Best family hotels in Malta: from budget to all-inclusive stays

All-year-round sunshine, affordable hotels and filming locations (Gladiator, Game of Thrones) combine on the island of Malta. The country has a long history and a diverse culture, and over the years has maintained a high standard of hotels that offer tons of fun-packed kids clubs, poolside cocktails, relaxing spas, and delicious food… Need we say more?

Now here comes the tricky bit: deciding where to stay. To help you find the best family hotel in Malta for you and your loved ones, we’ve scoured the Mumsnet forums to create this list that includes a hotel for every family and budget.

Best family hotels in Malta at a glance

• Best for exploring Malta's coast: The Kempinski Hotel 

• Best overall family hotel: Grand Hotel Excelsior 

• Best all inclusive family hotel: DB Seabank 

• Best budget family hotel: Pergola Hotel

• Best family resort: Ramla Resort

1. Best overall family hotel: DB Seabank Resort and Spa

DB Seabank | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"Mellieha is a good option with a large family-friendly Sandy beach. Db Seabank Resort is one of the most family-friendly hotels there." Fivemoreminutes1

"I’ve recommended db Seabank resort in Mellieha Bay on a thread before. Went years ago with the kids but I believe it’s still good. You have access to a sandy beach opposite (rare on Malta) with loads of fun water activities. Gozo is close for a day trip." SmashingGemini

Our verdict

DB Seabank Resort and Spa is a 4* delight based at a quiet location in Mellieha, not far from a ferry to Gozo and other transport links for day trips exploring Malta.

Not that you’ll want to leave as this hotel is a two-minute walk from the beach, offers indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, spa, cocktail bars, sports activities, live music, themed dinner nights, movie nights, mini golf, a children’s playground and games room. Quite the list.

Not forgetting that on top of all of that there is a kids club (for ages 4 - 11) that runs daily activities and babysitting services available for the days and evenings when you’d like to take an adults only break. For the price this hotel is worth every single penny.

• Distance from airport: 10.5 miles

2. Best family hotel in Malta for activities: Grand Hotel Excelsior

Grand Hotel Excelsior | Check availability 

What Mumsnet users say

"The Phoenicia is lovely, Grand Excelsior also good (both have proper indoor and outdoor pools)." Saschka

Our verdict

The Grand Hotel Excelsior is a stand out on this list. With spacious family rooms available and so many activities on offer, you won’t spend a minute listening to “mum, I’m bored."

There is live music and sports, walking tours, themed dinner nights, evening entertainment, a variety of watersports, indoor and outdoor pools, a private sandy beach, board games and puzzles, kids clubs and to top it all off babysitting services (letting you escape for a few hours to the poolside bar or spa).

Finally, the Grand Excelsior is just outside Valletta’s ancient walls with spectacular views of Marsamxett Harbour, only 550 yards from the main bus terminal and there’s a free shuttle to the centre twice a day from the hotel. So if you’re looking for easy, breezy fun at a reasonable price this is the ideal hotel for you and your family.

• Distance from airport: 3.1 miles

3. Best budget family hotel in Malta: Pergola Hotel

Pergola Hotel | Check availability 

What Mumsnet users say

“I went to Malta back in February and really enjoyed it! We stayed in Mellieha, north of the island, but with excellent bus links getting about isn't any issue. Pergola hotel and spa, absolutely lovely place, hoping to go back later this year.” countvoncount 

Our verdict

Pergola Hotel is an affordable option with the perk of offering generously sized family rooms or a self-catering option for those who’d prefer the choice of not having to eat out every night.

At this hotel, the lower price does not mean sacrifice as there is still plenty for children including three swimming pools (infinity, plunge and heated), a 15 minute walk to the beach, a children’s play area and a games room.

As for you parents, you won’t be found without a cocktail in hand, a spa to relax in, babysitting services on stand by, and live music and sports to enjoy. No matter your budget you deserve to enjoy the sunshine and beauty of Malta.

• Distance from airport: 9.8 miles

4. Best luxury family hotel in Malta: The Phoenicia Malta

The Phoenicia Malta | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"The Phoenicia in Valletta, Malta. Just loved every minute there." GreenShady

"Just come back from there - the outdoor pool by the bastion is glorious." Londonmummy66

Our verdict

If you’re looking for 5-star luxury, the Phoenicia Malta is highly recommended by Mumsnet users. Glancing through the gallery, it is easy to see why.

The Phoenicia Hotel is a striking building surrounded by seven acres of gardens, with a spa, swimming pool and onsite restaurant. It is also in a perfect location with a bus station close by and it is only a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal for day trips to Gozo and Comino.

Your holiday is guaranteed to have the wow factor if you stay here, however it is important to note that this hotel isn’t as child friendly as others on this list, particularly for younger children, although there's still a babysitting service available at an extra cost so that is something to consider when booking. At the Phoenicia Hotel you pay for the luxury so for a heftier price tag you are sure to have a holiday of a lifetime.

• Distance from airport: 3 miles

5. Best boutique family hotel in Malta: Hotel Juliani

Hotel Juliani | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"Definitely stay in the St Julian's Bay area. The Hotel Juliani is in Spinola Bay and is lovely. Buses are easy to navigate in Malta too." OrangeBlossom28

Our verdict

Hotel Juliani is a Mediterranean dream with its rooftop terrace and pool, panoramic views across Spinola Bay and cool, calming rooms.

Rated highly for its comfy beds and excellent location, you and your family are sure to achieve a great night’s sleep before heading out to marvel at St Julian’s seafront. If you want to explore further, the hotel has regular buses that stop outside and it’s only a 10 minute walk from the beach.

Hotel Juliani also has an onsite restaurant, a continental breakfast buffet and a cafe which serves light meals and snacks throughout the day. It is important to note that much like the hotel above, if you’re looking for activities to keep younger children entertained this hotel might not be the best choice. However, they do have a collection of board games and puzzles which are on hand for a family game night after dinner.

A haven in the centre of a busy town, Hotel Juliani is sure to provide you with a restful and fun packed holiday!

• Distance from airport: 4.4 miles

6. Best family hotel on Gozo: The Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Gozo

The Kempinski Hotel | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"I actually enjoyed Malta unlike others - we did it as a split centre with Gozo (Kempinski there is very nice) - I loved Valletta - Great War museum , did some nice boat trips , had some very good meals too and it was all rather reasonable." Crikeyalmighty

Our verdict

Situated on the island of Gozo, a short ferry ride away from the main island of Malta, the Kempinski Hotel requires a little more transport then others on this list.

A hire car might be a good idea for your stay here, and the hotel does offer car hire itself and free parking, as well as a shuttle bus to and from the airport.

Despite this, the hotel boasts more repeat guests than most other properties available. It is surrounded by gorgeous gardens, with grand decor, spacious rooms, private balconies and phenomenal views.

This hotel has a lot to offer the children in your life too, with all ages welcome to enjoy the hotel’s swimming pools, an outdoor play area, indoor play area and kids club. There is a babysitting service on site as well (at an additional cost), perfect for when you want to experience happy hour on the terrace or rest and relaxation in their spa. The Kempinski Hotel has family at its centre and it will easily become your family's favourite spot to stay in Malta!

• Distance from airport: 20.6 miles

7. Best mid-budget family hotel: Solana Hotel and Spa

Solana Hotel and Spa | Check availability 

Our verdict

Solana Hotel offers you an amazing stay at an affordable price. Unlike the hotels before it, the Solana Hotel has a range of modern, spacious rooms and studio suites that have a small kitchenette inside.

However, the hotel’s most talked about feature is the rooftop terrace and pool which gives a 360 degree ‘wow’ view over the historic streets of Mellieha. Its location is ideal for those who like to be away from the busiest tourist areas with the added benefit of still having buses running daily for day trips and the beach only a 10 minute walk away.

Although, if you’re looking to not stray too far, this hotel has a kid friendly buffet, two swimming pools, a children’s play room (specifically for younger kids), babysitting services, live sports and music, tours and classes, themed dinner nights, evening entertainment and sports activities. So you know no matter what you choose, your family will always be entertained.

• Distance from airport: 9.7 miles

8. Best family hotel for location: Qawra Palace

Qawra Palace | Check availability 

Our verdict

We all love a bargain and the Qawra Palace offers reasonably-priced rates considering you get a private balcony with every room, a beautiful internal garden and all of the same facilities of the more expensive options on this list.

For those who love a game of mini golf, the course here is an absolute must. You can also please even the fussiest eater with their buffet breakfast and restaurant serving international cuisine for lunch and dinner.

You don’t even have to suffer long travelling times as the nearest bus stop is 30 yards from the front of the hotel, you're only 750 yards from Bugibba centre and St Julian’s is only a 10 minute drive away. So, go ahead and book today and know that you will get all the memories and the bragging rights about the price.

• Distance from airport: 7.6 miles

9. Best family resort in Malta: Ramla Resort

Ramla Resort | Check availability 

Our verdict

If you hate the fuss of trying to book a holiday, you can book a stay at Ramla Resort where the price includes the flight and luggage costs so you can countdown to your holiday stress free!

This hotel sits right at the edge of Mellieha Bay, looking out towards the islands of Comino and Gozo. If you can already picture yourself floating in the waves with the sun on your face, you’ll be ecstatic to realise that the Ramla Resort has its own private beach and for those of us who hate sand, you have the pick of three outdoor pools.

Think, sun, sea and plenty for the kids to do, too, as there is a kids' club, indoor play area, plenty of watersports and activities and 5 restaurants.

Distance from airport: 18 miles

Is Malta a child-friendly destination?

Yes, absolutely. Malta is not only safe, but there are plenty of attractions, outdoor activities and child-friendly hotels and restaurants. Also, it only requires a short haul flight and because it is an island you can drive from one end to the other in an hour so it does not require long travel times once you’ve landed.

Do you need to rent a car in Malta?

That depends entirely on where you are staying. For example if you are staying on mainland Malta then probably not as there are very good bus links available and many of the hotels have their own buses for travelling to and from the airport and their own day trips and tours.

However, if your hotel is on the island of Gozo then it would be recommended. Although it is still possible to get around Gozo without one, hiring a car does make getting to and from Malta easier especially if you’re navigating the ferry with tired children in tow. If you do decide to rent a car and want further information, both the RAC and AA have guides on driving in Malta.

What language do they speak in Malta?

Maltese is Malta's official language but both English and Italian are widely spoken throughout the island.

When’s the best time to visit Malta?

The best time to visit Malta is considered to be in the off season which happens in the months of April, May, June, September and October as the temperatures aren’t as high and crowds are smaller.

Recommendations by real parents

Before choosing any destination for our roundups, we first consult the Mumsnet forums. With over 10 million users per month, there’s a lot of suggestions by real parents who have been there, done that when travelling to Malta with the family.

Expert guidance and traveller reviews

After we’ve collated our hotel picks, we then turn to the experts and consult the likes of TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Expedia to see what their recommendations include for family holidays here.

Here we’ll also check what travellers are saying about Malta on these sites, taking into consideration both the positive and negative points of their trip to bring you a well-rounded and honest guide.

Celebrated hotels

Finally, we cross-referenced all of the above information to find the best Malta hotels for families that had won the most awards and recommendations across the board. We feel there’s something here for everyone, to suit every budget.

Why should you trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.