Castille Hotel

The Castille Hotel was originally built as a private residence at the turn of the 16th century, during the height of the occupying Knights of St. John. A coffee shop sits where the building's stables once were, and the old vaulted stone cellar that housed a kitchen and a mill is now a pizzeria. Upstairs, the main doors open to a narrow hall with a black-and-white checkered floor. A small wood-paneled reception desk sits at the far end, and marble stairs sweep up under vaulted arches to one side. The lounges are filled with gilded traditional furniture and antique lamps, but the medieval stone block walls need little decoration. The hotel attracts couples and other leisure travelers. 

The hotel is located right on the city's main square at the entrance of Valletta, just across the street from one of Malta's large government buildings. It's surrounded by small shops, restaurants, and cafes. Many attractions are nearby, including the gorgeous St. John's Co-Cathedral (home to a stunning Caravaggio painting), the Palace of the Grand Master, and the National Museum of Archaeology, all of which are under a 10-minute walk. The ferry terminal and the main bus station are also less than 10 minutes on foot, while Malta International Airport is a 13-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms at Castille Hotel are all air-conditioned and have lovely, traditional Maltese decor. Antique wood furniture and period accents blend with hardwood floors and the building's original look. Spaces do show wear, with scratches on furniture and dings on walls, and could use a refresh, but they're generally well-maintained, pleasant, and bright. Single rooms are tiny, and have twin beds with headboards that have built-in old stereos and speakers. Double rooms have twin beds pushed together with ornate headboards, and bedside tables that have stereo panels, and upgraded rooms add small furnished enclosed balconies -- like tiny sun rooms, jutting out from the building with windows that tilt open. Bathrooms are basic but tidy, and they have shower/tub combos. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safes.

Amenities at this hotel are a bit limited, but it has solid drinking and dining options. De Robertis Restaurant sits on the hotel's rooftop, with an indoor dining room that has floor-to-ceiling windows. It opens to a terrace that has great views of Valletta and The Grand Harbour. The eatery serves refined Mediterranean cuisine, including local Maltese dishes. A popular pizzeria and wine bar is in the cellar, and there's a small coffee shop adjacent to the lobby with a few sidewalk tables facing the square. A free simple continental breakfast is included, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.