A Heritage Gem Restored with Love
By Shereen Shabnam
I woke up this morning at Mulberries Guesthouse with the feeling that I had just discovered one of Malta’s best-kept secrets. Tucked between the rural town of Żabbar and the scenic Marsascala Bay, this boutique guesthouse is not just a place to sleep. It is a retreat steeped in heritage, shaped by passion, and brought to life by the warm hospitality of its owners, Aaron and Jesabel.
From the moment I arrived, I sensed a serenity that’s rare in today’s fast-paced world, as if the old stones of the farmhouse whispered stories of centuries gone by while welcoming me into their calm embrace.
The story of Mulberries begins with Aaron’s dream of transforming a farmhouse into a sanctuary of wellbeing. An architect by profession and a passionate admirer of Maltese vernacular design, he saw potential where others saw ruin. Alongside Jesabel, whose estate management expertise added precision and flair, the couple spent years meticulously restoring and expanding the property.
They preserved medieval water systems once used by the Knights of St. John, repurposed a Punic-era cistern into a meditation chamber, and incorporated reclaimed limestone from centuries-old buildings. Walking through the corridors, you can feel the authenticity in every hand-hewn stone, every flagstone floor, every whitewashed rooftop that reflects the island sun. Mulberries is as much an architectural tale of preservation as it is a hotel, a living link to Malta’s cultural tapestry.
The charm of Mulberries extends beyond its heritage walls. The hotel’s wellness area offers the perfect escape for those seeking calm. As I sat quietly in the garden under mulberry trees, I realized this was not just a stay but a reset for the soul. The gardens themselves are a delight, flourishing with native olive and citrus trees that supply the kitchen with fresh ingredients.
Breakfast here was a highlight of my visit: truly farm-to-table, with homemade jams, freshly pressed olive oil, and breads and pastries that taste as if they came straight from a countryside oven. Every bite carried the essence of Malta’s agricultural heritage, reimagined with contemporary comfort.
What makes Mulberries special is not just its history or its amenities, but the harmony between past and present. As I left, I couldn’t help but feel grateful, not only for the calm and serenity of my stay, but also for the vision of Aaron and Jesabel, whose dream became a haven for travelers like me.
I am bringing back to Dubai some homemade marmalade made by the kitchen at Mulberries and this will surely bring back memories of my stay and its warmth. It is definitely a place I would come back to, to reset my mind and my soul.
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