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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
La búsqueda del hotel boutique ideal en Senglea no tiene por qué ser difícil. Bienvenido a Cugó Gran Macina, una fantástica opción para viajeros como tú. El hotel cuenta con minibar, aire acondicionado y cocinita en las habitaciones, y es fácil permanecer conectado durante la estancia, ya que ofrece wifi gratuito para los huéspedes. Así mismo disponemos recepción abierta 24 horas, conserje y servicio de habitaciones. Además, los huéspedes pueden disfrutar de piscina en la azotea, y desayuno y cena en nuestro restaurante The Little Bastion. Para los huéspedes que tengan coche, hay parking gratis disponible. Lo mejor de todo es que Cugó Gran Macinaes una fantástica base desde la que conocer numerosas atracciones de Senglea, como Gardjola Gardens, que es un jardín popular. Nuestro hotel te acerca lo mejor de Senglea, haciendo que tu estancia sea agradable y relajante.
Macina, Triq il-31 ta' Marzu, Senglea, Island of Malta 1040 Malta
Cugó Gran Macina Malta
251 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Cugó Gran Macina Malta stands out for its spacious rooms that combine style and unique architecture, providing comfort and breathtaking views, although maintenance could occasionally be an issue. The hotel's cleanliness earns high praise, with meticulous daily upkeep. Guests find great value in its amenities and prime location within easy ferry reach of Valletta.
The service at Cugó Gran Macina Malta is often lauded for its warmth and attentiveness, contributing to a serene and welcoming atmosphere. Amenities like the stunning rooftop pool and harbor views add to the hotel's allure.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Stylish
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-appointed
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A very good location right in front of the quiet harbor. You can hear the distant church bells and enjoy a very calm atmosphere. The hotel, which was renovated from a former bastion, has the latest interior and facilities, making it very comfortable to stay. The room we stayed in was a maisonette type, with a very high ceiling in the living room, and together with the quiet bedroom upstairs, the spacious space made us feel comfortable throughout our stay. The staff at the front desk and in the restaurant were very friendly and helpful. We had breakfast every day at the restaurant, and the quality of the food was very high, and we could order as much as we wanted a la carte from the wide variety of menu items. The quiet atmosphere of the breakfast is also one of the attractions of this hotel. The rooftop pool had a wonderful view overlooking the harbor, and it was very relaxing. As for access, it was very convenient to get to the small ferry terminal about a 5-minute walk from the hotel along the pleasant seaside promenade, where ferries depart every 30 minutes for Valletta in the city center. We would definitely like to stay here again the next time we visit Malta!
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niki Bedson, Sales at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded Oct 29, 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to leave your lovely and thoughtful review. We are delighted to hear that our serene harbor location and peaceful ambiance provided an ideal setting for your stay. We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your spacious duplex suite, nestled in the middle of our 500 year old Fortress - with its high ceilings and peaceful bedroom. Thank you for your kind words regarding our team at the front desk and restaurant, they will be delighted by your kind words. Likewise we are very glad to hear that you enjoyed our sumptuous breakfast options! It’s also wonderful to hear that you found relaxation at our panoramic rooftop pool with its scenic harbor views of the surrounding historical Three Cities. We would be honored to welcome you back on your next visit to Malta and to create another magical experience for you. With warm regards,
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Staying at the Cugo Gran Macina was an excellent experience. The hotel has an atmosphere of antiquity, yet is completely and thoroughly modern. The beds, pillows, and duvet were incredibly soft and comfortable, and the in-floor heating in the bathroom was a special and unexpected treat on a cold and rainy trip. All of the electronics and plugs functioned seamlessly with our phones and laptops without any issue at all. The room appointments (toiletries, fresh flowers, welcome card, robes, slippers, coffee, tea, and mini-bar) added yet another layer of pampering to an already lovely stay. The internet was stable and strong, allowing me to work during our trip and the table gave me room to spread out all of the documents I needed without feeling crowded. We had dinner at the Little Bastion Restaurant, attached to the hotel, and it was absolutely delicious. The service was excellent. However, I think what made the stay so memorable was the staff. We would like to thank each of you for making this trip smooth, simple, fun, and stress free. A extra special thank you to Valentina at the front desk...from the tour you gave us at check in, to your professionalism, knowledge, and kind words, please know that you really made our day!
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Recommended to me by a freind with close links to Senglea, I was very pleased with the hotel.
This is a wonderfully unique hotel in a superb historic building.
Our room could only be described as huge. The bedroom was on a mezzanine floor above a beautifully laid out bathroom. Definitely not the usual hotel room for sure. Our window opened up to reveal a fantastic view of the marina with is vast array of yachts and boats of all kinds and with historic buildings, churches and fortresses all round.
The whole place is exceptionally clean.
We took advantage of the rooftop pool. It’s a quiet spot to cool down from the intense Maltese sun. It’s not a big pool though. Better for location, views and relaxation than exercise. Suited us fine.
The staff are all, without exception, the most polite and helpful people. The front desk team offered us service over and above what one would expect. Proper old fashioned service. They genuinely wanted us to have a great stay in Malta not just the hotel. Information about ferries, busses, taxis, boat trips and restaurants. Nothing was too much trouble.
Breakfast is served. No buffet thank goodness. Freshly cooked and well prepared dishes are a welcome relief from the classic selection on display from 7-10am. A word of warning though. Everything you mention when ordering will come to the table and portions are not small.
Overall a lovely experience. Thoroughly recommended.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Samuel Santos, Director General at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded Nov 1, 2023
Dear Papacino, Please accept our sincere and heartfelt thanks for taking the time to leave your fabulous review of the Cugo Gran Macina, it is so greatly appreciated. It is our wish at the hotel that every guest experiences a unique and magical stay, leaving us with only the fondest memories of their time and experiences at the Fortress and Malta. It is such a moment of pride and delight to read your words, and I will be sure to share your feedback with the entire hotel and restaurant team. Thank you. It would be an honour to welcome you back to the Fortress for another stay with us. With warmest regards,
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I loved this hotel. I booked a presidential suite with views/balcony overlooking the harbour. It's situated in a quieter area in the three cities district, across the harbour from Valetta but still easily reachable by a half-hourly shuttle ferry which takes a few minutes (or 12 mins in Uber), so you get the beauty of the location without the crowds and noise of Valetta central. If you're feeling energetic you can walk to Valetta in about 1.5hrs.
The room was spotless and beautifully appointed with vaulted ceilings. Minibar was stocked with water and alcohol, and a coffee machine was available (also an iron...).
Staff were all very friendly and accommodating, and the restaurant (whilst fairly pricey compared to other options) was convenient for dinner and breakfast and the food was excellent. There is a small selection of bars and restaurants nearby, but it's limited so if you're looking for a "night out" you'll probably head for Valetta.
Overall I would return for sure.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Samuel Santos, Director General at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded Nov 1, 2023
Dear Steve, Please accept our sincere thanks for taking the time to leave your wonderful reviews and ratings of the Cugo Gran Macina, we are so pleased that we could ensure a comfortable stay during your visit. Nestled away in the historical Three Cities as you say, you are immersed in the history, culture and vibrant life of authentic Malta - we are so pleased you managed to enjoy this part of Malta and take advantage of the great local ferry links on our doorstep to Valletta and beyond. We are also very happy to hear that you enjoyed the food and service at our newly opened Little Bastion restaurant, thank you! We look forward to seeing you again at the Fortress and sunny Malta in the future. Kind regards,
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We had an incredible stay at Cugo Gran Macina! From start to finish, the staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and convenience. Their attention to detail was exceptional, and we were especially impressed with their use of WhatsApp for quick and efficient communication throughout our stay. Any question we had was met with a prompt and helpful response.
The facilities were spotless, comfortable, and beautifully designed, making for an incredibly relaxing experience. The location was another highlight—it’s just a short boat ride from the vibrant city of Valletta, and there’s so much to explore in the surrounding area. We loved the hotel's recommendations for local restaurants, which were all fantastic.
If we ever return to Malta (and we hope we do!), Cugo Gran will undoubtedly be our first choice. Highly recommend this gem of a hotel!
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niki Bedson, Sales at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded 4 weeks ago
Dear Guest, Please accept our sincere thanks for taking the time to leave your perfect review of the Cugo Gran Macina, it is such a joy to read that you had a wonderful stay with us. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle in the historic and vibrant Three Cities, we are so happy that you were able to make use of the great local ferry links on our doorstep to Valletta and wider Malta. Here at the Macina our staff pride themselves on delivering unique and magical stays for each of our guests, it is so nice to hear that their service improved your stay! I will be sure to share your wonderful words with the whole team, thank you. We very much hope that you do return to Malta, and that we have the honour of hosting you once again at the Fortress. With warm regards and best wishes for the New Year. Kind regards,
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First of all, if I had to stay in a hotel in Malta, I would choose this beautiful hotel again and again (I am Maltese/with a British husband).
The location is one of the best on the island, a 16C building that captures so much history and at the same time offers an absolutele treat of ‘old meets new’. Transport from the hotel is such fun as you can jump on the fast ferry to Gozo or the boat to Valletta or Sliema and each time, the views are spectacular. We walked to Teronne which I can recommend as a great restaurant nestled within the walls of Fort St Elmo.
We got a very warm welcome at this hotel. Special mention to the team at breakfast and lady at the front desk.
The reason I didn’t give this a 5 star was the restaurant was closed for dinner and also the pool needs a good scrub on the roof. This didn’t ruin our stay as I am not much of a pool swimmer and we enjoyed dinner elsewhere, but I imagine if you wanted a swim, you may have thought twice.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:I wouldn’t take young children to this hotel. Best for couples or families with older kids :)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niki Bedson, Sales at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded Jul 7, 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to leave your wonderful review of the Cugo Gran Macina, it is greatly appreciated. It is always a joy to read when our guests can enjoy the meticulous restoration of our 500 year old Fortress, with its great local ferry links to Valletta and wider Malta on our doorstep. I would also like to thank you for your kind comments regading the breakfast and the staff, who strive to make each guests stay a unique and magical one. Thank you! We apologize that the restaurant being closed for dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays detracted from your stay, and please rest assured that your comments have been passed on to the relevant teams. I would also like to apologize that you found the pool not up to our usual exceptional standards, as we had been experiencing high winds at the time of your stay there was unfortunately some extra debris that is not normal, and should certainly have been cleaned immediately. We will be investigating fully to ensure things like this do not happen again, thank you. We very much look forward to welcoming you back to the Cugo Gran Macina in the future. With warm regards,
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OMG we loved this hotel - thank you so much! It’s gorgeous and so cool to come back to after Malta hot sunny days. The rooftop pool has a lovely view of the harbour. Shout out to Martha who is so helpful & friendly and served us drinks & food while we lazed around. Beautiful Valetta is a 10 minute ferry or small boat ride away. We also walked to many lovely restaurants which overlooked the harbour or were tucked away in Birgu old town. Bolt taxis are easy to use and we visited the Blue Lagoon for a boat trip, Marsaxlokk fishing village and Mdina. Back to the hotel the rooms are stylishly decorated with comfy beds & are very spacious - ours was a suite so perfect for our family of 4. The walls are thick and soundproof so it was very peaceful at night. Dora was also brilliant when we booked and the staff are all so friendly. We had cocktails at the outside restaurant during happy hour ☺️. We hadn’t visited Malta before and are so so pleased we chose to stay here. Thank you again - Angela x
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niki Bedson, Sales at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded Aug 9, 2024
Dear Angela, Thank you so much for your wonderful review, it was a joy to read! We are absolutely delighted to hear that you and your family had a lovely time at our hotel and enjoyed everything from the stylish suite to the rooftop pool with its panoramic harbor view. It's fantastic to know that Martha and Dora made such a positive impact on your stay—I'll be sure to pass along your kind words to them and the entire team. We're thrilled that you found our location convenient for exploring Malta’s many attractions and that you enjoyed the local restaurants and boat trips, all accessible from our doorstep. We’re so pleased that your first visit to Malta was memorable, and we’re honored that you chose to stay with us. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Macina and sunny Malta in the future. Warmest regards,
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Cugo Gran Macina in Malta is steeped in history. The Senglea suite was home away from home for our stay, comfortable for the four of us. The decor was minimal stylish and spacious. However the floor tiles near the bathroom needs repair and bathroom interior needs better finishing. From the reception to the restaurant and housekeeping, staff were polite and accommodating. The breakfast was fantastic and our thanks to the staff who worked tirelessly to fulfill requests. Reception staff arranged an all day private boat trip (Malta Charters) to the south bay and lunch from The little bastion restaurant (fabulous treat), a must for anyone planning to swim/snorkel in these blue waters. Overall it was a wonderful Malta trip we take home great memories. Thank You.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niki Bedson, Sales at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded Aug 30, 2024
Dear Guest, Please accept our sincere thanks for taking the time to leave your review and ratings of the Cugo Gran Macina, your feedback is very important to us. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay in the Senglea suite and it is also wonderful to know that our staff's efforts, from reception to housekeeping, contributed making fond memories of your time in Malta. Your kind words about the breakfast and the private boat trip to the South Bay are much appreciated, and we'll be sure to pass on your compliments to the team, including the staff at The Little Bastion restaurant. We also want to sincerely thank you for your constructive feedback regarding the floor tiles near the bathroom and the bathroom's interior finishing. Please know that we take these comments seriously and will address these areas promptly to ensure our guests have the best possible experience. It was our pleasure to host you, and we're thrilled that you left with great memories of your trip to Malta. We hope to welcome you back in the future. Kind regards,
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I stumbled upon this exquisite hotel, a meticulously renovated historic building that honored the original limestone walls and added so many beautiful touches, from iron supports to rich wood flooring. (Make sure to see the book that documents the entire restoration.) Every perspective, every detail is stunning!
The room I stayed in was spacious, bright with generous windows, lovely decor and the fluffiest of beds. To top it all off, I was so taken care of by the entire (mostly female) staff who could not have been lovelier or more accommodating. Oh, and I should add, it was situated right on the harbor, bustling with boats and fabulous cafes with excellent cuisine. Stroll into the neighborhood to immerse yourself in bygone days!
One of the finest hotels in which I have ever stayed, thanks so much!
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:ENJOY!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niki Bedson, Sales at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded Dec 30, 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your truly special review of the Cugo Gran Macina, we are so delighted to hear that you managed to stumble into us and that you enjoyed your time within our Fortress walls! Here at the Macina our team strives to ensure unique and magical stays for each of our guests, and they will be so happy to hear that their service made a difference to your stay. Furthermore it is always such a joy for us when our guests can appreciate the details that you so graciously describe. I will be sure to share your kind words with the entire team, thank you so much - and of course we are all hoping to have the honour of welcoming you back to the Cugo Gran Macina in the future! With all the best wishes for the coming New Year. Warm regards,
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Great location, spacious room and lovely rooftop pool. Breakfast was great but the service was quite erratic and didn’t feel like a relaxed or enjoyable experience for the price paid. Terrace seemed a bit neglected with dead plants and furniture needing a wipe down. Getting assistance by the swimming pool was also challenging at times.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Samuel Santos, Director General at Cugó Gran Macina Malta
Responded Oct 31, 2023
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to leave your review of the Cugo Gran Macina, your comments are always appreciated. Here at the Macina we are always striving to be the very best that we can and we were disappointed to hear that you thought some areas of the hotel were not up to our usual exceptional standards. Please rest assured that your feedback has been passed on to the relevant management. We are pleased to confirm that a new irrigation system has been installed to help our plants survive the very hot Maltese Summers, so we hope to amend this issue moving forward. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the location of our Fortress tucked away in the historical Three Cities, with its panoramic rooftop pool and spacious Suites. We very much hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to the hotel and sunny Malta in the future. With kind regards,
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Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom231 contributions102 helpful votes
Best ask hotel direct. We stayed as a couple, my opinion would be that this hotel is not suited to younger guest. However hotel staff were happy to assist with any issues we had, recommend contact hotel
London, United Kingdom18 contributions13 helpful votes
Dear Esmeeann,
Thank you for reaching us out.
Kindly note the rooms has terrace are the Senglea Suites and the Presidential suite, the Corner suites has balcony, the rest of the room types do not have balcony or terrace.
Should you need any further information or have a query please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Cugo Gran Macina Team
Dear Meander31590549963,
Thank you for getting in touch and for showing interest in our property.
We are a small boutique hotel with 21 rooms, a restaurant and a bar.
We do also have a wonderful rooftop used for functions and it could get quite busy due to be a popular and unique spot.
We have a variety of suites which could cater for your family and I guess it depends on the period you are wishing to visit.
Christmas season is upon on us and we do have few functions but the music is turned down at 11pm and all guests are invited to move inside the rooftop area.
In terms of modernity, we are such a unique hotel that offer an original building dating over 450 years complemented by modern touches.
All pictures on Tripadvisor or our website do offer a clear representation of the unique offering.
To top this unique design, we are right in the middle of a beautiful harbour overlooking the Three Cities and some of the rooms' view do stretch to Valletta.
Please do contact us directly for more details and we hope we will you and you family soon.
Warm regards,
Roberto Russo
General Manager
Dear Karen,
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
The Grand Harbour Suite comprises one bedroom.
A sofa-bed is set-up for additional persons. However, for grown it may be a little uncomfortable therefore, we recommend either the Macina Grand Harbour or the Presidential Suite both comprises two bedrooms.
Should you require further assistance please do let us know
There are more places to choose from in the Senglea area.
PRICE RANGE
$153 - $312 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour
LOCATION
MaltaIsland of MaltaSenglea
NUMBER OF ROOMS
21
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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