Summer 2022’s well on track to be the season where travel makes a huge comeback, so it’s no surprise that competition in the hospitality industry’s just growing fiercer and fiercer…

The latest honour which hotels and restaurants around the globe have been fighting for is none other than the Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Star Award.

Every year, this internationally followed travel site gathers the best and most luxurious hotels, resorts, restaurants, and spas from all over the world into one list. Every listed establishment then receives one of three ratings: recommended, four-star, or five-star – the latter being the most prestigious.

This year saw FTG publish its 64th annual list, in which critics reviewed establishments from a handful of new destinations, such as the Canary Islands, Greece, Ibiza, and Malta!

It’s safe to say that Malta kicked off its entry into the FTG Star Awards with a bang, as seven hotels around the islands were deemed good enough to make it onto the list. Here are the seven local hotelswho won the FTG awards as follows:

• Corinthia Palace Malta – 4-Star
  “Like a set from the 1960 movie ‘La Dolce Vita’, the Corinthia brand’s first hotel – with 147 rooms, including nine suits, six Executive Suites, and two Palace Suites – is a place for those who enjoy classic architecture, traditional décor, formal service, and culinary excellence.”
• Hyatt Regency Malta – Recommended
  “With more than 10 stories, plus a ‘barrier-free’ roof deck (it’s surrounded by glass panels), Hyatt Regency Malta has one of the best views in town.”
• Iniala Harbour House – 5-Star
  “Like a place you’d imagine Romeo and Juliet holding secret rendezvous, the Malta hotel’s ancient vaults are magical. The best way to enjoy one of these vaults is a soak in the spa’s indoor pool.”
• Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz – Recommended
  “Kempinski San Lawrenz makes a wonderful base from which to explore the island’s beaches, bays, and historical sites. If you need a ride, the hotel offers a complimentary bus to capital city Victoria and Ramla Beach.”
• Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa – Recommended
  “Throughout the property, from the open dining terraces to the seafront-facing rooms, you are treated to a view of Balluta Bay, the beach, and the stunning neo-Gothic architecture of the Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, along with landmark art nouveau and art deco buildings.”
• Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Golden Sands – Recommended
  “Everywhere you look at Radisson Blue Resort & Spa, Golden Sands, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea calls, with gentle waves of pristine saltwater lapping against the shore of Golden Bay Beach.”
• Rosselli – AX Privilege – Recommended
  “Each of the rooms is striking and uniquely decorated in black, white, and grey hues. Furnishings look like they were curated by the Museum of Modern Art.”

Click here to see the full list of international winners.

Article credits: https://www.guidememalta.com/en/these-seven-maltese-hotels-won-forbes-travel-guide-s-2022-star-awards

The walled city of Valletta, founded in 1566, is the capital and was built on a peninsula between two natural harbours. It’s full of Baroque character and was recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

If you want to take in the full majesty of the city, then you need to see the Grand Harbour in all its splendour – and if you want to also enjoy a great meal whilst doing so, then you should consider making a booking at ION – The Harbour, a proud holder of a MICHELIN Star.

It’s found on the 4th floor of the Iniala Harbour House hotel and, when you are a restaurant fortunate enough to be able to offer tables on a terrace that provide such spectacular views, then it makes sense to use it as much as possible – and that’s exactly what it does.

However, don’t think that your eyes will simply stay focused on the vista – the stunningly presented food directly in front of you will compete equally for your attention.

It’s fairly clear that this a kitchen that was classically trained but it is also one that understands elegance and refinement. The balanced and appealing set menus all make great use of the finest produce from nearby countries, be it lobster from Brittany used for the pithivier or Sicilian red prawns served with aged Kaluga caviar. The best local ingredients are also showcased and these include line-caught lampuki which here comes with dill and smoked cream. From the delicate canapés that kick off proceedings to the exquisite desserts, this is food that tastes as good as it looks.

And it’s not just the cooking and the setting that make ION – The Harbour such a special place. The service also ensures you feel truly looked after – it’s attentive and detailed but never overbearing or starchy. Similarly, the wine service is helpful, engaging and enthusiastic and the wine list itself offers plenty of depth, which includes an interesting selection by the glass.

Read the full article: https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/michelin-guide-malta-ion—the-harbour-valletta?fbclid=IwAR3Knx0YRhMVYU9TRcE1edUyXvzaot0drbn9RoSXYfnLj8uQCxy8UgPZp_8

Respected local architecture firm Archi+ has released the first photos from a project it worked on, establishing Malta’s first branch of the well-known multinational ibis hotel chain.

The project was worked on in collaboration with Archi+ partner construction firm Elbros.

Delving into the design process, the architecture firm. which worked as Design Consultant on the project, reflects that while the architectural shell was set, it was briefed to work alongside ibis’s “proven guidelines and standards to ensure that the hotel’s interiors are “perfectly functional” and “elevated with a confident design aesthetic.”

This aesthetic was largely informed by the rugged textures and warm colour palette of natural Maltese landscapes, Archi+ reflects, with exposed off shutter concrete.

Additionally, steel mesh furniture was softened with the use of arched elements and a recurring prickly pear theme, achieving an interior space that acknowledges the sensibilities of the tourism sector whilst retaining a “strong design narrative.”

This will be the first time the economy hotel chain has come to Malta, although its parent company, Accor, does already have a presence on the island’s shores, with its Mercure St Julain’s establishment.

Additionally, in mid-2020 it was reported that the group had signed an agreement with local Stivala Group to develop a new hotel in Sliema, although this does not yet seem to have materialised.

Ibis is one of the world’s leading hotel brands, with 2043 hotels worldwide, across all six inhabited continents.

Article credits: https://whoswho.mt/en/archi-gives-glimpses-of-project-bringing-first-ibis-to-malta-s-shores

This time our journey takes us to the Old Capital City, Mdina aka The Silent City. A place so magical and quiet, that one might think they’re in a fairytale!

Here we met up with Justin Zammit Tabona the Managing Director of Xara Collection. Justin explains to us the timeless story of the Xara Palace hotel, part of the Relais Chateaux brand and its formidable De Mondion 1* Michelin star restaurant on the hotel’s rooftop terrace.

This quaint hotel has been run by the family for a number of years now and is part of a larger collection of businesses operating within the hospitality industry.

This week we visited Kurt Micallef at the soon to be completed Mercure St Julian’s Malta.

Bang in the heart of St Julian’s with stunning bay views, this brand new property will host 113 rooms and will be a great new addition to the 4* hotels in the area enhancing the amount of beds of quality for upcoming groups. We look forward to the hotel opening this September 2020!

We are pleased to share the exciting news that the Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa will be reopening today,
the 1st of September. With this, we would like to update you on the steps they have taken in order to meet the new health and safety challenges presented by COVID-19.
As part of our housekeeping operations, they have a comprehensive set of cleaning protocols that are
designed to address a broad spectrum of viruses, including COVID-19, and include everything from
hand washing hygiene and cleaning product specifications, to guest room and common area cleaning
procedures.

Below are some of the measures they have in place:

• Implemented guidelines on chemicals and equipment to be used that are effective against
  viruses.
• Increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection at high-volume areas and regularly
  touched surfaces. These include the counter at front desk, elevators, public bathrooms and
  room keys.
• Cleaning and disinfecting protocols are in place to sanitize rooms after guests depart and
  before next guest arrives.
• Increased frequency of cleaning in the ‘Back of House’, where hotel employees work behind
  the scenes.
• Increased associate health, safety and knowledge efforts, including hand hygiene protocols
  and specific COVID-19 related trainings.
• Introduced measures to minimize contact and reinforce social distancing.

Marriot Malta recognise that the COVID-19 virus has required all of us to be more thoughtful as we go about our daily activities. The staff would like to assure all it’s guests, that providing a safe and clean environment at the hotel, is their utmost priority.

Well done Marriot Malta, we look forward to working with you again soon!

The Cavallieri Art Hotel lit up over forty rooms as a sign of gratitude to all frontliners during these trying times.

“This too shall pass, brighter days await us, and we will stand up again,” the hotel’s general manager Mark Camilleri said.

HOPE is what we all live for – an optimistic state of mind for the future. We look forward to buzzing with energy, health and super events in the very near future.. till then #KEEPSAFE!

Following an extensive €30m refurbishment and renovation, the Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa has started to welcome its guests on Monday, 13th January 2020.

The contemporary-designed hotel overlooking the picturesque surroundings of Balluta Bay, St Julian’s has 301 totally renovated rooms and suites — including 25 new Club rooms, suites and a 150 sqm presidential suite with views of the iconic bay — as well a complete transformation of its restaurants & bars, leisure and conference facilities. In addition, the hotel will be introducing the state-of-the-art M Club, a 200 sqm executive lounge on the 13th floor giving guests the best views in town.

The hotel’s British designers RPW, one of the world’s leading interior design companies have acknowledged elements of traditional Maltese craft in a modern way, combining beautiful interiors with functionality, offering enriching experiences and sophisticated spaces.