After a seven-year restoration, Casa Bonavita has debuted in the historic village of Attard, Malta. Envisioned by the Rug Company founders Christopher and Suzanne Sharp, the 17-bedroom retreat transforms a centuries-old family home into an intimate hospitality experience.
Guided by Suzanne’s Maltese upbringing, the property embraces the eccentricities and faded grandeur that define the island’s authentic beauty. “We hope it will be a place where like-minded people will be able to see Malta as we do—a bastion of culture, a fascinating and kitsch mix of Arab and Italian influences framed by baroque architecture,” she says.
Restored architecture
The design, led by Suzanne Sharp Studio, preserves the soul of a private residence while reviving the building’s noble proportions and soaring ceilings. Original architectural details are layered with vintage family heirlooms and bespoke commissions from Mediterranean artisans, with striking Sicilian marbles and Murano glass chandeliers mingling alongside frescoed walls and richly textured fabrics.
Notable design collaborations further root the property in its locale. Local pottery house Villa Bologna contributed to the interiors, while de Gournay created a bespoke handpainted wallpaper depicting 17th-century Valletta to anchor the atmospheric Valletta Bar.
Intimate guest quarters at Casa Bonavita
Conceived to feel entirely residential, each of the 17 guestrooms have a distinct personality shaped by scale, color, and natural light. Many of the rooms open directly onto lush gardens, terraces, or the swimming pool.
Soon, the property will also unveil the Folly Suite. Designed as a secluded villa-style sanctuary, this crown jewel is enveloped by tall date palms and bougainvillea, and boasts its own rooftop terrace and swimming pool.
Verdant amenities throughout the Maltese retreat
At the core of Casa Bonavita is a sprawling, semi-wild garden cultivated over 15 years. Filled with fragrant jasmine, rosemary, citrus trees, and palms, the oasis serves as the setting for candlelit dinners from the restaurant, which is helmed by executive chef Dex Oseman and focuses on seasonal Mediterranean produce. Inside, the original house kitchen operates as a central gathering space, offering freshly squeezed juices and warm Maltese pastries.
Rounding out the property’s amenities is a range of wellness offerings that includes two swimming pools, a hammam, sauna, cold plunge, and gym.
