Palazzo De La Sengle Boutique Hotel
In the heart of the historic city of Senglea, overlooking the majestic Grand Harbour, stands Palazzo De La Sengle Boutique Hotel, a project that beautifully represents what Interior Design in Malta truly means to me: respecting history while designing for contemporary living.
Preserving Heritage, Designing the Future
Palazzo De La Sengle is a historic Maltese palazzo, rich in character and architectural detail. Converting such a building into a boutique hotel was not simply a design task, it was a responsibility. The heritage of the building had to be carefully preserved while transforming the space into a refined hospitality experience.
Wherever possible, we retained original architectural features, including traditional stone walls, apertures, and structural elements that tell the story of the building’s past. Rather than competing with history, the design enhances it. Every intervention was carefully considered to ensure the soul of the palazzo remained intact.
A Dialogue Between Old and New
Interior Design in Malta often requires sensitivity toward limestone architecture and centuries-old structures. In this project, we embraced the contrast between old and new. Contemporary finishes, bespoke lighting, and curated furnishings were introduced in a subtle yet impactful way.
Lighting played a crucial role in this transformation. Through layered lighting design, we highlighted textures of the Maltese stone, accentuated arches, and created warm, intimate atmospheres within each suite. The goal was to create a boutique experience that feels luxurious yet authentic, modern yet rooted in heritage.
Enhancing Character Through Detail
Every space within the hotel was designed to enhance its architectural identity. Soft, neutral palettes were selected to complement the natural tones of the limestone. Custom furniture pieces were designed to fit seamlessly within the existing layout, respecting the proportions of the rooms.
Materials were carefully curated to create harmony, natural fabrics, warm metals, textured surfaces, all working together to elevate the historic shell of the building. The result is a boutique hotel that feels timeless rather than trend-driven.
Interior Design Malta – Creating Meaningful Spaces
Projects like Palazzo De La Sengle Boutique Hotel reflect the essence of Interior Design in Malta:
- Respect for architectural heritage
- Thoughtful spatial planning within historic constraints
- Sensitive restoration and adaptive reuse
- A balance between authenticity and contemporary comfort
Transforming this palazzo was about more than aesthetics. It was about storytelling, allowing guests to experience Malta’s architectural heritage in a space designed for modern luxury and comfort.
This project remains one of the most meaningful expressions of my design philosophy: preserving history while designing with vision.
To explore more images of this project, visit:
https://oliviaanncalleja.com/palazzodelasengle/
