Pet-Friendly Family Hotels in Malta
5 family-friendly hotels with pet friendly in Malta . Handpicked for families who want the best.
Travelling with a dog and kids to Malta needs a hotel that says yes to both, and most family resorts in Europe only do one or the other. The good news: Malta has direct flights from most European hubs, an English-speaking pet hospital network, and a handful of family hotels that genuinely welcome dogs (not just tolerate them). The five hotels here all have confirmed pet policies, family rooms or suites, and either a pool or beach access within walking distance. Sizes range from a small dog at the 3-star Spinola to the larger-pet-friendly Phoenicia in Valletta. Each one is honest about what they charge, what size dog they take, and whether you can leave the dog in the room alone.
Malta packs three islands, 7,000 years of history, English as a second official language, and a Mediterranean climate into a 30-minute drive end to end. Valletta is the walled capital with steep streets and stone staircases (not ideal for older dogs but kids love it), St Julian's is the seafront family hub, and Mellieha gives you the closest thing to a beach holiday. Dogs are widely seen in public spaces, especially around the seafront promenades.
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πWhy bring your dog to Malta
Malta makes pet travel about as easy as it gets in Europe. Direct flights run from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, Rome and Brussels, so most families won't need a connection. The Pet Travel Scheme accepts microchipped dogs with rabies vaccination plus a health certificate from your vet. Once you arrive, the island is small enough that you can walk most places, and the family hotels listed here all sit near public transport for the rest.
What separates these five hotels from the dozens that only say yes to pets is the way they treat them. Phoenicia gives you a welcome bowl and treats at check-in. Hilton has a pet area on the gardens for off-leash time. Ramla Bay lets you eat with your dog at one of the terrace restaurants. The Embassy in Valletta is small enough that staff remember your dog's name by day two. Spinola in St Julian's is honest that they only take small dogs (under 12kg) but they charge nothing extra and you can leave the dog in the room if it's calm.
For families with kids, the combination matters. All five have family rooms (two adults plus two kids), kid-friendly breakfast, and either a pool or beach within 10 minutes. Three of them (Hilton, Ramla Bay, Phoenicia) have full pools the kids can use freely. Just remember: dogs aren't allowed in the pool area anywhere in Malta, so you need a tag-team plan for swim time.
Parent's take
The trick with kids + dogs in Malta is the daily rhythm. Most pet-friendly hotels are happiest if the dog is out during pool hours and back for the evening. Plan a morning walk along the Sliema waterfront with the dog, swim time at the hotel pool late morning with kids, then siesta back in the room before everyone goes out together for dinner on a terrace where dogs sit at your feet.
Our Top 5 Picks
Hotels in Malta with pet friendly, sorted by guest rating.
The Phoenicia Malta
Valletta city walls
Wonderful
1,850 reviews
The Phoenicia is the grand hotel at the gates of Valletta, with 7.5 acres of gardens for dog walks and an infinity pool overlooking the harbour. It welcomes dogs of any size with a per-night fee, and includes a pet welcome kit (bowl, treats, mat). Family rooms in the historic wing fit 2 adults plus 2 kids.
From
β¬420/night
Why families love The Phoenicia Malta
We booked the Phoenicia because it was the only Maltese 5-star that took our 30kg Labrador without a fuss. The gardens were the dealbreaker. Our dog could walk off-leash in a fenced section while the kids used the pool. Staff brought a bowl to our room on arrival. The historic wing rooms are quirky but big enough for a family of four plus the crate.
Hilton Malta
Portomaso, St Julian's
Wonderful
3,200 reviews
The Hilton Malta sits in the Portomaso marina district with four pools, a private beach club, and a designated dog garden area for off-leash time. Family rooms hold 2 adults plus 2 kids. Dogs up to 25kg accepted with a per-night fee.
From
β¬350/night
Why families love Hilton Malta
Hilton was practical. Predictable rooms, predictable breakfast, four pools so the kids never queued, and crucially a fenced garden off the lobby where we could let the dog run. The dog fee was 40 euros a night which felt high, but the room cleaning afterwards was thorough enough that we didn't feel judged. The kids club doesn't accept pets obviously, but the dog stayed in the room when staff said it was OK and nobody complained.
The Embassy Valletta Hotel
Valletta
Wonderful
1,911 reviews
A 4-star inside the Valletta city walls on Strait Street, with a small rooftop pool, family suites and a 12-minute drive to Royal Malta Golf Club. The most central pick if you want sightseeing and golf in one trip.
From
β¬878/night
Why families love The Embassy Valletta Hotel
Best for families who want walking-distance Valletta sightseeing alongside the golf morning. Rooms are quiet despite the central location (thick stone walls, double-glazed windows), the rooftop pool is small but has a paddling section, and the breakfast spread is generous. Reception arranges Royal Malta tee times and books the harbour ferry to Vittoriosa for non-golf days.
Ramla Bay Resort
Mellieħa
Excellent
2,400 reviews
Ramla Bay Resort occupies its own peninsula at the far northern tip of Malta, with direct access to a small sandy cove and a free kids' club for ages 4-11 running daily in peak summer. The isolated location is a pro (quiet, private beach) and a con (car or taxi needed for Valletta day trips).
From
β¬268/night
Why families love Ramla Bay Resort
The kids' club here is the most relaxed on the island β small groups, lots of outdoor time. Our 6-year-old was making sandcastles at 10am with the animator. The hotel is showing its age in places (book a renovated room) but the beach and pool complex are excellent. If you want 'we never left the hotel' holiday vibes, this is your pick. Allow 20 minutes drive or a ferry hop to Gozo for a day trip.
Spinola Hotel
Spinola Bay, St Julian's
Excellent
980 reviews
Spinola is a small family-run 3-star on the bay in St Julian's, with no extra fee for small dogs (under 12kg). Family rooms fit 2 adults and 2 kids. The breakfast room has a dog-friendly corner and the bay walk is 30 seconds from the front door.
From
β¬145/night
Why families love Spinola Hotel
Spinola was the cheap option that turned out to be the warmest. The owner remembered our dog's name from booking and had a water bowl ready in the room. No pet fee, no fuss. The room was simple but big enough for a travel cot and a dog crate. Walking distance to family restaurants on the bay. The downside: small dogs only and no pool, so we used the seafront swimming areas.
π‘Tips from families travelling with kids and dogs
- 1Confirm the pet policy in writing with the hotel before paying. Booking.com's 'pets allowed' field can mean small only, fees apply, on request, or sometimes nothing at all on the ground.
- 2Bring your dog's normal kibble for at least the first 3 days. Maltese supermarkets stock the major brands but not everything, and the heat plus new food can cause stomach issues fast.
- 3Most Maltese restaurants with outdoor terraces welcome dogs. Dinner with kids and a sleeping spaniel at your feet is genuinely possible most nights here.
- 4Pets aren't allowed on Malta's main public beaches (Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay). The official dog beach is Little Armier on the north coast, plus the rocky St Thomas Bay near Marsaskala.
- 5If you're flying in summer, book a morning flight. Cargo hold temperatures are restricted by most airlines once Malta hits 27 degrees, which happens by 11am from June onwards.
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