If you’ve ever walked along the Tower Road promenade in Sliema, you couldn't miss it. The Preluna Hotel and Spa stands tall. It’s a landmark. Some call it the "original" skyscraper of Malta. Honestly, the island's skyline has changed massively over the last decade, with glass towers popping up like mushrooms, but the Preluna has this specific, lived-in charm that the newer boutique spots just can’t replicate. It isn't trying to be a minimalist art gallery. It’s a massive, functional, and surprisingly cozy hub for people who want to be exactly where the action is.
Sliema is the heart of Malta's commercial life. You have the ferries to Valletta right there. You have the shops. You have the rocky beaches. But choosing a hotel in this area is a nightmare because there are just too many options. Most people get overwhelmed by the glitzy marketing of the St. Julian’s five-star resorts or the tiny Valletta guesthouses. The Preluna sits in that sweet spot. It’s a four-star property that feels bigger because of its private beach club and that ridiculous 360-degree view from the top.
What the Brochures Don’t Tell You About the Location
Location is everything. Seriously. But "prime location" is a phrase travel writers use when they have nothing else to say. Let’s be real about what the Preluna Hotel and Spa offers. You are on the border between the quiet, residential parts of Sliema and the chaotic shopping district of Tigne Point.
Walking out the front door, you’re greeted by the Mediterranean Sea. Cross the street, and you’re at their private beach club. This is a huge deal in Malta. Why? Because sand beaches are rare and usually packed. Having a private deck carved into the limestone rocks with a large saltwater pool and direct sea access is a game changer in July when the humidity hits 90%.
If you turn left, you’re walking toward St. Julian’s for nightlife. Turn right, and you’re heading toward the Valletta ferry. It’s basically the logistical center of the island for a tourist. You don’t need a car here. In fact, don't get a car. Parking in Sliema is a special kind of hell that no vacation deserves.
The Rooms: Modern Meets Classic
There is a mix here. You have to be careful when booking because the hotel has undergone various renovations over the years. Some rooms feel ultra-modern with crisp lines and smart lighting, while others retain a more traditional Mediterranean vibe. If you’re a view junkie, you need a Sea View room. Don’t settle for the inland views unless you’re just using the room to sleep. Seeing the sunrise over the Mediterranean from the upper floors is why you pay the premium.
The family rooms are surprisingly spacious. Usually, European hotels try to cram four people into a closet, but the Preluna understands that families actually bring luggage.
One thing that people often overlook is the Penthouse level. It’s not just a fancy name. The heights here are significant for Malta. Because the building was one of the first high-rises permitted on the island, it occupies a space that newer regulations might have restricted. You get an unobstructed line of sight. It’s breezy. It’s quiet. It feels miles away from the honking horns of the traffic below.
Let’s Talk About the Feelgood Spa
The "Spa" part of Preluna Hotel and Spa isn't just an afterthought in the basement. The Feelgood Wellness Spa is a legitimate destination for locals, which is always a good sign. When you see residents buying memberships to a hotel gym or spa, you know it’s decent.
They have the standard heated indoor pool, which is essential if you’re visiting in the "winter" (Malta’s version of winter is basically a mild spring, but the sea is too cold for swimming). They offer hydrotherapy, saunas, and a range of treatments.
- The Dead Sea Salt Pool: This is the highlight. It’s incredibly relaxing and great for the skin.
- Treatments: They use professional brands and the therapists actually know what they’re doing. It’s not just someone rubbing oil on your back for forty minutes.
- Fitness: The gym is better equipped than 90% of hotel gyms I’ve seen. It’s a real workspace for people who don't want to break their routine.
The Food Scene: From Penthouse to Street Level
You aren't going to starve here. The Preluna has multiple dining options, and they vary wildly in vibe.
Triton Restaurant is the main buffet spot. Buffets can be hit or miss, right? Usually, they're a bit depressing. But the breakfast spread here is massive. They do the full English, plenty of fresh fruit, and local Maltese pastizzi if you want to start your day with a delicious grease bomb.
Then you have Sakurà. This is their Japanese fusion spot. It’s popular even with people not staying at the hotel. The sushi is fresh, the presentation is sharp, and it has a much more "night out" feel than the main dining hall.
For a more casual vibe, the Piazza Cafe on the ground floor is perfect for people-watching. You sit there with a coffee, watch the locals go about their business, and realize that Malta is a very small, very busy rock.
The Beach Club: The Crown Jewel
We need to circle back to the beach club because it’s the hotel’s strongest selling point. In the peak of summer, Malta is hot. Not "let's go for a stroll" hot, but "I need to be submerged in water immediately" hot.
The Preluna Beach Club is across the road, right on the water’s edge. It has:
- A large saltwater swimming pool.
- A kids' pool.
- A bar and grill.
- PADI certified diving school.
The diving school is a big draw. Malta is world-famous for wreck diving and clear visibility. If you’ve never dived before, doing a "Try Dive" in the pool before heading into the sea is a safe, easy way to start. The instructors are patient. They deal with nervous tourists every single day.
Practical Realities and Nuance
Is it perfect? Nothing is.
The Preluna is a large, busy hotel. If you are looking for a silent, secluded boutique experience where you never see another soul, this isn't it. It’s vibrant. There are conferences, weddings, and families. The elevators can be a bit of a wait during peak breakfast hours. It’s a vertical city.
Also, the decor in the hallways can feel a bit dated to some. It has that classic 1970s/80s grand hotel bones, even though it’s been modernized. Some people love that—it feels solid and established. Others prefer the sterile white boxes of modern "design" hotels.
But honestly? The staff makes up for any minor aesthetic gripes. Many of the employees have been there for years. That’s rare in the high-turnover world of Mediterranean hospitality. They remember faces. They know the best places to get rabbit stew in Rabat or which bus actually goes to Mdina without a two-hour detour.
What to Do Near the Preluna
You’re perfectly positioned for exploration.
The Sliema Promenade: It stretches for miles. In the evening, it’s the place to be. Everyone—and I mean everyone—is out for a walk (the passiġġata).
Valletta Ferry: Walk about ten minutes to the Sliema Ferries. For a few euros, you hop on a boat that takes you across Marsamxett Harbour. The view of Valletta’s bastions from the water is the best view in the country. Period.
Shopping: The Point Shopping Mall is a short walk away. It’s built inside an old British barracks. It has all the global brands, but the real charm is the surrounding Tigne Point area with its views of the Valletta skyline.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you’re planning a trip to the Preluna Hotel and Spa, don’t just wing it.
First, book the sea view. I cannot stress this enough. The difference in your morning mood when you look at the blue horizon versus a side street is worth the extra cash.
Second, use the spa on your arrival day. If you’ve been on a cramped flight, hitting the sauna or the Dead Sea pool immediately resets your body. It gets you into "holiday mode" way faster than a nap would.
Third, check the ferry schedule. Don't rely on the buses to get to Valletta. The ferry is faster, cheaper in terms of "stress capital," and infinitely more scenic.
Fourth, explore the backstreets. Behind the hotel, the streets of Sliema turn into narrow alleys with traditional Maltese balconies and colorful doors. It’s a completely different world from the shiny storefronts on the front.
Fifth, hit the Skyroom. Even if you aren't eating there, go up for a drink at sunset. The 360-degree views of the island are unparalleled. You can see all the way to the Mdina cathedral in the center of the island on a clear day.
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The Preluna Hotel and Spa represents a specific era of Maltese tourism that has managed to evolve without losing its soul. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s arguably the most convenient place to stay if you want to experience the "real" Sliema. Whether you're there for the diving, the spa, or just to use it as a base to explore the megalithic temples and medieval cities, it delivers. Just remember to pack your walking shoes—Sliema is best explored on foot, one limestone corner at a time.