Mediaboss Marketing

By Emily Sheridan

Published: 05:48 EST, 27 October 2014 | Updated: 11:22 EST, 28 October 2014

Like many first-time visitors to Malta, I didnt know too much about the island before arriving. I had heard the Maltese islands dismissed by those looking for a beach holiday that there wasnt many sandy enclaves. While admittedly there was some resorts such as St Pauls and Bugibba for those looking for a straight-forward sunshine break, for those looking for something extra, Malta had a lot more to offer and more.

With the recent visit of the Duke of Cambridge and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie filming their new movie on location on Gozo, there will no doubt be heightened interest in the small European nation.

Mediterranean sunset: Malta boasts historical architecture and over 300 days of sunshine a year

Colourful: Traditional Maltese buildings are made from limestone with different coloured wooden enclosed balconies

A friend and I had booked quite a last minute holiday to Malta in early July - admittedly peak season - however were able to get a great deal on the five-star Palace Hotel in the centre of Sliema - a mostly residential town across the bay from the capital Valletta. One thing you may notice while searching for hotels in Malta, you can get a lot more bang for your buck than mainland Western Europe such as France or Italy.

We had a typical luxury room - large, comfortable beds with good amenities. The big draw of The Palace is its rooftop infinity pool and bar, with stunning views of Valletta and St Julians. The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, providing attentive service as we lazed by the pool. For early risers, there is yoga on the roof, or a luxury spa for those wanting to take it a lot easier. The hotel is also home to several restaurants - all rated high on Tripadvisor.

One of the most acclaimed restaurants in Malta is Barracuda, situated in the drawing room of an early 18th century waterside house in St Julian's.

The service, food quality and ambiance is evidently of a higher class than most nearby restaurants, but the bill is still affordable. We turned up without a reservation and checked out some framed photos of famous past customers such as Sean Connery and David Beckham while we waited for our table. I can particularly recommend Aljotta - a traditional Maltese fish soup, a mix of a whole fish and herbs, as a starter.

Link:
Malta travel review: Gastro-feasts, a burgeoning nightlife and history older than the Pyramids - there's more to Malta ...