Riviera Spa Resort

Riviera Spa Resort is an adults-only four-star resort on Marfa Bay in the far north of Malta, near Mellieħa, on a stretch of coast that is much quieter than the built-up resort towns further south. It is a good choice for couples and groups of adults who want a restful, seaside holiday with a spa and several places to eat, and who are happy to trade the buzz of Sliema or Valletta for sea air and open views. The setting is rural and by the sea, and from here the island’s best sandy beaches and the ferry to Gozo and Comino are much closer than they are from the capital. The rooms include standard double or twin rooms with balconies, some with a pool view or a partial sea view, deluxe rooms with a sea view, junior studio suites and rooms with a bay view. Ask for a sea-view room if you want to wake to the water, since the views are the main reason to stay in this part of the island. Facilities include a heated indoor pool with an integrated jacuzzi, a seasonal outdoor pool open in the warmer months, a fitness centre and the Carisma Spa and Wellness, which offers a Finnish sauna, steam room and thalassotherapy treatments. Free parking is available for guests who arrive by car. Eating and drinking are well covered on site, which is important in a quiet location. The resort has the Mirasol buffet restaurant, the Osteria Tropea Italian restaurant with a terrace, the Byblos Lebanese restaurant, the Comino Sunset Bar, a lobby lounge bar, a cafe and a poolside bar. Check what meal plan your rate includes when you book.

The northern coast is the best reason to choose this hotel. Paradise Bay, Mellieħa Bay, Armier Bay and the beaches beyond are all within a short drive, and the Red Tower, the old watchtower on the ridge above the sea, is also close. The village of Mellieħa, with its hilltop church and traditional streets, is nearby, and Popeye Village, the famous film-set village at Anchor Bay, is only a few minutes away by car.

Boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon, and ferries to Gozo from the Ċirkewwa terminal, are also easy to reach, which makes the resort a convenient launch point for island-hopping.

The compromise is distance. Valletta, Mdina and the main heritage sites are roughly an hour’s drive or bus ride away, and the airport is also about an hour by road, so this hotel works best for stays built around relaxing, swimming and the north of the island, perhaps combined with one or two day trips.

If you want to sightsee heavily on the main island, consider splitting your stay: a few nights here for beaches and quiet, and a few nights in Valletta or Sliema for culture and nightlife. Having a hire car makes the north much easier, though buses and taxis are available.

Remember that the hotel is for adults only, so it is not the right choice if you are travelling with children. The seasonal outdoor pool is open in the warmer months, so check the dates if a swim is important. Rates are higher in summer and lower in spring and autumn, when the sea is still pleasant and the coast is calm. A sea-view room and a spa treatment make this a pleasant way to slow down.