AX Group has been recognised with three European Property Awards for Malta, for the transformation of the historic Verdala site in Rabat into Malta’s first fully integrated wellness destination. Verdala Wellness Hotel – AX Privilege received the awards for Hotel Interior for Malta and Hotel Development for Malta, while the adjoining Verdala Terraces residences were recognised in the Apartment/Condominium for Malta category.
The recognition marks the culmination of a multi-year, multi-million euro redevelopment of a site that had stood derelict for over two decades, on the former grounds of the Grand Hotel Verdala. Verdala Wellness Hotel opened to guests in August 2025 and was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Robert Abela that November, in a ceremony that positioned the project within Malta’s Vision 2050 strategy for higher-value, year-round tourism.
The International Property Awards are among the most established recognition programmes in the global real estate industry, judged by an independent panel of industry experts across design, quality, innovation and sustainability, with regional winners progressing to compete at an international level.
Denise Xuereb, Director of Construction and Development at AX Group, said:
“Verdala reflects our belief that meaningful design begins with deep respect for place, heritage, and the homeowners and guests who will experience it. From the architectural form that defines its character to the smallest interior detail, every element of Verdala was shaped with passion and intent to create a destination that is enduring, unique and rooted in its surroundings.”
Xuereb credited the wider project team, including AX Development, AX Construction, C&K Architects and LW Design Group, for bringing this vision to life across both the hotel and residential components of the development, with AX Hotels now leading Verdala Wellness Hotel’s positioning and day-to-day operations.
Hotel Development for Malta: Verdala Wellness Hotel
Led by AX Development, with architecture by C&K Architects, Verdala Wellness Hotel was conceived from the outset as Malta’s first fully integrated luxury wellness hotel – a purpose-built wellness environment rather than a conventional hotel with a spa attached. The building’s massing was deliberately terraced and rotated along the ridge to maximise valley views while protecting the privacy and outlook of neighbouring residences. The development directly answers a gap identified in Malta’s own tourism strategy: a shortage of accommodation built specifically around structured, expert-led wellness, at a time of sustained global demand for exactly that model.
Hotel Interior for Malta: Verdala Wellness Hotel
The interior design, delivered by AX Development in collaboration with LW Design Group, draws on a warm, tactile material palette throughout – dark stone flooring, hand-applied plasters, natural timber and brass detailing set beneath a full-height glazed lobby dressed in sheer curtains. Curved forms, muted tones and low, sculptural furniture soften the hotel’s grand public volumes into a series of calmer, more intimate settings, while the spa continues the same language through natural granite, woven textiles and softly textured walls. Throughout, the design favours restraint and material honesty over decorative flourish, positioning Verdala as Malta’s first adults-focused wellness hotel interior.
Apartment/Condominium for Malta: Verdala Terraces
Verdala Terraces, delivered by AX Development with architecture by C&K Architects, offers 87 residences across two private blocks, Grand Mansions and Royal Mansions, set within the wider Verdala destination. The development’s position on the Tal-Virtù ridge, its integration with landscaped courtyards and piazzas, and its direct proximity to Verdala Wellness Hotel’s own spa and dining facilities give residents a level of privacy, exclusivity and lifestyle amenity that is rare within Malta’s residential market. Verdala Terraces has been designed for buyers seeking a discreet, low-density setting without compromising on access to five-star wellness and hospitality on their doorstep.
Together, the three European Property Awards recognise distinct elements of the Verdala development and the collective expertise behind its design and delivery.
Discover the award-winning Verdala development:
Verdala Wellness Hotel – verdalahotelmalta.com
Verdala Terraces – verdalaterraces.mt
