"Why we love it: A 19th-century palazzo-turned-boutique-hotel that’s full of sophisticated details The Highlights: - Historic details like restored tiles, antique furniture, and traditional Maltese wooden balconies - Guestrooms with deep-soaking tubs or Jacuzzis - A central location just off Valletta’s main drag The Review: Formerly home to the Ellul family, this Victorian-period palazzo is now an exceedingly charming boutique stay that’s a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Fourth-generation brothers Matthew and Andrew Ellul converted the property, which sits on a quiet but easily accessible side street, into nine luxurious guestrooms, each uniquely decorated with restored Maltese tiles, wrought iron accents, richly hued rugs, and antiques sourced from around the world. Rooms also feature original works by local artist Ritty Tacsum as well as either a private terrace or traditional Maltese wooden balcony. One suite even has a piano, while several others boast free-standing bathtubs or Jacuzzis. In keeping with the Casa Ellul’s family-owned ethos, service here is friendly and personalized, making guests feel as if they’re staying in a friend’s home."

"Why we love it: A beautifully restored 17th-century palazzo offering luxurious rooms and attentive service The Highlights: - A gourmet breakfast spread served daily in the grand dining room - A third-floor terrace with a bird’s-eye view of the historic opera house next door - Weekly happy hour with the general manager, complete with canapés and drinks The Review: A five-year-long renovation turned this 17th-century palazzo into an elegant, 21-room hotel, located on the central Republic Street next to the former Royal Opera House. The hotel’s well-preserved architecture is especially apparent in the beautiful lobby and dining room, where a breakfast of eggs, cheese, meat, fruit, and freshly baked croissants is served each morning (guests often report smelling the delicious spread upon waking). Elsewhere in the hotel, jewel-toned furniture, plush carpets, gilded frames, and Venetian chandeliers accent historic details, lending the property a luxurious feel. Up on the third floor, a terrace offers ample seating and expansive city views. Guests can choose from four room types—including duplex suites with two bathrooms and separate sitting areas—each outfitted with embroidered linens, heated floors, marble bathrooms, and classic furniture in muted tones. Should they need help during their stay, they can also look forward to an extremely friendly staff, who will greet them with a handwritten welcome note and an invitation to a weekly happy hour with the hotel’s general manager."

"Why we love it: A centrally located stay with spacious rooms, a serene spa, and a rooftop pool The Highlights: - Uniquely designed rooms with themes like the ocean, romance, and travel - Spacious courtyard and rooftop spaces with ample seating - An underground spa with a pool, Jacuzzi, and steam room The Review: Palazzo Consiglia may look unassuming from the outside, but within the hotel guests find 13 spacious rooms, a central courtyard, a small restaurant serving a tasty breakfast, and a cave-like spa with an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and steam room. Housed in a traditional Maltese townhouse, the property even features a rooftop with a mini pool, a cozy reading nook, and a winter sundeck—not to mention a central Valetta location. Each guestroom here features a unique theme and design. The Industriale room embodies the 1920s with period furniture and metalwork-print wallpaper, while the Mediterranea includes lots of deep blues and bronzes for a luxurious seaside feel. No matter the décor, rooms also come with modern conveniences like well-stocked minibars, e-concierge tablets, LED lighting, and USB charging ports perfectly placed on either side of the bed."

"Why we love it: A five-star stay that brings serious swank to Valletta The Highlights: - Personal butlers who attend to guests’ every need - A lavish design with lots of marble, velvet, and leather accents - An acclaimed three-in-one restaurant serving Mediterranean food with a French twist The Review: Opened in the spring of 2019, this five-star property comes courtesy of AX Group, which owns six other top hotels in Malta. Beginning at check-in with a friendly greeting (and a glass of prosecco) from your personal butler, everything at Rosselli is top-notch, from the design to the service to the amenities. The on-site restaurant Grain is actually comprised of three different dining areas: Street serves French and Mediterranean small plates, Under offers a more formal menu, and Over, located on the hotel’s rooftop, is perfect for drinks with a view. There’s also a lounge area with a restored fountain, an outdoor pool on the fourth-floor terrace, and the opportunity to book in-room massages after a long day of touring the island. The hotel occupies a 17th-century palazzo that was once home to husband and wife Pietro Rosselli and Alusietta Massa. The couple’s family story and crest inspired all of the guestrooms, which feature richly colored textiles, marble accents, plush beds, and bespoke Italian furniture. The Don Pietro room even boasts a wellness enclave complete with a private steam room, rain shower, and indoor terrace, while the palatial Sixteen 34 Suite, named after the year Pietro and Alusietta were married, includes a traditional Maltese balcony and working lounge with a boardroom table."

"Why we love it: An extravagant hideaway where guests can live the palace life The Highlights: - Meticulously restored rooms with balconies and original Maltese tiles - An infinity pool with panoramic city views - A glamorous restaurant in the tradition of Europe’s grand cafés The Review: The only hotel in Malta to be a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, The Phoenicia combines historic elegance with modern sophistication. Built in 1939, the five-star stay sits on 7.5 acres just outside the entrance to Valletta’s old town, within easy walking distance of the city’s top sites. An infinity pool and adjacent bar afford epic views of the harbor and ancient bastion walls, while The Phoenix Restaurant serves traditional Maltese cuisine amid high ceilings, chandeliers, and velvet banquettes. Also on site is Café Phoenicia for casual dining, The Club Bar for craft cocktails, and The Palm Court Lounge for afternoon tea. Rooms, dreamed up by London-based Peter Young Design, feel fresh and modern, with a white, blue, and pink color palette and original Maltese tiles that recall the Mediterranean. Many feature private balconies for taking in the scenery, but all come with spacious bathrooms, plush robes and slippers, and minibars stocked with complimentary drinks."

"Why we love it: A design-forward hotel in a former fortress with some of the most spacious suites on the island The Highlights: - All-suite accommodations with modern design - A rooftop pool with sweeping Grand Harbour views - An on-site restaurant from award-winning chef Chris Hammett The Review: Built in 1554 by the Order of Saint John to protect the fortified city of Senglea from invaders, this ancient fortress now serves as one of Malta’s finest hotels. Home to just 21 suites, the cavernous property offers some of the roomiest accommodations on the island, each outfitted with vaulted ceilings, Italian furniture and spacious bathrooms done up in marble and black tile. Some of the largest suites also boast lofted sleeping areas, deep-soaking bathtubs, kitchenettes, and terraces, but all feature attractive, minimalist décor that complements the building’s original stonework and explains why Cugó is a member of Design Hotels. The hotel, which opened in 2018, also has a gorgeous rooftop pool, around which yoga and Pilates classes are frequently held. When hunger strikes, book a table at on-site Hammett’s Macina Restaurant, where you can pair Mediterranean-inspired cuisine by award-winning chef Chris Hammett with a bottle of wine from the hotel’s extensive cellar."

"Why we love it: A luxury resort with top-notch amenities in the heart of Malta The Highlights: - A variety of room types to accommodate all travelers - Five on-site bars and restaurants, including the historic Villa Corinthia - A regal pool surrounded by loungers and gardens The Review: In 1959, the Pisani family patriarch bought the historic Villa Refalo, intending for it to be a home for him, his wife, and their six children, as well as a restaurant. When he died unexpectedly, his children took over the property, first turning it into a wedding hall, and then a luxury hotel called Corinthia Palace. Even though the Pisanis have since expanded the Corinthia brand to 14 hotels around the world, they still own and operate the Malta original, running it with all the amenities required of a five-star stay. Here, guests find five bars and restaurants, a swanky outdoor pool and garden area, tennis courts, a deluxe spa and fitness center, and friendly, attentive service. The afternoon tea, served in your choice of British or Maltese style in the Orange Grove Brasserie, is a must, while the daily breakfast spread is generous and tasty. Ranging from superior rooms to executive suites, accommodations feature comfy beds and private balconies or terraces. All come with complimentary access to the Athenaeum Spa, but higher category options also include entry to the Executive Lounge, where guests can enjoy a daily breakfast buffet and complimentary wine, spirits, and canapés each evening. Speaking of the spa, it's currently being renovated and will be unveiled in April 2020 with a new design byGoddard Littlefair, a new parternship with ESPA for treatments, and new facilities includingseven treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, and a thermal area."

"Why we love it: A Mdina refuge that offers the ultimate escape from the crowds The Highlights: - An ideal location within the city walls of Mdina - Suites with terraces and outdoor Jacuzzis - Al freso dining in the charming hotel courtyard The Review: Perched on centuries-old bastions and surrounded by stunning baroque architecture, this Relais & Châteaux property provides a fairytale setting for a stay in Malta. Housed in a 17th-century palace, it’s the only hotel within the walls of Mdina, making it the ideal refuge from cruise passengers and other day trippers who crowd the fortified city each day. Simply decorated with period furniture and muted colors, the 17 guestrooms are spacious and comfortable, with several offering lofted sleeping areas. Some rooms even have private porches or terraces, while a few suites boast outdoor Jacuzzis. The hotel doesn’t have a pool, but guests are welcome to use the one at sister property Xara Lodge. If you’d prefer to relax on site, go instead to one of Xara’s four bars and restaurants, which range from the fine-dining deMondian and The Medina Restaurant in the courtyard to the Italian-inspired Trattoria AD1530 and the casual Palazzo de Piro Café and Bistro."

"Why we love it: A converted farmhouse in the Xlendi Valley offering traditional charm and sweeping views The Highlights: - Superior rooms with private balconies and outdoor Jacuzzis - Original details like stone walls and Maltese tiles in the suites - A rooftop pool with panoramic views of the valley The Review: Nestled in the Xlendi Valley on the island of Gozo, Cesca Boutique Hotel was once surrounded by a working farm. While the original owners were focused on growing cotton, their great-grandsons, who now own and operate the property, turned the 350-year-old farmhouse into a luxurious boutique hotel, complete with 15 guestrooms done up in lace-print wallpaper and elegant furnishings. All rooms feature marble bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and balconies with epic valley views, while superior options also boast outdoor Jacuzzis. Three additional suites even include original stone walls, columns, and Maltese tiles, plus extras like a separate seating area, free-standing bathtub, and decorative fireplace. Elsewhere in the hotel, guests will find a rooftop pool with scenic vistas and an indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar, which serves a large breakfast spread each morning, lunch a few days a week, and dinner nightly. Should you wish to get out and explore, Cesca is within walking distance of the towns of Victoria and Xlendi, making for easy sightseeing."

"Why we love it: A wellness-centric resort with a luxury spa for the adults and multiple pools for the kids The Highlights: - An authentic Ayurveda Center for balancing spa treatments - Three outdoor pools, two indoor pools, and a Jacuzzi - Six on-site dining and drinking destinations to please the whole family The Review: Surrounded by more than seven acres of greenery on the small island of Gozo, this wellness-focused resort offers the ultimate escape from larger, busier Malta. The five-star hotel has 140 rooms and suites, multiple indoor and outdoor pools, and six restaurants and bars, though the highlight is most definitely the spa, which comprises one of the largest Ayurvedic centers in the Mediterranean. Here, guests can indulge in a variety of Eastern and Western treatments, take complimentary yoga classes multiple times a week, or simply make use of the facilities, which include two indoor heated pools, a Jacuzzi, relaxation areas, and a steam chamber. Standard and deluxe rooms offer ample space to spread out with seating areas, balconies, and marble bathrooms, while suites take things to the next level with sweeping views of the hillside or pools. If you’re traveling with a group, spring for the two-bedroom family suite, which even includes a kitchenette and dining area. Across all the guestrooms, design is traditional with modern accents, making for a stylish stay."