- A fabulous five star hotel on the edge of UNESCO World Heritage listed Valletta
- Suitable for couples, families and solo travellers
- Three onsite restaurants and two bars – each with harbour views
- A spa and fully equipped gym
The Grand Hotel Excelsior is situated a stone’s throw from Valletta, Malta’s quirky capital. The beautifully appointed rooms feature views across Marsamxett Harbour to Fort Manoel, the soaring citadel built by the mysterious Catholic Order of Saint John. Three excellent restaurants are located onsite, each serving up fine meals in light and airy surroundings. For drinks you can choose from the Tiki Village and Blue Ocean Bar, offering fine cocktails in a brilliantly kitsch setting, and the elegant Harbour View.
This is the only hotel in Valletta with its own private beach, where you can dip your toes in the harbour or enjoy a swim in the warm waters. Back on the loungers you can watch the boats sail in to the private marina. Round off the afternoon at the onsite spa and gym, for a steam, massage or energising workout.
Facilities
Bars & Restaurants
Harbour View
Classically styled Harbour View is found in the hotel’s grand lobby. Comfortable armchairs and all-enveloping sofas are arranged around the large windows which provide views across to Valletta. This is the place to come for your morning coffee or evening Mai Tai.
Open: 12:00 - 23:00.
Admirals Landing
An elegant restaurant serving à la carte Mediterranean cuisine with beautiful Marsamxett harbour providing the backdrop. The emphasis is on fine local ingredients.
Open: 12:00 - 16:00 and 18:30 - 22:00.
Spice Island
A charming fourth floor restaurant that’s open for breakfast throughout the week. On Sundays there’s an excellent buffet.
Open: 06:30 - 10:30 Monday to Sunday and 13:00 - 15:00 Sunday.
Tiki Village and Blue Ocean Bar
Tiki Village and Blue Ocean Bar is a fabulously kitsch venue located on the harbour’s edge. With its unique Hawaiian styling it’s sure to put you in a holiday mood. The food menu includes salad and freshly grilled fish.
Open: 11:00 - 00:00.
Please note, this bar is closed until summer 2019.
Beach & Pools
Swimming Pools
The hotel’s swimming pool is located on the harbourside. It’s the perfect place for a few morning lengths.
Private Beach
The Excelsior boasts the only private beach in Valletta. Loungers and umbrellas are available to relax beside the water.
Spa & Wellness
Le Grand Spa
Le Grand Spa features nine rooms, with a wide range of treatments on offer. A steam room and Jacuzzi are available - as is a top of the line gym.
Open: 07:00 - 21:00.
About the location
The Grand Hotel Excelsior is situated right on the doorstep of Valletta, facing out over Marsamxett harbour. It’s just a short walk from the heart of the city, where you can wander through the baroque streets, which have been unchanged since the city was founded by crusaders in the 1500s.
Around the hotel are some fine lookout points and places to relax, including the Msida Bastion Historic Garden and the Argotti Botanic Gardens. The hotel’s location on the harbour allows for stunning views across the bay. As it’s outside the city’s main grid, travel to other locations around Malta is a breeze.
Transfer time
The Grand Hotel Excelsior is a 15 minute drive from Malta International Airport.
Deluxe Room Inland View
Max 2 Adults, 1 Child
Deluxe Rooms with Inland View are located on the 1st - 6th floor and feature king or twin beds and a spacious balcony.
Deluxe Room Sea Front
Max 2 Adults, 1 Child
Deluxe Seafront Rooms measure approximately 38m² and offer a 180 degree view of the Marsamxett Harbour, Manoel Island and the private yacht marina.
Deluxe Room Sea View
Max 2 Adults, 1 Child
Deluxe Rooms with Sea View are located on the 1st - 6th floor and feature king or twin beds and a spacious balcony which overlooks Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island
Deluxe Sea Front With Terrace
Max 2 Adults, 1 Child
Deluxe Seafront Rooms measure approximately 38m² and offer a 180 degree view of the Marsamxett Harbour, Manoel Island and the private yacht marina which can be enjoyed from the spacious terrace rather than a balcony.
Superior Deluxe Inland
Max 2 Adults, 1 Child
Superior Deluxe Inland View measure approximately 33 - 38m² and are located on 8th - 10th floor, featuring one king or two twin beds and a balcony with a view over the hotel plaza and the city of Valletta.
Superior Deluxe Sea View
Max 2 Adults, 1 Child
Superior Deluxe Sea View measure approximately 33 - 38m² and are located on 8th - 10th floor, featuring one king or two twin beds and a balcony with a view over the hotel plaza and the city of Valletta.
Based on 5448 traveller reviews
81% of travellers recommended this hotel
Travellers Ratings
Excellent
2508
Very Good
1812
Average
762
Poor
237
Terrible
129
Reviews
“ Clean hotel, excellent location in Valletta but not 5* in my opinion
stacyjo91, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Oct 24 2021
Clean, friendly staff, great to have a manmade beach area to swim in the sea, large comfy beds.
Drinks quite expensive around the pool and the Tiki Bar stopped serving its full food menu whilst we...
Clean, friendly staff, great to have a manmade beach area to swim in the sea, large comfy beds.
Drinks quite expensive around the pool and the Tiki Bar stopped serving its full food menu whilst we were there which was a shame as there was lots of demand for it.
Didn't feel like a 5 star to me, more like a 4 star.
We would recommend to others though as location excellent (if you have mobility problems then probably not ideal) and we enjoyed our 7 night stay.
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“ Lovely Hotel with great views but lots of attention required to match the 5 star rating.
Johnnieholiday, Cheltenham
Oct 23 2021
This hotel needs a sharp shock! It???s supposed to be 5star but it falls a long way short of that level. The rooms are tired and scruffy, staff young and completely inexperienced to the point of being...
This hotel needs a sharp shock! It???s supposed to be 5star but it falls a long way short of that level. The rooms are tired and scruffy, staff young and completely inexperienced to the point of being embarrassing and it???s expensive. The breakfast buffet was pretty good but the dinner quality was pretty dreadful, along with service that really is a joke at times. The hotel is situated on the cliff outside the town centre and they don???t tell you that there are nearly a hundred steps to negotiate before you get out of the grounds, then you have to walk another 2-300 metres uphill before you get on the level on your way into the main street. Anyone with mobility problems is in trouble. However, they are happy to charge you ???12 for one of their staff to drive you up there in one of their cars!
We paid a premium for a suite that included business lounge benefits, which was closed. A lot of the other facilities including the tiki village was not in use and there was only one restaurant available (outside) during the day and evening in a period where the temperatures were over 40 deg C!
I have many photos showing the poor state of repairs in the hotel, shower, tiles chipped, carpets worn and reeved up, lights not working and general sorry state but sadly there are too many Mb to be added to this review. It genuinely requires a LOT of money spending on it to bring it up to standard.
I would honestly give this place a very wide berth for a couple of years until they get their act together and their staff become more experienced understanding the needs of their guests and to be able to honour their 5star promise.
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“ Great hotel, needs a little TLC
130darrenh, London, United Kingdom
Oct 22 2021
Great staff, perfect location, lovely pool & nice food. It could do with some TLC but we were very happy and even contemplated extending our stay. I felt very covid safe, everyone wears masks and...
Great staff, perfect location, lovely pool & nice food. It could do with some TLC but we were very happy and even contemplated extending our stay. I felt very covid safe, everyone wears masks and when I accidentally left mine in my room, reception kindly gave me one to wear. We will be back! Thank you to all the lovely staff we met and chatted to.
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“ Clean hotel with impressive features
thomaswQ7993PH,
Oct 22 2021
Although this is a ???five star??? hotel it is clearly a little dated. It could do with a lick of paint on the exterior, as other reviewers have noted. Still, it has exquisite grounds, friendly staff...
Although this is a ???five star??? hotel it is clearly a little dated. It could do with a lick of paint on the exterior, as other reviewers have noted. Still, it has exquisite grounds, friendly staff, good food and is a few minutes walk from Valletta. You won???t be paying five star prices and a drink by the gorgeous pool on a warm day makes the stay worth it. Would recommend - just don???t expect something ultra-modern.
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“ Dated and huge hotel
mervynh409, Dorchester, United Kingdom
Oct 22 2021
Not impressed with this hotel it looks like an old cruise liner of 1970s very large and the rooms are down dark corridors.and continue the theme in the room good job I bought a torch.
Long walk...
Not impressed with this hotel it looks like an old cruise liner of 1970s very large and the rooms are down dark corridors.and continue the theme in the room good job I bought a torch.
Long walk uphill to Valletta but only two free busses a day and if you book in advance.
The restaurant was not available unless you booked in advance or got there when they opened and pleaded for a table..not me.
Easier to book a ride service and go to Valletta in five minutes where ther are amazing food choices.
Breakfast choices very good if you want to get fat no more modern alternatives ie kifir or pro.biotic yogurt. One day no sparkling water, if you want a expresso you have to pay for it.
Don't get me into when they lost my hire car and I had to get a taxi.
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