YUE

YUE describes itself as a wellness hub, and the idea is simple: everything you might want for looking after your body is in one building in Naxxar. There is a spacious gym, an indoor heated 25 metre lap pool, a hydrotherapy pool, a clinic offering health services and a wellness spa. For a UK visitor staying in the north of the island, or a resident looking for a year-round pool, that means swimming, training and recovery can all be sorted in a single trip.

The centre was created in 2014, and the name YUE means 'new beginning'. It aims to be welcoming whatever your age, background or fitness level. If you are comparing places to swim, our directory of swimming pools in Malta lists other options across the islands.

The indoor pools at YUE Aquatic

The headline facility is the indoor heated 25 metre lap pool, which means you can swim lengths in comfort whatever the weather outside. Malta is warm for much of the year, and our month-by-month Malta weather guide shows when the sea is at its best, but an indoor pool is useful in the cooler months and on the hottest afternoons of summer.

Alongside the lap pool there is a hydrotherapy pool. Hydrotherapy simply means using warm water for gentle movement and relaxation, and the centre positions this pool as part of its wider recovery and maintenance offer. Pool members are covered by the same gym and pool membership that carries the centre's perks.

If you prefer open water, there is plenty of it nearby, and our guide to the best beaches in Malta is a good companion to a pool membership for the days you want sea swimming instead.

Swimming lessons for babies, children and adults

Lessons are a real strength here, and they are run with specialist partners at the pool. One-to-one swimming lessons are available, and the centre offers baby, child and adult classes.

Giggle 'n' Splash offers baby and toddler classes for children from 3 months to 4 years, led by a teacher described as the first Maltese qualified baby and preschool swimming teacher. Rob's Swim School runs 10 week courses with 40 minute lessons in the 25 metre indoor pool. Children are placed in Turtle, Seal or Shark classes depending on whether they need aids, can swim about 5 metres unaided or can swim a proper stroke for 15 metres. Turtle and Seal classes have a maximum of 10 children with two teachers, while Sharks have up to 10 children with one teacher, and each child receives a record of achievement based on the UK national plan for teaching swimming.

AID Swim School offers learn-to-swim classes and advanced squad training for children, in small groups with qualified coaches. For expectant mothers, Aqua Mummies runs pre-natal aqua classes led by midwives with Aquanatal training accredited by the Royal College of Midwives. If you are travelling with children and want other family ideas, see the children's activities listed at Adventure Hub nearby.

Gym, personal training and group classes

The gym is spacious and fitted with modern equipment, with personal training available for one-to-one coaching. Photos of the gym floor show rows of resistance machines, free weights and an open training area, so you are unlikely to queue for kit.

Group classes are offered across a varied timetable, with the aim of keeping workouts fresh and building a sociable community. Pre-booking is a must, the timetable can change without notice, and group sessions start from €10.00 per person per session. If you are choosing between facilities, our gyms in Malta directory lets you compare other clubs.

Wellness spa and recovery zone

The YUE Wellness Spa is a calm space for treatments and rituals, with a team of individually qualified therapists. Treatment families include wellness and holistic massages, aesthetic and wellness facials, wellness body escapades, silhouette body solutions, advanced aesthetics and semi-permanent make-up, and quick treats for anyone short of time. A head spa ritual lasts 90 minutes and comes in three versions: Classic, Balancing and Bond Repair. The spa also publishes a downloadable menu.

Facilities include an infrared sauna, an ice plunge bath inspired by the work of Wim Hof, and a secluded jacuzzi. After a treatment you can use the chill out room, which is kept deliberately quiet with light colours and dimmed lighting at no extra charge. Members of the gym or pool also get free access to the recovery zone, which has saunas and an ice bath.

For a wider choice of places to unwind, browse our directory of spas in Malta, or see the things to do in Malta guide for ideas to fit around a treatment.

Health clinic and on-site extras

The clinic side of YUE covers physical and mental wellbeing. Physical services include physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, sports medicine and podiatry, while mental health services include psychiatry, psychotherapy and counselling. Descriptions here are only of what is offered, and you should speak to the clinic directly about whether a service suits your needs.

Other businesses share the premises. Villager by Munchies is the bistro at the centre, and Glamy Naxxar offers lashes, brows, manicures, pedicures and hair services. Members receive perks, including up to 20% off selected spa treatments, 20% off Glamy services, 10% off physiotherapy, podiatry, psychotherapy and dietician services, and 10% off at Villager from Monday to Thursday, with terms and conditions applying.

Membership, perks and who YUE suits

Gym and pool membership is the key to most of the extras. Members get up to 20% off selected treatments at the wellness spa, up to 20% off Garmin fitness products, 20% off Glamy beauty services, 10% off physiotherapy, podiatry, psychotherapy and dietician services, and free access to the recovery zone with its saunas and ice bath. Terms and conditions apply, so ask about the details when you enquire.

The centre stresses inclusivity, so it suits beginners as readily as experienced gym users. It speaks of a supportive community, a safe space and accessible facilities, and lists convenient location and easy street parking among its selling points. Families can combine children's swimming lessons with their own training, couples can pair a gym session with a spa visit, and anyone recovering from a heavy week of sightseeing can book a massage.

The centre is run by an executive team that includes Fabian Vella and Adele Mallia, and it advertises vacancies for people who would like to join the team. For a short stay, it is worth asking about arrangements for visitors before you travel, since membership is the route to many of the perks described above.

Where to find YUE and how to get started

YUE is on Labour Avenue in Naxxar, a town in the middle of the island between Mosta and the northern bays, and the centre notes easy street parking. Naxxar is a handy base for exploring the old capital, and our Mdina guide and Valletta guide cover the sights within a short drive.

If you are still choosing where to stay, our where to stay in Malta page compares the main areas, and the Malta holidays overview is a good place to start planning. Anyone thinking of living here will find that a year-round pool and gym are common wish list items, and our Malta relocation guide covers the rest of the move.

To ask about membership, lessons, the spa or the clinic, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to YUE.