5 Best Hotels in Malta

A haven of peace and quiet in the heart of the Gozitan countryside, Cornucopia is the perfect place to bring the novels you always hoped to read but never found the time to—it has two pools after all. It's a sprawling complex of various buildings in local stone set in verdant surroundings on the western flank of town, which means you aren't totally divorced from the world. There's a full range of accommodation options, from hotel rooms to bungalows and farmhouses with cooking facilities that would suit families and larger parties. Valley-view rooms offer the best horizons. Bungalows and farmhouses are spacious and pleasant.

Gozo's original five-star hotel continues to offer understated luxury and an exclusivity that's unique in Malta. Set atop one of the island's highest points, this high-class retreat has 1½ square miles of nature reserve for guests to explore. The low-rise buildings blend in with the topography and are surrounded by verdant native gardens and woodland. There are two pools on-site and a private rocky inlet a 10-minute drive away (by hotel shuttle bus) for swimming and snorkeling. It's also home to the Kantra restaurant, overlooking the waters of Mgarr ix-Xini. If traveling with children, book a room close to the family pool; couples should opt for rooms around the main pool.

Gozo's largest hotel is its most international in style and feel, with the biggest pool, the best spa and the most numerous on-site eateries on the island. There's certainly a reference to Gozitan style in the design, but this is a high-rise by island standards and the spacious rooms and suites are set around the capacious and verdant pool court. Sports facilities suit active guests and the large heated indoor pool (part of the 18,000 square foot spa) means it's a favorite during the cooler seasons.

The grande dame of Malta is just outside Valletta's City Gate and is close to the busy bus terminus for cross-island exploration. Since the 1940s it has welcomed movers and shakers, including Queen Elizabeth II during her visit in 1949. The hotel still plays a central role in the social life of this country's capital, hosting many official functions and regular wedding parties. Rooms and public spaces have been updated to keep up with modern trends over the years and include the addition of a spa and pool deck with verdant gardens in the shadow of the walls of Valletta citadel.

Occupying a corner plot on the beach at picturesque Xlendi Bay (one of Gozo's beautiful rocky coves), this family-run hotel is a favorite with divers and independent travelers. Built in traditional style with Gozitan sandstone, the rooms are compact but well-furnished and finished to a good standard. Zafiro, the on-site restaurant, has a waterfront terrace and serves breakfast (included in the room rate), lunch, and dinner. A selection of other bars and restaurants are within walking distance. Sea-view rooms offer the best value. One of the best dive schools on the island is only a few feet away on the harborside.