A petite rocky paradise which, as an island, is in itself a UNESCO World Heritage site, Malta’s popularity has been steadily growing. And paired with Delta’s first direct flight from JFK, today’s announcement of the Hard Rock Hotel Malta’s opening may be the perfect reason to pack your bags and explore this otherworldly Mediterranean archipelago, just south of Sicily.
As the red-headed stepchild of bigger, more popular destinations like Greece, Croatia, Spain and even Turkey, Malta offers all the perks of a Southern European holiday in a pared-down, more compact setting. Yup, you still get beautiful beaches and clear turquoise water, but you’ll also be able to explore the easy-to-traverse prehistoric temples, Roman-era remains and Neolithic carvings, as well as access thriving local traditions like its Ventian-like dghajsa boats. With its new resort, however, Hard Rock hopes to cement the island country as a more sophisticated hotspot for International travelers, offering the first combination of 5-star luxury, beach club and live entertainment.
The luxe complex can be found in St. George’s Bay, on Malta’s northeastern coast, which places it in close proximity to the country’s entertainment district. So yeah, you’ll have onsite access to 11 swimming pools and more than 10 restaurants, bars, clubs and lounges, but guests can also pop over to nearby Paceville for shopping, rooftop bars, lively pubs and even more late-night fun. The Lebanese-forward Al Kasbah looks like the hotel’s signature eatery, and I do not mind the look of the rooftop Cyana, serving up Greek specialities off the grill paired with 360-degree sea and city views.
Though there is no dedicated casino, Hard Rock Malta does boast an insane spa and wellness club.
Rock Spa is the largest of its kind on the island, covering over 19,000 sq feet, while the Body Rock gym and wellness area offers over 20,000 sq feet of space filled with cardio equipment, weights, fitness machines and even a HYROX set-up. I’m partial to classes, so I’m thrilled to find a ton to choose from, with everything from bootcamp to HIIT to spinning, boxing to combat, and Pilates to stretching. And yogis, don’t fret. Not only can you take a group class, but you can also access a customized yoga experience from the comfort of your room. Just the way I like it, so nobody can judge my illegitimate downward dog and me.
Another fascinating feature? Rhythm and Motion, which is what the hotel bills as the world’s first “music-centric spa menu.” Intrigued? I am. Here’s what Hard Rock has to say about it, “This groundbreaking experience takes guests on a rhythmic massage journey — bass vibrations ripple through the massage table as treble beats come from above, sending pulses through the body and leaving guests feeling energized and invigorated.” From what I can tell, each treatment, be it massage, facial, or wrap, is paired with music, sound, and vibrations. I’m not exactly sure how that works, but I’m game.
With 397 rooms, you can choose from lower to higher end. And I was surprised at how affordable they seemed when I checked the website, with a Rock Star Villa with Pool starting at just 288 euros a night in September. That also bodes well if you’re coming with a family and need a few rooms. And, if you are toting the kids, the resort does tout a kids club for ages 4 to 12 and an area for teens, stocked with climbing walls, laser tag and trampolines.
Malta may not have been firmly on my radar, but I’m willing to give it a second look. Though the calendar hasn’t been posted yet, I’m also keen on finding out what live entertainment Hard Rock has to offer. And with fall coming and summer crowds starting to dissipate, I may just pull the trigger on those first reservations.
