Hyatt Centric St. Julian’s Bay — A Calm Base on Malta’s Most Lively Coast

Malta wasn’t a destination I had over-planned. It appeared as a pause — a place to slow the pace between movement, rather than chase landmarks. From the moment I arrived, the island felt layered and sun-worn: ancient stone meeting sharp Mediterranean light, history present without feeling heavy.

Where you stay in Malta matters more than expected. Distances are short, but the atmosphere shifts quickly from quiet residential streets to lively coastal hubs. I was looking for a base that felt intentional — somewhere comfortable and well-designed, but calm enough to truly reset between days of exploring.

That balance is exactly what led me to Hyatt Centric St. Julian’s Bay.

First Impression

Hyatt Centric St. Julian’s Bay sits perched above St Julian’s Bay, as you cross into the hotel you look down through a towering canyon of the neighboring casino, filled with a cacophony of lights and sounds emptying out onto a quiet beach front. It’s positioned at the edge of one of Malta’s most energetic neighborhoods brings you walking distance to the night-life while managing to feel surprisingly composed. Arrival was smooth and unhurried — the kind of check-in that feels personal rather than transactional. One note to those of you arriving by the airport bus to the St Julian’s stop, there is a little cut through staircase at the base of the hotel rather than climbing the backside and dropping down the winding street

The hotel’s design immediately reflects the Centric ethos: modern, clean lines softened by coastal textures and warm tones. It feels contemporary without being cold, and polished without leaning into excess.

The Room

One of the biggest perks of having a FORA Travel accreditation is being able to see the best deals not just for our clients but for ourselves! Rather than booking through a site like Expedia or Booking, which give you no perks, booking with us can help unlock the best version of the hotel. In this case, we were able to book through Hyatt Privé (a special portal that only travel advisors can access) and get upgraded to the King Suite for no extra charge. This massive room complete with a full-size living room, king bed, welcome bottle of wine, soaking tub and a walk-in bathroom bigger than my London apartment was beyond refreshing.

The room was calm, bright, and thoughtfully laid out — designed for comfort rather than spectacle. Large windows brought in generous natural light, grounding the space in its coastal setting. The palette was neutral and restful, with subtle details that felt considered rather than decorative.

It’s the kind of room that encourages slow mornings. Coffee by the window, doors open to the light, no pressure to rush out the door. After full days exploring Malta, it was genuinely relaxing to return to a space that felt quiet and uncluttered.

Location & Rhythm

One of the strongest aspects of Hyatt Centric St. Julian’s Bay is its location. St. Julian’s is lively — known for its restaurants, bars, and nightlife — yet the hotel maintains a sense of separation from the surrounding buzz.

From here, it’s easy to explore Malta by day: coastal walks, nearby beaches, ferry connections, and quick access to the rest of the island. In the evenings, you’re close to energy when you want it, but far enough removed to unwind without noise or chaos.

The rhythm works particularly well for travelers who want to experience Malta fully without feeling overstimulated.

I found there to be two main options for getting around Malta - the bus system, which is fairly wide reaching and can be access easily with a multi-day unlimited visitors card that many countries offer these days, or a ride-sharing app. Having seen lots of cars with “BOLT” written on the side of them, and none that had Uber signs I decided to go with that as my app of choice in country and it was both seamless and dare I say cheaper than an Uber.

Dining & Amenities

The hotel offers well-curated dining options that fit naturally into the stay — ideal for relaxed breakfasts or evenings when staying close feels preferable to heading back out. Public spaces are designed to be used, not just passed through, with areas that invite lingering rather than rushing.

In particular the rooftop pool on a sunny day is a must, we found it hard to go out and explore when we could lay in a semi-submerged lounger under the sun, overlooking the ocean, getting drinks delivered by an app… but if you must leave you still have a second pool and sauna facility in the evenings when you get back from your explorations.

Everything about the experience feels efficient, thoughtful, and quietly elevated.

No review would be complete without talking about the on-site restaurant JUMU. With the package we were able to secure through Hyatt Privé we got free breakfast included and a $50 credit to the restaurant. The breakfast was an elevated spread spanning multiple rooms with everything from fruits, cured meats and pastries to a full cooked breakfast. The attentive staff even operate a fresh-made coffee bar for you to sip an espresso on the terrace in the morning sun. But if you really want to see JUMU in full swing, head upstairs in the evening to catch sunset with a cocktail before digging into the eclectic menu.

We were visiting in the off-season (November) so the party scene of St Julian’s Bay was particularly quiet, but that’s probably for the best and helped keep restaurant access easy. A few recommendations from the places we found on our trip:

Gozitan Restaurant (Traditional Maltese), MEZ (Indian Seafood), Two Buoys (Australian Brunch), Sciacca (Steakhouse)

Who This Hotel Is For

Hyatt Centric St. Julian’s Bay is especially well-suited for:

• Couples seeking a modern, well-located coastal stay

• Solo travelers who value comfort, light, and calm design

• Travelers who want access to Malta’s energy without being immersed in it

It’s not about indulgence for indulgence’s sake — it’s about ease, consistency, and a strong sense of place.

Final Thoughts

I would return without hesitation. Not because the stay was extravagant, but because it felt grounded — a hotel that understands its environment and supports the experience rather than distracting from it.

Hyatt Centric St. Julian’s Bay works as a true base: a place to land, recharge, and move through Malta with clarity and comfort.