European Spa Gold List: Athenaeum Spa at Corinthia Palace, Malta

Best for: Laid-back Mediterranean luxury

The Corinthia Palace Hotel is a former 19th century private villa that was converted into a restaurant by local businessman Paul Pisani, before being transformed into a 147-bedroom hotel nine years later by his son, Alfred Pisani, who now heads Corinthia Hotels.

Key to the property’s luxury offering is the 2,000sqm Athenaeum Spa, which has been restructured by UK design firm Goddard Littlefair as part of a refurbishment that began in 2018 to celebrate the hotel’s 50th anniversary.

As well as the original indoor swimming pool the spa has seven treatment rooms, a lounge, a Vitality Suite and a nail salon. Treatments by aromatherapist Stephen Cordina are offered alongside product partners ESPA, Jessica and Ashmira.

The spa renovations were supported by wellness consultant Paula Perkins, who told European Spa: “We sought to capture the unique essence of Malta... every design detail is set out to relax guests while instilling in them a real sense of place.”

www.corinthia.com