a family-friendly seaside stay in historic Saint Julian’s

Some come to Malta for its rich history and culture, others for the sunshine, which is some of the most reliable in all of Europe. Hilton Malta gives you access to both — it’s near to the historic capital Valletta, the old walled city Mdina and many of the island’s myriad ancient ruins, but also plummily located on the coast in R&R capital Saint Julian’s. With four pools, a beach club and half a dozen dining outlets among its long list of features, it’s a natural pick for families seeking maximum flexibility. It’s a big, busy hotel so you’d forgive staff for being a bit frazzled — and yet the service is enduringly cheery.

Overall score 8/10

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Rooms and suites

A Relaxation Suite at Hilton Malta

DARREN AGIUS

Score 7/10
The lean is towards functionality rather than character, but still you can expect clean white lines, big windows that let the light flood in and accents of sea blue in carpets and throw pillows. Bathrooms carry on the seaside colour scheme, with big mirrors and bright lighting. Many room categories sleep three or four people, making families particularly well-catered for, though dedicated spa rooms with terrace hot tubs mean couples can find a romantic hideaway here too. Pricier room categories come with access to an Executive Lounge, set on the ninth floor overlooking the marina, which is open for complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and pre-dinner drinks. The King Deluxe Room with Garden View is the entry level, but you’ll often find the family rooms come in at the same price; both have terraces or balconies. Naturally, rooms with sea or marina views cost more.

Food and drink

Dishes at the Blue Elephant

Score 8/10
For families who can’t face venturing out, or couples returning from a busy day of sightseeing, Hilton Malta dishes up myriad options in-house. A branch of international Thai group Blue Elephant offers good set menus (try the Bangkok Symphony and taste a dozen greatest-hits dishes) against a film-set backdrop of coy ponds, faux temples and tropical greenery. Catch-all Mediterranean cuisine is on the menu at Oceana (a buffet with pasta and carvery), and other bar spaces serve up eclectic nibbles, coffees and cocktails. The breakfast buffet is extensive, with all the fry-up classics you could want as well as an omelette station. It gets very busy, however, so you’ll need to rise early if you want to bag one of the few tranquil outdoor tables overlooking the pool.

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What else is there?

The hotel’s Quarterdeck Bar

Score 9/10
Assuming your MO is “resort R&R”, then plenty. There are three outdoor pools gazing out over the Mediterranean waters, including a dedicated children’s splash pool, plus a seasonally open adults-only beach club with watersports attached to the hotel grounds. A spa has treatments running from energy healing sessions to hammam scrub-downs, while a health club comes with an indoor pool, more than 30 fitness classes per week and a tournament-grade Laykold Masters tennis court. Plenty of open space, both in the hotel lobby and throughout the grounds, keeps you from going stir-crazy, even if you’re spending whole days on site without venturing further afield.

Where is it?

Score 7/10
Right on the island’s eastern shoreline, in the resort area of Saint Julian’s. With its new-build architecture and energetic nightlife scene the town isn’t everyone’s ideal Maltese base, but the central location, 12km from the airport, less than 10km north of capital Valletta and 13km from picturesque Mdina means highlights are still within easy reach if you’re craving history and culture. The immediate vicinity has a small beach at St George’s Bay and many restaurants, including good steak and seafood spot Caviar & Bull. But if you want to tick off island wonders like the Unesco-listed Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and opulent St John’s Co-Cathedral, you’re best off hiring a car as public transport options are limited and taxi availability can be reduced during gridlocked rush hours.

Price B&B doubles from £123
Restaurant mains from £13 (Blue Elephant)
Family-friendly Y
Accessible Y

Alicia Miller was a guest of Hilton Malta (hilton.com)

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Publish date : 2024-08-13 07:00:00

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