Novotel Malta Sliema

Novotel Malta Sliema is a modern four-star hotel on Sir Frederick Ponsonby Street in Gzira, the neighbourhood that sits between Sliema and Valletta along Marsamxett Harbour. Despite the name, it is a few minutes’ walk from the Sliema shopping streets rather than on the seafront, and that position is part of its appeal: you are central, close to shops and restaurants, and often at a better price than the best-placed waterfront rooms. It is a reliable, contemporary international hotel with the sort of consistent standards that appeal to families, business travellers and anyone who prefers predictability. The rooms range from standard, superior and executive doubles with a sofa bed, which are good for a couple with a child, to family rooms with two double beds and several suites, some with balconies. The suites give extra space for longer stays, and the family rooms are among the most useful in this part of Malta, where many hotel rooms are small. The hotel has both an indoor and an outdoor pool, so it is useful all year, and a 24-hour gym and spa services help you unwind after a day of sightseeing. Free WiFi is available throughout, and there is a coworking space and meeting facilities, which also make it a practical choice for travellers who need to work. Dining is easy on site, with a restaurant, a coffee shop and a bar and lounge. Breakfast is generally charged separately from the room rate, so check what is included when you book. The hotel can arrange an airport shuttle on request, and there is parking nearby for an extra fee.

Gzira is a residential and shopping district rather than a postcard resort, and it works best as a practical, well-connected base. Walking to the pedestrian shopping area around Manwel Dimech Street takes only a few minutes, and the Sliema promenade is a pleasant walk along the water. St Julian’s and Balluta Bay can also be reached on foot, though it is a longer stroll.

For Valletta, you can use the ferry from the Sliema side or the harbour-side bus routes, and the capital is a short journey from the door. The airport is a straightforward drive of about twenty minutes in normal traffic.

This hotel is a strong choice for families, thanks to its larger rooms and two pools, and for travellers who want a quieter night than they would find in the heart of Paceville or the Sliema strip. It is also good for people who plan to move around the island, since buses and taxis are easy to find nearby.

If you are looking for old-world atmosphere or a seafront terrace, look instead at the boutique hotels of Valletta or the seafront hotels along the Sliema coast. If you want comfort, space and sensible rates, this is a good fit.

A few practical tips will help you get the most from your stay. Ask for a higher floor if you want a better view and a quieter room, and request a family room or a suite early in the season if you are travelling with children, since the larger rooms are the first to fill. The hotel is smoke-free and does not accept pets, other than service animals. Rates are lower outside the high summer months, and you may find good packages in spring and autumn, when the islands are warm but less crowded.