- Malta Holidays
- Mdina
- The Xara Palace Relais and Chateaux

The hotel is set right within Mdina's mediaeval walls. Mdina's monuments, museums and Roman villas are just a few steps away from the property. Buses leave from nearby and travel across the island. There is a children's playground 150 m away. The nearest beach is 20 minutes' drive away at Golden Sands, while the shopping facilities in Sliema and Valletta are both likewise some 20 minutes' drive from the hotel. St Paul's Cathedral and Museum is around 5 minutes' walk away, Palazzo Falson is some 10 minutes' walk away and the Roman Domus is roughly 15 minutes' walk away. St John's Co. Cathedral is around 20 minutes' drive from the hotel, while the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim temples can be reached in roughly a 30-minute drive. Malta International Airport is around 14 km away.
The hotel is nestled in a 17th-century building. It provides quiet accommodation with breath-taking views over Malta and the Mediterranean Sea. The interiors feature antique furniture and original paintings, as well as the latest modern amenities. The hotel offers a total of 17 rooms over 3 floors. Facilities at this air-conditioned city hotel include a lobby, 24-hour reception and check-out service, a hotel safe, currency exchange facilities, a cloakroom and lift access to the rooms. The hotel includes a cafe and restaurant. Internet access is available, as well as room service and a laundry service. There is also a car park for the use of guests.
Enjoy a range of recreational amenities, including a 24-hour fitness centre, a seasonal outdoor pool and bicycles to rent. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services and babysitting (surcharge).
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
We absolutely loved our stay at The Xara Palace. In fact, I think it ended up being one of the highlights of our entire trip to Malta. There are plenty of beautiful hotels in Malta, but The Xara Palace is different. Staying inside the ancient walls of Mdina, surrounded by so much history and character, makes the experience feel much more like you are actually living in Malta rather than simply visiting it. The hotel itself is beautiful, intimate, and full of old-world charm without ever feeling overly formal or pretentious. One of my favorite parts of the stay was simply walking out of the hotel in the evening and wandering through Mdina after the crowds had gone. The streets become incredibly quiet and peaceful, and there is something pretty magical about being able to experience that from a hotel right in the heart of the city. The staff were wonderful throughout our stay—warm, friendly, and genuinely interested in making sure we were enjoying ourselves. We never felt like just another room number, and that personal touch really stood out to us. We also loved coming back to The Xara Palace after our days exploring Malta. We had some very busy days—boat trips, beaches, sightseeing and plenty of exploring—and returning to the quiet atmosphere of Mdina was the perfect contrast. What I think I will remember most, though, is how special the whole experience felt. The Xara Palace has personality, history, and a real sense of place that you just don't get at a typical luxury hotel. We came to Malta hoping to have a great family trip, and we certainly did. But staying at The Xara Palace made the trip feel even more memorable. We would stay here again in a heartbeat and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a truly unique and special experience in Malta.
If you want to explore Mdina this is the perfect spot (& you’ll literally be IN a castle but don’t worry there are elevators). Staff was very gracious and I found the amenities to be lovely (robes, slippers, etc). Pool is a short drive offsite but they have a car to take you. Air conditioning worked great down to 18 degrees C. Technically normal taxis can’t pull up to the hotel so recommend booking through the hotel so they are licensed to enter the gates especially if you have luggage. My one suggestion to the hotel is you MUST provide separate shampoo & conditioner — the combo does not work for people with long hair.
We had a truly wonderful experience during our stay. Although it was only for one night, every aspect was exceptional, from the beautiful room and outstanding service to the wonderful dining experiences. The attention to detail and warm hospitality throughout made our stay truly memorable.
Our room was absolutely perfect, with a beautiful terrace and jacuzzi. We particularly enjoyed spending the evening there, relaxing and watching the spectacular Santa Maria fireworks — such a lovely and unforgettable way to spend the night.
We also had an early dinner at the Trattoria, where the food was simply exceptional. We enjoyed the octopus stew and the prawn arancini from the speciality menu and both were absolutely delicious. Later in the evening, we ordered some desserts through room service and once again the service was outstanding.
Breakfast at the De Mondion Restaurant was another highlight. The exceptional view, combined with the attentive and incredibly quick service, made for a wonderful morning. A special mention to the two lovely ladies who served us and took such good care of us.
Our compliments also go to Chef Dorian, who prepared a beautiful breakfast tier including local products, bread, pastries, some ham and fruit. Everything was fresh, delicious and beautifully presented. The Eggs Benedict and French Toast were both divine and perfectly prepared.
We would also like to give a special thank you to all the staff on duty, who went above and beyond to make our stay extra special. Their genuine kindness, thoughtful gestures and warm hospitality did not go unnoticed and added an even more personal touch to an already wonderful experience.
It may have been only one night, but it was a truly memorable stay. The exceptional food, wonderful service, attention to detail and warm hospitality made the whole experience very special. We would be delighted to return!
Beautiful historic property, fabulous from the moment we arrived. Daughter and I shared a large, luxurious twin room with a view and bath room to die for! The de Mondion restaurant is a fantastic experience, the service and dedication to exceptional food was wonderful.
We stayed at the Xara Palace for four nights. It is a truly stunning hotel with impeccable service and luxury feel. Denis and the team looked after us really well, and made our visit feel very special. We were able to upgrade to an Executive Suite with panoramic views and a private hot-tub, and that also greatly enhanced our stay. Breakfast was in the hotel restaurant with panoramic views of the countryside, and we were usually there pretty early, so enjoyed quiet and calm meals in there. It is a hotel that really pays attention to the details, and goes above and beyond to make sure everyone has a good experience. We also ate several times at the Trattoria next door. Food was reasonably-priced, delicious and quick, and we would highly recommend.
