Luxury Hotel · Malta
The Xara Palace
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At a glance
The Xara Palace is a five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel inside the walls of Mdina, Malta’s Silent City, with 17 rooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The Xara Palace is the only hotel inside the walls of Mdina, Malta’s old walled capital, and that alone makes it worth the trip. The 17th-century palazzo is built into the city’s bastions, so its windows look straight out over the countryside toward Valletta and the coast.
Inside are just 17 rooms and suites, all different, done in period furniture, muted colours and Parisian fabrics, with a few lofted layouts and private terraces. Some suites come with an outdoor Jacuzzi on the terrace, which is the one to ask for.
The real magic is the timing. Mdina empties out when the day-trippers leave, and by evening you more or less have the Silent City to yourself. It’s a quiet, romantic, grown-up base, with a warm LGBTQ+ welcome, made for couples who want history and calm over a beach and a party.
Highlights
- The only hotel inside the walls of Mdina
- Just 17 rooms in a 17th-century palazzo on the bastions
- Michelin-starred de Mondion and a quiet, adults-first feel
Accommodation
Deluxe Room
King Bed, Seating Area, Panoramic Views
Executive Suite
King Bed, Luxurious Seating Area, Fireplace
Further information
Dining
De Mondion is the headline, a Michelin-starred rooftop room serving modern French and Mediterranean cooking, with terrace tables on the ramparts in warm weather. Below it, the group runs a handful of easier options around Mdina: Trattoria AD 1530 does pizza and pasta on the piazza, the Medina Restaurant leans into Maltese cooking in a courtyard, and there’s a relaxed café-bistro nearby. You can eat seriously or casually without leaving the old city.
Wellness
The Xara Palace keeps things low-key rather than resort-style. There’s no spa building, but the hotel arranges massages and treatments, and several suites have private terraces with outdoor Jacuzzis, which is really the wellness draw here. The palace itself has no pool, though guests can use the seasonal outdoor pool at sister property Xara Lodge just outside the walls. Mostly, the pace is the point: slow mornings, long views, quiet nights.
Location
Location is the whole story. The Xara Palace sits inside Mdina, the fortified former capital known as the Silent City, right on the bastion walls in the center of the island. The Co-Cathedral, old palaces, museums, catacombs and Roman ruins are all a short walk from the door. Being central makes day trips easy, with Valletta, the coast and the north all reachable by car in well under an hour.
Malta
Malta’s official languages are Maltese and English, the latter spoken fluently across the islands, making it one of the most straightforward destinations in the Mediterranean for English-speaking travelers. The currency is the Euro, and tipping is appreciated but not expected in luxury properties where service charges are typically included. The country operates on Central European Time, one hour ahead of GMT in winter and two hours ahead in summer.
Our Experts
Malta is a gem that too many people overlook when planning their dream Mediterranean getaway. My favorite area is the island of Gozo and its tranquil Blue Lagoon.
I first went to Malta to discover more about the country's fascinating history; little did I know it's also home to some of Europe's most gorgeous and unspoiled beaches.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
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Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalised experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveller, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalised service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ holidays?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalised itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travellers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
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