Come and stay in our Valletta Art Rooms – an artist's cosy studio in one of the quaintest character upmarket streets, with its own entrance on the steps of the iconic Strada Santa Lucia corner with Strada San Paolo. A smart conversion close to St John's Cathedral, Valletta Art Rooms was our personal culture project during Valletta's tenure as European Capital of Culture. A personalised gem combining history and contemporary art, extremely central, and we make it a point to meet every guest! The space Valletta Art Rooms - 179 ARTapart (studio) Centrally located in Saint Lucia Street, Valletta THE STUDIO (an artist's cosy studio unit) This is a compact Studio that sleeps 2, accessible through its own front door at street level. It's in a lively location and really central with cafes, bistros and bars on your doorstep. It is ideal for young couples who want to grasp the full experience of Valletta by night and other places quickly and easily. It is a unique and artistic self-contained space with walk-in facilities and a small kitchenette equipped for the preparation of breakfast or snacks. We have put loads of passion and attention in creating this gallery Studio combining art, culture and comfort for those who wish to immerse themselves in an artistically personalised, contemporary and inspirational experience. The Studio’s large windows overlook the iconic 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 across the distance, set amongst magnificent 16th century buildings, timber-crafted Gallarijas dotting old facades, Baroque cornices and statuary flanking street corners. The place is excellently positioned, 2 minutes from the fast ferry crossing to Gozo, and just a one-minute street away from the monumental St John's Cathedral or Valletta's main pedestrian Republic Street en route to the Triton Fountain public transport and multi-storey car-park. This spot, just by the towering St Paul’s Shipwreck Church, particularly favours the captivating contrasts of the city’s culture, sounds, traditions, bustle and bells – the seasonal Pawlini Festa with its vibrant street manifestations and ornate festoons is particularly unique. There is plenty of varied and lively entertainment just on the doorstep, which brings with it the restaurant hustle and bustle typical of the outdoor Valletta nightlife. Our balcony overlooks the 100-year old listed and extremely popular San Paolo Naufrago cafe, an excellent wine-diner with atmospheric tables on descending steps; ta' Censu's offering one of the best pizzas in town and, just two doors up, the local family-run Il-Ġiffen, super convenient for early morning coffee, home-cooked breakfast, brunch or lunch. The Studio is neighbour to the new Victor Pasmore art gallery and a stone’s throw away from the refurbished historic Valletta Market (Suq tal-Belt), a hub of food stalls, cafes, bars and eateries. The fast sea-ferry to Gozo is on the Waterfront, just 2 minutes down to the Harbour. St John’s Cathedral is up the hill and to the left (2 minutes). Straight uphill takes you to the heart of Merchant Street and Republic Street (1-minute) – the main 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 (a 4 to 5-minute walk). Malta’s main bus terminus is situated just here providing services to all areas. INTERIORS The Studio offers a convivial individualised artistic experience combining old with new. It is full of original contemporary artworks inside and through the gallery stairway serving also as an artist's showplace. The artist-owner would be delighted, upon request, to meet and inform guests on contemporary art in Malta and discuss her art. The Studio has been sensitively converted retaining all authentic architectural features, hand-produced pattern floors, original stone stairs and niches, timber beams and apertures, all renovated respectful to the local architectural vernacular with contemporary minimal interventions and tastefully finished. It has thick character walls, high ceiling and lots of natural light through two large double-glazed shuttered windows overlooking the steps of St Lucia Street. - The Studio has a comfortable double bed with luxury mattress (190 x 140 cm), a good-sized glass-top working table and two chairs. Fine Egyptian cotton bed linen, quilts, blankets, towels and basic toiletries are also provided. - There is a walk-in dressing closet. - There is a cool en-suite polished concrete wet-room with shower, loo and in-built vanity. - The studio also comprises a compact kitchenette with a small sink, fridge, single induction hob, electric kettle, coffee make and tea facilities, toaster, microwave oven and basic crockery for the preparation of breakfast and light snack type meals. - It is fully air-conditioned (cooling or heating). This is included though we would ask for sensible and careful usage. There is free Wifi and a multi-channel TV connection. - There is a short flight of steps on entering through the gallery-stairway from St Lucia Street up to the Studio room (around 12 stone steps). ENJOY! We want you to enjoy your stay and relax in our intimate owner-run studio 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, waste of energy and water; safeguarding the environment, turning lights and machines off when out, closing windows and locking up, and keeping the place, 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 or other events taking place at the time of your visit. Enjoy our special culture project and island to the full! Do please feel free to contact us with any questions. Ruth & Nigel ♡♡ Guest access In this listing guests have access to an independent Studio unit which has its own privacy and lockable door. The Studio apartment has its own private front-door entrance from street level and its own gallery-stairway. Other things to note Valletta Art Rooms comprises two units, the Studio and the Gallery. Please note the Studio (lower unit) and the Gallery (upper unit) have separate listings and pricing. Subject to availability the entire duplex (that is, upper and lower units together) may also be rented as a whole under a separate listing called the duplex. As the two units can be interconnected, it is very suitable to two couples, friends, or families with teenage children travelling together but wanting to maintain their independence. Do write to us to guide you to this option if desired.