The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux on Postcard

"The Xara Palace is a stunning, 17th-century palazzo in the mostly medieval city of Mdina, a historically rich destination in the island’s interior. In its current incarnation, mere steps from Mdina’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, the hotel is a tribute to the city’s aristocratic heritage, and while it’s been subtly updated to meet contemporary luxury-hotel expectations, its atmosphere remains period-correct." - Mitchell Friedman

Malta’s Hotels Are the Stuff of Dreams

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@michelinguide

"The Xara Palace is a stunning, 17th-century palazzo in the mostly medieval city of Mdina, a historically rich destination in the island’s interior. In its current incarnation, mere steps from Mdina’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, the hotel is a tribute to the city’s aristocratic heritage, and while it’s been subtly updated to meet contemporary luxury-hotel expectations, its atmosphere remains period-correct." - Mitchell Friedman

Malta’s Hotels Are the Stuff of Dreams

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@afar

"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."

The Best Hotels in Malta

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Lorraine P

Google

A fantastic two night stay in the Silent City - saw this hotel on a visit to Mdina two years ago and had to stay here the next time in Malta. Arrival was early into Malta and at the hotel by 11am by a taxi organized by the hotel, but we were warmly welcomed and ushered to comfortable sofas to wait and offered beverages, while Mattias efficiently took care of all the registration details without us having to move a muscle! My room was ready fairly soon and I had chosen a comfortable duplex room as had never experienced one before. Very nice with a shaded window overlooking the plaza below - liked the cold beverages in the fridge and coffee supplies. A lovely continental breakfast each day in De Mondion restaurant, with much more than a standard continental and eggs offered too, cooked how you like. Was a delicious menu of choices. Really enjoyed the weekend in this walled city - always lovely when the crowds leave at night, and you feel like you have a medieval city to yourself! Took advantage to eat at the in-house Trattoria A.D. 1530 for dinner and lunch, on the terrace with reservations made by Mattias, and also dinner at The Medina restaurant close by, also part of the Xara Collection. A fantastic stay but the wonderful staff made it very special and were efficient, welcoming and so worthy of this special hotel.

Cathy R

Google

After a long flight, we received a wonderful welcome from the Reception staff, and enjoyed a coffee whilst waiting for our room to be ready (we were very early). We didn't have to wait long and we were also offered a map and talk about what to do in Mdina/Rabat - this was really useful for orientation. We had treated ourselves to a deluxe suite with terrace and Jacuzzi and it was worth every penny. Very comfortable with tea/coffee, regularly replenished. The included continental breakfast on the restaurant terrace was absolutely wonderful. Everything was made to order, so it was a lovely relaxed experience, from the tasty smoothies, delicious pastizzis & croissants, to the beautifully prepared fruit and great coffee. We couldn't eat at the De Mondrian restaurant because it is closed on Sundays & Mondays, but the hotel was able to give other great recommendations. We also had a recommendation from a friend to eat at Root 81 and that was wonderful too. It was a privilege to stay in Mdina overnight when the day trippers had left. Thoroughly recommend this hotel. Don't hesitate to book!

Lisa H

Google

Xara Palace may be the most remarkable place that we've stayed at in many years of international travel. Beyond the elegance and beauty of the property and its setting of Mdina, the rooms (there are only 18) are huge and gorgeously appointed. Even more impressive, though, are the staff and the service. The staff are unerringly polite, friendly, respectful and professional - and for us, they went far above and beyond anything we've experienced before. We had an unusual situation: I hung a pair of pants to dry over our balcony railing which was high above a pomegranate grove with a few low buildings nearby. Apparently that was a huge mistake, as I returned to the room later to find the pants no longer on the railing, but visible far below on top of a building within an inaccessible part of the grove. The amazing folks at Xara assured me that they could retrieve the pants, though I couldn't imagine how. Turns out they're not only good at their jobs, but they are excellent at fishing as well. One of the housekeeping staff managed to lower a rope with a hook on the end of it off of the balcony, swing the rope widely from side to side, and pull the pants up. Talk about service! I wish I had been there to see them do it (in lieu of that, I wish they had taken a video). Huge thanks to Tarik, the fisherman, and also to Lara and Mattias for being outstandingly warm and helpful in every way. They are a credit to the hospitality industry and Xara is fortunate to have them. We will never forget them or this stay. ||

mark s

Google

A fantastic hotel with superb, friendly staff who couldn’t do enough to make our stay perfect. ||The hotel is in a perfect location to get away from it all in the evenings and is an oasis of calm during the day. (Mdina is a major tourist attraction in the season - don’t expect quiet days in the town) ||This was our second holiday based here and we wouldn’t stay anywhere else when we’re in beautiful Malta.

Lynette P

Google

Set in a converted,once ruined, old Mdina palace, this has been beautifully done with an overall feeling of old style tasteful grandeur. A small number of individually designed suites.|Comfortable beds and seating areas. Excellent breakfast though a little sluggish in the serving, although it’s all done beautifully and with the aim of providing personal service.

Erika Pace

Google

The hotel and location is beautiful ! Truly special place and that you have a pool near by is a bonus as well ! The room has all we needed and more , decor attention to detail beautiful. The view of all island from the terrace beautiful, all facilities lovely However few things could be improved… Drinks offered on arrival never came .. We popped for an upgrade with jacuzzi .. not worth it, as jacuzzi was like a chlorine bath ( not very inviting) or very attractive to use , honestly … The bedroom next to restaurant , even if it’s Michelin star .. but noise from loud guests can be disturbing.. Otherwise it’s a unique property and must visit at least once !

John M

Google

Dissappointed by:||1. No bar open pre meal and post meal - what hotel does not have a bar?||2. The hotel we stayed in Valletta was far far cheaper and less pretentious but had a free bottle of champagne in its room fridge, this hotel just offered two cans of local beer? Not very 5*.||3. We paid > Euro 600 for one night in advance. Yet a deposit of Euro 100 was asked for on arrival - not impressive. A charge of Euro 2 was made on departure - this should have bene included in the initial charge. Again not impressed. ||Felt more like an AIRBNB.||But the restaurant food was fabulous.

Santiago U

Google

Let me summarize my experience: Negatives: The price doesn’t match the quality. I’ve stayed in many “high-end” places, and this is by far the worst. The rooms are outdated and lack intuitive design. I ordered room service, and it was terrible. Positives: The location is excellent, the property is beautiful, and the views are amazing. Overall: I would say it’s not worth the price, and there are probably better options available at a much better rate.

Lorraine P

Google

A fantastic two night stay in the Silent City - saw this hotel on a visit to Mdina two years ago and had to stay here the next time in Malta. Arrival was early into Malta and at the hotel by 11am by a taxi organized by the hotel, but we were warmly welcomed and ushered to comfortable sofas to wait and offered beverages, while Mattias efficiently took care of all the registration details without us having to move a muscle! My room was ready fairly soon and I had chosen a comfortable duplex room as had never experienced one before. Very nice with a shaded window overlooking the plaza below - liked the cold beverages in the fridge and coffee supplies. A lovely continental breakfast each day in De Mondion restaurant, with much more than a standard continental and eggs offered too, cooked how you like. Was a delicious menu of choices. Really enjoyed the weekend in this walled city - always lovely when the crowds leave at night, and you feel like you have a medieval city to yourself! Took advantage to eat at the in-house Trattoria A.D. 1530 for dinner and lunch, on the terrace with reservations made by Mattias, and also dinner at The Medina restaurant close by, also part of the Xara Collection. A fantastic stay but the wonderful staff made it very special and were efficient, welcoming and so worthy of this special hotel.

Cathy R

Google

After a long flight, we received a wonderful welcome from the Reception staff, and enjoyed a coffee whilst waiting for our room to be ready (we were very early). We didn't have to wait long and we were also offered a map and talk about what to do in Mdina/Rabat - this was really useful for orientation. We had treated ourselves to a deluxe suite with terrace and Jacuzzi and it was worth every penny. Very comfortable with tea/coffee, regularly replenished. The included continental breakfast on the restaurant terrace was absolutely wonderful. Everything was made to order, so it was a lovely relaxed experience, from the tasty smoothies, delicious pastizzis & croissants, to the beautifully prepared fruit and great coffee. We couldn't eat at the De Mondrian restaurant because it is closed on Sundays & Mondays, but the hotel was able to give other great recommendations. We also had a recommendation from a friend to eat at Root 81 and that was wonderful too. It was a privilege to stay in Mdina overnight when the day trippers had left. Thoroughly recommend this hotel. Don't hesitate to book!

Lisa H

Google

Xara Palace may be the most remarkable place that we've stayed at in many years of international travel. Beyond the elegance and beauty of the property and its setting of Mdina, the rooms (there are only 18) are huge and gorgeously appointed. Even more impressive, though, are the staff and the service. The staff are unerringly polite, friendly, respectful and professional - and for us, they went far above and beyond anything we've experienced before. We had an unusual situation: I hung a pair of pants to dry over our balcony railing which was high above a pomegranate grove with a few low buildings nearby. Apparently that was a huge mistake, as I returned to the room later to find the pants no longer on the railing, but visible far below on top of a building within an inaccessible part of the grove. The amazing folks at Xara assured me that they could retrieve the pants, though I couldn't imagine how. Turns out they're not only good at their jobs, but they are excellent at fishing as well. One of the housekeeping staff managed to lower a rope with a hook on the end of it off of the balcony, swing the rope widely from side to side, and pull the pants up. Talk about service! I wish I had been there to see them do it (in lieu of that, I wish they had taken a video). Huge thanks to Tarik, the fisherman, and also to Lara and Mattias for being outstandingly warm and helpful in every way. They are a credit to the hospitality industry and Xara is fortunate to have them. We will never forget them or this stay. ||

mark s

Google

A fantastic hotel with superb, friendly staff who couldn’t do enough to make our stay perfect. ||The hotel is in a perfect location to get away from it all in the evenings and is an oasis of calm during the day. (Mdina is a major tourist attraction in the season - don’t expect quiet days in the town) ||This was our second holiday based here and we wouldn’t stay anywhere else when we’re in beautiful Malta.

Lynette P

Google

Set in a converted,once ruined, old Mdina palace, this has been beautifully done with an overall feeling of old style tasteful grandeur. A small number of individually designed suites.|Comfortable beds and seating areas. Excellent breakfast though a little sluggish in the serving, although it’s all done beautifully and with the aim of providing personal service.

Erika Pace

Google

The hotel and location is beautiful ! Truly special place and that you have a pool near by is a bonus as well ! The room has all we needed and more , decor attention to detail beautiful. The view of all island from the terrace beautiful, all facilities lovely However few things could be improved… Drinks offered on arrival never came .. We popped for an upgrade with jacuzzi .. not worth it, as jacuzzi was like a chlorine bath ( not very inviting) or very attractive to use , honestly … The bedroom next to restaurant , even if it’s Michelin star .. but noise from loud guests can be disturbing.. Otherwise it’s a unique property and must visit at least once !

John M

Google

Dissappointed by:||1. No bar open pre meal and post meal - what hotel does not have a bar?||2. The hotel we stayed in Valletta was far far cheaper and less pretentious but had a free bottle of champagne in its room fridge, this hotel just offered two cans of local beer? Not very 5*.||3. We paid > Euro 600 for one night in advance. Yet a deposit of Euro 100 was asked for on arrival - not impressive. A charge of Euro 2 was made on departure - this should have bene included in the initial charge. Again not impressed. ||Felt more like an AIRBNB.||But the restaurant food was fabulous.

Santiago U

Google

Let me summarize my experience: Negatives: The price doesn’t match the quality. I’ve stayed in many “high-end” places, and this is by far the worst. The rooms are outdated and lack intuitive design. I ordered room service, and it was terrible. Positives: The location is excellent, the property is beautiful, and the views are amazing. Overall: I would say it’s not worth the price, and there are probably better options available at a much better rate.

The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux

The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux

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