Against a backdrop of historical fortress walls in the fortified city of Senglea on the southeastern part of the Mediterranean island of Malta, Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour has emerged as a stunning testament to the past, yet one that is awash in bespoke design and uncompromising luxury for today’s international traveler.
Originally built in 1554, the landmark structure that now houses the hotel’s expansive 21 suites - all with unobstructed views of a magnificent harbor and surrounding marina—is home to high-vaulted ceilings; an inspiring environment of chalk-white walls, limestone, and slate; and an amazing, large rooftop that is perfect for weddings and events.
Here, too, one finds a pool offering breathtaking views that extend as far as the city of Valletta - a great spot for yoga, pilates, and more.
Cugó Gran’s restaurant, manned by the renowned Chris Hammett, serves Maltese cuisine with an international twist that makes it unlike any other eatery on the island.
Indeed, Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour is unlike any other hotel in this ancient land.
ARCHITECTURE
For Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour’s full transformation from an historical landmark structure to an international retreat, architect Edwin Mintoff perfectly married expansive views with discreet privacy.
The hotel’s large communal spaces and high vaulted ceilings allow for ample natural light to play off the property’s minimalistic, inviting design.
The 21 suites in this suites-only property span between 40 and 140 square meters, and all offer a king-size bed and a shower apart from the 130-square-meter Macina Grand Harbour Suite, which offers a king-size bed and a bathtub.
While the Grand Harbour Suite spans between 40 and 80 square meters and offers partial views of the harbor, the 40-to-70-square-meter Corner Suite Harbour View boasts a position that affords a full harbor view.
The duplex Senglea Suite and the Presidential Suite—at up to 120 and 140 square meters, respectively—both feature a terrace, while the latter also boasts a kitchenette and two bedrooms, one with a king-size bed and the other with a queen-size bed.
The 130-square-meter Macina Grand Harbour Suite also comprises a living room, a dining table, and a bathroom with a bathtub.
INTERIOR DESIGN
For a symbiotic mix of Old World and New, the design gurus at Daaa Haus transformed the hotel’s historical aspect through an abundant and creative use of unique lighting, tufted wool rugs, Scandinavian pieces, and bespoke Italian sofas and beds.
The elegant design also utilizes a wealth of rich materials, such as lacquered raw steel, lava stone, limed oak, Carrara marble, slate, Maltese hard stone, and custom tinted glass.
Enriched with beautiful natural light, the Macina Grand Harbour Suite offers its guests all manner of comfort: a large living room with a dining table for up to 6 people, a fully equipped kitchenette with fridge, microwave and oven, a bathtub with spray jets and the perfect sea view and two wide bedrooms quipped with the most comfortable king size beds.
The suite offers two bathrooms: a guest toilet and a private bathroom in the bedroom.
The Macina Grand Harbour Suite is located on the second floor and offers air conditioning and heating, an iron and ironing board, separate lounge area, free WiFi, safe, minibar, telephone, hair dryer, bath amenities, bathrobe, slippers and a modern multimedia system with a flat screen TV, national and international TV channels, free movies and daily newspaper.
This suite can host up to 8 guests with the possibility to connect to a Fortress Suite.
The biggest and brightest, the Presidential Suite boasts an amazing vast terrace and wide windows that overlook the whole harbour.
Two spacious bedrooms are furnished with the highest quality amenities and offer unique lighting as well as comfortable king and queen size beds.
The suite offers a comfortable kitchenette corner with a fridge, oven, microwave, a large dining table which can accommodate up to 6 people and a lounge area. It is also equipped with an iron and iron board, air conditioning and heating, free WiFi, safe, minibar, telephone, hair dryer, bath amenities, bathrobe, slippers and a modern multimedia system with a flat screen TV, national and international TV channels, free movies and daily newspaper.
These open-plan duplex suites offer a cozy terrace with an amazing view, a spacious living room and a guest toilet on the ground floor.
On the upper level, two bedrooms under a vaulted ceiling are equipped with king-size beds and a wide shower in the bathroom, characterized by a contrast of colors and luxurious amenities. Senglea Suites are situated on the second floor with huge windows and are soundproof in order to ensure a peaceful and relaxing ambience.
Expect air conditioning and heating, an iron and ironing board, free WiFi, safe, minibar, telephone, hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, tea and coffee maker, and a modern multimedia system with a flat screen TV, national and international TV channels and free movies.
These unique, spacious suites offer comfortable sitting areas with Italian design sofas and an LCD TV.
Extraordinarily high ceilings complement these amazing rooms, while one of the suites even boasts a skylight.
Fortress Suites have an air conditioning and heating system, free WiFi, safe, minibar, telephone, hair dryer, bath amenities, bathrobe, slippers, tea and coffee maker, and a modern multimedia system with national and international TV channels and free movies. One of the suites is wheelchair user-friendly.
The Corner Suite enjoys harbour views and natural light thanks to high and wide windows. High ceilings and wide open spaces with a cozy lounge area, separate from the sleeping area are the main characteristics of these suites. Thanks to their special location in the annex at the very front part of the building, the Corner Suites have more privacy.
They are equipped with an air conditioning and heating system, iron and ironing board, lounge area, free WiFi, safe, minibar, telephone, hair dryer, toiletries, bathrobe, slippers, tea and coffee maker, and a modern multimedia system with a flat screen TV, national and international TV channels, and free movies.
The luxurious Grand Harbour Suites are characterized by large vaulted spaces with arches, views of the Grand Harbour and wide windows allowing plenty of natural light.
Carefully selected, elegant furnishings offer a distinctive comfort in generous spaces where the lounge and sleeping areas are separate in order to offer the maximum privacy and comfort.
Grand Harbour Suites are equipped with air conditioning and heating, a soundproof system, free WiFi, safe, minibar, telephone, hair dryer, bath amenities, bathrobe, slippers, tea and coffee maker, and a modern multimedia system with a flat screen TV, national and international TV channels and free movies. This suite can be booked with the possibility to connect to a Fortress Suite.
Rooftop swimming pool offering breathtaking views that extend as far as the city of Valletta—a great spot for yoga, pilates, and more.
Part of the Three Cities, which also include Birgu and Cospicua, Senglea is the cradle of Maltese history. Here, one discovers churches, palaces, forts, and the bastions that embrace and protect these beautiful old structures.
Facing a recently renovated promenade, the hotel is within walking distance of the forthcoming American University of Malta and flagship yachts, such as the Maltese Falcon, which moor at the marina.
In AD 60 St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta and brought Christianity to the population. This church has a 19th-century facade, but the interior dates from the 16th century and houses many treasures, including a dazzling gilded statue of St Paul, carved in Rome in the 1650s.
The Renzo Piano–designed City Gate forms part of the architect's dramatic and harmonious new development. It echoes the dimensions of the original 1633 entrance, rather than the 1960s gate that it replaced, allowing passers-by to have the sensation of crossing a real bridge.
Guarding the entrance to both Marsamxett and Grand Harbours is Fort St Elmo, named after the patron saint of mariners. This fort was built by the Knights in 1552 in a mere four months to guard the harbours on either side of the Sceberras Peninsula.
The stern exterior of the 16th-century Grand Master's Palace conceals a sumptuous interior. This was once the residence of the Grand Masters of the Knights of St John. Today it is home to the House of Representatives of Malta and the office of the President of Malta.
Malta's national theatre was built in 1731 and is one of the oldest theatres in Europe. Take an entertaining audioguide tour to see the restored baroque, gilt-twinkling auditorium with its huge chandelier.
The Museum is housed in the impressive Auberge de Provence. Exhibits include delicate stone tools dating from 5200 BC, Phoenician amulets and an amazing temple model from Ta' Haġrat – a prehistoric architectural maquette.
This fabulous museum reopened in 2015 in the renovated Fort St Elmo. It covers Malta's wartime history, from the Great Siege and the country's ordeal during WWII, right up to Malta's role in the Cold War and today's Europe.
Renzo Piano's breathtaking new Parliament Building was completed in 2014. Its design includes two massive volumes of stone that look suspended in air, but are supported by stilts. Covering the rooftop are photovoltaic panels, which generate most of the energy.
You can get almost anything you need in Valletta. Many of the European high street names are here (Body Shop, M&S, Next etc) as well as independent shops. You can buy souvenirs, jewellery and specialist food.
St John's Co-Cathedral, Malta's most impressive church, was designed by the architect Gerolamo Cassar. It was built between 1573 and 1578.
The Birgu waterfront is a hive of nightlife, with restaurants, bistros, and cafés all set on the water’s edge, while that city itself is home to several wine bars, as well as national museums, such as the Maritime Museum, Inquisitors Palace, and the historical Fort St. Angelo.
These gardens perched high above Grand Harbour were created in the 16th century as a relaxing haven for the Knights. The balcony has one of the best views in Malta and the terrace below is occupied by the Saluting Battery.
There is an amazing, large rooftop that is perfect for weddings, private functions and events.
CUGO GRAN MACINA GRAND HARBOUR
MacinaTriq il-31 ta' Marzu L-Isla (Senglea)ISL1040 Malta