text: The Xara Palace & Royal Malta Golf Club - Mediterranean, Malta, Mdina, Malta
  Home › Europe › Malta
  The Xara Palace & Royal Malta Golf Club
  Malta, Malta, Mediterranean, Mdina
  Legendary stronghold of the Knights of Malta and former British colony, the island of Malta occupies a strategic location at the heart of the Mediterranean, between Sicily and Africa. This tiny piece of land rich in historic treasures and natural beauties is home to the vintage Royal Malta Golf Club and the unique Xara Palace.
  A landmark in Mdina and a Relais & Chateaux property, The Xara Palace is an atmospheric boutique hotel and 17th century palazzo, beautifully located within the walled Baroque town of Mdina, the old capital of Malta known as "Citta Notabile" during the reign of the Knights. The town was inherited by the Order upon their arrival on the island, who embellished and fortified the city, which has remained unchanged ever since. The history of the Xara Palace is inextricably linked to that of Mdina, its walls forming port of the very city walls that make up its impressive bastions.
  Founded in 1888, Royal Malta Golf Club's first "golf course" was a nine holler located in the ditches formed by the fortification walls of Valletta ! In 1904, the club was relocated to more proper golfing grounds at its present location, inside the race track at Marsa. There is no record as to who designed the course but it was probably done by senior engineers of the British Forces then stationed in Malta. Initially, the course only had 14 holes, but it was extended to a full eighteen hole course in the 1950's. Yet it would still share the site with a horse-racing track that crossed seven of the holes, till being eventually totally upgraded by Hawtree & Sons in 1989.
  A Relais & Chateaux property, The Xara Palace is an atmospheric boutique hotel and 17th century palazzo, beautifully located within the walled Baroque town of Mdina, the old capital of Malta known as "Citta Notabile" during the reign of the Knights. The town was inherited by the Order upon their arrival on the island, who embellished and fortified the city, which has remained unchanged ever since. The history of the Xara Palace is inextricably linked to that of Mdina, its walls forming port of the very city walls that make up its impressive bastions.
  A landmark in Mdina, the Xara Palace has seventeen guestrooms, each individually designed, tastefully furnished with antiques and decorated with original paintings. During the restoration works, the rooms were taken back to their original height, some of them over six meters high, thus allowing the inclusion of mezzanines in some of the suites. Now brought up to the highest standards of modern hospitality, the Xara Palace still retains its timeless character and eclectic atmosphere.
  The island's finest gastronomic venue, the rooftop restaurant "de Mondion", combines spectacular panoramic views over the island with Modern French and Mediterranean cuisine. Named after the year when the Knights were granted the island by Emperor Charles V, The Trattoria AD 1530 is a casual venue serving lunch, dinner and high tea.
  Relais & Chateaux 17th C Palace and Boutique Hotel
  17 Rooms & Suites: Duplex & Deluxe Rooms • Duplex, Deluxe & Superior Suites • Grand Master's Suite & 2 Bedroom Suite
  All individually designed, A/C, heating and King size beds with down feather duvet • DDL phone, internet connection, cable TV & CD/radio • Safe, minibar and trouser press • Bathrooms with heated towel rail, hairdryer, scales, toiletries, telephone, bathrobes and slippers • Room service • 24 hour reception • Airport limousine transfers • Mini gym and Sauna
  Restaurant de Mondion (Breakfast & Dinner) Gastronomic, modern French & Mediterranean cuisine - Panoramic dining room & terrace • Trattoria AD 1530 (Lunch, Tea & Dinner) • Atrium (Cocktail bar)
  Boardroom (12 pax) • 2 Function rooms (18 and 30 pax) • Audio/ Visual equipment on request
  • Marsa Course
  Founded 1888 | 9 holes (1904) - 18 holes (1950's) - renovated by Hawtree & Sons (1989)
  18 holes - 5.487 yds - Par 68 - SSS 67
  On the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta, a former British colony between Sicily and Africa, the Royal Malta Golf Club is located within the grounds of the Marsa Sports & Country Club, halfway between the airport and Valetta harbour. Founded back in 1888, the Club moved to its present location in 1904, when it was relocated as a nine hole course within the race track at Marsa.
  Royal Malta was founded in 1888 by the Governor, Sir Henry Torrents, who had previously introduced the game to Cork in Ireland and also founded the Royal Cape Club in South Africa. The first "golf course" was a nine holler located in the ditches formed by the fortification walls of Valetta. Not much of a golf course, it had practically no turf, the greens were of concrete covered with sand and the fairways no more than twenty yards wide with stone walls on both sides.
  In 1904, the club was relocated to more proper golfing grounds inside the race track at Marsa. Initially, the course was a nine holler, later extended to a full eighteen hole course, which was in turn completely upgraded in 1989 by Hawtree Ltd. consultants. A fully automated sprinkling system and the mild Mediterranean climate provide for excellent playing condition year round.
  The Club received Royal Patronage from the then Duke of Edinburgh, who was serving on the island at that time. The Royal Malta Golf Club is affiliated to The Royal & Ancient of St. Andrews and to the PGA of Europe through the Malta Golf Federation. Royal Malta is a private members' club but facilities at the golf club and the country club are available to visitors who are respectfully asked to observe a few simple rules related to dress and etiquette. The club is closed on Thursday and Saturday mornings and advanced booking is required. Royal Malta also offer a yearly overseas Membership for non resident at a very reasonable fee. The benefits include unlimited golf during visits to Malta, no restriction on time of play and the issue and maintenance of handicap which facilitates access to golf courses worldwide.
  Buggies available + softspikes mandatory
  Opened to visitors, except Thursday and Saturday morning.
  Marsa Sports & Country Club
  The adjacent Marsa Sports & Country Club was founded in 1901 and now caters for no less than eleven sports disciplines, having hosted international events in practically all of them. The Tennis Centre boasts nineteen courts and a Central Court seatin 1200 spectators, which has been the venue of the V Gams of the Small States of Europe and three Davis Cup ties. The full international cricket oval is reputed as the finest in Europe outside the United Kingdom and the Malta Polo Club, founded in 1868, is believed to be the first polo club in the western hemisphere.
  These splendid facilities are complemented by a Racquet Club with five squash courts, a Bowling Centre with 4 lane computerised AMF bowling alley, the Fitness Edge fully equipped gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool and full dining and drinking facilities.
  Tennis Centre (19 courts + Central stadium course) • Cricket (Full international oval) • Malta Polo Club (founded 1868) • Racquet Club (5 squash courts) • Fitness Edge (Fully equipped gymnasium) • Outdoor swimming pool • Bowling Centre (4 AMF alleys) • Dining & drinking facilities • Royal Malta Golf Club
  Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta, is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, 80 km (50 mi) south of Sicily, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia.
  Malta covers just over 316 km2 (122 sq mi) in land area, making it one of the world's smallest states. It is also one of the most densely populated countries worldwide. The capital city of Malta is Valletta. The main island comprises many towns, which together form one Larger Urban Zone (LUZ) with a population of 368,250. The country has two official languages, Maltese (considered the national language) and English.
  Throughout history, Malta's location has given it great strategic importance,[12] and a succession of powers including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, Knights of St John, French and the British ruled the islands. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974, whilst retaining membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. Malta was admitted to the United Nations in 1964 and to the European Union in 2004. Malta is also party to the Schengen Agreemen and in 2008 it joined the Euro, now the official currency.
  The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is the modern continuation of the original medieval order of Saint John of Jerusalem,known as the Knights Hospitaller, a group founded in Jerusalem about 1050 as an Amalfitan hospital to provide care for poor and sick pilgrims to the Holy Land. After the conquest of Jerusalem in 1099 during the First Crusade, it became a military order under its own charter. Following the loss of Christian held territories of the Holy Land to Muslims, the Order operated from Rhodes (1310–1523), and later from Malta (1530–1798), over which it was sovereign. Although this state came to an end with the ejection of the Order from Malta by Napoleon, the Order as such survived. It retains its claims of sovereignty under international law and has been granted permanent observer status at the United Nations.
  Malta & Gozo Islands • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Valletta, Megalithic Temples of Malta and Hal Saflieni Hypogemu (prehistoric site) • Mdina • Palace of the Grand Master (Templars' 500 years old residence)