2 Best Hotels in Mdina and Rabat, Malta

This brilliantly designed hotel has been sculpted from an 18th-century mill in the labyrinthine backstreets of a village near Mdina and is one of the most unexpected finds in Malta. The eight rooms are works of art, some with balconies or a Jacuzzi, while the penthouse has its own pool, so it pays to ask what's available. Most are large enough to accommodate families, and there's a pool and bar within the internal courtyard. Owners Liudmila and Clive are as accommodating as they come, whether showing you photos of the quarry from which the hand-cut stone was unearthed or barbecuing whatever you brought back from the market.

This gem, a former pig farm just outside of the center of Rabat, was opened in 2012 by the current owner, who lives in nearby Dingli, where he grew up. The original owners migrated to Canada (hence the name) after World War II, and returned ready to invest in something new. The owner also has a nearby vineyard and olive groves—guided tours of his farm are worth your time. Comfortable rooms (it was the family home before its conversion), a two-bed garden flat, and a large pool make it perfect for families. It's only a short walk to Rabat and Mdina, and the forests of Buskett are nearby, too. You won't find a warmer welcome in all of Malta.