Hard Rock Hotel Malta Celebrates Star-Studded Grand Opening in St. George's Bay

Hard Rock's first hotel in Malta welcomes guests to a luxurious new Mediterranean destination where music, entertainment and immersive hospitality come together on the shores of St. George's Bay

ST. GEORGE'S BAY, Malta, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock Hotel Malta, a highly anticipated upscale, five-star* destination, has officially opened its doors to the public following a celebratory guitar smash ceremony marking the group's first hotel on the island.

Located in the lively St George's Bay, twenty minutes from the airport of UNESCO World Heritage Site Valletta - with the famous Mosta Rotunda and the Rabat Catacombs a short drive away - the luxurious hotel is set to transform the area through hospitality, entertainment and economic development. Hard Rock Hotel Malta delivers the legendary vibe of the Hard Rock brand with the friendly charm and sunny reputation of Maltese hospitality.

Esteemed guests from across the island, including the Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, Hard Rock executives and partners, and international guests Leomie Anderson, Corinna Brown, Gizzi Erskine and Arielle Free gathered to celebrate the opening of the new five-star* destination. The event featured upbeat live entertainment from some of Malta's biggest names - including Aiden, Malta's Eurovision 2026 Representative, Malta's top selling female artist Ira Losco, and singer Shaun Farrugia, as well as an artistic swimming performance in the hotel's guitar shaped pool before guests ended the night dancing to local DJ J Joy. 

"We are thrilled to see our vision for Hard Rock Hotel Malta come to life as part of the wider development of St. George's Bay," commented Robert Debono, CEO of db Group. "We can't wait to show guests the rich culture and incredible views that Malta is famous for, combined with Hard Rock's iconic, music led experience in hospitality."

"The opening of Hard Rock Hotel Malta marks an incredibly exciting new chapter for St. George's Bay, St. Julian's, Pembroke and the wider island," said Thomas Guss, General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel Malta. "We're thrilled to finally welcome our guests and the local community and bring to life a vibrant new destination where music, entertainment, dining and unforgettable experiences come together. We can't wait to see Hard Rock Hotel Malta become a new favourite on the island!"

The opening represents a monumental €350 million direct investment in Malta's tourism sector, and has created several hundred new jobs spanning a vast array of specialised roles, from master mixologists and culinary artisans to wellness therapists and luxury hospitality specialists.

"Tonight is a celebration of Malta's incredible culture, heritage and talent, alongside the music, creativity and experiences that make Hard Rock unique," said John Rees, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations at Hard Rock International. "This landmark opening is a significant investment in Malta, with €350 million invested in the island's tourism sector and hundreds of new jobs created. We're so proud to be part of Malta's next chapter and excited for guests to experience everything Hard Rock Hotel Malta has to offer."

The unmistakable, vibrant energy of the Hard Rock brand is felt throughout the new 397-room destination, from the rooftop cantilever pool to the beach club, immersing guests in the beauty and spirit of the Mediterranean's beachside atmosphere. With 11 swimming pools, more than 10 restaurant, bar, lounge and club venues, a 3,800 sqm spa wellness and fitness space (which is one of the largest venues in Malta), and a 466 sqm ballroom, guests are set to experience Malta's history fused with Hard Rock's iconic lifestyle.

The hotel is also home to one of Malta's largest wellness destinations, Rock Spa®, spanning almost 4,000 square metres. Hard Rock Hotel Malta will offer signature wellness experiences, including the largest Body Rock® in the world (Hard Rock's state-of-the-art workout facility) and Rock Om®, a customised yoga experience for guests to experience from the comfort of their rooms. At the Rock Spa®, guests can enjoy Rhythm & Motion, a fully immersive music-centric spa menu.

Hard Rock Cafe St. Julian's Malta brings the iconic Hard Rock experience to one of the Mediterranean's most vibrant destinations, combining world-class dining, live entertainment, legendary hospitality, and an impressive collection of authentic music memorabilia. Located within the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel Malta, the 1,400-square-metre venue offers indoor and outdoor seating for 222 guests, a vibrant restaurant and bar, the iconic Rock Shop®, and exclusive memorabilia celebrating some of the world's most renowned artists. With a globally recognised menu, live music, special events, themed nights, and unique Malta-exclusive merchandise, the cafe is positioned as a dynamic entertainment and social destination for both locals and international visitors.

Hard Rock Hotel Malta is now accepting reservations through the website and at +356 2124 6000.

Hotel Images: HERE
GOP Images: HERE

*Malta Tourism Authority Rating

About Hard Rock Malta
Opening in September 2026, Hard Rock Malta brings the unmistakable, vibrant energy of the Hard Rock brand to Malta, fusing the island's rich history with the brand's iconic lifestyle. Featuring 397 rooms and set above the buzzy St George's Bay, the coastal resort immerses guests in a beachside atmosphere complete with a rooftop cantilever pool, 11 swimming pools, a dedicated beach club, and a 466-square-metre ballroom. Its culinary offering boasts more than 10 restaurant, bar, lounge, and club venues, anchored by Hard Rock Cafe St. Julian's Malta - a 1,400-square-metre dining and entertainment hub offering world-class cuisine, live music, and the iconic Rock Shop^® with exclusive Malta merchandise.

Designed to deliver the ultimate leisure destination, the hotel houses one of Malta's largest wellness facilities: a 3,800-square-meter space featuring the signature Rock Spa^® with its music-centric Rhythm & Motion treatments. Guests can also enjoy exclusive brand amenities such as Body Rock^®, a state-of-the-art workout facility, and Rock Om^®, a customised in-room yoga experience, all surrounded by authentic music memorabilia celebrating the world's most renowned artists.

About Hard Rock^® 
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in nearly 80 countries spanning more than 300 venues including owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops^®, Live Performance Locations and Cafes. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia with more than 89,000 pieces displayed at locations around the globe. The Unity™ by Hard Rock global loyalty program rewards members for doing the things they love across participating properties. In addition, Hard Rock Digital spotlights the sports betting and iGaming experience with products remixed in the spirit of Hard Rock for players worldwide.

HRI has received numerous industry, destination and workplace awards across the travel, hospitality, gaming, entertainment and food & beverage sectors. HRI currently holds investment grades from primary investment-grade rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.

About the db Group:

The db Group is one of Malta's fastest-growing businesses, with various successful ventures spanning hospitality, property development and catering across Malta, London and the UAE. Founded by Silvio Debono in 1984 with a small guest house, the Group today owns two of Europe's most popular all-inclusive properties - the db Seabank Resort and Spa and the db San Antonio Hotel and Spa - as well as 20 successful restaurants spread across the Maltese islands, including two recognised by the Michelin guide. After establishing a family office in London, db Group also opened Aki in London's prestigious Cavendish square, its first venture outside of Malta, which was recognised by the Michelin guide within its first year of operation. The most ambitious db Group project to date is a multi-use beachside development within Malta's entertainment district of St Julian's. As Malta's largest hospitality and shopping destination, it includes a Hard Rock Hotel, ORA luxury residences and St George's Mall. db Group also opened an office in Ras Al-Khaimah (UAE), where it is planning a Hard Rock Hotel and branded residences project slated to open in 2029. db Group's trusted reputation has helped it forge strong alliances with iconic international brands, including Starbucks and Hard Rock Café, both of which have expanded their presence on the island after great success. Recent international partnerships also include Tatel, Paradiso, Bagatelle and EL&N. Looking ahead, db Group remains focused on consolidating its local market footprints, expanding internationally, and continuing to diversify into new sectors, all underpinned by its unwavering commitment to excellence.

For more information visit www.dbgroupmalta.com.

SOURCE Hard Rock International