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Sea and sky sparkle azure in the almost omnipresent sunshine here. It’s hot at least six months of the year, and warm for most of the rest. Add that everyone speaks English, hygiene standards are high, and it’s only three hours away by air from the UK, and these two Mediterranean islands are obvious places for a relaxing resort holiday. So here's our pick of the best resorts in Malta and Gozo, including hotels with outdoor and indoor pools, sunbeds, spas, restaurants and all sorts of (optional) activities.

The Corinthia sits right on St George’s Bay, just two minutes' walk from Paceville. But the idea is that you need never leave, with facilities including seven swimming pools, a spa, gym, and nine restaurants and bars shared with the four-star Marina next door (Covid closures aside). Inside, the look is opulent if a little old-fashioned, but ultimately this is a place of marble and high ceilings, traditional furniture and pool terraces full of sunbeds. Rooms are conventional but comfortable; all have balconies and most have a sea view. Executive rooms, on the upper floors, have their own reception, concierge and lounge. Read expert reviewFrom£91

• The best hotels in Malta

This large family-friendly five-star resort between St George’s Bay and St Julian’s offers plenty to do for all ages. Two large outdoor pools, whirlpool tubs and a children’s paddling pool overlook the sea, while right on the rocky seashore there is access to clear, deep water. An indoor pool and whirlpool bath are overlooked by a substantial gym, and spa treatments are offered in the salon. The hotel provides an extensive menu of adventure sports, including diving and paragliding and there’s a 24/7 casino. The 408 rooms are comfortable, well-maintained and five-star chain conventional. All have balconies.Read expert reviewFrom£104

• The best hotels in St Julian's

This large modern five-star is one of the best beach resorts in Malta for its location on wide and sandy Golden Bay. On-site there are four pools – inside and out; the latter on a long limestone terrace, dotted with palms, overlooking the sea. Guests can head to the watersports’ centre for diving, snorkelling, jetskiing, paragliding, and book activities such as yoga, country walks, table tennis, spa treatments and pizza-making classes during the high season. Activities are also provided in winter if the hotel is around half full or more. All rooms have balconies, and several restaurants and bars offer plenty of choice.Read expert reviewFrom£80

• The best hotels in Valletta

One of the top all-inclusive resorts in Malta lies just across the road from the island’s longest sandy beach. It’s a cut above the others in the area: the swimming pool is the centrepiece of the outdoor terrace, which also boasts the glass-walled indoor pool and kids' club with gated play area, and the spa offers a steam room, sauna and treatments. Activities include bowling at the resort's own bowling alley, bocci, archery, ping pong tournaments and aquagym (all included). There's also plenty of evening entertainment (especially in summer) with floor shows, magicians, bands and dancing.Read expert reviewFrom£163

• The best family-friendly hotels in the Mediterranean

The San Antonio is a fresh and contemporary resort hotel in St Paul's Bay, Malta's main tourist area. Facilities are excellent, with four outdoor pools: one large and landscaped with bridges, an adults-only rooftop infinity pool, a children’s pool and kids’ fun pool complete with pirate ship and slide. Regular daytime and evening entertainment ranges from exercise classes to shows. A well-equipped gym stands next to the smart and welcoming spa, with candlelit hammam, sauna, steam room and treatment area, as well as an indoor pool and whirlpool tub. The hotel is round the corner from the seafront, with plenty of bars, pubs and restaurants in walking distance.Read expert review

• The best five-star hotels in Malta and Gozo

Gozo’s top hotel sits on the edge of a traditional village near the coast. With by far the most facilities of any hotel on the island, the Kempinski is known particularly for its spa: treatment rooms are plentiful and spacious with genuinely calming music and qualified therapists. Not only is there a large indoor swimming pool but a fairly large ‘therapy pool’, whirlpool tub, steam room and hammam. Outside are two floodlit tennis courts and two squash courts, as well as a large sheltered garden dotted with tall palm trees and containing three outdoor pools. A choice of large, unfussy rooms or mini apartments are available.Read expert reviewFrom£111

• The best hotels in Gozo

Built almost into the bastion walls of Valletta, the Excelsior has its own marina for guests in Marsamxett Harbour, and the best facilities of any of the holiday resorts in Malta’s capital. Food here is good, and the Excelsior boasts one of the best hotel breakfasts: an amazing spread with everything from full English breakfast items, cooked-to-order omelettes and pancakes to smoked tuna and swordfish, cold meats, capers and dried tomatoes, as well as copious cakes, pastries, cereals and yogurts. You won’t need lunch (but if you do there are two main restaurants and extensive evening buffets).Read expert reviewFrom£118

• The best hotels in Mellieha

Quiet resorts in Malta and Gozo can be hard to come by, but this attractive hotel in a wonderful location leading onto the dramatic Ta’ Cenc cliffs has plenty of space and a sense of calm. The two outdoor swimming pools overlooking the Gozitan countryside are particularly peaceful places to swim. There is a spa, and the resort's outside area, surrounded by lush green plants, is gently lit at night. The hotel provides a shuttle service to the capital Victoria, as well as to its private beach: a bar-restaurant and terrace of rocky platforms above a deep creek of clear blue water just off the larger creek of Mgarr Ix-Xini.Read expert reviewFrom£149