HOLM Boutique & Spa

The seaside town of Saint Julian’s, just up the coast from the Maltese capital of Valletta, is a mere ten minutes from the island’s airport, but offers a degree of tranquility and privacy that the dense old city can’t always match. And in the HOLM Boutique & Spa, it’s got a hotel unlike any other — a luxury boutique hotel that’s bold, brash, and unafraid of a little self-expression.

This tendency is most evident in the visuals, which are graphic, colorful, and anything but restrained. So saturated are the reds, golds, and oranges that you might not immediately notice the oddball postmodernist furnishings; some rooms and suites count among their comforts terraces equipped with outdoor jacuzzis, which are a welcome indulgence indeed.

It’s no replacement for a visit to the spa, however, with an expansive list of treatments, from saunas and steam rooms to hydrotherapy, the ice cabin, and the Himalayan salt room. There’s no restaurant on-site, beyond a hearty breakfast, but the location places you close to no end of options — turn left and head for the waterfront and you’re right in the heart of Saint Julian’s scenic historic district.