Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands, Mellieħa

The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands is a 5-star resort hotel. It overlooks Golden Bay beach, on Malta’s north-west coast. The complex is terraced into the cliff, between the sea and the countryside of Il-Majjistral park. It has 308 rooms and suites, all with a balcony. They look out over the bay or the countryside. Some rooms have a kitchenette, and the suites a fully equipped kitchen.

Four restaurants share the site. Flavours serves the breakfast and dinner buffets. Agliolio offers Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Essence of India serves an Indian menu. MedAsia, above the beach, blends Mediterranean and Asian flavours. Three bars round things off: the Mokka Lounge Bar in the lobby, the Essence Bar and the Lagoon Bar. The latter opens by the pool in summer.

For relaxation, the hotel offers large outdoor pools, one of them adults only. There is a separate pool for children. Its private beach occupies an equipped stretch of Golden Bay, linked to the hotel by a lift. The Myoka Sands spa houses a heated indoor pool, a hammam, a sauna and an Ayurvedic centre. There is also a gym open day and night, a tennis court and a games room.

The resort is aimed first and foremost at families. A kids’ club runs all year round, with indoor and outdoor activities. Babysitting is available on request. Suites with two to four bedrooms suit large families. Couples enjoy the adults-only pool and the peaceful setting.

Recent reviews praise the quality of the welcome above all. The staff are mentioned in the vast majority of detailed comments. The breakfast team receives consistent praise, as does housekeeping. Touches for a birthday or honeymoon are often noted. Guests also appreciate the size of the rooms and suites, seen as very spacious. The balconies facing Golden Bay offer superb sunsets.

The setting wins almost everyone over. The hotel opens directly onto a sandy beach, which remains rare in Malta. The pools are vast, and sunbeds are easy to find outside August. The breakfast buffet is considered generous and varied. The Indian restaurant is the one most often recommended for dinner. The evening buffet, however, disappoints some guests. The spa, with its hammam and heated pool, is especially popular out of season.

The most frequent downside is the age of the building. Carpets, furniture and bathrooms look dated for a five-star hotel. Isolation also comes up often: there are no shops or restaurants within walking distance. On the beach, getting into the water in front of the hotel’s area is over rocks. In summer, the bay is also very busy. Finally, the complex is vast, and it is easy to get lost at first. In winter, the indoor pool is often overrun by children. A few guests also find the beds too soft.

The Radisson Blu Golden Sands is best suited to families and couples looking for a relaxing beach holiday. It will appeal to those who want everything on site, from the beach to the spa. It is best to hire a car to explore the island, even though the bus serves Valletta. Travellers expecting modern decor or lively nightlife will be less satisfied.

The Radisson Blu Golden Sands occupies the northern cliff of Golden Bay, at Għajn Tuffieħa. It lies on Malta’s north-west coast, in the municipality of Mellieħa. The village centre is about ten minutes away by car. Riviera Beach, a wilder beach, is 700 m away. Popeye Village is 3 km away. The port of Ċirkewwa, where ferries leave for Gozo, is 10 minutes away by car. Bus route 44 links the bay to Valletta, 22 km away. The international airport is 20 km away, around 30 minutes by car.

Good to know: the site is isolated, with no shops within walking distance. To explore the island, a hire car or ride-hailing apps are strongly recommended. On the countryside side, some rooms stay in the shade for part of the day.