The best hotels in Sliema and St Julian's are mostly seafront and upscale, putting you in Malta's most convenient base – walking distance to restaurants, the Valletta ferry and the nightlife. St Julian's holds the big 5-star names around Portomaso; Sliema leans to central seafront hotels. The Westin Dragonara is the standout. Below are the hotels worth booking across both towns – check live rates for your dates.
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| Hotel | Score | From/night | Beach | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Westin Dragonara Resort | 8.6 | €220 | St Julian's | Resort + beach | Check price →Review ↓ |
| Hilton Malta | 8.7 | €230 | Portomaso | Marina + pools | Check price →Review ↓ |
| ME Malta | 8.5 | €200 | St Julian's | Design + rooftop | Check price →Review ↓ |
| AX The Palace | 8.8 | €190 | Sliema | Central 5-star | Check price →Review ↓ |
| Malta Marriott Resort & Spa | 8.6 | €200 | Balluta Bay | Spa seafront | Check price →Review ↓ |
| AX The Victoria Hotel | 8.4 | €120 | Sliema | Value | Check price →Review ↓ |
- 01Sliema and St Julian's are one seafront strip and Malta's most popular base – walkable to restaurants, the Valletta ferry and the nightlife, so hotel location matters less than vibe.
- 02St Julian's has the big 5-star resorts (Westin, Hilton, ME, Marriott) clustered around Portomaso and Dragonara point – best for pools, beach clubs and a polished scene.
- 03Sliema leans to central seafront hotels with the ferry on the doorstep – AX The Palace for 5-star, AX The Victoria for value, quieter than Paceville.
- 04There's no proper sandy beach here – pools, lidos and rock foreshores are the swim spots, so judge hotels on the pool and the sea-view rather than a beach.
- 05Rates swing hard by season; the 5-stars sell out for summer. Book early, or travel May–June or September for lower prices and warm sea.
The Westin Dragonara Resort
The standout 5-star resort in St Julian's, set on its own peninsula at Dragonara point. It's the pick if you want a full resort rather than a city hotel – two private beach lidos, indoor and outdoor pools (one heated) and three restaurants.
The headland setting gives it space and sea on three sides, away from the Paceville crush but a short walk from it. Service and upkeep are consistently well rated.
The best choice for a resort feel with beach clubs in St Julian's. Check Westin Dragonara rates.
Hilton Malta
The Hilton anchors the Portomaso marina complex, and it's the pick for pools and a yacht-side setting. It has five pools (four outdoor, one indoor), a spa and a gym, with the marina's restaurants and bars right outside.
It's a large, polished 5-star with easy access to Paceville nightlife and St Julian's dining, plus its own stretch of waterfront. Rooms with marina or sea views are the ones to book.
A strong all-round 5-star for pools and the Portomaso location. Check Hilton Malta rates.
ME Malta
The design-led choice, a 20-storey tower in St Julian's designed by Zaha Hadid. ME Malta trades the resort model for style: a sculptural building, art and music programming, exclusive restaurants and the Radio Rooftop bar with horizon views.
It suits travellers who want a scene and a statement over a beach club – sunbathing by the pool, rooftop drinks and a central St Julian's address. It's as much a destination as a hotel.
The pick for design, rooftop nightlife and a modern feel. Check ME Malta rates.
AX The Palace
The top 5-star in Sliema itself, central and a few minutes' walk from the Valletta ferry. It pairs a strong spa and rooftop pool with one of the best breakfasts on the island and an easy, walkable location among the cafés and shops.
It's a city hotel rather than a resort, so you trade a beach club for being in the middle of Sliema with the ferry, restaurants and promenade on the doorstep. Family rooms make it workable for families who want a base over a resort.
The best Sliema 5-star for location and a rooftop pool. Check AX The Palace rates.
Malta Marriott Resort and Spa
On Balluta Bay between Sliema and St Julian's, the Marriott is the seafront spa choice, set on the quieter promenade just short of Paceville. The draw is the Lotus Spa, the pools and a calm seafront position with both towns walkable.
It's a polished 5-star resort that splits the difference – close enough to St Julian's dining and Sliema's ferry, but on the calmer Balluta stretch rather than in the thick of the nightlife.
Good for a spa-focused seafront stay between the two towns. Check Malta Marriott rates.
AX The Victoria Hotel
The value pick in Sliema, a classic 4-star with a traditional feel a short walk back from the seafront. It's the choice if you want a comfortable, well-run Sliema base without 5-star prices.
You give up the sea-view and the resort facilities, but you keep the central Sliema location – the ferry, the promenade and the restaurants are all close. It's reliable, good value and well placed.
The pick for a central Sliema base on a smaller budget. Check AX The Victoria rates.
Sliema or St Julian's: which to book?
Both sit on the same seafront strip, so it comes down to vibe. St Julian's has the big resorts, the beach clubs and the nightlife – the Westin, Hilton, ME and Marriott are all here, and Paceville is on the doorstep if you want late nights.
Sliema is calmer and more everyday, with the fast Valletta ferry, the best shopping and a long promenade. AX The Palace and The Victoria put you in the middle of it, away from the club noise. Our Sliema and St Julian's guide covers what to do in both, and the where to stay in Malta guide compares them with the rest of the island.
Whichever town you pick, book the 5-star rooms and the best sea-view floors months ahead of summer – this strip fills up first on the island.
Featured image: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
