Palais Le Brun, Valletta

Palais Le Brun is a 4-star hotel with 39 rooms and suites. It occupies a Baroque palace on Old Bakery Street, in the centre of Valletta. The building dates from 1606. In the 18th century, it housed the Le Brun family, masters of the Mint of the Order of St John. George Borg Olivier, Prime Minister at Malta’s independence, spent his childhood here. Restored from 2018 onwards, it has kept its marble floors and antique furniture.

Rooms range from a 27 m² double to a 55 m² duplex suite. Some have a Maltese balcony, others a terrace. The jacuzzi suites have a private hot tub on their terrace. The highest ones enjoy a sea view. All have a marble bathroom, an espresso machine and air conditioning. The hotel spreads across two neighbouring buildings, both served by lifts.

The restaurant occupies a vaulted basement room, in the former staff quarters. Breakfast combines a small buffet with a hot dish ordered from a menu. The roof terrace is home to the pool and a bar with sea views. The bar and restaurant close out of season, usually until spring.

For relaxation, the hotel offers a small gym and massages on request. There is no spa. The pool is not heated. Families can book 55 m² suites with a mezzanine and a free cot. The hotel does not provide extra beds.

Recent reviews praise the staff above all. Reception, the breakfast team and housekeeping come up in nearly three detailed reviews out of four. Guests often mention an upgrade or a thoughtful touch for a birthday. They also love the setting. This restored palace, all marble and antique furniture, has kept plenty of character. The rooms are seen as spacious for Valletta, with comfortable beds. Cleanliness is consistently praised too.

The location wins near-universal approval. The street is quiet, a stone’s throw from Republic Street and the main sights. Breakfast is popular for its hot dishes made to order, such as French toast or eggs Benedict. The buffet, on the other hand, is judged modest. In summer, the rooftop pool and bar offer a welcome break after sightseeing. The sea view from the roof is often mentioned.

The drawbacks mainly concern the shared spaces. The breakfast room, in the basement and windowless, feels cramped when the hotel is full. Depending on your room, you may also have to change buildings to reach it. The pool is small and cold out of season. Some rooms overlook a courtyard or a wall and lack light. A few bathrooms have issues: a slippery bath, a leaking shower or drain smells. Out of season, the bar and restaurant close.

Palais Le Brun suits couples and families who want to explore Valletta on foot. It will appeal to those looking for charm and attentive service. For more light, it is best to book a room with a balcony, terrace or jacuzzi on an upper floor. Travellers with reduced mobility should note that the surrounding streets are steep and slippery. Those wanting a spa or a proper leisure complex should look elsewhere.

Palais Le Brun stands at 101 Old Bakery Street, in the north-east of Valletta. Republic Street, the main pedestrian street, is a minute’s walk away. St George’s Square and the Grand Master’s Palace are 150 m away. All the places to visit in Valletta can be reached on foot, such as the Manoel Theatre. Fort St Elmo is 800 m away. The bus terminus, at the City Gate, is about ten minutes’ walk away. The international airport is 8 km away, around 20 minutes by car.

Good to know: Valletta has no sandy beach. The hotel has no car park, but taxis drop off at the door. The surrounding streets are steep and their paving slabs slippery.