All Valletta’s streets are beautiful. Tall 16th- and 17th-century terraced townhouses line narrow lanes, fronted with beautiful wooden and glass-pannelled balconettes. Casa Ellul stands on one of the loveliest of all, just a few doors down from Europe’s oldest theatre, with a glimpse of sea at the end. The warren-like mansion has been in the family for over 5 generations, and its wine-merchant sibling owners have overseen a fabulous labour-of-love conversion by local Maltese architect Chris Briffa. He’s created 9 suites that are all different, with lashings of character, style and charm.
Original features including stone windows and a marble staircase have been maintained, and combined with modern touches such as free-standing bathtubs and work-of-art photographs. The courtyard at the centre has been given a stylish makeover, too, with a statue of a Greek god, bright designer chairs and a stripe of vertical lawn. This is an intimate place, the welcome is warm and the conscientious staff give great advice on what to see and where to eat.
Highs
- Supremely comfortable beds (romantic doubles, spacious twins) and gorgeous bathrooms
- Sea views, terraces and Jacuzzis in the largest rooms
- A creative chef who whips up whatever you fancy for breakfast; they've added a restaurant since our visit, too
- The small size of the hotel allows for personal attention and lots of local recommendations
- Central location, walking distance from everything in Valletta, including the ferry for trips to Gozo and Comino (no need for a car)
Lows
- This is an old house, so rooms are all shapes and sizes
- It's not cheap, but it's worth every Euro
- An adults-only property, children under 12 are not permitted
- We can't personally vouch for the restaurant just yet, but we can't wait to visit
Best time to go
The best times to visit Malta are June and September, when the weather is perfect and you'll miss the crowds. However, you're guaranteed very hot weather in July and August and there's always a lot going on.
Our top tips
If you'd like some time at the beach then head down the coast and swim off the rocks in Sliema, or take a 30-minute drive to the island's loveliest sandy beaches on the north coast.
Location
Casa Ellul is in the heart of Valletta (the capital of Malta). It's a compact city so it's easy to walk around as long as you don't mind hills and steps.
By Air:
Fly into Luqa (Valletta) Airport (8km); click on the links below for a list of airlines.
It's a 20-minute drive to the hotel but you don't need to hire a car (Casa Ellul can organise a transfer, or just jump in a taxi). That said, car hire is cheap for when you want to explore elsewhere on the island - see our car rental recommendations and you can park for free on the streets in Valletta. Otherwise there's a network of local buses heading almost everywhere from Valletta (the bus depot is a 10-minute walk from the townhouse).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Malta
Airports:
- Luqa (Valletta) 8.0 km MLA
Other:
- Beach 3.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km