Malta’s new boutique hotel is all the luxury you need this winter
As the temperatures continue to drop across Britain, we can’t help but think of sunnier places to indulge in winter sun and Malta’s luxurious new boutique hotel Iniala Harbour House is high on our list for a getaway.
With over 300 days of sunshine, fascinating history and a laidback Mediterranean vibe, Malta is an excellent place to visit right now due to its mild January and February highs of 17C.
The European island, which is only a three-hour flight from the UK with Air Malta, recently became more appealing, with the arrival of one of the most stylish hotels on the continent.
A second property from entrepreneur Mark Weingard, who started the Iniala brand in Thailand where you’ll find one of the most extravagant beach retreats in the country (Iniala Beach House), the exquisite seafront hotel has quickly become a gourmet hotspot in Valletta.
Iniala Harbour House is exactly what Malta’s capital needed: it's luxurious, exclusive and pushes boundaries in the historic city packed with tradition.
Opened just a year ago and home to one of the most desirable restaurants in all of Malta, one that even the locals are raving about, Iniala tends to all your senses. A place for curious minds, here the walls are adorned with curious art from local artists, the palatial rooms are fit for A-list guests and the subterranean spa takes you on any wellness journey you desire.
What Iniala does differently is make you feel like a VIP, with its impeccable service, attentive staff and exclusive touches that serve as a reminder that travelling is about collecting experiences. Want to explore the island on a luxurious yacht? The hotel can organise that. How about getting to know Valletta on a more fun and unique private tour? That can be arranged, too.
The two-bedroom Grand Residence with mesmerising views over the Grand Harbour is the suite to check into if you’re looking to make the most of the five-star surroundings. It’s ideal if you’re travelling as two couples, with its dining area, bar and living space that deserve their own shoot for an interior magazine.
This is a place to entertain and be entertained. You can unwind together with a game of backgammon, watch a film on the large flatscreen TV or catch up with drinks in the marble bar area.
When it’s time for bed, the rooms will make you feel like you’ve stepped into somewhere more exotic, with palm trees, birds and gold sculptures on the walls. In the bathrooms, marble, double showers (because one isn’t enough!) and Diptyque products complete the extravagance of this world-class suite.
Staying in a hotel that's home to one of the five Michelin-starred restaurants in Malta means you must dine at ION while here. Loved by travellers and the island's own residents, the rooftop restaurant is headed up by celebrated London chef Alex Dilling who brings to life a menu of aesthetically pleasing dishes based on local Mediterranean ingredients.
A five or seven-course menu is served on the terrace overlooking the Grand Harbour or inside the restaurant and features Alex’s signature dishes, such as cep foie gras, Hunter Chicken (the most elegant take on chicken chasseur you'll ever see, which takes Alex three days to cook) and oyster bavarois with oyster vinaigrette.
Working your way through these impressive dishes, you’ll be ready to relax in the spa the next day and Iniala’s wellness offering won’t disappoint. Its boutique Essensi Spa is located in the beautiful setting of one of its vaults, with a sauna, steam room and pool for you to while away the hours in a subterranean space. You’ll find facials, massages and Ayurveda treatments to take your relaxations to the next level, along with Asian and Thai massages, a nod to where the Iniala brand was born.
If you can peel yourself away from the spa loungers, there’s plenty to explore around Malta. Afternoon tea at Valletta’s Phoenicia Hotel, an institution, is a must. Fluffy scones, an array of teas and dainty desserts are served in the gorgeous Palm Lounge for a decadent treat.
Whether you’re travelling as a couple or with friends or family, you’ll want to visit Ta’ Betta Wine Estates to sample the fine wines of Malta and learn about the process of producing its elegant merlots, chardonnays and rosés - from the fermentation of the wine in its bespoke, egg-shaped barrels to the bottling.
Iniala Harbour House will arrange your visit to the estate to include a Mediterranean feast for you to taste the wines of Ta’ Betta alongside local cuisine.
Let food be the theme of your trip to the island, where there are countless places to satisfy your taste buds in Valletta and beyond. In the city, Gracy’s Brasserie overlooks the historic St George’s Square and is an atmospheric restaurant to feast on freshly caught seafood.
The Xara Palace, a Relais & Chateaux hotel, in the medieval city of Mdina is worth the 20-minute drive to experience more Michelin-starred dining at De Mondion, a restaurant with a refined approach to its menu thanks to Maltese chef Kevin Bonello.
Its innovative menu has featured the likes of beetroot gnocchi with horseradish and parmesan; local suckling pig with pickled vegetables and fermented dates; and Gozitan octopus with vegetable linguine.
BOOK A ROOM AT INIALA HARBOUR HOUSE
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