Mediterranean Islands: New Hotels Offer Design-Savvy Travelers Unique Experiences

A wave of new hotels across Malta, Sicily, and Bendor, France, is attracting design enthusiasts seeking unique travel experiences. These destinations, rich in history and culture, are now offering a blend of historic charm and contemporary luxury.

Malta: Boutique Hotels and Historic Restoration

Malta, a crossroads of civilizations, has long captivated design buffs with its distinctive architecture and cultural fusion. The Rug Company founders, Suzanne and Christopher Sharp, have created Casa Bonavita, a highly anticipated accommodation in Attard, featuring 17 unique rooms and a restaurant set within a historic residence (casabonavita.com). The hotel incorporates antiques, ceramics from Villa Bologna, and a stunning de Gournay mural depicting 17th-century Valletta. Alongside Casa Bonavita, the Romègas Hotel, a boutique offering in a nearly 450-year-old palazzo in Valletta, has opened its doors (romegashotel.com), restored by EM Architects and Camilleri Paris Mode with a rooftop pool. A new direct Delta flight makes the destination even more accessible for New Yorkers.

Sicily: Coastal Views and Luxurious Retreats

Sicily offers stunning coastal views and luxurious retreats. Belmond’s Villa Timeo provides a glimpse of the island’s beauty (Photo: Salva Lopez/Belmond).

Bendor, France: Revived Island Paradise

Bendor, a small island near Marseille, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Paul Ricard, the creator of Ricard pastis, purchased the island in 1950 and established a Provençal hamlet, welcoming artists and celebrities. After years of decline, Marc de Jouffroy and Arnaud Zannier have revitalized Bendor with the opening of Zannier Île de Bendor, a five-star resort featuring a restored 1960s hotel, duplex fishermen’s cottages, a wellness center, and dining options led by chef Lionel Levy (zannierhotels.com). The island retains its original charm with art studios, galleries, a beach club, a diving center, hiking trails, and an outdoor theater, all open to the public.