A Londoner’s Guide to Malta
The Handbook’s first love will always be London, but every so often we venture slightly further afield and recently we found ourselves in Malta. The beautiful archipelago is situated between Sicily and North Africa meaning that it has warm Mediterranean seas, a dry climate and soaring temperatures. Steeped in history, with the Romans, French, Arabs and English all leaving their mark on the small island, Malta is a smorgasbord of culture, not unlike London, just with an added beautiful coast. With boutique hotels on the rise and an abundant food scene, we’ve rounded up some of the places you have to check out when you head there too:
5* Hotel: Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
5* Luxury and incredible swimming pools
London is renowned for its incredible 5* hotels but we’ll tell you what they don’t have, they don’t have tropical gardens and they aren’t close to the beach. A hotel that has both though is Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz on Gozo island. With 83 rooms and 48 suites, the hotel is a little slice of pure luxury. It boasts five restaurants and bars and the most inviting looking swimming pools as well as an Ayurveda Centre which offers the dreamiest head massages. Kempinski The Spa features an Oriental Hammam, squash courts, tennis courts and a state of the art gym. You’ll leave feeling completely relaxed and renewed.
Where: Triq ir-Rokon, Gozo San Lawrenz
Website: http://www.kempinski.com/en/gozo/hotel-san-lawrenz
Luna Restaurant
Fine dining, afternoon tea and a beautiful wedding venue
Set in the Palazzo Parisio, Luna Restaurant has made a name for its self as the go to restaurant for fine dining. Of course you can take the girl out of London but you can’t take London out of the girl and all that, so what did we order? Afternoon tea, naturally… and they’ve nailed it. Beautiful strawberry tarts, rich brownies and delicious scones. Sitting in the tranquil gardens, with the sound of the water fountain and the exotic birds flying overhead we could see why it is a go to wedding venue.
Where: Palazzo Pariso, Victory Square, Naxxar Malta
Website: http://www.palazzoparisio.com/
Boutique Hotel: Quaint
Boutique hotel in Gozo
Malta is following London’s lead in boutique hotels with many town houses becoming small hotels and one such one is Quaint in the Gozitan village Nadur. You’ll find it in a sleepy, quiet square, the sort of place where time rolls slowly by and you feel like you could snooze all day only to wake to eat and swim. The historical, rustic Maltese façade gives way to a minimal interior. Light grey walls are brightened with splashes of vibrant colours and each of the 12 rooms has its own unique feature; from balconies to a mezzanine. We definitely recommend you go for one of the three penthouse rooms which feature their own terraces. Downstairs The Fat Rabbit restaurant serves up Malta’s national dish, rabbit (didn’t you get it from the name?) in different ways each day. Whilst you’re there head to Ramla Bay in Calypso Cave for a beautiful red sandy beach.
Where: 13 December Street, Nadur - Gozo
Website: http://www.quainthotelsgozo.com/
Zafiro Restaurant
Relaxed lunches with beautiful views
If you do one thing, then you have to get your hands on Helwa Tat Tork, it’s a sweet, sugary almost nougat like delicacy topped with almonds. We feasted on it at Zafiro Restaurant which is a must by the way if you’re looking for a long lazy lunch. Get a spot on the terrace which looks out on the picturesque Xlendi Bay and order fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes.
Where: Hotel San Andrea, Xlendi Promenade, Xlendi, Gozo
Website: http://www.hotelsanandrea.com
The Blue Lagoon
The name says it all
A paradise for swimmers and snorkellers, the Blue Lagoon in Comino the small island between Malta and Gozo has beautiful turquoise water and sandy white beaches. Hire a private boat and skipper for the day or join one of the party boats, either way make sure you take the obligatory ‘jumping off the boat into the water’ photos. As for Comino itself, it’s virtually uninhabited with just four people living on the island and no built up urban areas or cars.
Where: Comino
Website: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/island-of-comino
Ta' Mena Estate
Wine Tasting
Whilst you’re in Gozo make sure you check out the Ta’ Mena Estate, owned by the Spiteri family. The 25 hectare estate produces wine, 10 of which have been certified as Gozo D.O.K which is the highest wine certification for Maltese wine. Tourists can join in wine tastings and sample prickly pears, Gozo honey, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and you have to stock up on the sun dried sweet tomato paste – it is delicious spread on bread and then dipped in olive oil, a taste of the Mediterranean. We stocked up on it to bring home and add to bacon sandwiches.
Where: Rabat Road, Xaghra XRA 9010, Malta
Website: http://www.tamena-gozo.com/
Phoenicia Hotel
Old Style Luxury
One of the oldest 5* hotels in Malta, Phoenicia Hotel is situated at the entrance of the capital, Valletta. Built in the 1930s, it’s elegant and refined, the sort of place you’d imagine the likes of Poirot to stay in whilst investigating his next mystery. It makes for the perfect place to explore the capital. Make sure you check out the wonderful pianist who plays in the evening and definitely wake up in time for the Prosecco and cake at breakfast.
Where: The Mall, Floriana, FRN1478, Malta
Website: http://www.phoeniciamalta.com/
St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Ornate Cathedral
In London we have St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, in Valletta they have St. John’s Co-Cathedral. The baroque cathedral was built between 1573 and 1577 when Gran Master Jean de la Cassiere reigned. Inside you’ll find works from Mattia Preti and Caravaggio as well as being utterly enthralled by the intricate sculptures, gold work and detailing. Take a trip there when you’re seeking solace from the blazing midday temperatures.
Where: St John Street, Valletta, VLT 1156
Website: http://stjohnscocathedral.com/
