Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana

The Grand Hotel Excelsior is a 5-star hotel that opened in 2007. It backs onto the Floriana bastions, just outside the walls of Valletta. Its ten floors overlook Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island. The hotel has 433 rooms and suites, most with a balcony or terrace. Standard rooms measure around 33 m², family rooms up to 60 m². Not all of them have a direct harbour view.

For dining, Spice Island serves the breakfast and dinner buffets. Admiral’s Landing offers an international menu and a Sunday brunch. In season, Tiki serves Mediterranean cuisine by the water. The Harbour View lounge stays open day and night, with afternoon tea. The Blue Ocean Bar and the pool bar round things off.

Relaxation here is all about the sea. The large freshwater outdoor pool is not heated. It comes with a children’s pool and a small private beach with sea access. The hotel also has a private marina, reserved for its guests. The Carisma spa houses a heated indoor pool and a whirlpool bath. The sauna and steam bath are extra. The gym is open from 5 am to 11 pm.

The hotel is happy to welcome families, with family rooms and a free cot. There is no kids’ club, but paid babysitting is available. Spa treatments and the gym are for over-16s only. A free shuttle runs up to the centre of Valletta every day, from 9 am to 8 pm.

Recent reviews agree first and foremost on the location. The hotel is on the water, about a ten-minute walk from Valletta’s city gate. The bus terminus and ferries are close by. The staff are also very often praised. The concierge, guest relations and the breakfast team receive the most praise. Small touches for birthdays come up in many comments.

The harbour-facing pool and the private beach win almost everyone over. Sunbeds remain easy to find, even in August. Guests also like the spacious rooms and large balconies. The evening calm comes as a surprise, so close to the capital. Breakfast is more divisive. The buffet is varied, but many find it repetitive, with lukewarm dishes and disappointing coffee. Tiki and Admiral’s Landing score well for dinner.

The main complaint is the hotel’s tired condition. Heavy furniture, worn carpets and dated bathrooms are judged below five-star standard. The pool area sometimes lacks upkeep and shade. Several guests also regret an unwelcoming reception and extra charges, such as for the sauna. The hotel sits below the road: you have to climb around 80 steps, or take the shuttle. The air conditioning also struggles in some rooms in high summer. Finally, some rooms sold with a partial view look onto a wall.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior is best suited to couples and families who have come to discover Valletta. The pool and beach are a pleasant way to round off a day of sightseeing. Its loyal guests appreciate its classic grand hotel charm. It is best to book a harbour-view room on a high floor. Travellers expecting modern luxury may well be disappointed, at least until the announced renovation.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior stands on Great Siege Road, in Floriana, at the foot of the bastions. It overlooks Marsamxett Harbour, facing Manoel Island and Sliema. The gate of Valletta is around 800 m away, a 10-minute walk. The route takes in steps and then a slope. A free shuttle runs there all day. Valletta’s sights are therefore within easy reach. The bus terminus, the hub for the island’s buses, is less than 10 minutes’ walk away. The international airport is 8 km away, around 20 minutes by car.

Good to know: the hotel has announced a closure for renovation and extension from February 2027. Check your dates before booking.