What is Palais Le Brun?

Palais Le Brun is a Selected hotel located in Valletta, Malta. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does Palais Le Brun have?

Palais Le Brun has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is Palais Le Brun located?

Palais Le Brun is located in Valletta, Malta, in the Europe region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book Palais Le Brun?

You can view more details and booking information for Palais Le Brun through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

Palais Le Brun | Selected in Valletta, Malta

Name: Palais Le Brun
Address: Valletta, Europe, Malta
Rating: 4.5

Expert Review: Palais Le Brun

Palais Le Brun stands as a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, offering a luxurious and historically rich experience in the heart of Valletta, Malta. This 17th-century Baroque palace has been meticulously transformed into a modern boutique hotel, preserving its classic architecture while infusing contemporary comforts.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Palais Le Brun consistently garners "Wonderful," "Superb," and "Excellent" ratings from guests, with many review platforms showing scores above 9.0 out of 10. The general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with visitors often expressing that they "didn't want to leave" due to the exceptional experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests frequently praise the hotel's unbeatable central location, the spectacular and attentive staff, and its beautiful design, which seamlessly blends historic charm with modern luxury. The rooftop pool, sunbeds, and bar, offering panoramic views of the city and sea, are consistently highlighted as a major draw. The excellent breakfast also stands out as a memorable aspect of the stay.

3. Room Quality

Palais Le Brun offers 39 air-conditioned rooms and suites, designed to provide both elegance and comfort. Rooms are described as plush, stylish, well-decorated, and meticulously clean, featuring antique-style furnishings in a regal color palette. Modern amenities include bedside USB outlets, espresso machines, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffee/tea making facilities. The bathrooms are spacious, often featuring marble floors, ceramic fixtures, and walk-in rain showers. Several suites boast balconies with city views, and some luxurious options even include private terraces with a hot tub facing the sea. Soundproofing contributes to a peaceful environment. While generally well-received, one reviewer noted the decor in their deluxe double room was "borderline bland" or "dated," suggesting other suites might offer a more distinctive style. Another mentioned a room with a small window looking onto a service shaft.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant, Patakka, is open all day, specializing in upscale Mediterranean cuisine and run by the owners of the acclaimed L'Artiglio Ristorante. Breakfast is a particular highlight, consistently reviewed as "amazing," "excellent," and "wonderful." Guests can enjoy a wide array of options, including continental, à la carte, full English/Irish, and cooked-to-order dishes, with a small buffet also available. The hotel also accommodates early departures with delicious breakfast bags. A poolside bar on the rooftop provides refreshing drinks and snacks throughout the day.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Palais Le Brun is consistently lauded as outstanding. Guests frequently describe the staff as "spectacular," "amazing," "friendly," "helpful," "competent," "polite," "attentive," and "professional." Many reviews highlight instances of staff going above and beyond, offering free room upgrades, complimentary drinks for anniversaries, and special birthday surprises. The hotel provides a 24-hour front desk, concierge services, and multilingual staff to ensure a seamless stay.

6. Location & Accessibility

Palais Le Brun boasts a "perfect" and "extremely convenient" location in the city center of Valletta. Situated on a quieter street, it offers a peaceful retreat while being within easy walking distance of major attractions, including the University of Malta - Valletta Campus, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Manoel Theatre, St. John's Co-Cathedral, Grandmaster's Palace, Casa Rocca Piccola Palace, Saluting Battery, and numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars. The main bus stop, Kristofru, is just a 3-minute walk away, providing convenient access to explore the rest of the island. Malta International Airport is approximately 3.7 miles (6 km) from the hotel, a 15-minute drive. It's important to note that the hotel does not offer on-site parking.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury 4-star boutique hotel, Palais Le Brun is considered excellent value for money, scoring 8.9 out of 10 in this category. Room rates typically range from approximately $117 to $377 per night, depending on the room type and season. While on the higher end, guests generally feel the cost is justified by the exceptional quality of the experience, prime location, and outstanding service.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism have been noted by guests. One reviewer found the decor in their specific deluxe double room to be "borderline bland" or "dated," suggesting that some suites might offer a more distinctive style. Another guest mentioned that their room had "only one small window which looked out over a service shift." The rooftop pool, while a highlight, is described by some as a "dipping pool" or "small," indicating it's more for relaxation and cooling off rather than extensive swimming.