Last night we spent an enchanting evening at Phoenicia Malta – the ideal setting for unforgettable moments. A big thanks to the exceptional team for their warm hospitality! Here’s to cherished conversations about business, current affairs, and building stronger connections.
The new Malta Marriot outdoor poolPerched atop the 5-star Rosselli AX Privilege boutique hotel on Merchants Street, Valletta, the newly launched Over Grain is set to redefine the rooftop dining experience in the capital with its innovative seafood concept. Boasting sweeping views over Valletta, this open-air lounge offers a stylish atmosphere that combines golden sunsets, relaxing lounge music and delectable cuisine, bringing a fresh perspective to seafood dining, where every dish is a sensation for the senses.
At Over Grain, seafood takes centre stage, reinventing classic staples and challenging culinary expectations. Led by the Michelin-awarded kitchen brigade behind Under Grain, Executive Chef Victor Borg crafts a menu of small plates, platters and mains that showcase succulent oysters, mouth-watering shellfish and delicately prepared caviar. The surprising star of the menu is the lobster burger, a unique twist on a beloved classic. This unexpected combination breaks stereotypes, offering a sophisticated take on the burger tradition.
Over Grain has also established itself as a premier cocktail bar, earning a reputation as one of the finest in the capital. Indulge in a handpicked collection of premium wines and champagnes, expertly curated to complement the bold and fresh flavours of the seafood-focused menu. In addition, the bar offers a range of cocktails. Sip on exquisite liquid refreshments while enjoying a playlist of chill-out music that sets the mood for an evening of relaxation and indulgence.
The rooftop setting in the heart of Merchants Street provides an enchanting backdrop, adding a touch of magic to the dining experience. As the sun sets over Valletta, patrons can bask in the panoramic views. From this vantage point, it’s easy to spot the graceful cupola of the nearby Church of the Jesuits, rooftops of historic townhouses and palazzos that have graced Valletta for centuries and take in the harbour that stretches towards the sea. This rooftop ambience sets the stage for a serene atmosphere, making it the perfect choice for romantic evenings or celebratory gatherings.
As part of the Grain Restaurants family, Over Grain upholds a reputation for exceptional service and attention to detail. The knowledgeable staff ensures that every guest is treated to a memorable time, from the moment they step through the door until the last bite or sip. The inviting and sophisticated ambience, coupled with live music on Thursdays and Saturdays, elevates the overall atmosphere, creating an unrivalled dining destination in Valletta.
Over Grain opens its doors from Wednesday to Saturday, welcoming guests from 7.30 pm until 12.30 am. Guests have the freedom to choose between a complete dining experience or drinks at the bar. Food orders can be placed until 10.00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and until 10.30 pm on Friday and Saturday, ensuring ample time to savour the culinary delights over sensational views.
Article credits: https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/gourmet/restaurants/123915/over_grain_seafood_sensations_with_a_view_at_vallettas_new_rooftop_lounge
Mercury Towers to open in September 2023 and be fully operational by Q1 2024The first lifestyle franchise of its kind locally, ME Malta Hotel will be housed within a second 20- floor building that flanks a public square. It follows the recent opening of ME Dubai, an iconic architectural wonder also designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
The entire project is being undertaken by Mercury Towers Ltd – owned by Gozitan developer Joseph Portelli – and promises ongoing improvements to the urban fabric of the area, and an introduction of inclusive, family oriented amenities.
Lifestyle destination project Mercury Towers will open its doors in September 2023, marking the first phase within a six month launch period which will see it go fully operational by the first quarter of 2024.
Designed by one of the world’s most prolific architects of her time, the late Zaha Hadid, the St Julian’s development consists of the restored Grade II listed Mercury House, accompanied by a 33-floor residential tower – Malta’s tallest to date – and the luxe five-star ME Malta Hotel by Meliá.
A company statement said that “the area is witnessing a gradual transformation, making it more welcoming for both residents and visitors”.
“During its inaugural phase, commencing in 2023, Mercury Towers will re-invent Malta’s retail landscape through a curated mix of over 80 multi-category lifestyle brands, setting a new benchmark in choice for the local consumer.”
It was also shared that the project’s portfolio of food and beverage concepts are highly diverse, as renowned international franchises and local artisan delights are poised to reinforce “Malta’s position as a premium foodie destination for the global traveller”.
Offering an experience that cannot be found anywhere else on the island, this curated mix responds to a growing appetite for delectable food and innovative experiential dining.
Mercury Towers will also introduce “cutting edge entertainment” to complement shopping and dining, such as “adrenaline-fueled activities” and “fully immersive, technology-driven performances”. More detail on this will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Once fully operational in Q1 of 2024, Mercury Towers promises to evolve into a vibrant new quarter encompassing accommodation, shopping, dining, entertainment, residential and wellness facilities, setting new standards for local industry.
Anchored in art, design, innovation, and community-led activity, Mercury Towers aspires to become a new cultural hub, curating lifestyle experiences which serve to inspire thought, and a sense of place. With 4,000 square meters of open public spaces, Mercury Towers has repurposed a once-gated space for public use, while paying homage to the futuristic flair of starchitect Zaha Hadid, whose work is characterized by the ever-present curve.
Article credits: https://whoswho.mt/en/mercury-towers-to-open-in-september-2023-and-be-fully-operational-by-q1-2024
New Hyatt set to open in Swieqi
A new hotel within the Hyatt franchise is set to open in Swieqi in the final quarter of 2024, just across the road from the existing Hyatt Regency in St Julian’s.
The hotel will be operated under the Hyatt Centric brand. It is situated on Santu Wistin Street, Swieqi. It will feature 187 hotel rooms, spread over nine floors, of which 27 rooms are interconnected, a spa, indoor and outdoor pool facilities on the 10th floor, a restaurant and lounge.
The new hotel will take the place of two adjacent villas, Sans Souci and Rocheville, which the company bought for €9.25 million apiece in 2022, having a combined superficial area of 996 sqm.
The announcement was made by Juel Group, which is the parent company of Juel Hospitality, a company incorporated with the purpose of owning and managing the hotel.
In its prospectus for a €32 million bond issue, Juel Hospitality said it believes that the hotel, once constructed, “shall be a strong contender in the local hospitality market”, noting that “the location of the hotel is largely popular with tourists given the availability of restaurants, beaches, and nightlife in close proximity”.
By 2027, the hotel is expected to generate gross operating profit per available room (GOPAR) of €22,000, according to the company, which added that the core management team has yet to be employed given the time left until construction is completed.
Read the full article here: https://whoswho.mt/en/new-hyatt-set-to-open-in-swieqi
Barceló Hotel Group to open luxury five-star hotel in MaltaBarceló Hotel Group, a renowned hotel chain, has announced its entry into the Maltese market with the management of the Barceló Fortina Malta hotel after the group signed an agreement with Fortina Investments Limited.
Set to reopen its doors in September 2023, the Barceló Fortina Malta is a fully refurbished and transformed 5-star hotel located in the central town of Sliema.
Positioned on the south-facing Sliema seafront, the hotel offers breathtaking unobstructed views of the fortified capital city, Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning architecture.
José Canals, the Regional Director of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asia at Barceló Hotel Group, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Fortina Investments Limited, highlighting the group’s extensive experience in managing urban beach hotels worldwide.
Canals emphasised Malta’s significance as a tourism destination and mentioned that the new hotel would contribute to the company’s growing portfolio in the Mediterranean.
Edward Zammit Tabona, CEO of Fortina Investments Limited, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing the hotel chain’s reputation for managing luxury properties.
He stated that Barceló Hotel Group’s high service standards and extensive commercial network would help establish Barceló Fortina Malta as a leading luxury hotel on the island.
The Barceló Fortina Malta has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and expansion, transforming it into a modern five-star establishment with 183 rooms. The majority of the rooms offer views of both the Mediterranean Sea and Valletta.
The hotel’s facilities include a wellness space with a spa, a gym, and an indoor heated pool. A newly constructed lido features two restaurants and a relaxing bar.
Additionally, the hotel boasts fully equipped bars and restaurants within its premises. An open plaza accessible to the general public surrounds the hotel, which is located within walking distance of Malta’s largest shopping mall.
For business travelers, Barceló Fortina Malta offers a fully equipped conference area capable of accommodating 250 people, along with four meeting rooms suitable for various events.
Article credits: https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/business/business_news/123386/barcel_hotel_group_to_open_luxury_fivestar_hotel_in_malta
Major UK online news portal, The Telegraph, has named The Phoenicia Malta amongst the top 30 ‘grande dame’ hotels in the world. The newspaper defines the title of ‘grande dame’ as hotels “whose walls have stories to tell and secrets to keep.”
Some of the hotels which made this list include: The Plaza, New York, The Savoy, London, Le Bristol, Paris, Hassler, Rome, Imperial Hotel, Tokyo and Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio De Janeiro.
The Telegraph calls these hotels “historic” and “full of dignity,” which give a “sense of importance” as “privileged bastions of good living that represent permanence, unruffled by the world outside.” Most of these hotels date back to between the late-19th century and the 1920s.
When it was time for The Phoenicia Malta to be in the limelight, The Telegraph described the hotel as having “an attractively simple layout,” with its “elegant Palm Court leading through the original glass doors to the Phoenix restaurant and its lovely, elevated terrace overlooking lush gardens.”
The hotel’s history was also delved into, with its origins dating back to the 1930s when it was built by Lord Strickland, first Baron Strickland and Malta’s fourth Prime Minister. The hotel’s building was refurbished in 2017 and includes two wings that house 137 bedrooms and suites, many with balconies.
Phoenicia’s “clubby cocktail bar” received a mention, detailing how its walls are decorated with photographs of past guests that include Noel Coward and Winston Churcill and the “art deco ballroom,” where Queen Elizabeth the second and Prince Philip “used to enjoy dancing when they lived in Malta in the 1950s.”
Article credits: https://whoswho.mt/en/company-profiles-in-malta-v-c-group-committed-to-providing-quality-cost-effective-and-timely-projects
AC Hotels by Marriott announces the opening of its first hotel in MaltaInternational hospitality brand AC Hotels by Marriott has announced the opening of its first hotel in Malta, AC Hotel by Marriott St Julian’s. The hotel is located close to St George’s Bay, Bay Street shopping complex and other entertainment hubs that populate that area.
The new “lifestyle hotel”, designed by Italian-based architecture and design association Fabris & Partners, was described as retaining a Maltese colour scheme throughout the public spaces and guestrooms, a palette that “took inspiration from the natural and urban environment around the hotel.” The hotel offers 106 contemporary guestrooms and suites.
Matthew Boettcher, Vice President and Global Brand Leader said that the company is “delighted to be bringing AC Hotels’ design-driven guest experience to Malta. The hotel marks Marriott Bonvoy’s third property in this vibrant Mediterranean island destination.”
AC Lounge, located on the rooftop terrace overlooking the St Julian’s skyline, will feature a menu with “cocktail and European tapas.” Other facilities include a heated outdoor rooftop pool, an indoor pool, a meeting space with seating for up to 40 people, and a gym.
Read full article: https://whoswho.mt/en/ac-hotels-by-marriott-announces-the-opening-of-its-first-hotel-in-malta
Renowned Chef Francesco Mazzei to serve up Italian classics at Villa Corinthia
Corinthia Hotels Limited on Monday announced that Villa Corinthia, the restaurant at Corinthia Palace in Attard, will be taken over by renowned Italian Chef Francesco Mazzei in June.
The culinary expert will be bringing a taste of Southern Italy to the restaurant up until autumn, serving a menu of some Italian classics together with a number of signature favourites.
The announcement comes just a few weeks after the restaurant closed for refurbishment, and is set to reopen at the start of June.
Mr Mazzei was brought up with a deep-rooted passion for food, being a regular presence in the family kitchen. His first experience in the culinary world was when he worked at his uncle’s gelateria where he mastered Italian cakes and gelato by the age of nine, before taking on his first chef role at the age of 14. Over the years, he has been recognised as “one of the great Italian chefs”, having worked in five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, Asia, the United States, and the Middle East.
Commenting on the news, Mr Mazzei said: “Spending time in Malta has been a goal of mine for several years, given its rich history and proximity to Italy.” “Partnering with the iconic Corinthia Palace is a very exciting project,” he added.
The menu will contain a selection of “colourful antipasti, a fritto misto featuring seafood and seasonal vegetables from the Maltese shores and soil, and a show-stopping Orecchia di elefante”. The dishes will be rooted in Italian tradition and flavours, yet Mr Mazzei and his team will also draw inspiration from local seasonal produce to create a “memorable and modern dining experience”, Corinthia Palace’s management remarked.
Corinthia Palace first started out as a restaurant, opened in 1962, in a century-old restored country villa. The hotel was constructed in the villa’s gardens just some years later, and was inaugurated as Corinthia Hotels Limited’s first hotel in 1968. The hotel contains 147 rooms, and boasts dining, meetings and spa facilities to complement its accommodation offering.
