Radisson Blu Resort, Malta St Julian’s

The Radisson Blu Resort, Malta St Julian’s is a 5-star seafront hotel. It occupies the headland of St George’s Bay, in St Julian’s. Its terraced floors step down towards the open sea. The hotel has 252 rooms and suites, all with a balcony or terrace. Most look out over the Mediterranean. Some suites have a terrace with a whirlpool bath.

Dining revolves around four venues. Kon Tiki serves the breakfast buffet and themed buffets. Le Bistro offers Mediterranean and local cuisine. The Edge, facing the sea, only opens in summer, from Wednesday to Sunday. The Bridge bar serves cocktails, snacks and afternoon tea, with sea views.

For relaxation, the hotel offers several outdoor pools facing the open sea. It also has a heated indoor pool, open all year round. In season, The Edge lido gives access to the sea via a ladder. The Dee Spas spa offers a sauna, a hammam, massages and Ayurvedic treatments. Finally, there is a gym, two tennis courts and a diving school.

The hotel is happy to welcome families, with family rooms and a children’s pool. There is no kids’ club, but babysitting is available on request. It also hosts many weddings and conferences.

Recent reviews praise the staff above all. Reception, guest relations, breakfast and the bar are mentioned in the vast majority of detailed comments. Guests note many thoughtful gestures, such as an upgrade or a birthday surprise. The breakfast buffet is the other strong point. It is considered very generous, with eggs cooked to order.

The location is very popular. The hotel stays quiet at night, by the water. Yet Paceville and its bars are only about ten minutes’ walk away. The sea view from the balconies comes up again and again. The rooms are considered spacious. The hotel’s restaurants are well liked, especially The Edge for its terrace facing the open sea.

The downside comes up again and again: the hotel has aged. Furniture, bathrooms and public areas look dated for a five-star hotel. Several guests regret temperamental air conditioning and the lack of sockets near the bed. A large construction site next door causes noise and dust. In summer, the pools are packed, as outside visitors have access at weekends.

The Radisson Blu St Julian’s is best suited to families and couples looking for a well-located seaside resort. The warm service and the view partly make up for the wear and tear. It is best to book a sea-view room, away from the building works. Travellers expecting modern luxury, on the other hand, may well be disappointed.

The Radisson Blu St Julian’s occupies the headland of St George’s Bay, in St Julian’s. It lies on Malta’s north-east coast. The sandy beach at St George’s Bay is 500 m away. Paceville and its bars are about ten minutes’ walk away. Spinola Bay and its restaurants are 1.2 km away. A bus stop for Valletta is a few minutes’ walk away. The international airport is 13 km away, around 20 minutes by car.

Good to know: a large hotel construction project is under way between the hotel and Paceville. The Edge lido and its restaurant only open in summer. The airport shuttle is suspended, so plan on a taxi or a ride-hailing service.