St Julian’s, once a haven for wealthy Maltese building Neoclassical seaside villas, has evolved into a bustling tourist hub. The area boasts two sandy beaches—St George’s Bay to the northwest and Balluta Bay to the southeast—along with rocky shores, bars, restaurants, and a range of hotels from intimate boutiques to sprawling resorts.
One standout is a fun boutique hotel tucked in a quiet cul-de-sac near Balluta Bay. It features colourful decor with a light-hearted touch, a giant’s chair in reception, and cloud motifs on the staircase. The hotel offers a spacious spa with indoor pool, sauna, and steam room, plus a small rooftop pool and terrace. Some bedrooms include terraces and hot tubs, and the service is friendly and relaxed, catering well to both children and adults.
In the new Mercury complex, designed by Zaha Hadid, ME Malta occupies the upper part of a 20-storey tower. Rooms offer panoramic views through glass walls and from private balconies, with smart contemporary interiors. The 8th-floor rooftop pool and upcoming 20th-floor Radio Rooftop bar provide additional vistas. While the immediate area is built up, the complex includes an upmarket mall and easy transport links.
The Juliani, one of Malta’s first boutique hotels, remains family-run with 65 rooms. Located on Spinola Bay seafront, it has a tranquil foyer café serving fusion Asian food and good coffee, and a rooftop pool with summer drinks. Double glazing keeps noise from surrounding bars and restaurants at bay, and higher rooms offer sweeping sea views.
For families, a top resort offers heated outdoor and indoor pools, Jacuzzis, and a children’s paddling pool year-round. From May to October, the Reef Club opens with thatched umbrellas, sunbeds, bars, and sea swimming off the rocky shore. An on-site dive centre adds to the appeal, and the buffet breakfast is considered among the best in Malta.
The Palace, set in a traditional residential street in Sliema, features a designer foyer with cream chairs and black-and-white photo-murals. It has indoor and rooftop pools, a spa, and several restaurants. A British red phone booth, now a book swap box, sits on the terrace. The hotel is a short walk from the Sliema waterfront and the ferry to Valletta.
