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.
- Boutique Hotel
- 9 rooms
- Restaurant and bar
- Over 12s only
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 9 suites are decorated in soft dove greys, with subtle flashes of colour. All are different, all are stunning. Traditional features include polished pattern-tiled floors and enclosed balconies, and antiques such as the house's original piano mix with mid-century-style furniture (including specially designed Mad Men-esque TV sets). Contemporary art by local artist Ritty Tacsum adorns the walls - stylish photographs and wallpapers of Valletta.
We especially liked the Deluxe Suite converted from the original kitchen, with its orange glass wall separating the walk-in shower from the main room. All rooms are romantic but the Piano Nobile Suite, the largest room, is the pick for couples, with a white wrought-iron screen behind the bed and a free-standing bathtub. The Duplex and Executive Suites have a more contemporary feel, as they were newly constructed on the rooftop, with poured concrete walls, private terraces, Jacuzzis and stunning views. Since our visit, the Old Theatre Suite has been added. This modern suite is spacious and luxurious, with an open balcony onto Old Theatre Street.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is served in the small breakfast room, elegantly decorated in classical shades of grey and looking onto the central courtyard. Besides a buffet of cereals, croissants and juices, there's a cooked menu to choose from; we particularly liked the French toast with fresh strawberries! You can also ask for eggs however you like, or some other style of cooked breakfast (small supplement), as well as bowls of fresh fruit.
When we visited there was 24-hour room service for drinks, and light snack available from 7am-7pm. Today, there is also the Risette Restaurant. Set under the iconic Lady of Mount Carmel church, it offers elegant informal dining, with an a la carte menu of fresh produce. Sample dishes include starters of seared prawns with broccoli, oyster and avruga caviar, and mains such as confit pork belly with fennel, Savoy cabbage and snails.
The hotel manager also has splendid suggestions for local restaurants, some of which are only a few doors away.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- You’re within walking distance of Valletta’s major sights: St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Grand Master’s Palace, the Malta at War museum in the splendid Fort of St Elmo, and the art and archaeological museums
- Take boat or ferry trips across the harbour to explore the neighbouring Three Cities, or ask Casa Ellul to organise private yacht hire
- Casa Ellul can also arrange guided tours around Malta, trips to Gozo and Comino's beaches, whatever you like - just ask
- Malta has some of the best dive sites in Europe
- There are many prehistoric sites in easy reach of Valletta, including the fabulous underground Hypogeum in nearby Paola
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
Kids
This is really an adult hotel.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Deluxe Suite, Junior Suite, Twin Deluxe (Shower) and the Piano Nobile Suite can all fit an extra bed; the latter 2 interconnect so could sleep a group of up to 6.
Extra Beds Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
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