AX The Palace Hotel Malta

AX The Palace Hotel Malta is a 5-star property in Sliema operated by AX Hotels, Malta's largest domestic hotel group which operates eight properties across the island. The 5-star classification reflects premium room finishes, full spa facilities, multiple dining venues and a level of service that distinguishes the property from the 4-star segment. A guest score of 4.5 out of 5 from over 1,000 reviews — a sample large enough to be statistically reliable — confirms that the classification aligns with the guest experience in practice.

Sliema is Malta's commercial and residential hub, 5km north-west of Valletta across Marsamxett Harbour. The hotel's central Sliema position places it 500 metres from the 2.3km Sliema promenade, where the seafront walkway connects to St Julian's. The Sliema ferry to Valletta — a 5-minute crossing taking passengers to the Grand Harbour waterfront — departs approximately 1km from the hotel. Malta International Airport is 10km south, around 20 minutes by taxi. For guests combining a Malta city break with beach time, the Sliema hotel location gives practical access to both Valletta's cultural institutions and St Julian's leisure facilities.

Parking is available on-site, which is a meaningful advantage in Sliema where street parking is limited to residents during business hours. The hotel attracts a mix of UK leisure travellers, corporate guests attending Malta's growing events sector, and regional visitors from European cities. The 5-star classification commands a premium over the area's 4-star properties — typically 30 to 50 per cent higher on a per-night basis — justified by the spa, dining quality and service standard rather than just the room size.

Rooms at AX The Palace span Deluxe Rooms, Superior Rooms and Suites. Deluxe Rooms average around 30 square metres with premium bedding, marble en-suite bathrooms, 55-inch smart TV, Nespresso machine, mini-bar, air conditioning and high-speed WiFi. Superior Rooms add sea or city views and typically measure 34 to 38 square metres. The Suite category — beginning at approximately 55 square metres — includes a separate sitting area, upgraded bathroom with bath and walk-in shower, and expanded in-room amenities aligned with the 5-star standard.

Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 12:00. The 12:00 check-out time is a practical benefit on departure days, particularly for afternoon KM Malta Airlines flights from Malta back to London which depart between 14:00 and 17:00 — allowing guests to have lunch before departing to the airport without needing to vacate the room by 11:00. All floors are lift-accessible and the property is fully accessible for guests with mobility requirements.

The spa is the centrepiece of the hotel's wellness offer, providing massages, body treatments, facials and a relaxation suite. At the 5-star level the spa operates with a full treatment menu and professional therapists; booking 48 hours in advance is recommended during June through September when occupancy and spa demand peak simultaneously. The gym is equipped with commercial-grade cardio machines, a full free-weights section and resistance equipment, accessible at all hours via keycard.

Dining covers multiple venues: the main restaurant serves breakfast from 07:00 and dinner from 19:00 with a menu drawing on Maltese produce and Mediterranean cooking techniques. The bar operates from late afternoon and serves cocktails, wines and small plates. The pool bar operates during outdoor pool season. Sliema's independent restaurant scene — with over 50 restaurants within 1km of the hotel — gives guests an extensive option for dining out on evenings when they prefer to explore the local food culture.