65% occupancy rate for first year of Hilton Malta

by Franco Aloisio

The new Hilton Malta will spearhead the country's new business image for the future, Ken McLaren, the general manager of the hotel said in an interview with The Malta Business Weekly.

"The new Hilton suits Malta's aspirations for a new type of business development for the island. Malta wants to change the way it does business and the Hilton is one way of doing this," Mr McLaren said.

The Hilton Malta is expected to open in March 2000, after a soft opening in February. The first guests are expected to be welcomed immediately after the hotel opens. Mr McLaren said that in its first year of operation, the Hilton is expected to have an occupancy rate of 65 per cent.

"This is a very encouraging figure, especially when one considers that the hotel would be in its first year. However the following year, we will be up and running and competing with the other five-star hotels," Mr McLaren said.

Hilton's director of sales and marketing, Mario de Celis, said that the rate of the hotel rooms bookings is very encouraging. The Hilton will be hosting a substantial number of conference participants as soon as it opens for business. In fact, the Hilton, together with other hotels, will be hosting over 1,000 participants of the IBM conference.

"Tour operators have been in contact with us over these last months and their response has been very positive. We will be focusing on business and incentive groups together with conference-related activities," said Mr de Celis.

Once open, the new Hilton will still be surrounded by the various other developments of the Portomaso project. Mr de Celis explained that certain rooms, especially those facing the marina, will have their price reduced due to the inconveniences of the building site in that area.

"However, with such a huge development, no one can expect that all the various projects incorporated in Portomaso can be completed together," said Mr McLaren.

Work on site is at a very advanced stage, with the construction phase practically over. The rooms are stylishly furnished in line with Hilton international standards while also taking into consideration Malta's Mediterranean features. Situated in a 127,000 square metre waterfront development, Portomaso, the Hilton Malta will have 215 luxurious guest bedrooms, 60 executive rooms, 16 suites, one presidential suite and two rooms specially equipped for the physically challenged.

All guest accommodation will have individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, a balcony or terrace with a sea view and the yacht marina, direct dial telephone plus PC and fax connections, colour television sets with cable reception and a video movie service, radio, mini bar, a hairdryer and a safe.

The new Hilton will have a range of restaurants such as the Oceana Restaurant and Terrace which will offer a new concept in dining. Moreover the hotel will house the renowned Thai speciality restaurant, The Blue Elephant. The Bottega Del Vino, the Aqua Bar and Gazebo restaurant, the Lobby Lounge bar, Quarter Deck bar and the Merkanti Beach Club bar and restaurant complete the picture.

In-house conference facilities include a meeting room that will accommodate up to 600 delegates and six syndicate rooms. Meeting facilities at the hotel will feature Hilton International's Meeting 2000 concept. A purpose-built convention centre, located in the tower block, will seat more than 1,500 delegates.

Recreational facilities will include a private rocky beach, four swimming pools, a diving water sports centre and a floodlit tennis court. The hotel will have also its underground parking.

A key feature of Portomaso will be the three-basin yacht marina, which can be viewed from the hotel. 100 yachts will be able to berth at the yacht marina