Malta in December - where to stay?

[CharlotteStreetW1]

We like to spend a few days away over Christmas and this year we're looking at Malta.

The weather will hopefully be pleasant but it won't be sunbathing or swimming weather so I think we'd like to be in Valletta.

Can anyone recommend a location and/or a hotel? Indoor pool would be a bonus!

Thank you.

Hotel Grand Excelsior is nice, and has both an indoor and outdoor pool. Bit of a trek up the hill to the city gates but perfectly manageable.

The Phoenicia is the only other one in Valletta that I know of with an indoor pool. Pricey but very nice.

Tigerbalmshark Thank you for your reply. Is the Excelsior a good location for post dinner bar hopping?

The Phoenicia looks beautiful and I would ask the same regarding location.

Thanks again.

Yep, we pop in and out between the city and the hotel multiple times a day when we are there. It isn’t far or particularly strenuous unless you have mobility problems.

About 5-10mins stroll into town for the Phoenicia, 10-15 minutes from the Excelsior. The Phoenicia is at the top of the hill, on a level with the main city gates, the Excelsior is at the bottom of the same hill.

Honestly Valletta is such a tiny city nowhere is going to be bad location-wise - you can walk across the whole city in 15 minutes. It’s less than half a mile from end to end. The main bus station is just outside the city gates, (opposite the Phoenicia) and you can get buses from there to all the main archaeological sites and to other towns.

We stayed at the Best Western in December. It’s low season so not too crowded but lovely sunny weather every day. Best Western is relatively new, has a gym, sea views and a great selection at the buffet breakfast.

Can't comment about staying in December as we went in September but we also stayed at the Best Western Premier in St Paul's Bay which was a really nice hotel and easy to get around using buses and Bolt taxi's.

Both Hiltons in Malta have indoor pools. The main Hilton in St Julian's pool is lovely, but actually the pool in the DT in St Pauls is fine enough esp for kids, it is warm and big, with an additional spa for adults which is very nice (just book your time in). St J is expensive, but I was quite surprised how good the DT was for the half board (wine and beer included and the food was good and varied) for reasonable prices. They are not in Valletta though. And there are probably plenty more places would suit more. Worth a mention though.

We stayed at the Grand Hotel Excelsior at the beginning of the month and it was a perfect option for popping in and out of Valletta, really just a short walk and so lovely being right on the water. We had a partial sea view room and loved sitting on the balcony - we were glad we took binoculars as there are lots of interesting buildings and boats to look at! Indoor pool was huge, warm and never busy. Hotel was very clean, it is dated and quite 'kitsch' but was charming overall and staff can't do enough for you.