db Seabank Resort + Spa

The db Seabank All-Inclusive Resort & Spa is the quintessential family-friendly property that’s bustling with boisterous kids, wedding parties, and locals who arrive on the weekends. The large lagoon pools have the typical early morning rush for lounge chairs and kids towing inflatable toys. For guests that are seeking a bit of peace, adults have a separate pool that doesn’t allow kids under 16 years old, yet travelers looking for a relaxing vacation won’t find much quiet time here. The animation team is usually active leading group activities and nightly shows in the Entertainment Dome featuring popular acts such as the Maltese Elvis. Interiors are modern, airy, and on the simple side. The spacious lobby is decorated in neutral furniture with stacked logs that separate sitting areas lit by overhead skylights. The five-story building’s sandy-colored architecture -- with large plazas and pathways that lead to the pools -- is spread out over the beachside street, commanding stunning Mediterranean sea views.

A worn seaside road separates the resort from Ghadira Bay, also known as Mellieha Bay, the largest sandy beach in Malta. There are numerous water sports shops and dive centers nearby, including ones on-site at the hotel, but restaurants in this area are scarce. The shallow beach is great for kids and in the summer the sands are crowded with colorful lounge chairs and umbrellas. The Ghadira Nature Reserve is located beside the resort. A bus stop located across the street from the hotel gives easy access to area sights; buses go to St. Julian’s in an hour and to Valletta in an hour and a half. The Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal is a 15-minute bus ride or 10 minutes away by car, with ferries to Gozo -- where there’s the Azure Window -- and the Blue Lagoon on Comino island. Five minutes away by car is the Parish Church of Mellieha and Mellieha Air Raid Shelter, which are near cafes and restaurants. The Malta International Airport is a 40-minute drive away.

Vaguely nautical-themed rooms are casual and basic, with circular mirrors, tile floors, and a color palette of navy blue and white. Balconies or terraces have sea, pool, and/or countryside views. Striped bedspreads fit with the nautical theme, but are on the dated side. All rooms have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, safes, free Wi-Fi, and ceiling fans. Four types of rooms are available. Standard Rooms -- which vary in size -- fit either two adults and a baby or four people. Terrace Rooms have sitting areas and terraces. Family Rooms have two sleeping areas that are divided by sliding doors. Three poolside Caverna Suites have distinct coral reef designs, hot tubs, and patios. Nine accessible rooms have specially fitted amenities. Modern bathrooms offers shower/tub combos or showers. 

The db Seabank caters to families with children. Trees, wooden bridges, and a playhouse create a fun atmosphere in the Jungle Restaurant, but the American buffet isn’t a favorite among adults. There’s also the more popular Asian cuisine at L’Orient Restaurant, Brazilian food at El Rodizio Restaurant, and Italian at La Pellicola. The Coral restaurant features beach designs in an elegant dining room that serves Mediterranean food, and the Laguna Pool Restaurant has poolside pizza and burgers. The Tramun Taghna Restaurant is a cafe in the daytime and bistro at night. Meals at the hotel are buffet-style, so often guests have to wait in line. Three bars are also on-site, including the classically decorated II-Punent Bar with a terrace, the pool bar that’s open in the summer, and the sports bar in the Entertainment Complex, where there’s also a game room for kids and a bowling alley.

The outdoor lagoon pools are spread out over 1,400 square meters (roughly 4,600 feet). For a refundable deposit, guests are given pool towels. Smaller kids and parents can take advantage of a shallow kids' pool. Lounge chairs are lined along the palm-tree dotted deck. Inside there is a heated pool and a hot tub, part of the Aqua Marine Spa and Fitness Center, which also attracts children. The spa -- with its cave designs -- has a sauna, steam room, treatment rooms, a hair salon, and a modern fitness center. Outside there are sports facilities: sandy volleyball and soccer, mini-golf, squash and tennis, and ping-pong, among other activities. The kids’ club has a playground with a small pool, treasure hunts, and arts and crafts. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but the connection can be spotty.