Valletta Art Rooms - 280 ArtApart (art & comfort super central in Valletta)

Come and stay in our Valletta Art Rooms – a unique artist-designed luxury gallery studio in a conversion residence located in the iconic lively character streets of Strada San Paolo corner with the stepped Strada Santa Lucia, a minute away from the old Valletta Market and the city's Baroque jewel, St John's Cathedral. Valletta Art Rooms was our personal culture project during the city's tenure as European Capital of Culture. An authentic gem combining history and contemporary art, extremely central, and we make it a point to welcome every guest!

THE SPACE
Valletta Art Rooms - 280 ArtApart (Gallery)

THE GALLERY (artist's gallery suite in heart of Valletta)
We have put loads of passion and attention in creating this luxury finish boutique gallery-styled apartment combining artworks, culture and comfort for those who wish to immerse themselves in an artistically personalised and contemporary experience.

The Gallery apartment sleeps up to maximum 4 persons (1 double bed in bedroom + 1 sofa bed in living room). It is spacious, beautifully designed and comfortable and extremely central - just an 8 minute straight walk from the bus terminal in Valletta. All the main sights are within easy walking distance with some fabulous restaurants, fine-dining or casual, all around.

There is easy direct access from the main entrance in St Paul Street to the Gallery apartment which is on the first floor, accessible through a wide hallway and comfortable stairway.

Balconies and windows hang over the stepped Strada Santa Lucia. This is one of the most charming streets of Valletta that has attracted many a filmmaker’s eye, with Harbour views and Fort St Angelo in the distance. St Lucia Street with its Baroque statuary flanking the corners leads directly to the main Republic Street (2-mins).

This spot, just by the towering St Paul’s Church, particularly favours the captivating contrasts of the city’s culture, its sounds, bustle and bells – the seasonal Pawlini Festa in February with its vivacious street manifestations and ornate festoons is particularly unique. The streets below are lively and animated with diners, jazzy cafes and outdoor bistros just on the doorstep - the old San Paolo Naufrago Wine Bar and Ta' Censu Pizzeria (certainly the best in town) with atmospheric tables down the street steps. Two doors up there is also the local family-run Il-Ġiffen for early morning coffee, breakfast and home cooking.

We are neighbour to the new Victor Pasmore art gallery and a stone’s throw from the refurbished Valletta Market (Suq tal-Belt), a hub of food stalls, cafes, bars and restaurants. St John’s Cathedral is up the hill (2 minutes), straight through the heart of Merchant Street and Republic Street – the main cultural and shopping arteries of Valletta. A right turning takes you to Piazza Regina and the renowned Café Cordina, and a left turning takes you to the Renzo Piano Parliament Building and the iconic Piazza Tritone (5 minute walk). Malta’s main bus terminus is situated here by the Triton Fountain providing services to all areas. The sea terminal for the fast ferry services to Gozo and The Three Cities is 5 minutes from us down to the Waterfront.

INTERIORS
Our Gallery residence offers an individualised artistic experience combining old with new. The rooms are filled with original contemporary artworks throughout, which are changed from time to time so each visit remains unique. There is a specialised bookcase packed with choice contemporary art books, classic and modern literature.

The artist-host would be delighted, upon request, to meet and inform guests on contemporary art in Malta and discuss her art.

The entire residence has been sensitively converted retaining all authentic architectural features, flagstone and hand-produced pattern floors, original stone stairs and niches, timber beams and apertures, all renovated with respect to the local architectural vernacular with contemporary minimal interventions and high-end finishing throughout.

Interior furnishings combine contemporary glass and oak Habitat design with bespoke elements and some serendipitous vintage pieces up-cycled by the artist.

Guests are welcome to dip into our specialised personal bookcase of contemporary art and literature - we kindly ask that books are returned to their shelf. There is also a small collection of yoga and mind-body literature for your enjoyment and relaxation and, of course, art throughout.

The entire suite is fully air-conditioned, though we would ask for careful and sensible usage and to avoid wastage. There is free high-speed Wi-Fi with USB ports to connect your devices and multi-channel TV connection.

- The living-dining area is bright and airy with an open balcony over St Lucia Street. The couch doubles up as a comfortable sofa bed (190 x 140 cm) suitable for 2 additional persons.

- The master bedroom sleeps 2. It is also bright and cosy with a closed Maltese timber balcony also overlooking St Lucia's. There is a queen size bed (200 x 165 cm) fitted with a premium luxury mattress and a walk-in closet with hanging space with ample storage. We provide fine Egyptian cotton bed linen, quilt, and extra blankets.

- The kitchen and bathroom are feature areas, custom designed with quality Carrara and black Slate. There is a fully equipped kitchen with solid marble tops, fitted reverse osmosis drinking water, dishwasher, combo washing machine/dryer, fridge, freezer, induction hob and oven (all of the latest Bosch technology), a Dolce Gusto coffee machine and high quality induction utensils.

- The bathroom has a custom designed spacious solid Slate walk-in rain-shower with Carrara vanity and slate basin. Fresh cotton towels and basic toiletries are provided.

- There is an intercom connected to the building's main door.

ENJOY!
We want you to enjoy your stay and relax in our intimate owner-run gallery home to which we have dedicated plenty of special time to prepare a friendly and open art-loving unique atmosphere for your experience in Valletta.

We would ask our visitors to respect and care for our belongings and gallery as though they were your own, the art, furnishings, returning books and objects to their original place, avoiding damage, noise or waste of energy and water; safeguarding the environment, turning lights and machines off when out, closing balconies and locking up, and keeping the house, safe, clean and tidy as you find it.

We would be more than happy to introduce our guests to the great sights worth a visit, the island’s fabulous history, museums, best culinary experiences, relaxation spas and, needless to say, highlight any special arts, festas or other cultural events taking place at the time of your visit.

Do please feel free to contact us with any questions about the property.

Enjoy our special culture project and island to the full!

Ruth & Nigel ♡♡


Other things to note:

- The property from the main street has one step up to a common hallway leading to a choice of lift or a wide stairway. The Gallery apartment is on the first floor and is level throughout with one step down into the main bedroom.

- We will be there to greet you and to show you around the apartment and will always be available if you need us.

- The Gallery suite entrance is from St Paul Street.