Maltese Hideaway

Tucked away in the heart of Valletta, a discreet facade hides an atmospheric home from home. Defined by a contemporary design aesthetic rooted in the authentic Maltese vernacular, the recently opened apartments, called Saint Paul, capture the city’s thriving creative spirit and were imagined as a base for short weekends and longer stays.

Owned and designed by Mark Pace, a recognised figure in the local design scene known for a creative ethos grounded in Malta’s natural surroundings, Saint Paul is an enclave for travellers in-the-know. With the noise and bustle of the capital’s busier streets at bay, yet within walking distance to Valletta’s main historical sites, guests benefit from proximity to the hot-spots while glimpsing authentic snippets of Maltese life.

“For years, I had been seeking to find a building that captured Valletta’s essence and to branch out into the hospitality scene by converting it into a contained studio apartments for well-seasoned travellers. In 2013, I came across a charming Valletta corner property that was once a family residence and workspace, which I subsequently purchased. From there, the Saint Paul journey started,” says Pace.

Each apartment has visual elements influenced by Dutch form with bespoke, hand-finished fittings. Featuring modern touches like under-floor heating and walk-in wardrobes with metres of floor-to-ceiling mirrors, the airy hideaways have meticulously restored, traditional Maltese balconies with views of the streetscape below and of the historic church of St Paul, from which the street – and the apartments – draw their name.

“The property held the ideal floor layout, which let me create two perfectly-contained, 50 sqm apartments on each floor. My concept was to use, as far as possible, natural materials for pieces designed and crafted locally,” says Pace. “I envisioned this hospitality concept to be rooted in the idea that Saint Paul was to be more than just a hotel room, but rather, a home within the capital city.”