Riviera Martinique Hotel - Għajn Tuffieħa, Malta - Blue Graffiti Artwork on the Abandoned Façade

A large blue graffiti artwork decorates the deteriorating limestone façade of the abandoned Riviera Martinique Hotel near Għajn Tuffieħa, Malta, photographed in April 2023.

This photograph, taken in April 2023, captures a section of the abandoned Riviera Martinique Hotel near Għajn Tuffieħa on Malta’s northwestern coast. A large, colourful graffiti artwork dominates the right side of the image, covering a former arched entrance in the weathered limestone façade. The painting features a stylized figure surrounded by flowing blue forms, creating a striking contrast with the pale, deteriorating stonework. A sloping concrete access ramp leads towards the artwork, bordered by low walls, wild grasses and Mediterranean vegetation. Above the painted entrance, the surviving upper section of the hotel displays cracked limestone masonry, blocked openings, an arched doorway and a small circular window. To the left, a lower structure with an exposed roof and open bays stands among overgrown ground and scattered debris. The Mediterranean coastline and a cloudy sky provide the backdrop to the abandoned complex. The former Riviera Martinique Hotel occupied a prominent position near Għajn Tuffieħa and Golden Bay, an area known for its rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and coastal scenery. The hotel reportedly ceased operating in 1988, after which its buildings were gradually affected by weathering, structural deterioration and vegetation growth. Over time, sections of the abandoned property also became surfaces for graffiti and street art. This photograph forms part of a series documenting the former hotel at different stages of deterioration. The April 2023 image highlights how contemporary artwork has become part of the building’s changing appearance, contrasting the colourful painted figure with the weathered remains of a once-operational coastal hotel.