AX The Palace Malta

Right next door to the Maltese capital of Valletta is Sliema, an upscale commercial and residential district well known for its coastline and its quality of life. And right in the heart of Sliema, five minutes’ walk from the beach, surrounded by shops, bars, and restaurants, is AX The Palace, a luxury boutique hotel that combines high-design aesthetics with the kind of comforts you’d expect from a place called the Palace.

The building itself, a mid-century tower, is less atmospheric than much of Malta’s classic architecture, but you can’t argue with the views from the guest rooms, which look out over the city’s rooftops and, in the best case, the harbor. The rooms and junior suites are contemporary with more than a bit of visual flair, and the Designer Collection suites pull out all the stops, each one uniquely tailored to a theme like View, Texture, or Music.

A rooftop pool and a spa with a second indoor pool provide ample opportunity for relaxation, and the hotel features no fewer than three full-time restaurants, plus a poolside rooftop bar and a seasonal Italian restaurant for al fresco summertime dining. And if it’s the historic atmosphere of Valletta that you’re after, the Palace is a short walk from a ferry connecting Sliema to the capital in a matter of minutes.