Ramla Retreat | 4-Bedroom Villa with Hot Tub in Xaghra Xagħra

A luxury villa rental in Xaghra places you metres from one of the Mediterranean’s most distinctive beaches, where rust-coloured sand meets turquoise water beneath dramatic cliff faces. Ramla Retreat sits on Malta & Gozo’s quieter island, commanding views over Ramla Bay while remaining walkable to village restaurants, boutique shops, and the prehistoric Ggantija temples—a UNESCO World Heritage Site that towers just 1.2km away. This four-bedroom property sleeps 11 guests across multiple levels, combining contemporary design with the relaxed rhythms of island life.

Inside Ramla Retreat

Ramla Retreat sleeps 11 guests across 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, with flexible sleeping arrangements suited to families and multi-generational groups. The ground floor functions as the main living hub: an entrance lounge with a 6-seater sofa and television offering satellite channels, video-on-demand, and live sports streaming opens directly onto the kitchen—the operational heart of the villa. Here, a full suite of appliances includes an electric oven, microwave, generous double-door fridge, separate freezer, and a marble-topped island with bar seating that naturally draws people together. An espresso machine, coffee maker, dishwasher, and washing machine handle the practicalities, while crockery and cookware stock the cupboards for serious meal preparation. An 8-seater dining table positioned nearby accommodates group dinners, with its own television for streaming entertainment.

A ground-floor bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink serves guests moving through the main living areas. The real surprise comes at ground level: three of the four bedrooms are positioned here, maximising convenience for families with younger children or guests with mobility considerations. Bedroom One features a king-sized bed with direct access to the large private terrace through floor-to-ceiling glass doors; a baby cot nests in this room for infants. Bedroom Two contains a king-sized bed, two folding single beds suitable for children, and overlooks the village street through a window; its en-suite comprises shower, toilet, and sink. Bedroom Three steps into an internal courtyard through its own door, offering seclusion with a king-sized bed and full shower en-suite. The fourth bedroom occupies an upper area—a king-sized bed, television for streaming services, floor-to-ceiling doors opening onto the private terrace, and an en-suite shower room complete with toilet and sink.

What distinguishes this floor plan is the accessibility: the ground-floor bedrooms and bathrooms eliminate stairs for most guests, while the layout distributes sleeping spaces so families needn’t stack children in a single room.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The private terrace extends from the villa’s southern face—a generous expanse furnished with two sun loungers, dining furniture, a parasol, and a five-seater hot tub where evening temperatures make warm water genuinely welcome. A gas barbecue anchors the entertaining zone. Floor-to-ceiling doors from multiple bedrooms create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection; at dusk, this terrace becomes the villa’s main living room, the sky darkening from amber to indigo while sea sounds drift upward from the bay below.

The shared communal pool sits at the same level as a mini gymnasium—practical facilities for guests who want morning swims or light workouts without travelling. Numerous sun loungers arrange themselves around the pool deck, a substantial shared space where children can splash safely while adults supervise from loungers with clear sightlines. The terrace and pool area capture south-facing light from early morning through sunset, creating that particular Mediterranean quality of brightness that makes even November feel summery.

Location: Xaghra and the Surrounding Area

Xaghra (pronounced “sha-rah”) sits on Gozo’s eastern plateau, a village of 3,000 residents where church bells and scooter engines share the acoustic landscape. Ramla Retreat occupies the village’s southern fringe, positioned 3.6km from Victoria, Gozo’s administrative capital, and directly above Ramla Bay—the island’s most photographed beach, recognisable by its dramatic red-iron sand against cream limestone cliffs.

The beach itself lies 800 metres downslope from the villa, walkable in 12 minutes. The descent is steeper than the return climb, so factor that into your daily planning. The bay offers 200 metres of uninterrupted sand, lifeguard stations during summer months, and crystalline water—depths suitable for children learning to swim and sheltered enough for snorkelling among small fish and sea urchins. Nearby Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, 4km south, present a more dramatic coastal profile: vertical walls of 100-metre-high limestone carved by millennia of sea action, accessible via walking trails with minimal crowds outside July-August.

Victoria (Rabat), Gozo’s main town, occupies 3.6km northwest. Its walled citadel and Baroque cathedral dominate the skyline; the town contains supermarkets (including a Lidl), restaurants ranging from traditional family-run spots to contemporary Mediterranean kitchens, and the Friday street market where Gozitan farmers sell produce directly. The harbour at Mġarr, 8km southwest, is where ferries arrive from Valletta (Malta’s capital, 50km away); ferries run hourly, with the journey taking 25 minutes. Malta International Airport lies 60km southeast on the main island—approximately 90 minutes by car from Xaghra including ferry time.

Dwejra, 9km west on Gozo’s western tip, was home to the famous Azure Window sea arch (collapsed in 2017) but remains remarkable for its dramatic geology: towering sea stacks, hidden coves, and networks of caves explored by diving and snorkelling operators based in nearby San Lawrenz. Għarb, 12km northwest, functions as Gozo’s quiet village heart, surrounded by terraced fields, rural paths suitable for walking and cycling, and family-run restaurants serving rabbit stew, ftira bread, and local wine. The Ġgantija Temples, just 1.2km south of the villa, rank among Europe’s oldest freestanding structures (3600 BCE), predating Stonehenge by 1,000 years—on the UNESCO World Heritage list and walkable from your accommodation.

Activity options cluster around water, history, and walking. Boat hire operators at Mġarr Harbour (8km) offer half-day trips to the Blue Hole at Dwejra or private charters to unnamed coves. Dive schools at San Lawrenz and Xlendi cater to first-time divers through advanced qualifications; Gozo’s reputation as a Mediterranean diving destination rests on its combination of shallow, clear-water sites and more technical wreck dives including WWII aircraft. Walking trails link most villages—the Xaghra-to-Ramla Bay descent takes 45 minutes, or challenge yourself with the Sanap Cliffs route (3.5km, 90 minutes), which offers panoramic views across the Maltese Strait to the main island and, on clear days, Sicily 60km north.

Seasonal timing matters. May-June and September-October offer the ideal climate: sea temperature 20-22°C, air temperatures 25-28°C, and minimal rainfall. July-August bring heat (32°C+), crowds, and peak prices. November-March see cooler weather (15-18°C) and the possibility of rain, but fewer tourists and more authentic village life. Easter week, Gozo’s village festa season (saints’ days with processions and fireworks), and the summer months attract returning diaspora and holiday-makers; visiting in May or September captures the Mediterranean aesthetic without the crush.

For dining, head to Ta’ Rikardu in Xaghra village centre (350 metres walk) for traditional Gozitan fare, or Ti Frenc in Fontana (6km north) for contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Xlendi Cliffs (9km southwest) cluster several waterfront restaurants where you can eat fresh fish metres from moored boats. Our full collection of luxury villas in Malta & Gozo offers properties throughout both islands; our Malta rental properties provide alternatives if you prefer the main island’s greater infrastructure.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Ramla Retreat addresses the specific needs of three guest profiles. Extended families with children aged 5-15 benefit from the ground-floor bedrooms (reducing nighttime parenting logistics), the shared pool with sightlines from multiple sun loungers, and proximity to Ramla Bay’s supervised, shallow waters. The hot tub accommodates after-beach wind-downs, while the mini gymnasium suits adults recovering from holiday indulgences.

Groups of four to six unrelated adults—friends reuniting annually, siblings with partners—find the flexible sleeping arrangements and communal pool/terrace setup encourages both privacy and gathering. The kitchen’s island seating and 8-seater dining table support the cooking-and-eating rituals that mark group holidays.

Multi-generational parties (grandparents, adult children, grandchildren) occupy the four bedrooms sensibly: grandparents in a ground-floor room with ensuite bathroom access, adult children upstairs or in other ground-floor rooms, children in the flexible two-singles-plus-cot arrangement. The absence of internal stairs for most sleeping spaces matters when a 75-year-old with arthritis shares the villa.

Practical Information

Ramla Retreat accommodates 11 guests maximum: four king-sized beds (Bedrooms 1-4), two folding single beds (Bedroom 2), and one baby cot (Bedroom 1). The four bathrooms—one shared ground-floor facility plus three en-suites—serve this capacity adequately outside simultaneous morning routines.

Malta International Airport, 60km southeast, requires a ferry crossing and transfer; total travel time from airport to villa typically runs 2.5-3 hours including the 25-minute ferry, ferry queue time, and ground transfer. Driving is essential on Gozo; rental cars cost €25-40 daily, and fuel is reasonably priced (€1.20/litre as of 2024). Parking at the villa exists but is limited; if more than one car is essential, discuss arrangements before booking.

The nearest supermarket is the Lidl in Victoria, 3.6km north by car (7 minutes). Fresh produce vendors operate Friday mornings at Victoria market; Xaghra village centre contains a small convenience shop for emergency supplies. Wi-Fi/internet is included in the rental, as are utilities, air conditioning, heating, pool access, and basic linens and towels. Check-in is typically 4:00 PM; check-out is 11:00 AM. Late arrivals and early departures can be accommodated subject to availability and advance notice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ramla Retreat

How many guests does Ramla Retreat sleep?

Ramla Retreat accommodates 11 guests: four king-sized beds across four bedrooms, two folding single beds in Bedroom Two (suitable for children), and one baby cot available in Bedroom One. The property suits families with younger children, groups of friends, or extended families mixing different age groups.

What is the nearest airport to Ramla Retreat in Xaghra?

Malta International Airport lies 60km southeast on the main island of Malta. Typical transfer time from airport to Ramla Retreat is 2.5-3 hours: allow 1.5 hours for the drive to Valletta Harbour, 25 minutes for the ferry crossing to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, then 15-20 minutes for the final transfer to Xaghra. Gozo has no commercial airport; all flights land in Malta.

What is the best time of year to rent Ramla Retreat?

May through June and September through October offer optimal conditions: air temperatures 25-28°C, sea temperature 20-22°C, minimal rainfall, and moderate tourist density. July-August are hot (32°C+) and crowded; November-March experience cooler weather (15-18°C) and occasional rain, but offer the quietest village atmosphere and lower rates. Easter week and summer festa season (village celebrations) draw significant crowds and command premium pricing.

Is Ramla Retreat suitable for families with children?

Yes, specifically. Three of the four bedrooms are on the ground floor, eliminating stairs for parents attending to young children at night. The shared pool has clear sightlines from multiple sun loungers. Ramla Bay, 800 metres away, is Gozo’s safest swimming beach for children: lifeguard-supervised in summer, with shallow sloping sand and lifeguard stations. Baby cots, folding single beds, and high-chair arrangements can be confirmed pre-arrival. The mini gymnasium and quiet village location suit families wanting structured activity without nightlife.

What is included in the rental price at Ramla Retreat?

Included are: Wi-Fi internet access, air conditioning and heating, all utilities (water, electricity), weekly pool maintenance, basic linens and towels, and access to the shared communal pool and mini gymnasium. The hot tub on the private terrace functions seasonally (October-May). Baby cots and additional folding beds are available on request. Cleaning services between check-in and check-out are not standard; arrange separately if required.

What restaurants and shops are near Ramla Retreat?

Xaghra village centre (350 metres) contains Ta’ Rikardu restaurant (traditional Gozitan cuisine) and a small convenience shop. Victoria (Rabat), 3.6km north, hosts a Lidl supermarket, restaurants including contemporary Mediterranean options, and the Friday street market for fresh produce. Xlendi Cliffs (9km southwest) cluster waterfront fish restaurants where you can watch fishing boats whilst eating. Ti Frenc in Fontana (6km north) offers fine dining Mediterranean cuisine in an intimate setting. For self-catering, the villa’s kitchen is comprehensively equipped.