inside the leafy Wied Ghollieqa Nature Reserve, Urban Valley Resort & Spa gives you easy access to the great outdoors (including the largest population of Malta’s endangered national tree, the sandarac gum). Yet, its central location also puts you close to the island’s most popular and visited sites. When it comes time to return to the Malta hotel, make use of the tennis courts, archery offerings and spa, which includes a pinewood sauna, steam room, indoor heated pool, fitness area and three treatment rooms. For cocktails, try Thistle Lounge Bar or alfresco Viento, and for meals, make a beeline for Silver Heron or the seasonal Tri Bistro. Elsewhere on the property, you’ll find amenities like a greenhouse and gardens, two large freshwater outdoor pools — one of which is for children — and a spacious deck overlooking the nature reserve. The most luxurious overnight options are the penthouses with marble floors, roomy terraces and outdoor sun loungers.
READ MORELocated in the center of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Falconeria Hotel is close to many of the capital city’s gems, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, museums, restaurants and bars. But the Malta hotel has its own draws: it resides in a rococo-style structure that dates to the 1500s, and some of the building’s historical elements have been preserved, including a limestone lion at the bottom of the marble staircase and an original cistern that makes up La Falconeria’s plunge pool. The back half of the hotel was destroyed in World War II, so it feels more modern even with the historical touches, and an open-air courtyard sits in the middle. Among the 43 rooms, the executive suites are the highlight — they come with a large terrace overlooking the cityscape or Marsamxett Harbour. Other onsite amenities include a gym and a lounge.
READ MOREThe 280-room MARITIM Antonine Hotel & Spa occupies a prime terrace-level location in the coastal village of Mellieha. This Malta hotel offers views of the Mediterranean Sea as well as the islands of Gozo and Comino. Onsite amenities include two outdoor pools, one set in the hotel’s gardens or another on the rooftop, along with sun beds. An indoor pool is in the renovated Marion Mizzi Wellbeing spa. The wellness facility also includes steam and sauna areas, a fitness center and rooms for therapeutic treatments. The village's popular beach is more than a half-mile away and easily reached either by foot or by utilizing the hotel's complimentary shuttle service during the summer months.
READ MOREOverlooking the seafront in the St. Julian's resort area, Golden Tulip Vivaldi includes 263 spacious rooms, most with ocean views from balconies. Amenities at this Malta hotel include a panoramic rooftop terrace with a pool (open seasonally), indoor heated pool, sauna, steam rooms and spa rooms for treatments. For dining, there is Antonio’s on the hotel’s main floor for à la carte meals and a buffet, and the Al Settimo Cielo Rooftop Bar and Restaurant. Or opt for Rhapsody Bar for cocktails and light bites.
READ MOREAX The Palace sits in the center of Sliema, a resort town on Malta’s northeast coast. This Malta hotel is roughly a five-minute walk from the Mediterranean Sea and features 149 stylish rooms, including luxury Designer Suites, each themed around one of the five senses. On-site amenities include an infinity rooftop pool, an indoor freshwater pool, a sauna, a steam room, a spa and a fitness center. When it’s time for dining, enjoy Asian-inspired dishes in the ninth-floor TemptAsian or cocktails and sushi at the seasonal Lounge 360, located on the hotel’s highest floor next to the infinity pool with panoramic city and sea views.
READ MOREAX The Saint John Boutique embraces Malta’s history. It resides in a 17th-century townhouse, which was once a merchant’s home and shop, and is also close to downtown Valletta, the island country’s capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 21 rooms at this Malta hotel perfectly combine luxury and style as well a bit of history with black-and-white photos of Valletta’s past and old-fashioned Bakelite-style telephones with push buttons. Next door to AX The Saint John is the hotel’s Cheeky Monkey Gastropub, open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Menu highlights include smoked salmon and Monkey Nibbles — gourmet mini-burgers.
READ MOREHead to Sliema’s AX The Victoria Hotel to be close to the seafront and the town’s main promenade, where you will discover bars, restaurants and fashion boutiques. Accommodations at this Malta hotel range from classic rooms (some with balconies) to executive suites with terraces and saunas. Unwind at the modern property’s spa, indoor and outdoor pools, or fitness center. For dining, try Copperfield’s Restaurant for afternoon tea or an all-inclusive buffet, or Penny Black Bar for pub-style appetizers and dishes.
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