The Hilton Malta is roughly the size of a regional airport and possesses significantly more amenities. This is a true behemoth of a resort: gaze from your balcony and practically everything you see in your immediate periphery is Hilton – other than the actual Mediterranean Sea. You don’t take the elevator to your room so much as get beamed up.
There are multiple swimming pools, a suite of restaurants, bars, tennis and squash courts, a high-spec spa, and a hammam. It’s the kind of self-contained ecosystem where a reasonable person could easily spend four days without stepping foot outside the perimeter.
Indeed, there’s no operational need to leave, save for the occasional bout of sightseeing, historical wandering, and general tourist endeavour – which, if we are being entirely honest with ourselves, is usually the point of traveling abroad in the first place.
The Hilton is situated in the buzzy area of St Julian's, very much the nightlife hub of the island. Whether that's a bonus depends on your age and mentality – but rest assured, you could book several days here and never see a single stag party.
The Rooms
Beautiful rooms with a hint of the balcony view
The hotel houses over 400 rooms and suites, designed with a clean, Mediterranean elegance that leans into understated luxury rather than grand visual theatre. I was situated on the ninth floor, conveniently positioned beside the Executive Lounge, which we’ll visit shortly.
Inside, the accommodation delivers precisely what the modern traveler demands: an expansive, dangerously comfortable king-sized bed, a generous lounge sofa, a crisp TV setup, and a sizeable marble bathroom that feels engineered for lazy mornings. An in-room espresso machine and a constant supply of bottled water are welcome commodities when returning from the midday heat.
The balcony, however, is the real VIP. It offers a sweeping, cinematic view over the primary swimming pool – along with a few secondary bodies of water – stretching out toward the deep blue of the sea and a fair chunk of the sun-baked Maltese coastline. A word of warning for the uninitiated: you must ensure the balcony sliding door is clicked firmly shut for the air conditioning to engage. I discovered this the hard way, and let’s just say Maltese summer nights are no joke.
Food & Drink
The extremely romanic Blue Elephant restaurant
When it comes to wining and dining, options are far from scarce. I spent one evening at Blue Elephant, the resort’s Thai restaurant, which trades in rich, aromatic flavours set against a romantic backdrop of lush greenery and ornamental waterways where koi fish lazily drift past your table. I don’t know if they appear on the menu but best not to name any, just in case.
For daytime lounging, Merkanti Beach Club is the undisputed crown jewel of the property. Positioned directly over the water, it boasts its own dedicated infinity pool and operates under a strict adults-only policy, which only elevates the tranquility.
The vibe here is laid-back luxury, and the kitchen doesn’t skimp on quality: my lobster roll arrived generously portioned, beautifully seasoned, and paired perfectly with a chilled glass of local white as the waves crashed against the rocks below. Absolute bliss, with nary a cry of “mum!” to be heard.
Amenities & Facilities
One of several pools
If you enjoy options for soaking up the Mediterranean sun, the layout here is a triumph. There are three primary outdoor pools, surrounded by an abundance of sun loungers (and even more sunshine). The main pool serves as the mothership of the complex, bustling with life and framed by towering palm trees. (Sadly the little bastards are allowed here but they’ll most likely be on their phones.)
For those seeking wellness or refuge from the UV index, the Myoka 5 Senses Spa offers saunas, steam rooms, custom treatment rooms, and a temperature-controlled indoor pool. Unsurprisingly, the indoor pool was entirely empty when I dropped by – why swim indoors when it’s essentially paradise outside? But like the rest of the hotel, it’s there should you need it. There are even squash and tennis courts. Maybe book the latter for the morning or evening unless you want to collapse from heat exhaustion after the first game.
A brief word on the Executive Lounge. For those staying in Executive category rooms or suites, this space offers a little extra bonus with panoramic elevated views across the bay. Multiple complimentary meals are available here, from breakfast to afternoon snacks – oh and as much booze as you can handle. (Not a challenge.) A welcome reminder that there’s always another velvet rope beyond the first.
The Verdict
What a view!
The Hilton Malta isn’t trying to be a quiet, hidden boutique hideaway, nor does it pretend to be one. This is a grand, high-octane luxury resort that knows less isn’t always more and bigger really can be better.
Just don’t forget to venture outside, eh? Provided you avoid the tourist traps and central strip, Malta really is a beautiful island. Treat yourself to some sightseeing. And no, the view from the balcony doesn’t count.
For information, see The Hilton Malta
