Dreaming of a BnB in Malta

I think we’ve all had this dream: a cosy little bed ’n’ breakfast, with interesting guests flitting in and out of your life, a local bakery that drops off freshly baked bread just when the sun is peeking over the horizon, maybe a little pool in the quiet, private back garden. Something completely your own.

Some of us might be sharing this dream a bit more often lately, as our lives and livelihoods are disrupted by the pandemic and its resulting economic troubles. If you’re dreaming of a guesthouse in Malta or Gozo, this story is for you.

Seven homes with guesthouse potential

Although we don’t sell any commercial properties, we have had several homes come to us recently that would make perfect little guesthouses. Here’s a rundown of our favourite seven, from least to most expensive.

7. Unconverted House of Character in a Quiet Area — €255,000

This home needs a full conversion, hence the low price. But it is large and in a lovely part of Gozo, Malta’s second island. Like the others in this list, it has traditional architectural features such as high ceilings, arches and limestone walls.

It is 155 square metres and just on one storey so far, but the new owners will likely wish to extend it a floor up. A true blank slate, this property is perfect for the owners with a vision that demands a complete rebuild rather than a move-straight-in property. See more information and photos of this Unconverted House in Gozo.

6. The House Where Time Stood Still — €315,000

Also in Gozo, this time in Nadur, is this beautiful old townhouse. Its 85-square metre garden is definitely large enough for a pool, and we’re completely in love with the variety of traditional tiles found throughout the house.

This house needs less extensive rehabilitation than the one above, but it’s definitely in need of work before it can be lived in or any rooms rented out. We do hope the new owners keep a lot of the traditional stylings of the place, as they’re really quite special and will only get rarer as time goes on. Read more about The House Where Time Stood Still.

5. The Old Bakery — €530,000

There’s a bit of a Gozitan theme going on. This Old Bakery was for many years the village of Xewkija’s central bakery, and much of the equipment is still here. This property is huge, laid out over three storeys with 400 square metres internally and an 80-square metre garden.

This place needs a complete overhaul but is large enough to be flexible for the ambitious new guesthouse owner. See lots of photos and information about the Old Bakery in Xewkija, Gozo.

4. Grand Unconverted House of Character in Zebbug — €630,000

For number 4, we move to the main island of Malta. Tucked into an alley in Zebbug, this large, four-bedroom house of character was locked up several years ago, with nothing disturbing its quiet rest. Walking inside feels like opening a time capsule; voices go a little quieter and footsteps seem louder.

This property underwent a conversion some time ago, with the old mill room converted to a kitchen with storage above. This could be reversed by the new owners, opening up space for even higher, grander ceilings. And since the property has both a courtyard and a back garden, there is space in abundance for creativity to flow. See more photos and information about the Grand Unconverted House of Character in Zebbug.

3. Spacious Townhouse with Field — €735,000

Call me strange, but there’s something about the unashamed flamboyance of yellow wallpaper with red curtains (inside!) that I admire. Would I ever be brave enough for this? I’d like to think so.

This four-bedroom townhouse in Kercem has heaps of personality, from the brave wallpaper to the figurine at the base of the stairs to the black-and-white marbled walls and stairs. It’s also large and just a ten-minute walk from Gozo’s centre. It has a 56-square metre courtyard and a 270-square metre field at the back, far more space than you can often find in Malta’s crowded towns. Indulge in the flamboyant designs of the Spacious Townhouse with Field.

2. House of Character with Plans for Guesthouse — €840,000

This home is so perfectly a guesthouse-in-the-rough, it has actually already had guesthouse plans approved. In Gozo’s capital city of Victoria, this property is a short walk from the popular Citadella. And it’s in great condition, although it has been used for several years as a three-storey notary’s office and does need some conversion work.

With its many rooms and prime location, we can see why the current owners think it would make a fabulous BnB. Watch a video and see the plans for the House of Character with Plans for Guesthouse in Victoria, Gozo.

1. Large Terraced House with Pool — €840,000

The last house on our list is the one with the greatest move-straight-in potential. The photos of this home remind me of photos of a sun-drenched California in the 1970s.

Although some aspects of this home could use an update (the rippled tile flooring on the ground floor, for instance), other design choices were just so brave and right that they surely must stay even as this house gets new life breathed into it. The green stone staircase, I just love. See more photos and a video of the California-in-Gozo terraced house.

What do you need to make this happen?

To start, a bit of cash — you won’t get far without it. And the places easiest to find will likely need more work, so you will also need a trustworthy contractor and an architect. Of course, if you’re setting this up as a business, you’ll also need an accountant, tax and legal advice. If you’re looking to set up a guesthouse in Malta and would like some guidance, get in touch and the Curbsy team can connect you with people we trust.