LIFESTYLE & INTERIORS FOR YOU
Promotional Feature
SEARCH BY CATEGORIES
January 31, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Autumn-Winter 2024 issue
AX ODYCY – A journey of unexpected delights
The latest property to be exclusively remodelled by AX Group and its
AX Hotels brand is, without a doubt, another standout project and a significant development for this corporation, which is renowned for its innovation, creativity, and integrity.
While the hotel’s name evokes the journey that can be enjoyed within its premises, the unique way it is spelt suggests an intriguing encounter with wonderful surprises along the way.
The AX Group is all about family—and indeed, two of its leaders are the daughters of founder Angelo Xuereb.
The pair of enterprising women both take their diverse roles within the corporation very seriously. In fact, from a very young age, the sisters were highly encouraged by their father to follow their passions, and both were inspired by his success in hospitality and construction projects, leading them to follow his path.
Today, Claire Zammit Xuereb is AX Group’s Director of Hospitality and Care, and she was recently commended with the ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year’ Bronze Award and the ‘Leader in Quality Tourism’ Gold Award at the Malta Business Awards. What made this even more special was that the brand they put forward for the latter award was their most recent front runner, AX ODYCY Hotel—a clear testament to Claire’s ability to push forward innovative concepts.
Denise Xuereb is the Director of Construction and Development within the AX Group and CEO of AX Real Estate p.l.c. Defying convention, she determinedly became a resilient and professional leader in what is normally a male-dominated industry. The redevelopment of AX ODYCY was one of her many career milestones, while simultaneously, realising the company’s vision to breathe new life into the coastal town where the destination is located.
With Claire leading the concept and creation, and Denise driving development and construction, it’s no surprise that AX ODYCY has evolved into an award-winning success.
The hotel’s design takes inspiration from airports and cruise liners—dynamic spaces that welcome vast crowds of travellers. This sense of adventure is mirrored throughout the hotel, with distinct locations and establishments thoughtfully integrated into its common areas and offering a diverse choice of dining options.
Claire shed further light on the design concept: “AX ODYCY is a reflection of our commitment to redefining hospitality. Every detail, from design to service, is crafted to deliver on the promise of a memorable and authentic experience that surprises and delights our guests at every turn.”
The entrance lobby is an extension of the adjacent coastline and its natural scenery, inspiring the organic décor and colour scheme. A hanging light installation extends down the double height space of the foyer and features an astrological theme, an ode to seafarers of old who looked up to the constellations to guide them on nautical journeys.
Within the lobby, the Espresso grab-and-go concept offers specialty coffees and delicious snacks. The design here is a combination of darker shades, warmer touches of wood, stone, and metal, together with splashes of bright colours decorating the comfortable armchairs where guests can enjoy their refreshments. Richard Xuereb, brother to Claire and Denise, is the artist behind the vibrant patterns on the chairs, as well as various art pieces found around the hotel.
Nearby, the elegant Sidestreet Lounge Bar presents a modern ambience where sophistication meets relaxation in an inviting atmosphere. Here, patrons can sit back and sip on premium drinks and cocktails from late afternoon until night time, with an outdoor area for a pleasant pause in the fresh air.
The back section of Sidestreet leads to the similarly designed Pre-Function area, providing a more intimate and quieter atmosphere for visitors. Since the only natural light that accesses this space comes through a landscaped lightwell, the colour scheme is lighter here. An ornate swirling staircase leads to the mezzanine level, where the meeting rooms are connected visually to the lower level via Crittall windows in their distinctive grid designs.
In the vicinity of the lobby, two modern buffet restaurants, Deck and Keel, are located on different floors.
At street level, Deck overflows with abundant natural light that highlights its colourful palette enhanced by warm wooden accents and metal decorative touches. The central focus of the restaurant is its live kitchen and buffet stations, where guests can choose from various seating styles, while enjoying beautiful sea views and glimpses of the hotel lido across the street.
Down a feature flight of stairs connecting the two eateries, Keel takes on a darker décor reminiscent of a wine cellar, with a more sophisticated and moodier atmosphere. Locally crafted terracotta plant pots hang from the ceiling to complement the natural concept found within the rest of the hotel. To one side, an open kitchen and trellis tables with food displays bring to mind the Maltese and Mediterranean kitchen.
Along the Qawra coastline opposite the hotel, a number of establishments adjacent to the beachside lido add a complementary choice of casual dining options.
The Cheeky Monkey Gastropub, Creperie, and Waters is a three-in-one, all-inclusive location. Waters offers a tasty selection of appetising nibbles and seasonal snacks on a specially designed 13+ pool deck.
The same flavourful cuisine can be found at award-winning Gastropub, where patrons can also enjoy trendy classic cocktails as well as signature cocktails with house-infused gins and rums to complement the selection. A vast choice of single malts, premium spirits, and beers make for the perfect night out, whilst along the promenade, the Cheeky Monkey Creperie helps satisfy those sweet cravings.
Aptly named Mamacita, the most recently opened Latino-inspired bar is a vibrant and carefree lounge bar that exudes the Latin spirit within its vivid interiors and its delectable menu. Serving flavour-packed sharing platters and exotic drinks, Mamacita also makes space for aspiring dancers with a groovy dancefloor playing rhythmic Latin music throughout the week.
For family-friendly options, diners can choose between two eateries for meals with the whole clan. Trattoria Riccardo presents traditional Italian cuisine, with authentic flavours boosted by the wood-burning oven found there. The sizeable children’s play area, Little Italy, guarantees an enjoyable space for youngsters to play in. Alternatively, the popular and award-winning Luzzu Restaurant, also with a play area, provides a selection of delicious Mediterranean flavours, beautiful views, and an all-round family-oriented experience guaranteed to be enjoyed by everyone.
High on the tenth floor within AX ODYCY, the trendy Medusa Sky Bar boasts sweeping vistas from its outdoor terrace.
This atmospheric, adults-only sky bar offers a unique ambiance, along with panoramic surroundings. Framed by a window serving as a backdrop to the bronze and black bar counter, a 2.3-metre Kane Cali sculpture presents an innovative portrayal of the famed Medusa—a contemporary enchantress that defies society’s expectations.
One floor up from the Medusa, the rooftop Minoa Mediterranean Fusion Restaurant enjoys panoramic rooftop views of the Qawra coastline, offering the ideal romantic setting amid its patterned décor. The diverse Mediterranean cuisine at Minoa, served from an open kitchen, includes a tasty concoction of flavours from North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Middle East, granting a culinary experience like no other.
“Revamping AX ODYCY was a unique challenge,” Denise concluded, “but our vision was clear: to blend innovation with the heritage of this coastal town, creating a space that feels both contemporary and open whilst rooted in tradition.”
Your journey of exploration throughout AX ODYCY is guaranteed to be extraordinary!
Visit this stunning destination, and explore the limitless range of appetising discoveries and unforgettable moments that await within its walls!
AX ODYCY Hotel
Qawra Coast Road, Qawra, Malta
axhotelsmalta.com/odycy
+356 2354 3000
