Valletta Art Rooms - 280 ARTapart (gallery)

Come and stay in our Valletta Art Rooms, a unique artist boutique gallery suite in a smart designer conversion in one of the city's quaintest character streets, Strada San Paolo corner with the iconic Strada Santa Lucia, close to St John's Cathedral. Valletta Art Rooms was our personal culture project created during Valletta's tenure as European Capital of Culture. An authentic gem combining history and contemporary art, extremely central, and we make it a point to meet every guest! The space Valletta Art Rooms - 280 ARTapart (gallery) Centrally located in Saint Paul Street, Valletta THE GALLERY - (an artist gallery suite) We have put loads of passion and attention in creating this luxurious gallery suite combining art, culture and comfort for those who wish to immerse themselves in an artistically personalised, contemporary and inspirational experience. The Gallery suite is a perfectly located apartment sleeping up to a maximum of 4 persons. (1 double bed in bedroom + 1 sofa bed in living room). It is owner managed and we put every effort to give personalised attention to our guests to enjoy their stay to the maximum. There is easy direct access from the main entrance in St Paul Street to our Gallery apartment, which is on the first floor, accessible through a wide hallway and stairway, served also with a lift. Balconies and windows hang over 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 steeples and fortification views in the distance, set amongst magnificent 16th century buildings, timber-crafted Gallarijas dotting old facades, Baroque cornices and statuary flanking street corners. The place is favourably positioned - a minute from the monumental St John's Cathedral and the city's main pedestrian Republic Street en route to the Triton Fountain public transport and the city's main multi-storey car-park. We are next door to the new Victor Pasmore art gallery. Museums and the key historic sights of Valletta are all within short walking distances. 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 manifestations and ornate street 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 today's outdoor Valletta nightlife. Our balcony overlooks the 100-year old listed and extremely popular San Paolo Naufrago cafe, an excellent wine-diner with atmospheric lights, jazzy tables and bistros on descending steps. Ta' Censu's offers one of the best pizzas in town, and round the corner is the family-run Il-Ġiffen local, super convenient serving early morning coffee, home-cooked breakfast, brunch or lunch. We are a stone's throw from the historic Valletta Market (Suq tal-Belt), a hub of food stalls, cafes, bars and eateries. The fast sea-ferry to Gozo is 5 minutes down to the Waterfront. St John’s Cathedral is up the hill (2 minutes). This takes you to the heart of Merchant Street and Republic Street – 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 5-minute walk). Malta’s main bus terminus is situated just here providing services to all areas. INTERIORS Our Gallery residence offers an individualised artistic experience combining old with new. This spacious guest suite also serves as a personal showcase for art. 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 respectful 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 home is fully air-conditioned (cooling and heating), 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 persons. - The master bedroom sleeps 2. It is also bright and cosy with a closed Maltese timber balcony overlooking St Lucia's. There is a queen size bed (200 x 165 cm) fitted with a premium luxury mattress and a walk-in dress closet with hanging and storage space. 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. - Please note that we cannot host children under the age of 12 for safety reasons. 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. Enjoy our special culture project and island to the full! Do please feel free to contact us with any questions. Ruth & Nigel ♡♡ Guest access 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. Guests will have access to the entire Gallery suite - living and dining room, balconies, kitchen, bathroom, main bedroom (and the building's common areas - entrance hall, landings, lift and stairs). Other things to note Valletta Art Rooms comprises a Gallery and Studio 2-unit property, each under different options and rates. The Gallery (upper suite apartment) and the Studio (lower studio unit) have separate listings and pricing. Subject to availability the entire duplex (both upper and lower units together) may also be rented as a whole. This option could be ideal for grown up families or couples or friends travelling together. Please check out this option if desired under the separate duplex 2-unit listing. Kindly note we do not host accompanying children under 12 years for safety reasons.