Step back in time! Hal-Ghaxaq’s newly restored Palazzo Castagna has its official launch
Palazzo Castagna has celebrated its official launch this week, marking a new chapter.
An 18th century Palazzo set on the village square of Ħal Għaxaq, Palazzo Castagna has been carefully restored to retain its historic features and charm, while transforming into a luxury boutique hotel for guests looking for an authentic experience of Malta.
Built in 1755, ‘Dar Castagna’ is believed to have been the first home of newlyweds Angelo Castagna and Theresa Mangion, the daughter of a well-known businessman from Għaxaq. Angelo became the mayor of the Għaxaq district for 21 years and, together with their four children Salvu, Maria, Margerita and Filippu, the family and their descendants are believed to have stayed in residence until 1930.
Through the years since, the Palazzo has served as the first każin (club) for Santa Marija and has belonged to the clergy, before it was sold and then sold again, to begin its latest transformation into the Palazzo Castagna boutique hotel, ensuring the building’s rich history will live on for generations to come.
The hotel’s excellent location also affords easy access to many historic sites and attractions in the area, such as The Three Cities, Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk, Tarxien Temples and Mnajdra.
Guests can choose from a range of deluxe rooms and suites, each boasting high-end amenities including Wi-Fi, air conditioning and even heated bathroom floors. The converted Palazzo also offers multiple high-end dining experiences, from a summer-ready rooftop pool and bar and the elegant Café Castagna, to a calming tea garden and a converted ‘Sala Nobile’ restaurant, ideal for private events and family gatherings.
The newly restored and launched Palazzo Castagna is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Rudolph and Alison Spiteri Sacco. Together, they bring a wealth of experience to the project, as specialists for turnkey solutions across a variety of residential and commercial projects.
Their background has also nurtured a passion for sustainability as well as quality, says Mr Spiteri Sacco. “Our work has given us a solid base to create a high-end boutique hotel with sustainable rooms. All rooms are soundproofed and highly insulated to conserve energy,” he shares.
“The detail in the building is a reflection on how serious we are about conserving Maltese heritage and enriching buildings in the best way possible.”
Restoration works on Palazzo Castagna began in 2021 and took around two years, before the hotel opened its doors to its first guests over the summer and celebrated its official launch this November.
“Palazzo Castagna has been an amazing journey so far,” adds Mrs Spiteri Sacco.
“It’s a completely different business to what we have been doing for the last decade, but it’s an honour for us to invest in bringing high-end tourism to the southern part of Malta. It’s a feat we are proud of achieving and another milestone in our working life. We hope guests can experience the amazing, rich history of the Palazzo, which dates to 1755, as well as the beautiful village life that Għaxaq has to offer, with its lovely, warm community.”
Michael Calleja