Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has announced an agreement with Bajja Investments, Ltd. to manage a new five-star hotel in Balluta Bay, Malta. Currently under construction, the 282 room Le Méridien St Julians, will open in Summer 2004. Le Méridien currently owns and manages the landmark Le Méridien Phoenicia, located outside Malta`s ancient city of Valetta. The addition of the new hotel will bring Le Méridien`s total number of rooms in Malta to 418.

Le Méridien St. Julians is being built on the grounds of the historic Villa Cassar Torregiani, in the heart of the beautiful St Julian`s promenade on the waterfront of Balluta Bay. The villa itself, built in the late 1800`s, is undergoing complete refurbishment into five lavish suites decorated in Le Méridien`s signature Art + Tech design concept, each with magnificent outdoor terraces or balconies overlooking the bay. The main hotel, being built adjacent to the villa, will feature a stunning façade of balconies and terraces for all rooms, drawing from the distinctive architecture of the surrounding area.

All of the main hotel`s rooms will have sea views or country views of the valley behind. The large (36-40 sq metres/ 370-430 sq feet) interiors will feature en-suite bathroom facilities including bath, power shower cubicles and separate water closets. In addition to the five villa suites, an additional eleven Art + Tech rooms will feature a full range of the design`s elements, flat screen plasma TVs with laptop connectivity, original Maltese artwork and glass walled bathrooms with shower and steam cubicles.

Le Méridien St. Julians will also feature a conference centre with 1,600 sq metres /17,000 sq feet of meeting and exhibition space, accommodating eight to 315 delegates. The conference centre will offer 15 meeting rooms including a 130 fixed seat amphitheatre with space for individual desks. A fully equipped business centre off the hotel lobby will feature private IT booths for individual client meetings.
A contemporary Mediterranean brasserie with a menu created by Two Star Michelin Chef Michel Rostang will offer contemporary cuisine featuring Italian, Greek, Spanish, Moroccan, Lebanese, Provencal and Maltese flavours, with a distinctive French flair.

Rostang is also developing a simple menu for the hotel`s Champagne Lounge, a gathering spot that will offer stunning sea views from the lobby, three floors above street level. Guests will be able to drink or dine in a sophisticated indoor atmosphere or on outdoor terraces overlooking Balluta Bay.
Guests of the Villa will enjoy exclusive, residents-only dining on the terrace café, with a special menu created by Rostang and based on individual dining requirements. Rostang will also conceive the menu for the hotel`s top floor pool deck bar and restaurant, which will feature light sandwiches, salads and simple fish and meat grills - all to be enjoyed against a backdrop of panoramic views of the island`s coastline.
Le Méridien St Julians` atrium style leisure and spa centre, surrounded in natural light and lush flora, will feature pools, steam and sauna rooms, gymnasium, exercise studio, squash court and beauty treatment rooms.

Malcolm Ross, Le Méridien`s Regional Managing Director, Europe, commented, “Ideally located on the waterfront of St. Julian`s promenade, within minutes from all the major attractions of Sliema and Spinola Bay, Le Méridien St. Julians will offer individual guests an excellent alternative to the St. George`s Bay hotels. The combination of the classic 18th century villa renovated with the most modern interior facilities will be a unique attraction in Malta, perfect for accommodating the hosts of important conferences attracted to the hotel`s excellent meeting facilities.”
Vincent Camilleri and Charles Polidano, Directors of Bajja Investments Ltd., added, “We are extremely proud of this development, and as owners, very focused on bringing a high level of quality to this famous Maltese landmark. We are delighted that we have secured the services of Le Meridien whose well-known reputation for high standards of service and track record of performance will deliver this quality in serving the hotel`s high-end clientele.”
Other facilities at Le Meridien St. Julians will include retail shops, children`s play area and two floors of underground parking for 170 cars.
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