Is AX ODYCY Hotel in Malta Good for Families? Our Honest Review
Where to stay in Malta with kids: a real family stay in Qawra during Easter break
If you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Malta with kids, AX ODYCY Hotel is probably already on your shortlist — it definitely was on ours.
We stayed here for 7 nights in April during Easter break as a family of three. We booked directly through the hotel and paid cash. No points, no package deal — just a lot of research, a mildly optimistic Instagram post, and a strong desire not to wing a new country with a tired child and no plan.
This is our honest breakdown of what actually worked, what didn’t, and whether we’d stay again.
Why We Chose AX ODYCY Hotel
This hotel started its journey on Instagram (as most modern travel decisions do), but it didn’t stay there for long.
What actually convinced us was practicality.
We were looking for:
- An indoor heated pool (non-negotiable in April unless you enjoy ice baths for children)
- A kids club with decent hours and activities
- On-site restaurants so we weren’t constantly hunting for food
- Walkability to the aquarium and playgrounds, as well as convenient ferry access
- A base that made Malta feel easy instead of logistical
Once we dug deeper into pricing and reviews, it also ticked the “good value without being stressful” box — which is honestly the sweet spot for family travel.
Room Experience: Functional, Slightly Chaotic (Like Most Family Travel)
We stayed in a standard family room with:
- 1 queen bed
- 1 folding twin bed for Madison
Space-wise, it was… fine. A little tight, but manageable. The kind of room where you learn to move sideways around luggage and stop pretending you need “personal space” on vacation.
The bathroom, however, deserves its own small paragraph of emotional processing.
The hairdryer lived outside the bathroom under the vanity (no idea why), and the shower design had glass panels with an awkwardly visible lower section. Let’s just say privacy became a flexible concept in our family. Madison found this hilarious and made several attempts to “check in” mid-privacy moments, which really added to the overall bonding experience.
Not ideal. Memorable though.
Noise-wise, we had a city-facing room. The view included construction, an abandoned-looking building, and a neighboring house with what can only be described as a very committed dog community. About 11 small dogs lived there, and when one barked, they all collectively committed to the cause.
It wasn’t loud with the door closed, but it definitely reminded us we were not in a silent wellness retreat.
Location: One of the Best Parts of the Stay
This is where AX ODYCY really shines.
- Restaurants: Plenty on-site and within walking distance
- Bus stops: Right outside the hotel
- Aquarium + playground: Easy walk and a big highlight for kids
- Beach: Not right next door (about 20 minutes away), but we didn’t attempt it in April anyway — the water was very committed to being cold
We had a car, but honestly, you could manage this area without one fairly easily.
For shoulder season travel, this location made life simple. For peak summer beach vibes, we’d probably choose differently.
Pools & Facilities: The Real Reason You Stay Here
AX ODYCY has multiple pool areas, and we rotated through most of them like it was our part-time job.
We used:
- Main outdoor pool
- Indoor heated pool
- “Cheeky Monkey” pool (family-friendly outdoor area for kids 13+ or a great escape while your kids are at the kids club)
- We also made a polite appearance at the rooftop pool Medusa
The rooftop pool at Medusa looks incredible online — and to be fair, the view is genuinely beautiful. But in reality, it felt a bit like:
Instagram aesthetics + towel competition + “did we miss the good sunbeds again?”
We had a drink, enjoyed the view, and then gracefully retreated back downstairs where things were less competitive and more “family holiday energy.”
The main and indoor pools were our go-to spots and much easier to actually enjoy.
Splash pad and water slides exist, but in April the outdoor water was brutally honest. We brought a wetsuit for Madison and after a brave attempt down the water slide decided the ocean (and most pools) were a hard no. Other kids were braver. We respected them.
Breakfast & Food: Solid, Not Life-Changing (But That’s Fine)
Breakfast was included and very much in the category of:
“Everything you need, nothing you’ll remember in five years”
- Good variety
- Standard buffet options
- Mimosas (unexpected but appreciated — parenting win)
- Better egg station downstairs in the main restaurant
We mixed hotel dining with local spots nearby, especially since there are quite a few casual options within walking distance.
Kids Experience: Honestly One of the Best Parts
This hotel is genuinely set up for families — not just “kids are allowed, please don’t break anything” energy.
Madison’s highlights:
- Kids club (Maria was a superstar — genuinely)
- Daily crafts and activities
- Evening movie nights and kids disco
- Indoor play areas at some restaurants (Luzzu and Trattoria Riccardo)
- Dedicated kids section at breakfast
The kids club was excellent. Structured, friendly, and somehow managed to entertain children without overwhelming them — which is harder than it sounds.
If anything, this was the part of the hotel that surprised us the most in a good way.
What We Loved
- Extremely walkable and convenient location
- Indoor heated pool (absolute lifesaver in April)
- Strong kids club and staff (Maria deserves recognition)
- Great base for exploring Malta without overplanning
- Sea views that make you briefly forget everything else
What Didn’t Work As Well
No hotel is perfect, and this one had a few quirks:
- Room layout felt tight and slightly awkward
- Some noise from nearby dogs and construction
- Rooftop pool was overhyped unless you arrive early
- Front desk service was inconsistent (kids club staff were the real MVPs)
- Towel/card system at the pool was unnecessarily complicated — a situation that required more emotional energy than towels should ever require
Value for Money
We found AX ODYCY to be:
Fair value for what it offers
You’re paying for:
- Location
- Facilities
- Kids club
- Multiple pool options
- Convenience and ease
Not luxury silence or boutique charm — and that’s okay.
Would We Stay Here Again?
Yes — but selectively.
We would absolutely stay again in April or cooler months, when the indoor pool and facilities really matter and you’re not relying on beach weather.
In peak summer, we’d probably look closer to a beach-focused area instead.
Final Verdict: Who AX ODYCY Is Best For
AX ODYCY Hotel is best for families who:
- Are traveling in shoulder season or cooler months
- Want an easy, flexible base rather than a beach-only resort
- Value convenience and facilities over boutique aesthetics
- Appreciate a strong kids club and family-friendly setup
- Like the idea of “we’ll figure it out as we go” travel (with backup indoor pool plans)
We would stay here again because it made our first trip to Malta easy, flexible, and genuinely enjoyable — even when the weather wasn’t cooperating.
And honestly, that’s kind of the point.
Is AX ODYCY Worth It for Families?
If you want a stress-free base in Malta with kids — especially outside peak summer — AX ODYCY is a very solid choice.
It’s not quiet, it’s not boutique, and it’s not directly on a sandy beach.
But it is a hotel that makes family travel easier.
And sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
