Jane Dunford finds out why Malta is a great place to take the kids on holiday
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“Malta is a great destination for families,” says Richard Gamber, sales and marketing manager at Holiday Malta. “I went when my children were two and six and they loved it – they didn’t want to leave.
“The Maltese adore children, many hotels are really geared up for families, the northern beaches are lovely and there’s a lot for kids to do. Everyone speaks English and shops stock the baby things you’d buy at home so you can travel light.”
With a flight time of just over three hours, guaranteed sunshine and great-value accommodation options for every budget, it’s time to put Malta firmly on your list of go-to destinations for families of all ages.
LITTLE LUXURIES
Luxury and child-friendly can go hand-in-hand, as the five-star Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julian’s proves. Right on the waterfront, it boasts large gardens, a secluded sandy beach, three children’s pools, restaurants serving healthy kids’ menus and an action-packed kids’ club for children aged three to 12.
Spacious standard rooms have two double beds, or book interconnecting rooms for more privacy. The recently opened one-bedroom luxury bay suites come with a kitchenette – perfect for families wanting to do a spot of self-catering too. Classic Collection Holidays offers seven-nights’ B&B for a family of four in July with flights and transfers from £3,199 in a deluxe double sea view room, or from £4,599 in a bay suite.
Families with older children might also like The Grand Excelsior, a five-star property on the beach near Valletta. It’s ideal for soaking up the history and drama of the capital, and chilling out on the sand too. The hotel hires bikes so clients can explore the area, and teens of 16 and over can enjoy the luxurious spa too. Travel 2 offers a week for a family of four from £3,716, for two executive rooms with breakfast and flights from London on July 14.
KIDS ARE COVERED
Opting for an all-inclusive package is often a winner for families – once in resort parents don’t need to be getting out the wallet for all those extras, which soon add up.
The four-star Seabank Resort & Spa on Mellieha Bay has an all-inclusive dine around option, offering a wide choice of cuisines from Brazilian to the Mediterranean, and the Jungle Restaurant caters specifically for families (there’s even a three-storey play house).
Professional entertainers keep children aged four to 10 busy during the day, with everything from fancy dress parades to dance classes, and a kids’ disco every evening. A week’s all-inclusive package for a family of four in August costs from £1,749, with flights from Stansted, with Mercury Direct.
First Choice offers an all-inclusive option at the recently-refurbished San Antonio Hotel & Spa in Bugibba. There’s a kids’ club for five to 11-year-olds, but it’s great for older families too, as the resort is a lively, high-energy place that teenagers will enjoy, with dodgems and water parks nearby. The operator offers a week all-inclusive for a family of four from £2,116 in July, with flights from Gatwick.
FLEDGLING FACILITIES
Olympic Holidays has its biggest Malta programme yet for summer 2014 with a wide choice of family-friendly hotels. The St Paul’s Bay area is particularly good for families as it’s uncrowded but full of places to eat and drink, and is close to Malta’s sandy northern beaches.
The four-star Topaz hotel in Bugibba particularly appeals, with its kids’ club, games room, early children’s mealtimes (cots and highchairs available) and babysitting facilities. Seven nights’ B&B in July start from £1,977 for a family of four, with Gatwick flights.
Older children might like Seashells at Suncrest, in nearby Qawra, with its children’s pools (one with slide), video games and plenty of activities from tennis to water-skiing and a dive centre.
Youngsters are well catered for too, with Fido Dido kids’ club for four to 10s. Olympic Holidays offers seven nights’ all-inclusive from £2,697 in August.
Save clients cash with Belleair Holidays, which is offering free child places and discounts of up to £400 for a family of four for departures from a number of regional airports this summer. Whether it’s self-catering, bed and breakfast, half-board or all-inclusive, children up to 11 go free with a paying adult.
Qawra Palace is one option – a family favourite away from some of the livelier resorts, with plenty of restaurants (including a gelateria), mini golf and tennis for older children, and kids’ activities for younger holidaymakers. A family of four can save £324, paying £1,906 for seven nights’ B&B, flying from Cardiff with Air Malta on July 29.
HOUSEHOLD HOUSES
For some families, the freedom of renting a villa might appeal, and Gozo’s rural landscape has a particularly good choice.
Cosmos Holidays suggests Villa Ta Stocks in the traditional village of Ghasri, a spacious home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and private pool, suited to families with older children, and Villa Ta Kikka, a rustic, two-bedroom, two-bathroom farmhouse with pool near Xaghra, which is home to shops, restaurants and a toy museum.
Seven nights in July for a family of four with flights and ferry crossings start from £2,155 and £2,269 respectively. Don’t forget to recommend clients book car hire too, as villas tend to be in rural locations.
KEEP THE KIDS BUSY
Mediterraneo Marine Park
Discover the secrets of the sea, swim with dolphins, and see sea lions, as well as parrots, tortoises and frogs, at this family-friendly marine park, bookable through Attraction World (£26 adults, £19 for children aged two to 12).
Splash and Fun Aqua Park
With a wave pool, water slides of all shapes and sizes, a lazy river and splash pool for toddlers, there’s no end of watery fun to be had here. Adults: €20; children from three to 12: €12.
Popeye Village
Popeye and his friends will greet kids and take them on a tour of the film set of the 1980s musical Popeye filmed in Anchor Bay. There are rides, shows, a boat trip and wine tastings for the adults. Adults: €20.50; children from three to 12: €16.50
Malta 5D
Learn about Malta’s history at a ‘5D’ cinema experience in the capital. Besides 3D visuals, seat movement, water and air blasts bring history to life. Adults: €9; children: €6.
Jeep Safari, Gozo
Attraction World offers a fun day exploring off-the-beaten track in Gozo by jeep, avoiding other tourists, with a lunch of local specialities included. Adults: £63; children two to 12: £53
