The Hilton Malta is one of the best family hotels in Malta. It’s also one of the best hotels for couples. It’s an all-round kind of hotel that seems to tick all the boxes for most people, including those who also stay here for business.
With its close proximity to the capital Valletta and other important cities on the island, it is the perfect hotel to base yourself. However, at the Hilton Malta, you can also choose to stay here and never feel as though you have to leave, for anything.
With exceptional service and a feeling that the staff genuinely care about their guests, it is the perfect place to stay on your next holiday to Malta. It’s perfect even for weekend breaks in Malta.
The rooms
The Hilton Malta has a great range of rooms covering the more budget-conscious travellers, with garden view, lower level rooms. As the rooms get higher, the views, of both the marina and the ocean improves and the price, naturally, increases. All have a light, airy feel to them and are decorated with modern furnishings that are representative of the Mediterranean.
To see the inside of the executive room we stayed in, click here to read our review.
The pools
The Hilton Malta is awash with pools! Apart from the giant pool (the Mediterranean) that is almost encasing the Hilton Malta, there are also four outdoor swimming pools, two children’s pools and a heated indoor pool. They are large enough to fit in the swarm of visitors that flock here each year without feeling overcrowded.
The centre of the resort has a large pool and pool area, complete with bar. There are plenty of lounges and umbrellas, which can be taken each day from the pool shop. Beach towels are not provided in individual rooms. Towel passes are exchanged at the pool shop for a towel and returned to you when you take the towel back. Failure to do so will see a charge applied to your final bill.
My favourite pool was the one right on the sea. There’s something quite nice about swimming in a pool overlooking the waves crashing into rocks below.
The pool shop has a range of kids pool activities and toys for sale as well as beach wear.
Dining and drinking
Whether you are after formal dining or a more relaxed option, the Hilton Malta has got your options covered.
Lobby Lounge Cafe
The Lobby Lounge has a range of casual dining options including pastries, ice cream, hot drinks and drinks from the bar. There is informal seating within the lobby or balcony seating with views of the resort.
Aqua Bar
Located poolside on the main resort pool, this bar provides pool snacks for those spending a lazy day by the pool. Depending on your energy levels, you can walk up to the bar to order or have waiter service at your pool lounge.
The Blue Elephant
The Blue Elephant is a Thai restaurant open to both the public and hotel guests. With premium Thai food and a wondrous setting that transports you to Thailand, it’s a restaurant worthy of a visit.
Read all about our Thai food buffet at the Blue Elephant.
Merkanti Beach Club
The Merkanti Beach Club Restaurant is also located down on the waterfront. It’s a casual place to relax with some light food or a drink and away from the larger crowds sitting by the main pool. There is also access to the Portomaso Marina from here, as well as the rocky shoreline.
Oceana Restaurant
Located on the lower ground, Oceana Restaurant is both relaxed and fine dining. By day, it features the full buffet breakfast and casual lunch options. In the evening, the restaurant cooks up some amazing fine dining with a blend of modern and traditional Maltese cuisine.
Click here to read more about our dining experience at Oceana Restaurant
Quarterdeck Bar
This bar is just gorgeous. The ceiling will have you staring at it for hours. Be sure to have a glass of wine or one of their special cocktails in your hand as you become enveloped by the plush leather chairs. On Thursday nights, the bar comes alive with a Gin and Jazz event which is well attended by both the public and guests.
Business facilities and conference rooms
Like any major hotel, there are numerous conference and meeting rooms, designed to suit every purpose. Rooms can be cordoned off to form smaller rooms or can take the size of ballrooms for larger events. There are video conferencing facilities and a business centre for everyday business requirements.
Staying healthy
With a variety of pools, both indoor and out a wellness centre and a day spa, there’s no reason why your health shouldn’t be a priority during your stay at the Hilton Malta.
Hilton Malta hotel checklist
Location – Address: Vjal Portomaso, St Julian’s PTM 01, Malta
The hotel is located approximately 11km from the Malta International Airport.
If driving from the airport, take the main road following the signs to Valletta. After passing through Marsa, take the Sliema Exit and follow the signs to St. Julians. Then enter Paceville and drive towards the Portomaso Tower. It’s the largest tower in this area and dominates the skyline so you can’t miss it.
Without traffic, the trip only takes 20-30 minutes. Note that traffic congestion is horrific in Malta, particularly during morning and evening peak hours. If travelling in either direction, make sure you leave plenty of time to get there.
A reliable taxi service is available from both locations. Limousines or rental cars may also be organised through the hotel. If self-driving, parking is available on-site.
Getting there
Malta is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 90km south of Sicily and 300km north of Africa. It is accessible by air within a few hours from most European cities. Air Malta is the national airline but budget airlines such as Ryan Air and Easyjet also fly in and out. Ferries operate between Sicily and those who have yachts can pull up at a variety of well-positioned marinas around the island.
Checking in
Check-in is from 3 pm and check-out is from 12 noon
Nearby areas
The hotel is located within the trendy Portmaso area and is surrounded by many dining options, both around the marina and in the village. The Portomaso Casino is also closeby. The Hilton Malta is perfectly located for catching the public bus into Valletta and other parts of the island. It is also the perfect base for general sightseeing around Malta.
Pros
It’s perfectly located, is modern, clean and has plenty of facilities. The customer service here is at a very high level and there is a genuine family feel throughout this resort. The existence of many families returning year after year to this hotel is proof of this.
Cons
Wifi is not provided as part of the room rate as a general rule. It is provided free of charge in all public areas or if you are a Hilton Honors member.
Click here for prices, availability, reviews and to book online.
Travel guides
We still find travel resources like these useful. All may be purchased online.
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Malta and Gozo (Pocket Travel Guide
More reading
If you want to get more out of your stay in Malta, check out these other articles.
- What to do in Valletta – 24 hours in the Maltese capital.
- What to see in Malta – the perfect itinerary for a short stay
- The Three Cities of Malta – Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea
- The southern Maltese cities of Marsaxlokk, Dingli, Mdina and the Blue Grotto
- The best things to do in Gozo
- The food experience at the Hilton Malta – St Julians
Book your flight: Flights are an important part of travel and we’re always looking for the best deals. If you can travel mid-week and be flexible, you’ll often find great deals on flights. We also use Skyscanner and Expedia for flight bookings. Dollar Flight Club is a great resource for getting special advance offers and even error fares directly to your inbox.
Book your accommodation: We all love to stay in different places, from the comfort of a self-contained apartment or house to a resort or luxury hotel. Sometimes we need something quick, easy and comfortable for an overnight stay.
We use all of the following online booking portals depending on where we want to stay and the type of accommodation we are looking for.
- VRBO and Stayz (in Australia) – great for holiday rentals of more than seven days and often have discounts for longer periods.
- Booking.com and Expedia – two of our favourites due to their cancellation and refund policies.
- Trip Advisor – perfect for getting reviews, checking availability and pricing comparisons all in one place.
Book your rental car or motorhome: We always use Discover Rental Cars anywhere in the world for car hire. Anywhere Campers is our preferred motorhome hiring company in Europe, especially if you want to be able to pickup and drop off at different locations (even countries) in Europe. If you’d like to buy your own motorhome in France, we use and recommend France Motorhome Sales. Use our code FMS1022 or tell John we sent you!
Book a tour: We travel independently, but when we do book we book them with reputable companies who have a great cancellation and refund policy. If you are looking for advance tickets to an attraction, group or private tours, we use and recommend Get Your Guide and Viator. Both have a great range of tours and flexible cancellation policies. If you are looking to do a food tour in Europe, we also recommend Eating Europe Tours.
Be covered: We always travel with travel insurance. We did it before the pandemic and it’s even more important for us to do so now. We use Cover-More in Australia. SafetyWing has great rates for travellers who are away from home for extended periods.
Be ready: Make sure you pack a few essentials: universal adaptor, power bank and noise-cancelling headphones
Thanks to the Hilton Malta for the provision of some of the images on this page and for providing such a wonderful place to stay. All opinions are always my own.