Overview
Combine slick five star service with pristine pools, a private beach, contemporary interiors and Kids Club, and what do you get? The Westin Dragonara Resort, a renowned family friendly resort in Malta leading the way when it comes to luxurious, all ages getaways. A ‘safe pair of hands’ in the hotel world, if you’re torn between a fly’n’flop beach break and culture-rich city escape – rest assured, there’s no need to pick as this resort has all bases covered. Just a 10 min walk outside of St Julian’s (even accounting for little legs), it couldn’t be easier to alternate days sightseeing and relaxing – in fact, the island as a whole makes for heavenly family holidays. Taking little more than an hour to drive end to end, ancient cities and quaint villages are balanced by postcard-worthy bays and family focused attractions (read: water parks, aquariums, interactive museums & theme parks). Back at base, big boxes are ticked when it comes to childcare, dining, decor & parental paraphernalia – and our personal favourite touch? The private pool options
Real parents, real children, real first-hand experience. Read our first-hand family review of The Westin Dragonara Resort here
Mama
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Flight
It is approximately a 3 hour 15 minute flight from London airports into Malta
Transfer
Our favourite type of transfer? A short one. Luckily, The Westin Dragonara Resort got the memo. The hotel is conveniently located just a 20 minute drive from Malta International Airport, meaning no lengthy car rides here with overtired little ones. Plus, private transfers and taxis are readily available, meaning you can expect a smooth and simple last leg to the resort
Best time to visit
Although Malta is known for having a mind-boggling 300 days of sunshine each year, the best time to visit is between May and October. During this stretch, you can expect perfect beach bum weather, ideal for dipping in the crystal clear waters and enjoying outdoor activities. If you can, we’d dodge the holiday hordes (and peak prices) by booking a break in May or June, while September and October see the kind of warm seas ideal for swimming and water sports (plus various local festivals and events make it an excellent time to soak up Malta’s rich history and culture)
Favourite room
The spacious Luxury Bay Suites at The Westin Dragonara Resort tick our family friendly boxes for baby’s first break, thanks to the separate living areas – meaning your day needn’t end when the little one beds down for the night. For larger families, or those with bigger & bouncier sprogs, Deluxe Sea View Rooms can be interconnected (subject to availability), keeping the kids close (but not too close for comfort). While not all rooms have bathtubs, fear not – baby baths are available upon request. Though all options do have private outdoor areas (gamechanger!) in the form of either a balcony or terrace – or go the whole hog and treat yourself to a private pool!
Nearby
The vibrant seaside town of St Julian’s is just a 10 minute walk away, where an array of little shops, restaurants, and colourful cafés await. Bustling in the best way, St Julian’s promises a charming mix of local life and lively tourist attractions
Price & Special Offers
from £142 p/night in low season and £377 p/night in high season
Meet the family...
@thiscolourfulnest
Parent to Tiny Travellers aged 6 & 8
The hotel was honestly 10/10, and here's why: there's an outdoor heated pool - warm all year round! The hotel was pink and had fantastic interiors, with a gym overlooking the sea, breakfast on the terrace and welcoming lounge area for cocktails! The onsite restaurants served some of the best Italian and Mediterranean food I’ve tasted, plus the Kids Club was the sweetest and the girls made lovely 'pen pal' friendships. It's also a brilliant base for exploring more of the island, with sightseeing easily accessible with a Bolt or Uber to see the 3 cities, interactive Esplora science museum or lagoons!
Worth waking the baby for
01
Popeye Village
Originally built as the eclectic set for the 1980’s Popeye film, this charming seaside ‘village’ has been transformed into a fun family mini-theme park, with colourful wooden buildings to explore, boat rides, interactive shows, a splash area and more
02
Splash & Fun Water Park
Malta’s biggest water park promises glee galore in the eye’s of tiny travellers, serving up all the attractions you’d expect – we’re talking lazy rivers, technicolour slides and swirling blackhole abysses. Splaffy’s Fun Park, found in the same grounds, is the cherry on a child’s cake, with trampolines, carousels and ride on motorbikes as well
03
Mdina Old City
You’ve collected your parenting brownie points, now it’s time for a little family friendly culture fix. At over 4,000 years old, charming Mdina Old City is bursting with winding alleys to explore. You won’t find cars within its walls, but plenty of horse and carriage rides, ancient architecture, cathedrals, dungeons and cosy little cafes
Reviews from other parents
The Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta has everything you’d expect from a polished resort: a kids’ club, heated pools and flexible half-board dining options. That said, it’s not somewhere I’d personally choose to check into and remain for an entire week without venturing out. If you’re coming to Malta purely for a fly-and-flop escape, you’re arguably overlooking what makes the island so special. Where the resort truly shines is as a base for combining exploration with relaxation. Most of Malta’s standout attractions are just 15 to 30 minutes away, and getting around is effortless thanks to Uber or Bolt. After a morning of sightseeing and wandering through historic streets, it’s blissful to head back, stretch out by the pool, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and retreat to the generously sized rooms to recharge. We visited in February, so we missed out on experiencing the beaches, Gozo and the Blue Lagoon at their best - which simply gives me the perfect excuse to return in summer (or perhaps during the October half-term) to see Malta in full swing
Mama Frankie, Tiny Travellers aged 2, 4 & 7
