From the moment I stepped into the Intercontinental Malta an IHG hotel, I knew I was in for something special. Nestled in the heart of the island's lively St. Julian's area, the hotel offers a perfect blend of luxury, comfort and breathtaking views.
Check out my review of the Intercontinental Malta and IHG hotel below, or go to the FAQS to learn more about IHG.
Location
The hotel is located at St. George’s Bay, on the outskirts of Paceville, a major plus if you're looking for things to do. It's just a short walk to the vibrant nightlife of St. Julian's, where you can find an array of clubs, restaurants, bars, and shops. However, if you're not a party animal, you may prefer to stay in the cooler months when it's less busy.
Opposite the hotel is the Bay Street shopping centre with a casino, bowling alley and McDonald's - the sort of things you'd filled with a mix of luxury clothes shops, jewellers and ; I was surprised to find a Marks & Spencer!
You're also a short walk away from stunning beaches; although they're not particularly sandy, they're ideal for lounging on strolling across.
Check-in
The Intercontinental Malta Hotel's grand entrance, bright and expansive, immediately sets the tone for a high-end experience. The check-in was smooth and we were greeted by polite staff who offered to take our bags to our room. They did take some time to arrive, and we had to be ready to visit the beautiful city of Valetta, but a quick call to the reception sorted that for us.
We were given access to the Club InterContinental Lounge, a spacious area full of tables, chairs, and sofas, which includes its very own reception desk with private check-in, as well as snacks and drinks, so we visited for a quick beverage before heading to our room. The views here are stunning, as you can see across the island and the Mediterranean.
Accommodation
The Intercontinental Malta, an IHG hotel offers a range of luxurious accommodation options, including classic and premium rooms and eight suite options.
Each room has a balcony and ours overlooked the pool terrace. We had two comfortable double beds in our room, a large desk (which is great for people who are on a business trip and need to get some work done), a small table and chairs and a large television.
The bathroom was spacious, and the shower was huge. There was a large mirror and a smaller, magnified mirror, ideal for makeup and facial grooming. Below the sink, there are plenty of drawers and shelves where the towels are located.
Food and drink
With a total of seven restaurants, there are plenty of places to eat and drink at the Intercontinental Hotel Malta and there's all-day in-room dining too, should you prefer; from casual Mediterranean meals to fine dining, there’s something for every palate.
One evening, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Waterbiscuit Restaurant, which has a menu inspired by classic French bistros. We began with refreshing cocktails and mocktails and were then offered some lovely warm bread rolls with butter.
We enjoyed a Premier Chicken Burger packed with crispy-coated boneless chicken thighs, tomato slices, rocket leaves, provolone cheese, a fried egg, and steakhouse fries, as well as some Barn Farmed Chicken Breast with leek purée, wilted spinach, and a side of twice-cooked wedges which we both agreed were the best wedges we had ever tasted —delicious! We would've sampled a pudding, but we were too full from the yummy food!
Breakfast at Intercontinental Malta was extensive - especially at the Club InterContinental Lounge - with a broad buffet containing hot and cold foods, so you can create your very own cooked breakfast or enjoy the best of both worlds.
From porridge to cereal, pancakes, cold meats, pastries, fresh fruit, bread, cakes and local delicacies, they cater to all tastes.
Waiting staff come up to you to take your drink order. You can also request specific hot foods from the menu such as fried eggs and crêpes or waffles with your choice of toppings.
The staff also encourage you to fill out a form with any breakfast preferences you may have for the next day so that they accommodate them which is a thoughtful touch, and they are also very friendly and chatty.
Afternoon tea can also be booked at the hotel and we enjoyed ours at the Brass Bar in InterContinental Malta. It came in a locked cabinet which our server opened with a key and pulled out the four drawers, packed full of sweet and savoury treats. You could also have as many hot drinks as you'd like.
It is particularly fancy, and the cakes were a decent size, meaning we could not finish it all between the two of us, so we took some leftovers to our room to enjoy later.
Facilities
Outdoor and indoor pools: One of the hotel's standout features is its large Skybeach Rooftop Infinity Pool, surrounded by a spacious sun deck with plenty of room for sunbathing and swimming. There's a bar that serves cocktails, soft drinks and food such as pizza and hot sandwiches.
If you've booked a suite, you get complimentary access to the SKYBEACH, but other room bookings are required to pay a fee if they'd like to access the rooftop pool.
Understandably, this is closed during winter, but there's also an indoor pool next to the spa if you're looking to hide from adverse weather or escape from the sun.
Carisma Spa and Wellness: The hotel’s spa offers a full range of treatments, including massages, facials, and wellness therapies. I was booked in for a lovely full-body massage and head massage which lasted for a whole hour and was very relaxing.
Elite Coiffeur: If you're heading out and want a fresh trim or a new look, you can head to the hotel's hairdressers.
Club InterContinental Lounge: One of the highlights of the IHG Intercontinental Malta hotel is the Club Lounge which has a huge breakfast buffet, all-day refreshments, pre-dinner drinks, canapés and a private check-in option with a dedicated reception desk.
Health & Fitness Club: A fully equipped gym is also available if you want to stay active and maintain your fitness routine during your stay.
InterContinental Beach Club: For a more secluded experience, the hotel has access to a private beach, where you can lounge on sunbeds or beach towels and under umbrellas, which are all provided. Like the outdoor pool, it's also closed during winter.
Business Services: With 24 meeting rooms, conference spaces, and state-of-the-art business services, InterContinental Malta is an excellent choice for corporate travellers; one of their spaces is said to be the biggest function room in Malta!
Final thoughts
My stay at the Intercontinental Malta IHG hotel was an unforgettable experience. The staff at the InterContinental went above and beyond. Every person I encountered, from the front desk to the poolside staff, was friendly and professional and truly seemed to care about making my stay enjoyable. They were always ready to assist with anything I needed, making me feel well taken care of throughout my visit.
The combination of luxury accommodation, top-notch service and unbeatable location made it a perfect choice for anyone looking to experience the best of Malta.
Whether you're in town for business, leisure or a romantic getaway, this IHG hotel offers a top-class experience that I have been recommending to everybody. I can't wait for my next visit!
What is IHG hotels?
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is a global hotel company that owns, manages, and franchises a wide range of hotels and resorts worldwide. Established in 2003, it's one of the world’s leading hospitality brands, offering various hotel brands to cater to different traveller needs, from budget-friendly accommodations to luxury stays.
HG is also known for its loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, which allows members to earn points for stays, which can be redeemed for free nights and various other perks.
Are IHG hotels good?
Yes, IHG hotels are generally considered to be a great option for travelers. The quality of the experience can vary depending on the specific brand within the IHG portfolio, but overall, they offer reliable service, comfortable accommodations, and a broad range of amenities suited to different needs.
Are IHG hotels pet-friendly?
Yes, many IHG hotels are pet-friendly, but it depends on the specific property and brand. IHG recognizes that pets are an important part of many people's lives, and as such, they offer a range of pet-friendly accommodations. However, there are some guidelines and variations across their different hotel brands.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, cinema trips, playing board games and walking her dogs.