Choosing a hotel in Malta often comes down to three questions: Is it truly all-inclusive? Where exactly is it? And what do recent guests say after checkout? For the DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa, the official starting point is a 4-star superior resort in Qawra with more than 500 rooms and suites, operated by db Hotels + Resorts. This review compares the operator’s published terms, guest-review patterns, and booking-platform scores so you can weigh the promise against the experience.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

Hotel name: DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa · Location: Qawra, Malta · Star rating: 4-star superior · All-inclusive: Yes

DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa at a glance

1 Hotel name
  • DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa (per db Hotels + Resorts)
2 Guest score
  • 8.7 on Booking.com’s indexed review page (Booking.com)
3 Surroundings
  • Close to Bugibba Beach and Bugibba Square in the St Paul’s Bay area (Expedia)
4 All-inclusive
  • Yes — meals and drinks included (per the official all-inclusive information page)

How we researched this hotel

Last checked: 2026-10-02.

Sources reviewed: official hotel website and guest-information pages, Booking.com listing and review page, Tripadvisor review summaries, Trip.com listing, Expedia listing, Trivago comparison page, HotelsCombined listing, Destinia listing, and Amimir review summaries.

We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview hotel staff, or independently verify live prices and availability.

  • 4-star superior official rating
  • All-inclusive board covers meals and drinks
  • Adults-only rooftop infinity pool
  • Trivago 8.6 based on more than 17,000 reviews

Key facts: DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa

Hotel nameDB San Antonio Hotel + Spa
Operatordb Hotels + Resorts
LocationQawra, St Paul’s Bay area, northern Malta
Star rating4-star superior
Rooms and suitesMore than 500
Board basisAll-inclusive (meals and drinks)
Pools4 — main outdoor, heated indoor, children’s splash, rooftop infinity
SpaPearl Spa, 10 treatment rooms
FitnessNewForm Fitness Club, open 24 hours
Wi-FiFree in guest rooms and public areas
Guest scoresBooking.com 8.7 · Trip.com 8.4/10 · Trivago 8.6
Location labels usedQawra, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, Malta

All figures above come from the official db Hotels + Resorts pages and the booking platforms cited in this article. Review scores are platform-specific and captured at different dates, so treat them as comparable only within each platform.

What Are People Saying About the DB San Antonio Hotel in Malta?

Guest scores for the DB San Antonio sit in the mid-to-high 8s across the main platforms we checked. Booking.com’s indexed review page shows an 8.7 overall score (see the snapshot above), and Trip.com lists 8.4/10 from 102 verified reviews, with sub-scores of 8.5 for service, 8.4 for cleanliness, and 8.4 for location (Trip.com).

TripAdvisor’s review summaries fill in the qualitative side: cleanliness, location, and staff friendliness appear as recurring positives, while some summaries describe the rooms as clean and comfortable but potentially dated in parts (TripAdvisor). The same summaries name crowding around the pool areas as the most consistent criticism.

The hotel offers a relaxing environment that makes your stay in Malta an amazing experience.

— TripAdvisor listing summary

On value, TripAdvisor summaries note that guests often consider the hotel a good deal, particularly when they book the All Inclusive Plus upgrade, although the sources we retrieved do not specify exactly which extras that upgrade adds.

The official hotel page foregrounds a Moorish-inspired design across its more than 500 rooms and suites. Review summaries on Amimir, a smaller booking-comparison site, list the adults-only rooftop pool, the heated indoor pool, and the children’s pool among the hotel’s strengths, and report complaints about repetitive food, mandatory restaurant reservations, wear in parts of the property, and noise.

Note: Booking.com, Trip.com, and Trivago compute scores from different review samples captured at different dates, so the numbers are directional rather than interchangeable.
The bottom line: guest scores cluster in the mid-8s, praise concentrates on location, staff, cleanliness, and the pool setup, and the recurring criticisms are pool crowding, dated corners of the property, and noise.

Where Is DB San Antonio Malta?

The DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa sits in Qawra, on the northern coast of Malta, overlooking St Paul’s Bay. The operator frames the location this way:

Welcome to the db San Antonio Hotel + Spa, located at the heart of one of Malta’s popular touristic areas, Qawra.

— db Hotels + Resorts, official hotel page

The property is marketed under several locality labels — Qawra, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, and sometimes simply Malta — depending on the booking site. Trivago’s comparison listing places the hotel in St Paul’s Bay and notes that the surrounding area is served by public transport and sits near Bugibba-area attractions (Trivago).

Expedia, cited in the snapshot above, describes the hotel as close to Bugibba Beach and Bugibba Square, with a rooftop terrace and poolside bars. By car from Malta International Airport the route runs north toward St Paul’s Bay; the sources we reviewed do not state an official transfer time or fixed transfer price, so confirm current transfers with your tour operator.

What to watch: the same hotel appears under Qawra, St Paul’s Bay, and Bugibba labels on different booking sites, so a cheaper rate in one district search may just be the same property under a different label.

What Restaurants Are Located at the DB San Antonio Hotel and Spa in Malta?

Dining sits at the center of the all-inclusive offer. The official hotel page advertises seven themed restaurants, while the operator’s dedicated all-inclusive information page describes six themed restaurants available for dinner. Expedia, by comparison, refers to five on-site restaurants — a gap that suggests third-party listings may lag behind the official pages or count venues differently.

Enjoy a hassle-free stay at the db San Antonio Hotel + Spa with everything from accommodation, fully equipped facilities, spectacular entertainment and indulging in our gastronomical pleasures at one of our 6 themed restaurants all included under one roof as part of your all-inclusive package.

— db Hotels + Resorts, guest-information page

Booking.com’s hotel listing adds themed dinners, snack options, and evening entertainment to the dining picture, and notes that some activities may be chargeable (Booking.com hotel listing). One TripAdvisor review summary cautions that all-inclusive guests may receive one visit to each themed restaurant, with buffet-style service, and advises confirming the exact package terms before booking.

Booking tip: when you compare offers, the restaurant count changes the value equation — five, six, or seven venues is a real difference — so ask the hotel for the current count and any reservation rules before you commit.
The catch: official sources list six or seven themed restaurants, Expedia lists five, and at least one review summary points to per-restaurant visit limits; confirm the dining terms directly with the hotel.

What Drinks Are Included in the DB San Antonio All-Inclusive Menu?

The official all-inclusive information page states that the package covers a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks alongside meals, but it does not publish a brand-level drinks list.

Booking.com’s listing and Expedia’s listing both reference bars on site, including poolside bars, and the hotel’s guest-information page promotes evening entertainment at the Kosy Bar.

Watch out: if branded spirits, cocktails, or between-meal snacks matter to you, ask for the current all-inclusive terms in writing — the official pages we reviewed do not specify the brand list, and one aggregator’s summaries suggest premium pours may carry a supplement.

The same Amimir summaries that report dining complaints also allege that higher-quality drinks may require an additional daily payment under some all-inclusive terms, and that snacks may not be available between meal times. The official material we reviewed confirms neither point, so treat both as open questions to raise before booking.

TripAdvisor summaries characterize the All Inclusive Plus upgrade as potentially better value, but the retrieved sources do not detail exactly which premium drinks or extras it adds.

The trade-off: the standard package gives you a broad drinks lineup with meals and entertainment under one rate, while the fine print on premium brands, snack hours, and the All Inclusive Plus upgrade is exactly where you should push for detail before paying.

DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa: full specification

Official nameDB San Antonio Hotel + Spa
Operatordb Hotels + Resorts
Category4-star superior
DesignMoorish-inspired
Rooms and suitesMore than 500
Pools4 — main outdoor, heated indoor, children’s splash, rooftop infinity (adults-only)
SpaPearl Spa — 10 treatment rooms, steam room, sauna, indoor pool, jacuzzi, hydrotherapy bath, relaxation area
FitnessNewForm Fitness Club, open 24 hours
DiningThemed restaurants — 6 on the official all-inclusive page, 7 on the official hotel page, 5 on Expedia
Wi-FiFree in guest rooms and public areas
EntertainmentDaily activities for adults and children; evening entertainment at the Kosy Bar
Location labels in useQawra, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, Malta

The adults-only rooftop pool detail comes from the Amimir review summaries; all other figures come from the official hotel pages and booking platforms cited in this article.

Pros and cons from guest feedback

What works well

  • All-inclusive board covers meals and drinks at the themed restaurants (official material)
  • Four pools, including a rooftop infinity pool (official material)
  • Pearl Spa with 10 treatment rooms (official material)
  • Free Wi-Fi in guest rooms and public areas (official material)
  • NewForm Fitness Club open 24 hours (official material)
  • Guest scores in the mid-8s on Booking.com, Trip.com, and Trivago

What to check before booking

  • Pool crowding reported in peak periods (TripAdvisor summaries)
  • Some rooms described as clean but dated in parts (TripAdvisor summaries)
  • Restaurant count varies by source — 5 on Expedia, 6 on the official all-inclusive page, 7 on the official hotel page
  • Mandatory restaurant reservations and repetitive buffet food reported in Amimir summaries
  • Premium drinks and between-meal snacks not specified officially; some summaries allege supplements
  • Multiple locality labels (Qawra, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba) complicate price comparisons

Who is the DB San Antonio Hotel best for?

  • Couples: the adults-only rooftop infinity pool and the Pearl Spa’s hydrotherapy circuit give the property a clear adults-only corner.
  • Families: the children’s splash pool, kids’ club, and daily entertainment for children are listed by the hotel and on Booking.com, and the all-inclusive board keeps meal budgets predictable.
  • Adults seeking relaxation: the adults-only rooftop pool plus the spa’s sauna, steam room, and indoor pool offer a quiet circuit away from the main outdoor pool.
  • Senior travelers: accommodation, meals, entertainment, and the indoor pool are all on site in a touristic district close to Bugibba Square, which removes the need to travel for evening plans.

Our pick: who should book it

The DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa is our pick for travelers who want all-inclusive convenience in Qawra, an adults-only rooftop pool, and a spa on site without moving between venues. It fits these reader profiles especially well:

  • First-time visitors to Malta — Qawra is an established touristic hub, and the all-inclusive board simplifies budgeting.
  • Couples on a romantic getaway — the adults-only rooftop infinity pool and the Pearl Spa create a dedicated adults-only space.
  • Travelers seeking all-inclusive convenience — meals, drinks, entertainment, pools, and a 24-hour gym are all on site.
  • Budget-conscious travelers seeking value — observed platform rates start around $109 on HotelsCombined and €44.24 on Destinia, and the board basis reduces out-of-pocket meal costs.

Book once you have confirmed the current restaurant count, reservation policy, and premium-drink terms with the hotel or your tour operator.

What does an all-inclusive stay at the DB San Antonio cost?

No official price calendar was available in the material we reviewed, and the hotel’s published pages do not quote package rates. Third-party listings provide two reference points: HotelsCombined reports a recently observed best price of $109 per night and an average deal around $347 per night (HotelsCombined), while Destinia’s indexed result lists a starting price of €44.24 per night and explicitly notes that the rate varies with dates and demand (Destinia).

Treat both figures as dynamic, platform-specific snapshots rather than fixed hotel prices. The all-inclusive board basis is normally built into the quoted room rate, but the exact inclusions should be confirmed at the moment of booking.

Price-comparison tip: because the same property appears under Qawra, St Paul’s Bay, and Bugibba labels, filter your search by property name rather than district name to avoid comparing the hotel with itself.

Alternatives to the DB San Antonio Hotel in Malta

If the DB San Antonio does not match your dates or budget, two properties appear alongside it in Malta hotel searches: db Seabank Resort + Spa and Hilton Malta. Their current star ratings, all-inclusive terms, and rates were not part of this review, so compare them on their own official and booking pages before deciding.

For another all-inclusive hotel review, see our Hotel Pestana Porto Santo: All Inclusive Review & Guide. Readers weighing a second all-inclusive property in a different market can also compare our Hotel Caribe Es Cana Review: All-Inclusive? Location & Honest Verdict (2025).

DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa: frequently asked questions

Is the DB San Antonio Hotel adults-only?

No. The hotel runs as a family-friendly all-inclusive resort: official material lists a children’s splash pool and children’s activities, and Booking.com’s listing references a kids’ club. The rooftop infinity pool, however, is adults-only.

What style is the hotel’s architecture?

Moorish-inspired. The official hotel page describes more than 500 rooms and suites with Moorish-inspired design.

Does the hotel have a spa?

Yes. The Pearl Spa includes 10 treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, indoor pool, jacuzzi, hydrotherapy bath, and relaxation area, according to the official listing.

What is the hotel’s star rating?

4-star superior, per the official db Hotels + Resorts listing.

Is the hotel all-inclusive?

Yes. The all-inclusive package covers meals and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including dining at the themed restaurants and access to the four pools, according to the official all-inclusive information page.

The short version: DB San Antonio Hotel + Spa is a 4-star superior all-inclusive resort in Qawra with more than 500 rooms, four pools, a 10-treatment-room spa, and a 24-hour gym; the open questions — restaurant count, dinner reservations, premium drinks, and snack hours — are the ones to settle with the hotel before booking.

Sources