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Malta’s increased popularity as a holiday destination in recent years has seen an explosion of smartly appointed boutique hotels open nationwide. One of the most original is the unusually named The Snop House. An elegant façade in Senglea is a fitting indication of the stylish interiors within this intimate property with only six rooms, each with its own character. A full buyout of this superb property is the perfect option for family or friends travelling together who genuinely wish to have a home away from home. While the tourist hordes are packing the streets of Valletta, the charming waterfront of Senglea—one of Malta’s historical Three Cities, even older than the beautiful capital—is equally evocative of centuries past when frigates and galleons preceded the pleasure craft filling the Grand Harbour today.

For the experience of living like a local in Malta, a stay at The Snop House is a wonderful experience. The hotel’s unusual name comes from the first initials of members of the family that owns this lovely hotel, where guests are indeed welcomed like family. The O in Snop is Olivier, a cosmopolitan Frenchman whose savoir-faire in interior design is evident in the chic decor and personal touches such as the hotel’s works of art and the library of interesting books in the ground-floor lobby area. Breakfast is served by smiling staff in an intimate courtyard just behind this space. And a hearty Maltese breakfast with local cheeses among the personalised buffet of morning foods brought to the table.

: Sitting area in the Timouzokro room

: Finesse in the details at The Snop House

: Gallerija balconies are historical symbols of Malta.

The eclectic decor of each room at The Snop House creates unique environments for guests, especially those who return to stay in a different room on each visit. In these times of mass tourism, the personal attention accorded in a small-scale establishment such as The Snop House engenders the memorable experience easily lost in large hotels with hundreds of rooms. Those big hotels exist in Malta in the more tourist-oriented districts such as St Julian’s and Paceville. Still, here in the Three Cities, where preserving the past is correctly understood to be vital to the area’s present, the harmonious cityscape remains unbroken by high-rise hotels or expansive resorts.

Although Valletta is well worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is less commonly known that the Three Cities are also steeped in history. With Vittoriosa (aka Birgu) and Cospicua, Senglea is an alluring destination in its own right. At the very tip of Senglea are Gardjola Gardens, a small but charming square with views across the bay to Valletta. Strolls along the Grand Harbour waterfront also provide the quintessential Maltese panorama of honey-coloured buildings, domed churches, and many pleasurecraft in the marina. Across the footbridge to Birgu, one finds excellent seafood restaurants and incomparable gelato as ample refreshment.

: The elegant entrance to The Snop House

: Stylish touches abound at The Snop House

A visit to The Snop House website is a visit to Malta itself. The hotel’s blog is not all about the hotel but rather a series of articles giving insight into fascinating aspects of Maltese life, enriching a stay before guests arrive. The Mediterranean region is increasingly popular in the quieter months, especially in autumn when high summer temperatures drop but not to the cold levels of continental Europe. Regardless of the month, KM Malta Airlines makes reaching Malta easy with connections to many European cities at Malta International Airport. The Visit Malta website has abundant helpful information about special events throughout the year.