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Take a suite inside Senglea's old stone defences, with a rooftop pool that looks across the water to Birgu and Cospicua.
Hotel, Birgu. Meridian Dispatch.
Senglea, also called L-Isla, not Birgu. The postal address is Senglea ISL 1040, and Birgu is the separate town visible across the water from the hotel's roof.
By road, about 7 km and roughly 15 minutes. The hotel can arrange a private shuttle for a surcharge, and taxis and ride-hailing apps also serve the route.
Yes. Parking is free and off-site, about 20 metres from the hotel entrance. Guests can ask the hotel where to leave the car when confirming an arrival time.
No. The rooftop pool is reserved for hotel guests, so a swim up there comes with a room at the hotel rather than a day visit.
No. The rooftop pool is seasonal, so it closes for part of the year. The hotel can say by telephone whether it is running on particular dates.
Yes. Cugó Gran Macina welcomes well-behaved pets on request, so a pet is raised with the hotel at the time of booking and the arrangements agreed with it before arrival.
Cugó Gran Macina stands above the harbour in Senglea, within the town's old fortifications, in a building known as the Macina. The Order of Saint John built it in the 16th century.
A crane on the rampart known as the Sheer Bastion once lowered masts into galleys moored below. Look for its cast iron hinges, still on the masonry base of the Macina.
The hotel has 21 suites, each individually designed. Fortress Suites have high vaulted ceilings and historic stonework.
The roof holds both the pool, which looks over the Grand Harbour, and a panoramic terrace that looks toward the skyline of Valletta. At night the restaurant terrace looks over the bastions and the yachts in the marina.
Cugó Gran Macina starts check-in at 3pm, and check-out is by 11am. Ask the hotel if you need either moved.
The Little Bastion is the hotel's restaurant. Breakfast runs from 7:30am to 10am, with local honey, freshly baked Maltese breads and cold-pressed specialties.
The rooftop pool is tucked away above the marina and typically closes at 8pm. Sunbeds, umbrellas and towels are provided.
The hotel also has a rooftop bar. Room service runs during limited hours, so ask reception for them.
Use the ferry for Valletta. The terminal is a short walk from the hotel entrance, so a day in the capital needs no car.
Go to neighbouring Birgu for the sights, including Fort St Angelo and the Inquisitor's Palace.
Book massages in advance. Body treatments and facials are brought to your suite.
Nearest first, all within 32 minutes on foot from the door.
Collegiate Church of St Lawrence
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Inquisitor's Palace
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Vittoriosa Waterfront
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Gardjola Gardens
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Fort St Angelo
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Cugó Gran Macina Grand HarbourThings to do
The town
The marina quay runs past the yachts to Fort St Angelo at the tip, with the church, palaces and lanes of the Knights' first city in Malta rising behind it. Senglea and Cospicua are next door on foot.
Yes, if you want the harbour at your door and do not mind a ferry to Valletta's sights.
Read the Birgu guideLast updated
