Hard Rock Hotel Malta, St Julian’s

The Hard Rock Hotel Malta opened on 2 September 2026. This 5-star hotel overlooks St George’s Bay, in St Julian’s, on the edge of Pembroke. The terraced building has 397 rooms and suites. All have a balcony and a sea view. Rooms measure at least 36 m². Twenty-five suites have a private pool on their terrace. Club rooms and suites give access to the Rock Royalty lounge.

The breakfast buffet is served at the Sessions restaurant. In the evening, Cyana offers Greek cuisine on the 11th floor, with panoramic views. Al Kasbah serves Lebanese cuisine in a festive atmosphere. The Nine Arches lounge, in the lobby, stays open all day. Room service runs 24 hours a day. The Eclipse rooftop and the 1862 pool grill are due to open soon. The neighbouring shopping mall houses other restaurants, such as Tatel or the Indian Tanvi.

The hotel advertises eleven pools, eight outdoors and three indoors. The main outdoor pools are open, with a swim-up bar. The rooftop infinity pool is not yet finished. The Rock Spa covers 1,800 m². It brings together an indoor pool, a sauna, steam baths and a salt room. It is reserved for over-16s. The Body Rock gym also offers group classes.

Families can use the Roxity Kids Club, for 4 to 12-year-olds. An indoor pool is reserved for children, and interconnecting rooms are available. The atmosphere nonetheless leans towards adults, with DJs and music in the public areas. The hotel is entirely non-smoking, terraces included. Pets are welcome.

Reviews published since the opening praise the staff above all. The welcome, the breakfast team, the pool bar and the spa receive repeated praise. Guests also like the rooms, which are new, very spacious and well soundproofed. The view of the bay and the beds come up often. The spa and above all the very well-equipped gym win unanimous praise. Many also highlight personal touches, such as a handwritten welcome note.

The breakfast buffet is seen as generous and varied, with sushi and eggs cooked to order. Coffee service there, however, is often slow. The Lebanese restaurant is very popular for its food and atmosphere. The location also goes down well. The beach, the bars of Paceville and a shopping mall are just a few steps away. The pool bar and the lobby lounge are considered pleasant in the evening.

The downside is clear: the hotel opened before it was finished. In autumn 2026, the rooftop, its infinity pool and several restaurants were still closed. Two neighbouring towers are under construction, with noise from the early morning. Guests also report breakdowns in the air conditioning, hot water or lifts. Several regret not being warned when they booked. Waiting times on arrival and housekeeping remain uneven. Finally, drinks by the pool are considered expensive.

The Hard Rock Hotel Malta is best suited to couples and friends looking for a new, lively and central hotel. Families will also find what they need thanks to the kids’ club. It is best to check which facilities are open before booking. A sea-facing room, away from the towers under construction, limits the disruption. Travellers looking for complete peace and quiet will prefer another area.

The Hard Rock Hotel Malta overlooks St George’s Bay, on the edge of Pembroke. It is part of a vast complex with a shopping mall and two residential towers under construction. The sandy beach at St George’s Bay is a few minutes’ walk away. Paceville and its bars are right next door. The centre of St Julian’s is a quarter of an hour on foot. Buses link the area to Valletta, about ten kilometres away. The international airport is 10 km away, around 30 minutes by car.

Good to know: from the car park, access is through the shopping mall and is poorly signposted. A deposit is blocked on your bank card on arrival. Cash is not accepted.