Where to Stay in Sliema and Gżira: 5 ST Hotels Compared
Deciding where to stay in Sliema and Gżira comes down to what you want from the trip: a spa day, a kitchen of your own, a sea view toward Valletta or a rooftop at sunset. ST Hotels Malta has five properties on the Gżira waterfront and just behind it, all facing Manoel Island and Marsamxett Harbour, and each one suits a different kind of stay.
The short version: choose Bayview Hotel & Spa for the spa and pools, Valletta View Apartments for sea views, Blubay Apartments for a kitchen and a pet-friendly stay, Alavits Hotel for its rooftop bar and Azur Hotel for a gym and free Aqualuna Lido access. Gżira sits right next to Sliema and the seafront runs on between them. The rest of this guide explains the differences.
How to Choose Where to Stay in Sliema and Gżira
Start with the format. Alavits, Azur and Bayview are hotels. Blubay and Valletta View are self-catering apartments with their own kitchens. Across all five, check-in is from 14:00, check-out is by 11:00, WiFi is free and you can cancel free of charge up to one day before arrival.
Then look at the ferry. Bayview and Valletta View are on The Strand, around five minutes from the Sliema ferry to Valletta. Alavits and Blubay are around 15 minutes from it. St Julian’s and Paceville are a bus or taxi ride away, not a stroll, so our guide to getting around Malta by bus, ferry and taxi is worth a read before you arrive.
Here is how the five compare at a glance.
| Property | Type | Pool | Spa and sauna | Kitchen | Pets | Aqualuna Lido |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alavits Hotel | Hotel | Rooftop | No | No | Assistance animals only | Discounted rates |
| Azur Hotel | Hotel | No, free Aqualuna Lido access instead | No | No | Assistance animals only | Free access |
| Bayview Hotel & Spa | Hotel | Indoor and outdoor | Yes, Sea Salt Spa, sauna and jacuzzi | No | Assistance animals only | Discounted rates |
| Blubay Apartments | Apartments | Rooftop | No | Yes, kitchenette or kitchen | Accepted with prior approval | Discounted rates |
| Valletta View Apartments | Apartments | No, free Aqualuna Lido access instead | No | Yes, kitchen | Assistance animals only | Free access |
Which Hotel Has a Spa? Bayview Hotel & Spa
Bayview Hotel & Spa by ST Hotels, at 143 The Strand, has the most facilities of the five. It is the only property with an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, and the only one with the Sea Salt Spa, a sauna and a jacuzzi. It also has a fitness centre and a lobby bar and restaurant. That makes it the natural pick for winter breaks, or for anyone who wants somewhere to recover after a full day on their feet.
Rooms all have king beds. The Sea View Room faces the water directly, while the Standard Room overlooks the quieter inland side. Reception is open 24 hours, which helps if your flight lands late.
Best Apartments for Sea Views: Valletta View Apartments
Valletta View Apartments by ST Hotels, at 144 The Strand, offers one-, two- and three-bedroom seaview apartments looking toward the capital. With the ferry around five minutes away, you can be in Valletta quickly and back for a quiet evening. If the city is the reason for your trip, read the story behind Valletta’s streets and bastions before you go.
The inland apartments are the practical choice for groups. They have a full kitchen, air conditioning, a washing machine and a dining area, and the two- and three-bedroom units have two bathrooms. Reception is handled through Bayview Hotel & Spa. There is no pool on site, but Valletta View guests get free access to Aqualuna Lido.
Pet-Friendly and Self-Catering: Blubay Apartments
Blubay Apartments by ST Hotels, on Fleet Street, is built for staying put. Every unit, from studio to three bedrooms, has a kitchenette or kitchen with the cookware you need, plus air conditioning. The rooftop pool is pet accessible, and Blubay is the only ST Hotels Malta property that accepts pets, with prior approval and possible extra charges.
Check-in is arranged through instructions sent before you arrive, rather than a staffed front desk, so it suits self-sufficient guests. If you want more room on a family trip and a sea view, Valletta View’s three-bedroom inland apartments have five beds across three bedrooms.
Rooftop Evenings and Gym Stays: Alavits Hotel and Azur Hotel
Alavits Hotel by ST Hotels is in Gżira, not St Julian’s, and its draw is the roof. There is a rooftop pool and a rooftop bar and restaurant, which makes it a calmer alternative to Paceville for a sundowner. The Junior Suite with a Terrace adds a private outdoor space and a separate seating area for longer stays.
Azur Hotel by ST Hotels, at 103 Triq Belvedere, has an industrial-inspired look, a fitness centre, and a bar and restaurant. It has no pool of its own, but Azur guests get free access to Aqualuna Lido, which makes it a good summer pick. Alavits guests get discounted rates there. Both hotels also host events: Sorriso Restaurant at Alavits and Sapphire Restaurant at Azur each take up to 150 guests, and our meeting and event spaces page has the full list.
Quick Answers About Staying in Gżira
Is Gżira a good area to stay in near Sliema?
Gżira sits right next to Sliema on Marsamxett Harbour, facing Valletta across the water. All five ST Hotels Malta properties are here, with the Sliema ferry to Valletta around five minutes from Bayview and Valletta View and around 15 minutes from Alavits and Blubay.
Which ST Hotels Malta property has a spa?
Bayview Hotel & Spa by ST Hotels is the only one. It has the Sea Salt Spa, a sauna, a jacuzzi, and both an indoor and an outdoor pool.
Which ST Hotels Malta property allows pets?
Blubay Apartments by ST Hotels accepts pets with prior approval, and extra charges may apply. Alavits, Azur, Bayview and Valletta View allow registered assistance animals only.
Which properties have no pool, and where can guests swim?
Azur Hotel and Valletta View Apartments, both by ST Hotels, have no pool. Their guests get free access to Aqualuna Lido, while Alavits, Bayview and Blubay guests get discounted rates there.
What are the check-in and cancellation terms?
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is by 11:00 at all five properties, with early check-in and late check-out available on request, subject to availability and charges. Cancellation is free up to one day before arrival.
Where to Stay for Every Type of Trip
If you are still weighing up where to stay in Sliema and Gżira, book Bayview Hotel & Spa if you want the spa, sauna and two pools. Book Valletta View Apartments for harbour views and a five-minute walk to the ferry. Book Blubay Apartments for a kitchen, a rooftop pool and a pet-friendly stay. Book Alavits Hotel for rooftop evenings. Book Azur Hotel for a gym on site and free Aqualuna Lido access in summer.
Once you have picked a base, our guide to day trips from Sliema covers where to go next, and the Malta Tourism Authority has up-to-date visitor information. Booking direct through the ST Insider loyalty scheme gives you access to member rates. For help choosing between properties, our central reservations team is on +356 2264 0156. Details on this page are correct as of October 2026.
