Celebrating World Tourism Day

“Thanks to tourism, millions of people from different cultures are being brought together around the World like never before. This interaction between people of different backgrounds and ways of life represents an enormous opportunity to advance tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding.”

- UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai

Hosting guests from around the World and operating with personnel from 23 different countries, the Grand Hotel Excelsior believes in finding unity in diversity. To celebrate this day the Grand Hotel Excelsior’s Lobby will be transformed into a little global community embracing music, food, drinks and art from around the World, from the collection of Dame Francoise Tempra.

The Harbour View Bar will serve typical cocktails from around the globe, whilst Le Grand Spa Malta will be having special packages on treatments originated in different cultures.

In the evening, an International Buffet will be held at the Admiral’s landing featuring cuisines from Latin America, Asia, Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Activities in the Lobby are free of charge whilst the International Buffet is at 33 Euro per person.

For more information kindly visit this Luxury Malta Hotel's website.

A Toast to China and its People at the Grand Hotel Excelsior

VALLETTA, MALTA, August 2011 - Expressing either joy or sorrow, and present in many of China’s legends, alcohol plays a very important role in Chinese culture. Be it the Spring Festival, the Double Ninth Festival, weddings, birthdays or the 100th day following the birth of a baby, wines and spirits are always used to honour the ceremony.

To celebrate the friendship that the Maltese enjoy with the Chinese People, the Grand Hotel Excelsior had the pleasure to invite the Ambassador of China to Mata, His Excellency, Mr Zhang Keyuan, and the staff at the Chinese Embassy, to a discussion on European alcoholic drinks and cocktails as well as customs and etiquette acknowledged whilst drinking in our Continent.

The Ambassador thanked Excelsior Bars Manager Paul Cassar and his assistant David Mc Keon, who conducted the discussion together, and promised to be back to the Hotel to exchange more interesting facts about the two cultures.

If you’re planning your next holiday to Malta stay updated with top Malta events taking place at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.

Don’t miss out on an excursion to The Silent City

Mdina is one of the few great architectural treats in Malta that did not result from the activities of the Knights of Malta. The oldest city on the island, going back to prehistoric times, the word Mdina derives from the Arabic word ‘medina’ which means ‘city’. Mdina was fortified in medieval times, but its protection in early times must have been its high location on a rocky crag. It is certain that either during the Byzantine or during the Arab occupation of Malta, the fortifications were retracted to the present proportions, perhaps for better defensibility. It is during this time, when the city was referred to as the ‘medina’, that Mdina got its name. The Arab legacy continued even though the Arabs were officially expelled from Malta in 1250 when the Maltese Islands were under Christian rule. Thus the name ‘Mdina’ survived even though the City was referred to as ‘Civitas’ (city in Latin) or ‘Citta Notabile’.

It may be on most postcards and is a must in all the painters’ portfolio, yet the sight of Mdina as you are driving up to Rabat is a view that does not fail to amaze every time. Standing proudly on one of Malta’s highest promontories, the old capital looks like a medieval walled city straight out of a fairy tale. It is an inspiring view; a city that hundreds of years after it was built still commands respect, awe, and curiosity about its tales. And what tales, innumerable and long-winding given the city’s long history. The fortress city, which acted as Malta’s capital city before Valletta was built, once extended to the adjoining town of Rabat. Yet the fortified city was subsequently downsized in order to defend it more effectively.

Once past the deep moat, nowadays a public garden, and inside the city’s walls, cobbled streets are lined with immaculately preserved noble houses, private chapels, palazzi, and cathedrals.

The streets are narrow and winding, and walking along them feels like trying to find your way out of a warren; a feeling which adds to the element of surprise at finding large squares. Silence pervades, and is the perfect accompaniment to a walk on the bastions, and a pause to take in the view of most of Malta stretching out to the sea.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior offers a great opportunity to discover the beauty of Malta & Gozo with Our Executive Chauffeur driven service. 

Check Out Our North of Malta Tour:

Price for 2 to 4 persons: 120 Euro, or

Price for 5 to 6 persons: 150 Euro.

Should you wish to experience one of Our Special Malta Tours kindly contact our chauffeur driven service on: +356 2125 0520 or concierge@excelsior.com.mt.

Tiki Bar and Restaurant Malta

Tiki... the place to be this Summer...

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September Exclusive Offer

Enjoy the remaining month of the Summer Season in elegance and luxury at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.

Benefit from Our September Exclusive Offer available only when booking through Our Official Website...

• Book A Deluxe Inland Room on Bed & Breakfast Basis and get a FREE Upgrade to a Deluxe Partial Sea View Room.
• 10% Off on bookings of 3 nights
• 15% Off on bookings of 4 nights or more.

Rates start from 155 Euro per room per night.

For more information kindly visit this Superior Malta Hotel's Website.

Meet the Landscaping Manager at this Luxury Malta Hotel

Celestino and His Olive Trees

One look at our landscaping manager and his genuine smile leaves no doubt about his passion for Excelsior Hotel’s trees, plants and flowers. Celestino is especially fond of the olive trees which are everywhere around the hotel.

Olive trees are among the oldest known cultivated trees in the world. Genetic and archaeological studies indicate that the original center of olive cultivation was Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus and Crete.

The Jewish people knew about the olive tree thousands of years ago. In the Hebrew culture, the olive tree symbolized peace and happiness.

Olive tree cultivation was spread to Greece or North Africa to Italy and to other Mediterranean countries around 600 B.C. The olive tree was probably introduced to Spain by the Greeks, the Romans and the Arabs.

The olive tree is of great historic importance. It played an important role in areas such as diet, religion, and the decoration of pottery, of walls and of gold pieces of art. It also constituted the symbol for peace, wisdom and victory. The crowning wreaths for the winners of the Olympic games were made of a wild olive branch (Kotinos).

The therapeutic properties of the olive oil were known to Hippocrates, the father of medicine. The consumption of a spoonful of oil was common practice for many people and still is for some, despite the advancement of pharmacology.

During your holiday in Malta, if you need to know more about how we take care of our olive trees, please ask Our Front Office team to contact our colleague Celestino and he will be more than happy to explain further.

Luxury Weekend Break at the Grand Hotel Excelsior

The summer is in full bloom and the Grand Hotel Excelsior wishes to give you the opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime. When you're ready for something special Our Hotel is ready to welcome you with our Summer special offers.

Contact us on 21250520 or reservations@excelsior.com.mt

Maharlika at Le Grand Spa Malta

Le Grand Spa at the Grand Hotel Excelsior provides an island of calm in a hectic world.

We realize time is precious and life stressful; our aim is to ensure that you make the most of your time and reap the rewards of relaxation and restoration. Our collection of therapies has been inspired by nature and incorporates a variety of cultural touches from around the world.

Inherited from Philippine ancestors and used for Royal pampering, our unique signature Maharlika therapy uses a fusion of healing touch and ancient massage traditions to ensure physiological and mental wellbeing. It assists with relieving physical imbalance, improves blood circulation, eliminates toxins and stimulates the energy flow throughout the Body.

Every therapist has been trained by holistic spa ‘guru’ Victor Quemuel who has developed the wonderful art of Maharlika therapy.

Le Grand Spa Signature Maharlika Thread Peeling Facial: 90 minutes, 120 Euro

Le Grand Spa Signature Maharlika Foot Ritual: 45 minutes, 50 Euro

Le Grand Spa Signature Maharlika Pedicure: 90 minutes, 50 Euro

Le Grand Spa Maharlika Manicure: 90 minutes, 45 Euro

*Le Grand Spa Signature Maharlika Massage: 90 minutes, 120 Euro

Should you wish to book a massage or treatment at one of the Top Malta Spas contact us on +356 2319 2115 or spa@excelsior.com.mt.

Maltese Islands Celebrate Santa Marija

On Monday 15th August, the Maltese Islands celebrate the feast of Santa Marija Assumption. In the light of this religious celebration Mosta, Attard, Qrendi, Gudja, Ghaxaq and Victoria, Gozo organize spectacular feasts.

The day also commemorates the arrival of what is historically known as the Santa Marija convoy. Operation Pedestal was a British convoy of 15 merchant ships that barely made it to Malta with food, ammunition and provisions in August 1942 during the World War II. The arrival of the convoy was deemed miraculous after other convoys in previous months which had attempted to reach the island were sunk after they were bombed by the Axis of Germany and Italy.

The feast is also synonymous with a period of rest, with thousands of workers enjoying the annual shut-down and crossing over between Malta and Gozo.

Should you wish to visit one of the villages and towns celebrating this feast, please contact Josette or Chris at our Chauffeur Driven Service Office of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta and they will ensure you are taken to your destination of fun, intrigue and colours.

Chef's Recipe of the Month - August 2011

Succulent peaches, nectarines and apricots.

From jam to ice-cream life is certainly looking peachy.

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Experience our renowned and delicious food at one of the top Malta Restaurants. Should you wish to reserve a table at one of our restaurants contact our Food & Beverage Team on food.beverage@excelsior.com.mt or on 00356 21250520.