Hilton Malta

Hilton Malta is the big-brand, full-service option on the island, and it suits travellers who want everything in one place. It sits on the Portomaso peninsula in St Julian’s, a landscaped waterfront development with a marina, shops and restaurants, and its tower rises above the bay. The hotel has several hundred rooms and suites, most with balconies or terraces, and the sea-facing rooms look across the water towards Sliema and Valletta. Rooms are modern, spacious and comfortable, with the dependable standards you would expect of the brand, and the higher floors and executive rooms add lounge access and extra views. The facilities are what set it apart. There are outdoor pools set among terraces and sun loungers, a lido-style area close to the water, a health club and spa with treatments, and a fitness centre for those who want to keep up their routine. Dining is varied, with a main restaurant for breakfast and buffets, casual cafés and bars with sea views, and the marina’s restaurants within a short stroll. Families will find it easy, with space to spread out and plenty to do without leaving the grounds, and business travellers will appreciate the meeting facilities.

Portomaso is polished and convenient rather than historic, so this is a good base for a beach-and-sightseeing mix rather than a stay in the atmosphere of the old city. The lively bars and clubs of Paceville are a short walk away, which can mean evening noise on summer weekends in some rooms, so ask for a quieter side if that matters. Valletta is a short taxi or bus ride, or you can take the ferry from nearby Sliema, and the airport is about twenty minutes by road in normal traffic.

Choose a sea-view room if the budget allows, and look at packages that include breakfast, since the buffet is wide-ranging and sets you up for a day of sightseeing. Rates are higher in peak summer and during major events, and the hotel is often a good option in the shoulder seasons when the pools are still pleasant and prices ease. It will suit families, groups and anyone who values reliable service and facilities over local character, and combines well with a few days in Valletta or Gozo.

Think about how you will spend your days. If you plan to sightsee heavily, the daily commute to Valletta will add up, and a night or two in the capital may suit better. If your priority is a pool, a spa and an easy base with a choice of restaurants, this is hard to beat, and the nearby marina is a pleasant place for an evening walk and dinner by the water.