Cugó Gran Macina Malta

The Cugó Gran Macina Malta is housed in a massive centuries-old stone building, once part of the harborside fortifications in the Maltese city of Senglea, designed to lift entire ships out of the water with a large crane. Its sturdy structure and grand scale translate particularly well, after extensive renovations, into a one-of-a-kind luxury hotel.

The result is nothing if not dramatic, a high-contrast marriage of antique architecture — parts of the building date back to the 16th century — and ultra-modern interior design. High vaulted ceilings and soaring limestone archways lend a dramatic cathedral-like beauty to guest rooms and public spaces alike. Suites are spacious and sleek, with cool slate floors, king-sized beds, and seating areas with stylish Italian furniture; some face the water, others the exterior walls of the ancient structure.

A rooftop terrace is the place to be at sunset, with a swimming pool offering magnificent views of the old fortress and the harbor. Meanwhile, the modern Mediterranean restaurant serves a menu whose flavors are informed by Malta’s unique position at the crossroads of the Lebanese, Arab, and Latin cultures, paired with wines from the hotel’s expansive cellar.