Romègas Hotel

Fra Mathurin Romegas (c. 1525–1581) was a celebrated French knight and naval commander of the Knights of Malta. He led raids against Ottoman and Barbary corsair forces and became famous for his daring seamanship. He is also remembered for a more eccentric detail: he kept a pet capuchin monkey aboard his galley, which became part of his legend.

Romègas Hotel occupies a restored 16th-century palazzo that was built for the great man as "a place of retreat in later life". Very fitting for today's swashbucklers in need of a rest.

A limestone arch, a crinkled paper pendant and a small table for two: the tone is set at the door.

It is at 41–47 Old Bakery Street, in the historic centre of Valletta, and is a 22-room property that has been carefully crafted to feel more like a private residence than a conventional city hotel. Intimate, atmospheric and carefully considered, with the building's age treated as an asset rather than an inconvenience.

This is in no small measure thanks to the larger than life general manager, Antonio Barrientos Liñán, who has led Romègas since May 2023, overseeing its development and opening as a boutique five-star property.

The styling by Camilleri Paris Mode stands out. The interiors combine the palazzo's original character with contemporary comfort: bespoke timber panelling, Palladiana terrazzo decorative floors, artisanal details, curated artworks and locally sourced materials give the rooms a tactile, distinctly Maltese identity. Romègas displays commissioned works by 13 Maltese artists, including Matthew Attard and Rebecca Bonaci, created for the palazzo and responding to its history and Valletta setting. A particular highlight is the statue of the great man with his monkey, which sits prominently in one window.

Dark timber panelling, a Palladiana terrazzo floor and a commissioned mural by one of the thirteen Maltese artists on show.

The result is not merely a restoration, but a coherent design statement that feels current while referencing the building's history.

Location 9/10

Romègas could hardly be better placed for a stay in Valletta. Old Bakery Street runs through the heart of the capital, putting the city's main sights, restaurants, shops and harbour-side walks within easy walking distance.

The location is ideal for visitors who want to explore Valletta on foot, return easily during the day and enjoy the city after dark without relying on transport. The only caveat is the familiar Valletta one: access by car is not straightforward, and drivers should expect narrow streets and parking some distance away.

For a short stay, though, this is about as central as Valletta gets. You can step out for sightseeing, dinner or a drink and be back at the hotel in minutes.

Even the corridors are treated as rooms: this sculptural pendant hangs under an original stone arch.

Rooms 18/20

The rooms are where Romègas most clearly earns its score. Each of the 22 rooms and suites has been individually conceived, with bespoke craftsmanship and curated art. This gives a residential atmosphere that avoids the generic feel of many luxury-city hotels.

Many rooms feature Valletta's signature enclosed wooden balconies, offering views over the historic streets and rooftops below. The combination of old stone, timber, terrazzo and contemporary furnishing gives the accommodation real personality, while the restoration has clearly prioritised comfort as well as appearance.

Bespoke cabinetry, a caged headboard and terrazzo underfoot in one of the Grand Nobile suites.

This is a hotel for people who care about how a room feels as much as how it functions. The styling is confident, the sense of place is strong, and the rooms manage to be both historic in character and modern in comfort.

Many rooms open onto Valletta's enclosed wooden balconies, looking over the rooftops of the old town.

The bathrooms are part of the design story rather than an afterthought: floor-to-ceiling green marble, a rounded basin and black fittings, with the shower set against the original window.

Green marble, a rounded basin and a rain shower at the window in a Junior Spa suite.

Timber panelling and shutters in a Junior Spa suite, with a desk tucked into the corner.

Services 8/10

The service offering is good, but it is constrained by the historic nature of the building. Guests should understand that this is an intimate historic property, not a large hotel with cavernous lobbies, extensive conference facilities or endless amenities. Think boutique.

Having said that, the hotel does offer a restaurant, a bar, a rooftop pool area and a 24-hour front desk, alongside practical services such as laundry, luggage storage and room service. For its size, the provision is impressive. In particular, the rooftop pool adds a welcome resort-like dimension to an otherwise urban stay, and the restaurant, Caviar & Bull, is of a high standard and offers luxurious dining of a certain type (see our review).

The ground-floor bar, where the palazzo's stonework meets dark timber and low, warm lighting.

Even the public bathroom is treated as part of the collection, with a polished steel artwork set into a dark terrazzo alcove under a stone arch, and a double basin carved from red marble.

A commissioned steel piece in one of the public bathrooms off the lobby.

Overall verdict

At 35/40, Romègas is a hotel carried by two exceptional scores and supported by a strong third. Location at 9/10 and rooms at 18/20 reflect a genuinely special property in one of Valletta's best positions, while services at 8/10 recognises both the quality of what is offered and the limits set by the building itself.

Book Romègas for the palazzo, the design, the central location and the sense of staying somewhere with a real history. Just do not expect the hotel to behave like a vast modern resort: its beauty lies in its intimacy.