AX The Victoria Hotel

With neoclassical pillars at the entrance of its nine-floor building, Victoria Hotel creates an elegant first impression. Taking design inspiration from the Victorian era, the hotel’s interiors are classically decorated. Chesterfield sofas surround a grand piano in the lobby lounge that features wooden paneled details, wingback chairs, and tall wooden-paned windows and doors. There are two elevators and carpeted hallways with classic furnishings. This hotel stands out from the competition because of its connection on the seventh floor to The Palace, a five-pearl property. While the Victoria Hotel has its own facilities, guests can use its sister hotel’s luxury amenities, including the poolside Rooftop Lounge 360, which has a party atmosphere contrasting with the Victoria Hotel's quiet and relaxed ambience. 

The Victoria Hotel sits beside its sister property, The Palace, in a slow-paced area at the center of Sliema. This area gets far less traffic than the busy waterfront with its rocky beaches and promenade, but it's just a few minutes away on foot. There are many dining, drinking, and shopping options along the waterfront. The Point Shopping Mall can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Sliema Ferry that travels in 10 minutes to Valletta -- with Fort St. Elmo and St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Ghadir is the closest bus stop to the hotel and can take guests to St. Julian’s in 20 minutes. Driving to the Malta International Airport takes about 20 minutes. Excursions to Gozo are an hour and a half by car and ferry. 

The hotel is in the process of updating rooms; some are traditional and dated, with patterned bedspreads and carpets. Others, including suites, have more stylish design. The more traditional rooms have pale blue furniture and pastel or earth tones. Most rooms have balconies or terraces, except some Classic Rooms. Views overlook the city and a few offer a slice of the sea. Most rooms have flat-screen or tube TVs, electric kettles, safes, minibars, air-conditioning, and modern or old-fashioned bathrooms with hairdryers and shower/tub combos. Superior Rooms are on the top floors. Junior Suites -- on the second and sixth floors -- have mahogany designs and sitting areas. Upscale Deluxe Suites are stylishly designed, featuring fun wallpaper, pops of color, modern bathrooms, twin terraces, and sitting areas. A fee for Wi-Fi may apply in some rooms. 

The Victoria Hotel’s rooftop pool, open in the summer, is surrounded by glass walls that provide panoramic city views. Guests also have access to the sister property's infinity pool and terrace, with 360-degree views, where mojito parties are often held at night. The Marion Mizzi Spa and an indoor pool with a terrace are also found at the sister hotel. The modern fitness center -- with cardio machines, free weights, and personal trainers -- is open to guests of both hotels.

Between the two hotels, there are a wide range of dining options. The Penny Black Bar is open in the winter with chesterfield leather sofas and an English pub vibe. The Terrace in the summer offers poolside dining and the Copperfield Restaurant is open throughout the year serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an elegant dining room. TemptAsian on the rooftop of the sister hotel is a popular choice of all guests. There are four meeting spaces available for private functions, plus the restaurant and the rooftop terrace can also be rented for events. Wi-Fi is free in common spaces, but fees exist for in-room Wi-Fi in certain rooms.