Located conveniently on bustling Republic Street and adjacent to Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Domus Zamittello offers an elegant range of rooms and suites right in the heart of historic Valletta. A heritage building dated back to 1633, it’s indulgently feminine, decked out in white-washed antique furniture alongside soft velvets and brocades in pastel hues.
We stayed on the first floor in the sixth of the six suites, originally high-ceilinged rooms converted to duplex suites (the other five are located on the second floor). At 38 – 57sqm in size, these suites are the largest available at Domus Zamittello. The ground floor level features a compact lounge room with sofa (apparently this actually a sofa bed) and chairs, television and coffee station, as well as a bathroom equipped with a shower. (The lounge was a little too compact for photography, but we’ve included some of the hotel’s photos of other suites at the bottom of the review.) The upper floor contains the bedroom and second bathroom, this one featuring a full-size bath but not much in the way of mirrors (there is a full-size mirror on the wardrobe on the ground floor, however). Some suites also contain a kitchenette – if this is a feature you’re looking for, best to contact the hotel about which exact suites offer this additional functionality.
The first thing you notice in the suites is the charming decor – befitting of the building’s history and the gorgeous architecture that surrounds it in charismatic Valletta. The second thing? Due to the duplex conversion, ceilings are a little low and those blessed with superior height may feel the rooms are a tad claustrophobic. I bumped my head on the ceiling of the stairs many times, but luckily they’ve padded it well for clumsy guests like myself.
We found the bed a little firm for our liking (as we often find the case to be in Europe) and the sheets a little on the scratchy side – but by contrast, the bathroom linens were absolutely divine and plush. Toiletries are a made by a local boutique brand, and whilst the room wasn’t as fully equipped as we are used to, a call to reception for a toothbrush had it delivered at lightning speed.
The Lavazza coffee machine was a treat to wake up to and a large bottle of mineral water is provided – but there didn’t appear to be a turndown service which we did think was a little strange for a hotel of this luxury level. If you’re noise-sensitive, perhaps ask for one of the other suites on the second floor – due to its location facing Republic Street, our room (no. 13) did let in a lot of street noise despite all shutters being closed. It didn’t bother us, but light sleepers could find it an issue.
Domus Zamittello is a rather beautiful new boutique hotel that offers a fantastic location in captivating Valletta. It’s the perfect hotel for lovers of architecture and antique, feminine styling, but might not be quite right for those who prefer something a little more masculine, more spacious or for those on the taller side. But for what it lacks in size, however, it certainly makes up in charm.
Domus Zamittello is a rather beautiful new boutique hotel that offers a fantastic location in captivating Valletta. It’s one for lovers of architecture and antique, feminine styling, but might not be quite right for those who prefer something a little more masculine, more spacious or for those on the taller side. But for what it lacks in size, however, it certainly makes up in charm.
