MALTA: Malta Marriott Hotel and Spa To Open 2018

The Malta Tourism Authority has announced that 2018 will see the launch of the Malta Marriott Hotel and Spa, following a rebrand of the current Le Méridien property.

Originally built on the grounds of a 19th century Maltese villa, the property’s unique location, just around the corner from the vibrant nightlife of St Julian’s bay offers both the tranquillity of Balluta Bay and the proximity of St. Julian’s lively atmosphere.

While Le Méridien is already classified as a five-star hotel, the redevelopment will see the hotel upgraded and refurbished with additional executive suites as well as the possibility of two additional floors.

The hotel currently has 276 rooms and suites, 14 board rooms, and 1,800 square feet of meeting space. With a meeting capacity of up to 650 guests, the hotel has always been a popular choice for corporate travel and meetings and incentive groups, as well as leisure travellers.

Peter Vella, MTA’s UK and Ireland Director says “The redevelopment and rebranding of the iconic Le Méridien hotel in St Julian’s to the hugely popular Marriott concept is very exciting, bringing another five-star brand to our shores and adding to the already exceptional range of hotels that we are able to offer travellers and conference organisers in Malta.”

The existing property will close for refurbishment at the end of 2017 before opening its doors as the Malta Marriott Hotel and Spa in 2018.

Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay in Malta is helping promote travel with a difference, the first of which is a Villages Experience.

From this month, guests of the hotel will have the chance to meet local artisans in three typically Maltese villages; Safi, Kirkop and Mqabba for a chance to discover the real Malta and Gozo through its people and culture.

Locals in these three villages will share their stories, legends, cuisine, music, folklore and crafts during what are five to seven-hour small tours that leave mid-afternoon. The choices are:

· A visit to the small village of Safi to marvel at the Phoenician catacombs, meet Nenu the local blacksmith, listen to live music from Pauline and Jonathan and enjoy a three-course dinner of typical Maltese food. Tuesdays, 3-10 pm

· A visit to Kirkop to learn all about the local industry of stone sculpting from Michael and goat’s cheese production from Gusa and savor a selection of snacks. Thursdays, 3-8 pm

· Explore Mqabba with its Mintna catacombs and old hospital. Spend time learning how to make typical street decorations and enjoy a three-course Maltese dinner before returning to the hotel. Fridays, 3-10 pm.

Tour prices vary depending on the size of the group and the tour chosen. Bookable through the hotel’s Guest Relations desk.

The hotel has partnered with the Malta Tourism Society and the University of Malta to help push this community-based sustainable tourism experience.

Located in the culturally vibrant and historically pivotal St Julian’s, the Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay is a world-class resort that offers the perfect balance of tranquility, panoramic views of the Mediterranean, culinary delights and leisurely activities. The resort boasts 141 rooms, 70 Executive Club rooms and 38 suites, all with a private balcony, as well as 5 pools, a private rocky beach and direct access to the Mediterranean Sea.

With an excellent selection of elegant and al fresco eateries, celebrity-chef run Caviar & Bull, poolside dining and the top-class Pearl Lounge, the hotel’s restaurants and bars are some of the best of the area. The Apollo Day Spa, water sports center and state-of-the art fitness center ensure guests can all unwind in their individual way. Corinthia St. George’s Bay is a 21st-century luxury seafront resort located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

Opened in 1995, the Corinthia St. George’s Bay was created with a passion for craftsmanship and an understanding of world-class service. Corinthia St. George’s Bay is a member of Corinthia Hotels’ collection of five-star hotels, founded by the Pisani family of Malta.

Building on its success in January hosting students for an international residency from Tufts University in Boston, Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa in Malta is now targeting the educational travel community in the US to help fill its five-star meeting space.

To help drive this new business, the Corinthia Palace recently became an affiliate member of ETC (Educational Travel Consortium), a body representing travel planners for US universities, museums and professional organizations.

Professor Deborah Nutter, who founded and runs the program at Boston’s Fletcher School at Tufts University, cited Malta as the best of the 17 residencies held to date, “Our choice of the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa put us right in the heart of Malta, and we were so impressed with the level of care shown to us; the hotel’s whole team exemplified Malta’s aura. Malta provides an excellent base for high-level learning in a setting that is unique. We will be back.”

The hotel’s ballroom on the ground floor was used for their two-week visit and this space can hold up to 450 for a reception and up to 400 theater style.

In addition, the hotel, located in a tranquil garden setting in Attard in the center of the island, has four boardrooms in the ground floor Business Center holding between 18 to 20 delegates in each.

Meeting room technology includes free Wi-Fi and screens, with projectors and laptops on request.

“The island (of Malta) truly exemplifies everything we were covering,” says Prof Nutter. “It links three continents and is giving its input on a multitude of major international issues, including at EU level. Malta feels like it is at the very center of things, and our students certainly appreciated that fact.”

Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is the original flagship of Corinthia Hotels, opened in 1968. Located in the heart of the island of Malta, adjacent to the Presidential Palace, the 150-room five-star Corinthia Palace exudes grace and historic charm.

It is positioned between the island’s capital Valletta and Mdina, the picturesque medieval silent city that is still inhabited till this day. This opulent hotel offers the leisure guest an extensive range of facilities, including the Athenaeum Spa and Health Club, complete with a wide range of revitalizing treatments and indoor and outdoor pools.

With a century-old restored villa as its main dining venue, this hotel is all about warmth, personal attention, and traditional elegance. The hotel boasts top-class restaurants, including Rickshaw, offering Asian-fusion dishes, and the al fresco Summer Kitchen.

For corporate guests, modern business facilities are available, with a large conference room easily accommodating 450 delegates, and six syndicate rooms including two boardrooms for smaller groups.

Corinthia Palace is a 21st-century stately hotel, created by experts with a passion for craftsmanship and an understanding of world-class service. Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is an award-winning member of Corinthia Hotels’ collection of five-star hotels founded by the Pisani family of Malta.

Following on from the success of their properties in Ibiza and Tenerife, the Malta Tourism Authority are delighted with the announcement that Hard Rock Café will be opening a hotel in Malta in 2020.

Nestled in the trendy hot spot of St Julian’s, the hotel is projected to feature 370 rooms, including 110 suites with balcony views over the idyllic island paradise of St George’s Bay.

A gastronomic destination in itself, the hotel is to feature a host of premier food and beverage outlets, including a signature restaurant and a rooftop lounge with a sky bar where guests will be treated to the glittering lights of one of Malta’s most energetic corners.

And for those looking for an island retreat, the 16,000-square ft. Rock Spa will be punctuated by swimming pools and a Body Rock fitness centre featuring state of the art equipment; ideal for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation in a five-star setting.

Business travellers and companies conducting meeting and incentive conventions will have a plethora of facilities to choose from; 37,000 square feet of planned function space and the largest convention centre on the island, ensuring those working can experience contemporary business service against a backdrop of a picturesque tropical bay.

The hotel will be part of a new mix-used urban development that will include a glossy new shopping mall, luxury private residences and sleek office spaces. A stark contrast to the Mediterranean archipelago’s idyllic villages, fishing markets, prehistoric temples and traditional baroque architecture, the new hotel caters to the increasing tourist boom that the island is experiencing.

Guests to Malta will be treated to the best of both worlds: the charm of laid back island life and a glossy cosmopolitan epi-centre for both business and leisure.

Peter Vella, MTA’s UK Director offered his insight on the addition of the Hard Rock Hotel Malta, stating “Malta’s tourism industry is currently breaking all records as tourists and business travellers from across the world discover our unique blend of sunshine, culture, history, beauty and hospitality.

Hard Rock Hotels are renowned for very high standards and for reflecting the culture and character of their locality. The news that Hard Rock are opening a hotel in Malta is very exciting; it will bring a new concept and experience to our Island and give travellers even more reasons to visit Malta.”