Over the weekend of December 7–8, the public had the opportunity to visit the newly inaugurated Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) in Floriana. Entry was free, allowing visitors to explore the exhibition by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos.

During a visit to the Open Weekend, Minister for National Heritage, Arts, and Local Government Owen Bonnici expressed satisfaction with the strong public turnout. He described MICAS as a landmark cultural project, integrating Malta’s historic fortifications with a mission to showcase world-class contemporary art. “The inauguration of MICAS marks a historic milestone, establishing Malta as a key hub for contemporary art and international cultural dialogue,” said Minister Bonnici.

credit: Malta daily

Malta is fast becoming an attractive location for the ultra-rich, both in terms of business and pleasure.

But have you ever wondered where millionaires and billionaires choose to stay while in Malta?

Insignia, a company which offers luxury lifestyle management services to the ultra-rich, has unveiled the top hotel choices for their wealthy clientele, since 2016.

https://timesofmalta.com/article/top-five-malta-hotels-chosen-ultrarich-a2.1093969?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3IIpAGPdp_JmSWvu1rlPumfYqIOLWaazKvH-w2Ly5QPmeSrzeZnGdc7HQ_aem_rK_owqg3wHi9jZIKid5k-Q

5. The Westin Dragonara

Situated at Dragonara Point in Paceville, the Westin Dragonara has 408 rooms and suites which were renovated to the tune of €40 million, to the designs of London-based designer Lynne Hunt. The hotel enjoys sensational sea views and is a stone’s throw away from the Dragonara Casino. The hotel was first opened in 1997 but today features 66 brand new Luxury Bay Suites in a private annex on the water’s edge.

The Westin

4. Iniala Harbour House

The brainchild of imagineer Mark Weingard, Iniala Harbour House combines four historical Valletta houses into one spectacular hotel that now boasts Malta’s only two Michelin star restaurant Ion. Enjoying the stunning St Barbara Bastion views of the Grand Harbour, Iniala opened its doors in 2020 and instantly became a jewel worthy of the UNESCO World Heritage site that is Malta’s capital city.

Iniala

3. The Phoenicia

The third hotel in Malta that has been most booked by the ultra-rich, since 2016, is The Phoenicia, just outside Valletta, on the edge of the city’s 16th Century bastions. For over 75 years, the hotel has hosted stars, socialites and royal visitors. The hotel, which started to be built in 1925 and was completed in 1948, is surrounded by gorgeous landscaped gardens.

The Phoenicia

2. Rosselli – AX Privilege

Inaugurated in 2019, just before the Covid pandemic hit, Rosselli was a €15 million restoration project of a 17th Century Palazzo which was converted into 25 designer luxury suites right in the heart of Valletta on Merchants Street. The hotel has won various international awards and is proud to have Michelin-starred restaurant Under Grain and Bib Gourmand recognised Grain Street as part of its food and beverage offering.

Roselli

1. The Hilton Malta

Still the most popular hotel for the ultra-rich visiting Malta, the Hilton Malta Resort in St Julian’s offers visitors an oasis within the bustling town of St Julian’s. It was originally built in 1967 but was later demolished and completely rebuilt as part of the Portomaso Marina, creating a holistic luxury experience for yacht owners. The Hilton boasts one of Malta’s most majestic spas and is perfectly located for business travel.

The Hilton

AX ODYCY Hotel, located in the coastal town of Qawra, is delighted to announce its prestigious win at the 2023 MASP Awards, organised by the Planning Authority. The 4-star destination concept has been awarded the Interior Architecture Award for Hospitality and Tourism Projects, a testament to its commitment to excellence in hospitality design.

The MASP Awards recognize excellence in the realm of architecture and design, celebrating innovation, creativity, and ingenuity. AX ODYCY Hotel stood out among a competitive field of contenders, impressing the esteemed jury with its outstanding interior architecture that seamlessly blends heritage with modernity to create a unique and immersive guest experience.

This project would not have been possible without BOX CONCEPT STUDIOS, together with designers Simon Abela and Sara Brincat who brought the AX Group’s vision to life. Box Concept Studio, renowned for its innovative approach to design, played a pivotal role in reimagining the interior spaces of AX ODYCY Hotel. With a keen understanding of the hotel’s heritage and the evolving needs of modern travellers, Box Concept Studio crafted a visionary design that preserves the hotel’s landmark identity while introducing contemporary elements that enhance the guest experience. With their creative flair and attention to detail, the various spaces within AX ODYCY Hotel are now offering guests tailored experiences.

Meet Davide at Imex Frankurt to discover the latest news for the MICE sector in Malta. Find us at Stand D120. See you there

Davide Cachia – Discover more on our website.

Book your appointment on Colours of Malta (imex-frankfurt.com)

Malta’s exciting Risen Christ statue Easter Sunday tradition is still going strong.

A symbol of joy, the run sees a group of men run through the streets carrying a massive statue of the Risen Christ and it is one of Malta’s most beloved Easter traditions.

Several towns took part in the tradition on Sunday. This video, taken by Matthew Farrugia in Senglea, shows a large crowd cheering on a group of runners as they sprint through a street with the statue before raising it high.

Happy Easter everyone!

article credits – Lovin Malta

https://www.facebook.com/LovinMalta/videos/962330915325694 

With Easter round the corner one can already see the typical Maltese specialties all around the Island in bakeries and shops. The Maltese love spending their Sundays with family around the table in good company and food. Below we shall be taking a look at some of our Easter favorites.

KWAREŻIMAL

Kwareżimal is a traditional Maltese sweet that is prepared throughout Lent. It is a biscuit of sorts finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of nuts. The original recipe was made vegan (of course without the addition of honey) as it contained no butter, milk or eggs in the mixture. Present day, some recipes opt for egg whites as it makes the texture lighter and fluffier.

QAGHAQ TAL-APPOSTL

Known in English as ‘Apostle’s Ring Bread’, this a specially crafted bread that is traditionally baked for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It is found in bakeries and supermarkets throughout the Lenten time and is distinct due to its ringed shape and flavour. It is slightly sweet and topped with sesame seeds and almonds.

KARAMILLI TAL-ĦARRUB

These little treats are specifically made for Good Friday but can be consumed at any time during Lent. They are made from carob and have a hard texture. Karamilli tal-Ħarrub can be found almost anywhere in bakeries and vendors on the streets who sell a selection of traditional Maltese foods.

Nowadays, Karamelli tal-Harrub are often made using brown sugar but you can still find them with carob. They come prepared in square shapes and are eaten in moderation as the sugar content is quite high. They have a slight tang to them as they are also bursting with the flavours of many spices such as cinnamon, aniseed and cloves.

With Easter round the corner one can already see the typical Maltese specialties all around the Island in bakeries and shops. The Maltese love spending their Sundays with family around the table in good company and food. Below we shall be taking a look at some of our Easter favorites.

FIGOLLI

Perhaps everyone’s favourite, figolli is a much-loved Easter treat. They are often shaped into bunnies but are also commonly found in other variations such as easter eggs, butterflies, chickens or hearts to name a few. The dough itself once baked is buttery, slightly crumbly and highly addictive and to literally top it all off, coloured icing is iced atop to not only add colour and a pretty display but to also add a slight sweetness to the figolli. Chocolate and sprinkles are other popular toppings too, should you prefer. If that wasn’t enough to make you want to try a figoli ASAP, they also contain an almond paste filling that adds an even deeper flavour.

Our team are thrilled to have toured the impressive Barceló Fortina this week! With its stunning Valletta views and versatile spaces, it’s the perfect blend of style and functionality for our upcoming collaborations. Exciting times ahead!

Malta’s very own The Phoenicia has placed amongst the Top 3 Hotels in Southern & Central Europe on prestigious travel platform Condé Nast Traveler.

The globally-renowned travel platform put one of Malta’s premier hotels in third place, with a score of 96.57, placing after Vienna’s Hotel Sacher and Park Hyatt, which placed in second and first respectively. Additionally, it was also named one of the Top 12 Hotels in the Rest of Europe by the publications Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2023.

This magnificent feat not only served as a first for the hotel and Maltese Islands, but was also called “the result of years of investment, not only in the property, but a substantial investment in The Phoenicia Malta team.”

In a recent statement, The Phoenicia Malta owner Mark Shaw stated the following: “We are deeply honoured to be included on this prestigious list, especially as it reflects the votes and feedback of our guests. At The Phoenicia Malta, we take great pride in providing warm, personalised hospitality, and it’s truly a source of pride to see valued guests returning year after year.”

The ranking comes after more than 520,000 readers submitted responses of their travel experiences across the globe, resulting in the results of The Readers’ Choice Awards.

InterContinental Malta announced that it has been recognised as a winner at the 30th Annual World Travel Awards. The iconic hotel was voted as Malta’s Leading Hotel Suite 2023: Highline Suites @ InterContinental Malta.

On 29th  September, the finest travel brands from across Europe were unveiled at World Travel Awards (WTA) Europe Gala Ceremony 2023 in Batumi, Georgia. The event took place at Sheraton Batumi Hotel, where industry elites from across the region attended the red-carpet evening.

Graham Cooke, Founder and President, World Travel Awards handed over the award to Marika Caruana Smith, Cluster Director of Sales – Luxury and Entertainment, InterContinental Malta, who commented:

“We are extremely privileged and honoured to have won another World Travel Award, winning such an accolade is a great source of pride for us. Thank you to the voice of the public, and the voice of our clients, we are very proud that our guests and partners hold us in such high esteem. To our owners who are extremely supportive, and our associates thank you for your loyalty and commitment in ensuring we constantly strive to deliver the IHG Promise to our valued guests”.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.