Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Stunning location
Exceptional service
Cons:
High prices

Categories

Cleanliness
9.19
No specific issues mentioned; overall cleanliness is expected to be excellent for this hotel standard.
Service
9.66
The staff has been described as attentive and exceptionally helpful throughout the guest experience.
Location
9.7
The hotel's location in Mdina is highlighted as beautiful and contributes greatly to the overall experience.
Room Quality
9.15
Rooms are described as comfortable and well-furnished.
Amenities
9.18
Amenities include a roof terrace and hot tub, adding to the guest experience.
Value for Money
8.64
Some guests mention high pricing but feel the experience justifies it.
Food and Beverage
9.19
The hotel's Michelin star restaurant is recommended, along with high-quality food in the Trattoria.
Overall Experience
9.66
Overall, guests describe their experiences as delightful and recommend the hotel without reservation.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-10 11:58

Property Description

Luxurious 17th-Century Palace Boutique Hotel
Nestled in the medieval fortified city of Mdina, The Xara Palace Boutique Hotel offers a unique experience like no other.

Award-Winning Haute Cuisine and Luxury Accommodation
Indulge in exquisite haute cuisine and luxurious accommodations at this Relais & Châteaux property. Each of the seventeen rooms and suites is meticulously designed with antique furniture, Parisian fabrics, and king-size beds, offering stunning views of the surrounding baroque architecture.

Impeccable Attention to Detail for an Unforgettable Stay
Experience a serene and pampered stay with an unhurried pace of life at The Xara Palace Hotel. From the decor to the personalized service, every detail is carefully curated to ensure a truly unforgettable holiday in Malta.

Book now and treat yourself to an exquisite getaway at The Xara Palace Boutique Hotel.

Important information:

Please note that the property is located in a restricted traffic area. Guests are advised to contact the property before arrival for further instructions.

Please note that the property accepts small dogs but guests are required to contact the property in advance.In the event of an early departure, the property will charge you the full amount for your stay.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: MLA

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Parking

    Free public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not needed).

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 3 years old to 17 years old stay for € 95 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for € 95 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

9.3
Based on 604 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.19
Service: 9.66
Location: 9.7
Room Quality: 9.15
Amenities: 9.18
Value for Money: 8.64
Food and Beverage: 9.19
Overall Experience: 9.66
I
Irina couple fr
10
Pros:

Excellent stay

2026-06-10 via Nuitee
D
Denis family_with_children at
9
2026-06-08 via Nuitee
P
Peter solo_traveller au
9
Pros:

Staff very helpful, room excellent.

Cons:

Nothing to dislike.

2026-06-08 via Nuitee
C
Clemens couple de
8
Schönes Relais & Chateaux Hotel, aber leider ohne Swimming Pool
Pros:

Schönes Chateaux inmitten der historischen Altstadt von Mdina
sehr freundliches Personal inkl. Empfang durch Director of Hospitality
sehr gutes Frühstück
Michelin-Star Restaurant

Cons:

Im Gegensatz zu den Angaben auf der Buchungsplattform befindet sich der Swimming Pool NICHT auf dem Hotelgelände, sondern man muss mittels Shuttle bzw. Mietwagen dorthin transportiert werden (nicht fußläufig)
es werden unterschiedliche Pools von peripheren Villen genutzt, wechselt z.T. täglich
leider endet die Pool-Zeit z.T. abrupt (um 17Uhr), wenn die Villa für andere Aktivitäten (wie Hochzeitsfeiern etc.) genutzt werden, dies ist für den Hotelgast eines 5-Sterne-Hotels nicht adäquat; entsprechend sollte nicht mit Pool-Bildern im Internet geworben werden, da dies irreführend ist
kein Fitness-Raum auf dem Hotelgelände, wird ebenfalls nur extern angeboten

2026-06-07 via Nuitee
M
Monica couple es
10
2026-06-06 via Nuitee
F
Frédéric family_with_children be
10
Superbe séjour
Pros:

Magnifique bâtisse, chambres spacieuses et élégantes, magnifique terrasse panoramique pour petit déjeuner, personnel charmant et créatif pour nous faciliter la vie (famille avec personne à mobilité réduite), excellents restaurants

2026-06-06 via Nuitee
H
helen couple gb
10
We had a fabulous four days 5 nights here couldn’t ask for a more beautiful room or gracious staff- food was amazing and
Pros:

Amazing building full of character filled with beautiful antiques and art
Great location
Lovely spacious room ( we had a suite with panoramic view )
Fabulous staff
Just perfect for a relaxing break

Cons:

Swimming pool is at an nearby property
Requiring a short journey in car to and from
But once there it’s small and peaceful with personal butler to assist with drinks etc

2026-05-29 via Nuitee
W
Wendy couple gb
9
Perfection
Pros:

We stayed in a suite with a hot tub, which was fantastic😍

Cons:

This hotel has a prime position with wonderful views.
Staff were super friendly and very helpful

2026-05-25 via Nuitee
P
piotr couple pl
10
Rewelacyjny pobyt
Pros:

Lokalizacja, pokoje uprzejmość personelu

Cons:

Wszystko mi się podobało

2026-05-24 via Nuitee
N
Nigel couple au
9
2026-05-24 via Nuitee
R
Roger solo_traveller gb
10
An unsurpassed experience in a hotel totally at home in its wonderful location of Mdina.
Pros:

The 17th century palazzo has been expertly repurposed as a 5 star hotel. It has retained many antiques and incorporated all the modern facilities you would expect.

Cons:

Nothing to dislike.

2026-05-15 via Nuitee
T
Thomas Ritzi solo_traveller ch
10
The heart of Malta
Pros:

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The hotel's location in the historic town of Mdina is ideal for exploring both Mdina and the nearby Rabat. The hotel building itself is a magnificent ancient palace. We particularly appreciated the breathtaking views from the rooftop breakfast area. Our suite was wonderfully spacious and comfortable. The two on-site restaurants offered truly fantastic cuisine. Furthermore, the hotel's central location made it easy to discover Malta and Gozo, as there was significantly less traffic compared to Valletta. The staff were exceptionally helpful and friendly, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that made us feel like part of a family.

Cons:

Parking is exclusively available outside Mdina in a public parking area, which experiences significant usage by tour operators and tourists throughout the day. It is generally possible to secure a parking spot only after 4 p.m.

2026-05-11 via Nuitee
R
Ross solo_traveller gb
10
2026-05-09 via Nuitee
M
Megan MM couple us
10
Beautiful Setting, Staff, and Breakfast!
Pros:

Hotel is settled in the old city Mdina making the setting incredible and a great city to be in for a few days! The views looking out over the island from the roof are wonderful. Staff was great and the went above and beyond. Breakfast was SUPERB!

Cons:

I didn't see anywhere about the pool being seasonal (one of the reasons I booked the hotel) and it was not open during our stay in April. The natural light in the bedroom (the room with the bed lofted) was lacking and the bathroom did not scream 5 star hotel.

2026-04-26 via Nuitee
J
jnash84 Couples Bournemouth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Dorset, England
10
Beautiful views and building - feels both special and comfortable
Pros:

An oasis of calm inside the Mdina city walls with a nice restaurant next door. Room with own terrace was a really nice treat and enjoyed a hot tub afternoon. Views fantastic and breakfast the follow day pleasant on the terrace (breakfast included - just extra for hot breakfast like English or eggs Benedict)

Stayed in room 7 which was split level and gorgeous - would have happily stayed longer although to note rooms 5, 6 & 7 are under the breakfast terrace/indoor seating area and for about 2 hours 9.30pm - 11:30pm there was a lot of banging and scraping on the floor…. Do not know what was being done for such a sustained duration and it did spoil the evening a little; don’t know if a daily activity that could be reduced or avoided. Also room 7 terrace gets glorious sun in the morning / early afternoon but then is completely Shaded in afternoon so depends on your preference for sun time (loungers and brolly provided)

2026-04-21 via Tripadvisor
E
Emily couple gb
9
Gorgeous hotel
Pros:

The hotel is beautiful and staff went above and beyond to ensure a premium experience. It felt very special to stay within the gorgeous walls of Mdina and our room was lovely, plus spotlessly clean.

Cons:

I agree with some of the other reviews that the hotel is lacking a bar area, it would be nice to enjoy a drink away from the many tourist traps in Mdina and have a social space in the hotel.

2026-04-13 via Nuitee
J
Julie couple fr
10
Magnifique batisse historique de la citadelle et vue execeptionnelle
Pros:

Beauté des lieux au cœur de la citadelle
Architecture époustouflante
Vue panoramique à couper le souffle , de la terrasse du petit déjeuner et de la chambre 🤩
À faire et à refaire !
Merci à Silvia et au Directeur pour la personnalisation du séjour

Cons:

Partir 😔

2026-04-10 via Nuitee
R
Robert solo_traveller mt
10
Give it a try and you’ll be very pleasantly surprised.
Pros:

Perfect stay. Couldn’t be better!

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-09 via Nuitee
V
Volkhardt couple de
10
Pros:

Wir sind eine Woche auf Malta und Gozo gewandert. Dabei haben wir eine Nacht im "The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux" übernachtet. Es war alles grandios, von der Begrüßung über den CheckIn, das Zimmer, die Aussicht, die Lage, das Ambiente, das Frühstück, die Freundlichkeit des Personals,... alles auf einem extrem hohen Level. Wer sich einmal eine besondere Übernachtung in einer alten Stadtmauer mit überwältigender Aussicht gönnen möchte, hat hier sein Geld gut angelegt. :-) Volle Empfehlung!

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
9
978chaniceb Family
10
Our Dream Post-Wedding Escape
Pros:

Our post-wedding night at The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux was nothing short of magical — the perfect way to begin our new chapter as husband and wife.

From the moment we arrived, everything felt incredibly special. Nestled within the timeless beauty of Mdina, the hotel’s charm, elegance, and tranquility created an atmosphere that was both intimate and unforgettable. After the whirlwind of our wedding day, stepping into such serenity felt like a dream.

Our room was absolutely stunning — luxurious, beautifully designed, and filled with thoughtful touches that made us feel truly celebrated. Waking up in the “Silent City” as newlyweds was an experience we’ll cherish forever.

The service was exceptional from start to finish. Every member of staff made us feel welcome and went above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect. It wasn’t just hospitality — it was genuine care.

This wasn’t just a hotel stay; it was a memory we’ll carry with us for a lifetime. If you’re looking for a romantic, elegant, and truly unforgettable experience — especially for a special occasion — this is the place.

Thank you for giving us the most beautiful start to our forever 🤍

2026-04-03 via Tripadvisor