The first thing you’ll notice about Gozo is the silence. Not literal silence, but the absence of urgency. Just a short hop from Valletta’s bustling waterfronts and baroque grandeur, Malta’s second island operates on a different frequency altogether. Here, fishing boats drift across sapphire bays, village church bells punctuate lazy afternoons, and the Mediterranean seems to sparkle a little brighter. It’s an island made for slowing down. Fortunately, thanks to the exquisitely designed Thirtyseven Gozo, slowing down can be done in considerable style.
When we last found ourselves in Malta, there was one address on Gozo we knew we had to experience for ourselves. Thirtyseven Gozo had become something of an island legend: a private luxury retreat spoken about in hushed, admiring tones by travellers, hoteliers and locals alike. The property is the creation of charismatic hosts Patti and Giuseppe, who traded the relentless pace and polished glamour of Milan’s fashion world for something altogether slower, more meaningful and infinitely more Gozitan.
Their story is part of the property’s appeal. Having escaped the frenetic fashion industry, the couple fell under Gozo’s spell and set about transforming a traditional village house into what has become one of the island’s most distinctive boutique hideaways. It’s a familiar tale here. Visitors arrive intending to stay for a week and somehow find themselves plotting a permanent move before departure. Gozo has that effect on people.
Not surprisingly, Thirtyseven Gozo has had tourism tongues wagging ever since it opened. There is simply nothing else quite like it on the island. It is perhaps no coincidence that Angelina Jolie, her children and entourage chose it as their base while filming By the Sea. If it was deemed suitably discreet and special for Hollywood royalty, it was certainly good enough for us.
In truth, it would be difficult not to fall in love with the place. Patti and Giuseppe’s years in fashion are immediately evident, not through ostentation, but through a highly developed sense of aesthetics. The design feels effortlessly elegant rather than contrived; stylish and sophisticated, yet warm, intimate and entirely unpretentious. There is a distinctly Milanese sensibility running through the property, softened by Mediterranean light and island charm.
What makes Thirtyseven truly memorable, however, is how deeply personal it feels. The owners have filled the house with treasures, curiosities and mementoes collected during their travels around the world. Each object seems to have a story attached to it. Patti’s fondness for collectable spoons, for example, reveals itself in delightful ways, often appearing unexpectedly at breakfast or dinner. The more time you spend here, the more layers of the property’s personality reveal themselves.
Beautiful interiors alone are no longer enough to distinguish a luxury hotel. Anyone with a talented designer and a healthy budget can create a visually appealing space. What Thirtyseven Gozo possesses is something much harder to manufacture: authenticity. It somehow captures the essence of Gozo itself.
There has long been a belief that this small island possesses a special energy. The Neolithic people who built the ancient Ġgantija temples clearly sensed something extraordinary here thousands of years ago. Whether you subscribe to such notions or not, there is undeniably a peaceful rhythm to life on Gozo that feels increasingly rare in today’s world. Patti and Giuseppe have managed to bottle that feeling. The result is an oasis of calm, creativity and understated luxury on an island already renowned for its laid-back character.
Each of the ten suites has been individually designed around a destination, memory or mood inspired by the owners’ travels. Ours was the minimalist Japanese-inspired Tokyo Suite, a serene space of clean lines and thoughtful simplicity. Yet the view beyond its wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows could not have been more Gozitan: church domes, fluttering Christian flags, honey-coloured stone buildings and distant farmland stretching towards the horizon.
Attached to the suite was a private rooftop terrace, perhaps our favourite spot in the entire property. From here, we spent long afternoons soaking up the sun and watching village life unfold below. Our visit coincided with one of Gozo’s famous festas, and the atmosphere was particularly magical. Armed with glasses of vodka mixed with Kinnie, Malta’s beloved bittersweet soft drink, we watched fireworks explode overhead, brass bands parade through narrow streets, and locals celebrate long into the night.
Elsewhere, guests can choose from an eclectic collection of suites. One channels a stylish Milan-meets-Manhattan aesthetic, complete with transparent glass wardrobes and striking portraits of Marilyn Monroe. Another draws inspiration from India, a country Patti adores for its spirituality and vibrant culture, with playful depictions of sacred cows scattered throughout. Other rooms embrace a more traditional Maltese farmhouse style, featuring antique furnishings, wooden beds and timeless rustic charm.
The communal areas have been designed to encourage both relaxation and social interaction. There are two inviting swimming pools hidden amongst bougainvillaea-covered gardens, a charming coffee courtyard and a convivial bar area dominated by an enormous commissioned mural of flamingos — another of Patti’s well-known obsessions. Everywhere, cheerful pastel colours reflect the Mediterranean sunshine, while carefully considered landscaping casts intricate shadows across walls and pathways throughout the day.
The longer you stay, the more delightful details emerge. Resident cats nap contentedly beside empty fire pits. Unexpected artworks appear around corners. Shelves and tables display ever-more eccentric collections of objects gathered from around the world. Every glance seems to reveal something previously unnoticed.
Equally impressive is the team behind the scenes. The property’s General Manager oversees operations with quiet precision, supported by an exceptionally attentive pair of Filipino housekeepers who strike that rare balance between professionalism and genuine warmth. Service feels deeply personal yet never intrusive. A consultant chef, an entertaining character in her own right, can be summoned to prepare bespoke meals, particularly exceptional vegan dishes, while we also discovered that Patti herself is quite a talented baker.
For us, Thirtyseven Gozo’s appeal lies in its sense of absolute sanctuary. This is not a hotel designed around being seen; rather, it’s a place created for disappearing. The intimate scale of the walled-off property, discreet service and residential atmosphere make it particularly appealing to travellers seeking genuine privacy and respite from the outside world. LGBTQ+ guests, in particular, will appreciate the relaxed, welcoming environment fostered by Patti and Giuseppe. Having spent years in Milan’s fashion industry – a world where creativity, individuality and self-expression are celebrated – they host with an effortless inclusivity that’s entirely natural. Whether you’re seeking a romantic hideaway, a restorative solo escape or simply somewhere you can be completely yourself, Thirtyseven Gozo offers a rare combination of luxury, discretion and heartfelt hospitality.
And, while Gozo offers no shortage of reasons to venture beyond the front gate — dramatic coastlines, ancient temples, hidden coves and sleepy villages among them — there is a strong argument for never leaving Thirtyseven at all.
And should you decide to spend your entire stay within its walls, drifting between pools, rooftop terraces and long leisurely lunches with your loved one or chosen family, nobody here will judge you.
Certainly not us. Frankly, we were sorely tempted ourselves.
Photography courtesy of Thirtyseven Gozo
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While you’re OutThere
Staying at an insider hotel means getting an insider restaurant recommendation. Patti and Giuseppe took us to their favourite bayside taverna, a hidden seafood spot known mostly to locals and those fortunate enough to receive a recommendation. Reaching it requires a drive down a dusty track winding towards the sea, unless, of course, you arrive by yacht. As we pulled in, two gleaming Rivas were anchored in the bay at Mġarr ix-Xini, providing a clue as to the clientele. The menu changes daily according to the catch, handwritten on a simple red-framed blackboard. It was exactly the kind of place every traveller hopes to discover but rarely does.
For those wishing to explore further, the hotel’s trusted partner, Aloha Boat Charters, can whisk guests across crystal-clear waters to Comino, the Blue Lagoon and a handful of secret swimming spots known only to locals.
