Some hotels make an impression, and then some hotels make you exhale. Hilton Malta manages to do both. Tucked away on the edge of St. Julian’s, this grand, gleaming resort feels a world apart from the buzz of Malta’s liveliest district. Step through its revolving doors, and you’re met not with quiet formality, but with a reception alive with movement, laughter, and the rhythm of a resort that’s always awake. Beyond the lobby, the scene shifts: palm trees sway gently over a vast pool that overlooks the Mediterranean, shimmering in the sunlight like liquid glass.

It’s here, between the calm of the sea and the energy of the city, that Hilton Malta finds its rhythm: a five-star resort that manages to feel both luxurious and entirely welcoming — whether you’re here for a conference, a couple’s retreat, or, as we were, a family escape.

A Grand Arrival

Online photos hardly do Hilton Malta justice. Approaching the long, near-private drive, the property rises like a modern palace — grand but not ostentatious. The reception opens seamlessly into the Vista Lounge & Terrace, an airy space that serves as the resort’s social heart, lively with families, couples, and the occasional business traveller, but never chaotic. At the far end, glass doors open to a terrace overlooking the pool and Portomaso Marina, where yachts bob gently in the afternoon sun.

Everything about Hilton Malta whispers understated luxury. The atmosphere recalls a grand London hotel, tempered by Maltese warmth and sunlight.

A Resort that Truly Understands Families

Hilton Malta achieves a rare balance: genuine five-star sophistication with the relaxed inclusivity of a family resort. Families are not an afterthought here — they are part of the rhythm of the resort.

The outdoor area is vast and beautifully designed. The main pool curves gracefully toward the sea, surrounded by palm trees and sun loungers. Despite its size, the layout ensures that no corner feels crowded. The energy is warm and relaxed — children play at the water’s edge, parents chat over Aperol spritzes, and yet, somehow, the atmosphere remains calm and harmonious.

The design of the pool itself deserves praise. It’s shallow around most of the edge, gently sloping into deeper water at the centre — a thoughtful feature that allows young children to play safely while adults float nearby. A smaller children’s pool sits slightly apart, shallow throughout, providing peace of mind for parents and a sense of independence for little ones.

Families are not merely accommodated but celebrated. The pool towel hut sells inflatables, pool toys, and beach balls, a welcome convenience for parents whose little ones need additional entertainment. For those wanting to stay active, there’s no shortage of options. Tennis courts (with complimentary racquets), squash courts, a fitness centre, and indoor and outdoor pools ensure there’s something for every pace. The tennis court, we discovered, was often available — a quiet perk for guests who like a spontaneous match.

A Room that Made Space for Us All

Our family of five stayed in one of the hotel’s spacious guest rooms, and it exceeded expectations. Two large double beds, a cot, and still ample space to move around comfortably it struck an ideal balance between comfort and practicality. Thoughtful touches stood out: two separate wardrobes, plenty of drawer space, and a bathroom designed with families in mind, offering generous shelving and storage for everyone’s toiletries, towels, and toys.

But one of my favourite details was deceptively simple — a dedicated drinking-water tap by the sink. It might seem minor, but it made a major difference. No need to call for bottled water or make late-night trips to the shop. It’s convenient, eco-conscious, and perfectly aligned with Hilton’s global goal to halve its environmental footprint by 2030. A small change, but a meaningful one — and a sign of where true luxury is headed.

An Oasis Above the Sea

Outside, Hilton Malta feels like its own private world. The pool area is vast — a shimmering lagoon fringed by palms and sun loungers, set against the endless blue of the Mediterranean. There’s a sense of openness and calm that belies the hotel’s size. While St. Julian’s buzzes just beyond the front entrance, the pool terrace offers total tranquillity. Whether you’re reading by the water or watching yachts drift in and out of the marina, it’s hard to believe you’re mere minutes from Malta’s nightlife capital. This duality — vibrancy on one side, serenity on the other — is what makes Hilton Malta so special.

Myoka Spa: A Journey to Stillness

On the fourth floor, the Myoka Spa offers an escape within an escape — a quiet retreat where time seems to stretch. I booked the Jet Lag Package — a 75-minute treatment which combined a full-body massage with a mini facial.

My therapist, Minimol, was exceptional. I prefer a massage with firm, targeted pressure — the kind that truly releases tension — and she seemed to know exactly what was needed. After eight days of chasing a toddler around Malta, it was exactly the reset I had been craving.

The facial, which followed, was anything but “mini.” It included a double cleanse, exfoliation, and layers of moisturiser, leaving my skin soft and glowing. The products were beautifully subtle — clean and calming without that overpowering spa scent — and left me feeling restored, not greasy.

By the end of the massage, I was so relaxed I was on the verge of sleep — and would have happily drifted off if not gently asked to turn over for my facial. I left feeling like a new person… or perhaps more accurately, a slippery dolphin gliding back to the spa lounge to sip a post-massage glass of prosecco, basking in that perfect post-treatment haze.

And the true sign of a massage that worked? The next morning, I could still feel where the tension had been released — a touch of lingering soreness, the good kind — and I found myself drinking glass after glass of water to rehydrate. Proof, as any seasoned spa-goer knows, that it did exactly what it was meant to.

A Feast for Every Appetite

Breakfast at Hilton Malta is an experience in itself — a celebration of abundance and variety that somehow manages not to feel overwhelming.

I can’t think of anything I’d have wanted that wasn’t there. There were freshly pressed smoothies, piping-hot pastries (the apple turnovers, crisp and buttery, still warm from the oven, a personal favourite), and live cooking stations serving made-to-order omelettes and sizzling shakshuka crowned with fried eggs.

Children, too, were front of minds. A low-level self-service station was designed specifically for them, stocked with kid favourites — mini cereal boxes, baked beans, hash browns, sausages, and strawberry milk — all within easy reach. It was more than a charming touch; it encouraged independence and made breakfast a joy for families rather than a juggling act.

An Encounter with the Blue Elephant

Although I didn’t dine there, I couldn’t resist exploring Hilton Malta’s Blue Elephant Restaurant, the hotel’s signature Thai venue. Stepping inside felt like entering another world — waterfalls cascading between tables, a stream running through the centre filled with koi carp, and candlelight flickering across carved wooden bridges. The room buzzed with life; every table was full, the air fragrant with spice and warmth. Even from a brief visit, it was clear that Blue Elephant isn’t just a restaurant, but an experience — one that brings a touch of Thai theatre to the Mediterranean coast.

Moments That Stay with You

For all its grandeur, what truly defines Hilton Malta is its humanity — the quiet, unexpected gestures that reveal genuine hospitality. One evening, as we were getting ready for dinner, my stepson waited in the Vista Lounge. The hotel’s General Manager noticed him sitting alone and took the time to join him, chatting warmly before ordering him a hot chocolate — unprompted.

It was a small moment, but it captured the spirit of this hotel perfectly. Despite its size, Hilton Malta never feels impersonal. The staff move with purpose but also with kindness, the sort that can’t be taught — it’s simply part of the culture here.

Events, Energy, and Community

Hilton Malta is more than a hotel; it’s a gathering place. With its many event spaces and conference rooms, it often plays host to celebrations and corporate occasions. During our stay, a Halloween party was taking place in one of the side halls — lively, colourful, and full of energy, but completely self-contained.

In hindsight, I wish we’d joined — the décor and laughter spilling from the hall suggested it was great fun, and my daughter would have loved it. A word to future guests: check the hotel’s events calendar before your stay. You might find something delightful you didn’t expect.

A Resort for Every Type of Traveller

Hilton Malta is a rare gem in that it caters seamlessly to families, couples, and business travellers without compromising on any front. For families, it’s a paradise of safety, space, and inclusivity. For couples, it’s an elegant Mediterranean escape with endless views and refined dining. For professionals, the array of conference facilities ensures every need is met with quiet efficiency.

And yet, despite all its grandeur — the polished marble, the glimmering chandeliers, the vast pool terraces — the Hilton never loses its human touch. Every smile feels genuine; every gesture, sincere. That, more than anything, is what elevates it beyond a five-star stay.

Final Reflections

Hilton Malta isn’t just a hotel — it’s a resort that feels like a small, sunlit world of its own. From the palm-fringed pool and the laughter of children echoing softly through the air, to Myoka Spa’s serenity and the generosity of the breakfast buffet, it embodies everything a Mediterranean escape should be: effortless, relaxed, and radiant with warmth.

It’s a place where five-star service meets the freedom of resort living — where you can play, unwind, and simply be.

And when the time comes to leave, don’t be surprised if you find yourself lingering at the edge of the pool, reluctant to step back into the world beyond the palm trees. Because Hilton Malta doesn’t just welcome you — it holds you, for a while, in its calm, golden glow.

W: Hilton Malta Hotel in St Julian’s
T: +356 2138 3383
E: Reservations

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Written by Luxuria Lifestyle’s Sam Mead