As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to Gozo, Yvonne Gordon picks out a selection of places to stay, from welcoming farmhouses, to apartments and hotels. All of the properties included here have eco certification.
There are two eco-friendly five-star hotels on the island – Ta’ Cenc, a quiet oasis set on the beautiful white cliffs and the Kempinski San Lawrenz, which has landscaped grounds and is ideally located for visiting Dwerja and the Azure Window.
For a more traditional or rural experience, many of the farmhouses on the island date back hundreds of years and have been restored to bring back their original charm and character. Most of the farmhouses have small swimming pools, plus outdoor barbecue and eating areas.
Hotel Ta’ Cenc & Spa
The first thing that you’ll notice in Ta Cenc is the colourful flowers in the front garden – this theme continues throughout the five-star hotel – pathways and outdoor pools are surrounded with natural rocks with flowers growing in them, and each room has its own little garden. Hotel Ta’ Cenc & Spa is set on a 160-hectare nature reserve which has archaeological and geological features dating back to the Neolithic period. Each of the bungalow-type rooms has a ‘Little Green Handbook’ for guests, outlining how to save water and energy, manage waste and use environmentally-friendly products. The hotel also has a private rocky beach and restaurant just a few minutes away at Mgarr ix-Xini Bay. vjborg.com/ta-cenc/ta-cenc-hotel-spa
Mediterranea Seaviews, Island of Gozo, Malta
Hidden in a valley of carob and olive groves on the Maltese island of Gozo, this lovely, away-from-it-all retreat has stunning 360° views, sunny terraces, rustic interiors. A great base for exploring the Maltese islands by foot, bike, bus and boat. booking.com/hotel/mt/mediterranea-gozo.html
The Olives
This is a large (10,000 square feet), modern property with a pool and gardens overlooking the western and most rural part of Gozo island, not far from Dwerja and the Azure Window. The villa sleeps eight and there’s a large open-plan living area on the ground floor with doors leading out to the patio, pool and garden area with an outdoor barbecue area. The views from here stretch all the way to the Mediterranean. There’s a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, a laundry room and a fireplace and there are two flat-screen TVs as well as WIFI and a Playstation. The villa sleeps eight, with three en-suite bedrooms and a master bedroom en-suite. baronholidayhomes.com
Trullo Gozitano
This is a fully detached trullo (round house with a conical roof) built from limestone and located in the quiet village of Xewkija, the oldest in Gozo. There are three bedrooms (one en-suite) plus an open-plan lounge/dining area and a fully equipped kitchen. The south-facing garden has an overflowing lagoon swimming pool, patio/sundeck area and a built-in barbecue, plus olive and citrus trees. There is free WiFi and paid air conditioning. The pebbly beach of Mgarr ix-Xini is a short walk away and transfers from the ferry are available. firstgozo.com/trullo-gozitano
Dar Ta’ Menzia
Some of the best features of this villa are the pool and private garden area with sunbeds, a dining table and barbecue. There’s also an indoor six-seater Jacuzzi. The villa has a spacious living/dining area with floors made from local tiles, plus a fireplace and TV. The villa sleeps six, with a master bedroom en-suite on the ground floor, and a spiral stone staircase leading to two twin bedrooms, one en-suite, upstairs. The villa is part of a group of three private houses and guests have the use of an adjacent gym and sauna. baronholidayhomes.com
Il-Marhab Farmhouse
This stone farmhouse in the quiet village of Xewkija dates back to the 17th century. The entrance leads through a stone arch into an open courtyard and on to a private outdoor terrace and pool, with sun loungers and a built in barbecue. Inside, there’s a large fully equipped kitchen/dining area with doors leading onto the patio and pool. The villa has four double bedrooms (two en-suite) and there are views of the surrounding landscape from the upstairs loggia. There is free WiFi and paid air conditioning. The rocky cove at Mgarr ix-Xini is just ten minutes’ walk away. Transfers from the ferry can be arranged. firstgozo.com/il-marhab-farmhouse
Villa Xini
This is a traditional-style Gozitan villa with a private courtyard, terrace and an 8m x 5m outdoor swimming pool and a built-in barbecue on the patio. Inside the villa, there’s an open-plan lounge/diner which leads to the patio area, plus a large kitchen and a fireplace. The villa sleeps seven, with two bedrooms on the ground floor and a double bed on the landing area, with an adjacent roof terrace. There is free WiFi and paid air conditioning. The villa is in the quiet village of Xewkija – the oldest village in Gozo, and is a ten-minute walk from the pebbly bay at Mgarr ix-Xini and the cliffs at Ta’ Cenc. Transfers from the ferry can be arranged for guests. firstgozo.com/villa-xini
West Gardens Panorama
This villa has everything you might need for a quiet retreat – a peaceful location in Xaghra, with gardens, a heated indoor pool and an outdoor pool (3.7m x 7.5m), a large deck area, barbecue, panoramic views, a wine cellar and even a cinema room. There are two queen-size bedrooms (one en-suite) and an open plan kitchen/dining/living area with a large TV. The villa is also fully air-conditioned and has under floor heating. The kitchen is fully equipped and the downstairs entertainment room has a 50” TV, bar and large sofa, plus a cinema room with 2m screen. Outside, the garden terrace overlooks a mature garden with fresh herbs and mature carob and olive trees. panoramagozo.com
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
The Kempinski five-star hotel is built in local limestone in a traditional villa style, with lots of stone and wood creating a cool Mediterranean vibe. The hotel has rooms, suites and apartments and has been eco-certified since 2010. Its sustainability policy covers everything from solar panels to recycling, local produce and the 30,000sq m of grounds have a hotel garden with a selection of vegetables (including courgettes, aubergine and pumpkins) and herbs, all used on the restaurant menu. Take a wander through the herb garden for scents of mint, lemongrass and lavender or discover the Maltese indigenous garden. There are three outdoor pools. kempinski.com/en/gozo/hotel-san-lawrenz
Ta’ Lucija Farmhouse
This two-bedroom villa near the village of Xaghra has a private pool and garden area which has panoramic views over the open valley. Newly built, with traditional features, the villa has two bedrooms (one en-suite) plus a spacious kitchen/dining/living area. There’s a terrace with sun loungers and umbrellas, a barbecue and a 5.6m x 3.8m outdoor pool. Marsalforn and Ramla Bay are just a few minutes’ drive away. pergolafarmhousesgozo.com
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