Where to Go in Malta - The Barrakka Lift in Valletta

History of Malta
Macartney, McElroy & Co. Ltd., an engineering company specializing in electric tramway systems, constructed the Upper Barrakka Gardens lift, which opened in September 1905.

Macartney, McElroy & Co. Ltd. also laid down tramlines in Malta in 1904. The tramlines linked the Three Cities and Rabat to Valletta, via Floriana, Hamrun, Birkirkara, Attard and Zebbug.

John Francis Macartney died on the 15th February 1913, aged 44 years. He had been the principal shareholder and managing director of Macartney, McElroy & Co. Ltd. This company designed and constructed the Malta Electric Tramway system in 1904, followed by the Barrakka Electric Lift. Upon his death, the management of the company passed to his son J.F. Macartney. Apart from Malta, the company ran tramways in more than twenty British cities, as well as North and South America and South Africa.

Opened to the public in September 1905, at a cost of £5,000, the Barrakka lift connected Lascaris Wharf (Old Customs House) with Upper Barrakka Gardens offering a shorter and quicker route.

The lift incorporated two cabins each capable of carrying 12 passengers. It rose through 75 tonnes of steelwork vertically 167feet 7inches, with the winding gear housed in a turret even higher at 197feet (60m), to a lateral bridge, extending some 23feet out from the bastion gardens.

Other than a shutdown from October 1917 to June 1919, due to unavailability of spares and coal to generate electricity, the lift would see daily use until 9pm on 2nd February 1973. However, following the

privatisation of the dockyard in 1958 along with the withdrawal of British servicemen in the 1960s, its main source of income, revenue, was insufficient to meet the wages of the six employees and the closure became inevitable.

Malta Attractions
Efforts by the Government to find a company to run yet another Maltese unique and historic transport system were unsuccessful and after lying idle for ten years the lift was dismantled in August 1983. In March 2009 the government submitted a planning application for the construction of the lift. The full development permit was granted in September 2010. The €2.5 million project, mostly funded by the EU, brings back a century-old link between Valletta and Grand Harbour.

The 58m high lift has two passenger cabins with a total capacity of 21 passengers and is able to carry up to 800 people per hour. Its concrete structure is covered with a honey-coloured aluminium mesh to blend in with the fortifications which have been restored.

In order to safeguard the newly-restored bastions, the lift is freestanding so as not to damage the fortifications.

For more information on Things to do in Malta during your holidays contact the dedicated team at one of the Luxury Malta Hotels and they will assist you in having enjoyable short breaks in Malta.

Malta Events - Valletta International Piano Festival 2013

If you will be visiting Malta between the 2nd and 10th February for the Valletta International Piano Festival there is no better place to stay than at a superior five star Malta Hotel on the doorstep of Valletta. A lot of events will be taking place during these dates as the Maltese Islands, and especially Valletta will also be celebrating Carnival. Besides during this weekend the Grand Hotel Excelsior will also be celebrating the Chinese New Year 2013.

On the occasion of the Valletta International Piano Festival the Grand Hotel Excelsior has come up with an attractive package.

The Piano Festival Package includes:

• Welcome drink upon arrival,
• Daily buffet breakfast,
• An automatic upgrade from a Deluxe Inland Room to a Deluxe Partial Sea View Room,
• One pass per person booked to the ‘His Majesty Grand Piano’ Concert on the 9th February taking place at the Grand Hotel Excelsior at 8.30pm,
• Use of our Leisure facilities during your stay and
• Free Parking (subject to availability).

Package price is at 190 Euro for two person sharing a Deluxe Partial Sea View Room. Above package is for the night of the 9th February.

View the Piano Festival Malta Offer.

Should you require any further information kindly visit this Luxury Malta Hotel's website or contact Our Reservations Team on reservations@excelsior.com.mt.

Valletta International Baroque Festival 2013

The first edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival will take place between the 9th and 26th of January 2013, to celebrate the baroque identity of our truly special capital city, Valletta.

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Would you like to enjoy a special Malta holiday deal during this Festival at a superior five star hotel on the doorstep of Valletta?

Book by the 31st December and get a 25% off the Bed and Breakfast Rate. Offer is on fully prepaid and non refundable basis.

Rates start from €49.00 per person per night in a Deluxe Double Inland Room.

For more information about the Festival you may wish to visit: http://www.vallettabaroquefestival.com.mt/.

Should you require further details about the above mentioned offer please feel free to contact this Luxury Malta Hotel on 00356 21250520.

Terms and Conditions Apply.

   Video Courtesy of the Valletta Baroque Festival.

About Malta: Valletta - The Fortress City

Valletta - a fortified city

Valletta owes its existence to the Knights of St John, who planned the city as a refuge to care for injured soldiers and pilgrims during the Crusades in the 16th century. Until the arrival of the Knights, Mount Sceberras, on which Valletta stands, lying between two natural harbours, was an arid tongue of land. No building stood on its bare rocks except for a small watch tower, called St Elmo, at its extreme end. Grand Master La Valette, the gallant hero of the Great Siege of 1565, soon realised that if the Order was to maintain its hold on Malta, it had to provide adequate defences. Therefore, he drew up a plan for a new fortified city on the Sceberras peninsula. Pope Pius V and Philip II of Spain showed interest in the project. They both promised financial aid and the Pope lent the Knights the services of Francesco Laparelli, a military engineer, who drew up the necessary plans for the new city and its defences. Work started in earnest in March 1566 - first on the bastions and, soon after, on the more important buildings. The new city was to be called Valletta in honour of La Valette. The Grand Master didn’t live to see its completion and he died in 1568. His successor, Pietro del Monte continued with the work at the same pace. By 1571, the Knights transferred their quarters from Vittoriosa (Birgu) to their new capital. Architect Laparelli left Malta in 1570. He was replaced by his assistant Gerolamo Cassar, who had spent some months in Rome, where he had observed the new style of buildings in the Italian city. Cassar designed and supervised most of the early buildings, including the Sacra Infermeria, St John’s Church, the Magisterial Palace and the seven Auberges, or Inns of Residence of the Knights.

By the 16th century, Valletta had grown into a sizeable city and people from all parts of the island flocked to live within its safe fortifications especially as Mdina, until then Malta’s capital, lost much of its lure. In the ensuing years, the serious mannerist style of Cassar’s structures gave way to the more lavish palaces and churches with graceful facades and rich sculptural motifs that we see today. The new city, with its strong bastions and deep moats, became a fortification of great strategic importance. Valletta’s street plan is unique and planned with its defence in mind. Based on a more or less uniform grid, some of the streets fall steeply as you get closer to the tip of the peninsula. The stairs in some of the streets do not conform to normal dimensions since they were constructed in a way so as to allow knights in heavy armour to be able to climb the steps.

Fast forward a few centuries and the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen came under another siege; this time in the shape of World War II which brought havoc to Malta. Valletta was badly battered by the bombing, but the city withstood the terrible blow and, within a few years, it rose again. During the postwar years, Valletta lost many of its citizens who moved out to more modern houses in other localities and its population dwindled to 9,000 inhabitants. However, in the last few years many individuals with a flair for unique architecture are trickling back into the city and investing in old properties.

Valletta, the smallest capital of the European Union, is now the island’s major commercial and financial centre and is visited daily by throngs of tourists eager to experience the city’s rich history.

Valletta Attractions

Despite measuring just 900 metres by 630 metres, Valletta boasts over 25 churches, a testament to the centuries-old ingrained Catholic faith of the Maltese. In fact, the first building that went up in the city is the church of Our Lady of Victories along South Street, which commemorates the lifting of the Great Siege. The Co-Cathedral of St John is nothing short of a gem and quite simply a must for any tourist. Described as the first complete example of high Baroque anywhere, it epitomises the spiritual and military role of its patrons. The Cathedral is a showcase to Mattia Preti who intricately carved stone wall designs, as well as the painted vaulted ceiling and side altars with scenes from the life of St John. Among the treasures found in the Cathedral are the unique Caravaggio painting depicting the beheading of St John, the extraordinary paving of more than 300 marble tomb slabs (the burial place of several former European princes), and the splendid vaulted central nave with frescoes of Mattia Preti.

If you’re looking for enjoyable Malta City Breaks, then stay in one of the leading Malta Hotels close to Valletta with its superb attractions, museums, restaurants and shops.

Malta Events - Rolex Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is taking place on the 20th October 2012 and one should not miss the opportunity to make their way down to Malta’s Grand Harbour to witness the start from any of Valletta’s fortifications. This race is a sight worth viewing.

This exceptional race is a highly rated offshore classic and a spectacular event hosting a record of 78 boats in recent years thanks to its Organising Committee who have managed to bring Rolex on board as the title sponsor. This year, in 2012, the Royal Malta Yacht Club is organising the 33rd Edition of this race with 70 participants.

The Middle Sea Race began as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and Jimmy who competitively raced in Malta in the early sixties. Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend Alan Green, set out to map a course designated to offer an exciting and unique race. The resulting course was so inspirational that it is the same used today.

The race is considered to be a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions that they face during the race. The race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. This magnificent race has been recognised all over the world including many prestigious figures such as Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN), who has written that the Middle Sea Race “must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?”

The race begins in Malta and heads for the Straits of Messina before circumnavigating Sicily. The course then goes on to take the racers past the breathtaking islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa before returning to Malta and features Stromboli’s active volcano.

If you wish to stay informed of events taking place in and around Malta check out our Malta events page.

A GRAND TRIP – Enjoyable Malta Holidays.

Ian Murray from Hampshire in England spent a fabulous long weekend staying at Malta’s luxurious Grand Hotel Excelsior. Find out what he has to say about Malta and the Grand Hotel Excelsior!

The great bastion walls that surrounded us were no strangers to loud explosions. Five hundred years ago it had been the invading Turkish army that had sought to batter the walls of the city into submission during The Great Siege of Malta.

The arsenal that was rattling the windows of our balcony hotel room was, mercifully, less lethal, but none the less spectacular. Malta was hosting an International Fireworks Festival, and night after night the skies above Valletta, its Grand Harbour and surrounding sister walled cities, were ablaze with tremendous displays of fire, colour and noise. However, safe as we were, it was still comforting that our hotel, the aptly named Grand Hotel Excelsior, was built into the very bastions created by the Knights of St John to ensure the fleets of their great enemy never captured this outpost of Christianity.

Today The Grand Hotel Excelsior ‘sails’ majestically out from the bastion walls itself. Designed to look like a cruise ship, it skillfully blends the ancient walls with a very modern, yet stylish link to the surrounding sea. And this was more than just a nod to the glamour and comfort of the cruise industry, as we were to discover.

Malta has become extremely easy to reach thanks to new flights with Ryanair from Bournemouth Airport. Thursday morning departures with returns early on Monday morning create the ideal long-weekend break. With flights just under three hours and a 9.45am lift off we were by the hotel pool basking in the warm Maltese sunshine by mid-afternoon. Bliss. The Grand Hotel Excelsior sits on the waterfront facing onto Valletta’s second harbour.

Until four years ago it stood abandoned and run-down – almost impossible to understand for such a beautiful spot.

Bought by Hampshire hotel entrepreneurs the Elliot family, the hotel was restored, re-opened and today stands as one of Malta’s most exclusive venues. With its own yacht marina, spa and indoor pool and fitness complex, the five-star hotel is already world-renowned. The cruise-ship design is not restricted to the exterior of this beautiful building. Throughout the hotel there is a feel of grandeur afloat, from the lobby’s grand staircase modelled on that of the Titanic, to the wide corridors and impressive public rooms where guests mingle with locals and large panoramic windows open onto spectacular waterside views.

The cruise-theme features again with the hotel’s dining experience. Guests to the beautiful dining room experience a different world buffet each evening. And it is to the poolside, of course that the guests gather during the hours of the warm Malta sun. Set against the ancient walls created to defend the city, the pool is also the site of the Tiki bar where attentive staff ensure guests don’t have to lift themselves too far from their recliners to enjoy a drink or snack.

The pool has views of Marsamxett Harbour overlooking Sliema and there is a steady flow of water traffic ambling past.

Indeed, the hotel is one of the points of interest for visitors using the numerous sight-seeing boats that ferry tourists around Valetta’s waterfront. And a waterborne trip is probably the best way to first experience Valletta and its surrounding cities. Staff at the Grand Hotel Excelsior are happy to arrange all manner of excursions and will also provide directions for the short, ten minute walk along the harbour front to where water taxis will speed you across to Sliema where the larger ferries leave. The tour we experienced cost £10 each and over two hours weaved its way close to the city walls of not just Valletta but of its surrounding fortress cities. Valletta may be some 500 years old, but it is a virtual youngster compared with some of its neighbours. A water tour is, we decided, the best way to gather bearings and decide which places of interest to return to at a later date.

For Valetta itself the hotel is based just five minutes stroll from the ancient city gate itself. Once inside, past the striking new Parliament building still under construction, and Valletta tumbles away on all sides. Always down to the water. The city was created by the Knights on a huge outcrop of rock and for five centuries waves of residents bringing their culture and architectural styles have swept through and sometimes stayed. The French and we

British were the last conquerors. The Germans tried during the last World War but failed, the battle bringing Malta its cherished award of a George Cross for bravery for all of its citizens.

Today Britain’s legacy remains in the form of language – just about everyone speaks English – a red pillarbox here, and old British phone box there. The most popular flags you see flying today, however, belong to the island’s many football clubs. Valletta is a marvellous clutter: a gorgeous mixture of old and new, high culture and everyday folk, exclusive shops jostling for position with trendy bars and street cafes. Yet authentic Malta with its lively, friendly people, is everywhere.

At the Grand Hotel Excelsior tired feet and sun-kissed skin can find its rest from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The balcony to our harbour-view room proved just that added oasis of luxury that enabled us to find even more quiet and comfort. And as the evening sun set before us, the lights from across the harbour turning the seafront into a shimmering spectacle, we gave thanks to the Knights of St John for saving the island for us – and Ryanair for making getting there so easy. Bless them all.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable Malta Holiday, then stay in a top Luxury Malta Hotel on the doorstep of Valletta, the capital city of Malta.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta awarded the Expedia Insiders Select 2012

VALLETTA, MALTA, October 2012: After being honoured as a highly rated 5 star property by TripAdvisor reviewers and awarded the Certificate of Excellence 2012, Grand Hotel Excelsior has received another Travel accolade – The Expedia Insiders’ Select 2012.

The Expedia Insiders Select 2012 is an annual award recognizing the very best hotels available in Expedia’s global marketplace, as judged by the experiences of Expedia’s customers. Based on more than 500,000 guest reviews submitted annually by Expedia travelers, only 650 hotels out of 150,000 Expedia properties were designated as the 2012 worldwide award recipients. These properties have been identified by Expedia customers as consistently delivering superior services, an exceptional guest experience and notable value. Insiders’ Select helps travelers make confident decisions when planning their leisure or business trips.

“It is an amazing achievement for Grand Hotel Excelsior to receive a placement on the Insider’s Select List especially when this accolade is being awarded during our 5th year of operation.” said General Manager Mr. Norbert Grixti. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience during their stay in Malta. Being an Expedia Insiders’ Select property is a clear testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence.”

Should you wish to enjoy a relaxing break at a leading Luxury Malta Hotel contact us on info@excelsior.com.mt or on 00356 21250520.

Luxury Malta Hotel - Living up to Grand Expectations.

Click on Image to Enlarge

The Grand Hotel Excelsior, Malta, is a deluxe, 5-star resort situated within the sixteenth century fortifications of Malta’s Capital City, Valletta - a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Excelsior Hotel commands the Island’s premier waterfront location offering breathtaking sea views of Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island.

With over 6 daily flights from the UK, your Malta Luxury Escape at the Grand Hotel Excelsior is only 2.5 hours away.

Book your stay on www.excelsior.com.mt and let your holiday begin.

Maltese Traditions - The History of the Regatta

The 8th September is known as Victory Day in Malta. It’s a catch-all day because this particular public holiday has several roots, not one clear-cut raison d’etre for celebration: it marks the end of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 and the end of French occupation on Malta in 1800, as well as the armistice of the Fascist regime in Italy in 1943, which saw the close of the Italian bombardment of the Maltese Islands.

Every nation has its hour of glory in battle. The Regatta is held on September 8th in Grand Harbour to celebrate Malta’s victories during the Great Siege of 1565 and the Second World War. The magnificent Fort St Angelo provides an imposing backdrop to the sleek and colourful Maltese boats. Band marches, water-carnival, boat races and display of colourful fireworks are the main features attracting large crowds to the capital city, Valletta, and the Grand Harbour.

Rowing teams from the cities bordering Grand Harbour such as Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea, Kalkara, Cospicua, Marsaxlokk and Marsa, participate in a number of very exciting races, marked by extreme rivalry between participating teams and their respective supporters. For weeks on end, the competitors prepare for the races with fanatic zeal and rivalry. In the afternoon of Regatta day thousands of people crowd the waterfront and the surrounding bastions and craft of every description converge to the Grand Harbour to watch the races.

The first 3 winners in each race are awarded prizes and the club with the highest overall points wins the Aggregate Shield. Each year the different regatta clubs do their best to win the shield, which is strongly contested.

The Regatta is a great fun event and a source of great local pride. If you’re in Malta on the 8th of September make sure you don’t miss attending!

If you would like information about things to do in Malta during your holidays, the dedicated team at one of the leading Malta Hotels are always ready to help you. So for a pleasant holiday in Malta stay at a five star hotel close to Valletta.

Malta Feasts - A Day for Victory

Il-Vitorja, as it is known in Malta or Otto Settembre, is a public holiday celebrated every year on the 8th September. This honours Malta’s two most significant sieges - in 1565 and in 1940, during the Second World War. On this day the Maltese also commemorate the birth of the Virgin Mary, known as Il-Bambina, whose feast is celebrated in Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieha and Xaghra, Gozo.

The historical prominence of this feast was initiated during the Great Siege, in which the Knights of Malta battled the Ottomans. In 1565, after three months in battle, the Ottomans retreated from Vittoriosa and Senglea. Although this was not the last battle, as fighting continued in St. Paul’s Bay for some time, it can be said that the withdrawal from the South marked the end of the Great Siege, which is renowned as one of the bloodiest sieges in the world and the longest in Malta. On the 7th September 1565, the Gran Soccorso fleet arrived from Sicily, which prompted the Turks to surrender.

In 1943, Italy joined the Allies in fighting against the Nazis, after having previously supported the Germans. This marked the end of bombing in Malta.

The Vitorja is marked by diverse activities in several Maltese villages. Moreover in Valletta, the Capital, the day starts with cultural activities in the main square, which include literature, music and art exhibitions. A parade by the Armed Forces marches down Republic Street until it arrives at the Co-Cathedral of St. John, where the Prime Minister is saluted and the national anthem is sung. A commemorative Mass is attended by the highest authorities in the country. The President later places a wreath on the Great Siege Monument. The traditional Regatta is held from mid-day at the Grand Harbour. Various teams from Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Senglea, Kalkara, Marsa, Marsamxett and Birzebbugia compete in rowing races in the main categories. The winning club is awarded the highly-coveted Shield trophy.

On the Sister Island of Gozo, celebrations include a commemorative night in Pjazza Independenza in Victoria. The event is attended by the Minister for Gozo.

If you would like to stay informed about Malta events during your holidays kindly visit the Grand Hotel Excelsior website.

Malta Military & Heritage Package

A Passion for Heritage.

Planning your next Winter Break in Malta? Why not explore Malta’s military heritage with our newly launched package.

Lascaris War Rooms were the Operational Headquarters which were built in order to provide a secure place from where war operations could be conducted. The war rooms are located deep in the rock under St Peter and St Paul Bastion which forms part of the defences of Valletta built by the Knights of St John in 1566.

Fort Rinella in Kalkara was built in 1878. This fort is not only a unique remnant of Malta’s recent British colonial past, but it is also the world’s first mechanical fort which enabled its small garrison to fire a monstrous 100-ton gun every six minutes. On visiting this fort in 1889, the great French writer Jules Verne described it as a marvel of the industrial age which would render Malta safe for ever.

The Malta at War Museum housed in an old 18th century military barracks built in the historic walls of Vittoriosa (Birgu, is Malta’s best presented testimonial of the great ordeal suffered by the Island during the Second World War. The site focuses on the daily life of wartime Malta telling the story of how this spec of an island managed to withstand one of the fiercest onslaughts in modern history. It offers a unique experience to the visitor through a combination of original film-footage, expert guiding and original artifacts and memorabilia, all of which are nicely presented in a new modern setting.

The Saluting Battery in Valletta offers a breath-taking view of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. This battery offers the visitor a unique opportunity to learn from close quarters how cannon worked and fired in days gone by. It also provides a wealth of information on how time was measured and signalled out in the past. It also explains the long quest of mariners to find a practical solution to the issue of longitude that would allow them to sail safely in open seas.

The MALTA MILITARY & HERITAGE PACKAGE includes:

• Accommodation in a room type of your choice (price varies according to room type booked)
• Welcome drink upon arrival,
• Daily buffet breakfast, and
• A Compulsory Military & Heritage Pass (In the packages section of the booking please select quantity, i.e. the number of persons/passes you wish to book. Price is per pass for one person).

Rates starting from less than €65 per person per night sharing in a Double Deluxe Inland Room. Terms and Conditions Apply.

Through the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna Heritage Pass you will have access to the Saluting Battery (Valletta), Malta at War Museum (Birgu), Fort Rinella (Kalkara) and also the Lascaris War rooms (Valletta).

Opening times for all the above mentioned sites are from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and there is no need for pre-booking. For more information kindly visit: Wirt Artna Website.

Our Chauffeur Driven Service can organise your taxi transfers for you. During your stay kindly visit our Transport Desk and they will be happy to assist you.

Terms and Conditions apply.

For Terms & Conditions kindly view Malta Military & Heritage package on website.

Malta - Life During the War

The role of Malta in the Second World War reflects the strategic position that it held in the Mediterranean as it acted as a gateway between the continents of Europe and Africa seeing as it was Britain’s most important Mediterranean naval base. Hence, when Mussolini plunged Italy into the war in 1940, Malta knew that it was destined to play a frontline role. In fact, Malta holds the record for the heaviest, sustained bombing attack: some 154 days and nights and 6,700 tons of bombs.

The people in Malta faced many challenges. Those who lived in the capital Valletta and “The Three Cities” had to be evacuated because of the danger of bombing and were also forced underground into a network of bomb shelters that could reportedly house nearly half of the island’s population. Due to the ferocious bombing, many towns and villages were reduced to rubble and hence, most people were spending long periods in the shelters as a form of protection.

When their morale was at its lowest, there came a glimmer of light, of hope, of joy for such a long-suffering people. The bravery and courage portrayed by the Islands population was not gone unnoticed and on the 15th April, 1942, King George VI awarded the island the George Cross, which is considered to be the highest civilian medal, for its peoples bravery and heroism.

“To honour her brave people, I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that long be famous in history”.

Once the war ended, the Maltese Islands were economically and physically devastated. In 1947, the Islands were granted around £30 million to help rebuild it. However it took several decades and further restructuring once the British forces left Malta completely in 1979, to rebuild the economy.

Re-live the Great Siege that erupted between the Knights of St John and the fierce Ottoman Empire; French and British rule; and the city’s heroic role in World War II. Check Out the Valletta History Package offered by this Luxury Malta Hotel.

What is the Order of Malta and how does one become a member?

Link to original article: http://bit.ly/NSd3eX

An interesting article for the History Enthusiasts... And if you would like to find out more about Malta’s history whilst on holiday check out Our Valletta Package.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta EARNS 2012 TRIPADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

Honoured as a Highly Rated 5 star Property as Reviewed by Travellers on the World’s Largest Travel Site.

VALLETTA, MALTA, July 2012: Grand Hotel Excelsior has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travellers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

“Grand Hotel Excelsior is pleased to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said General Manager Mr.Norbert Grixti. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience during their stay in Malta, and this accolade is evidence that we really believe our hard work is translating into positive traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.”

“TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by travellers on the site,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “The Certificate of Excellence award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travellers agreat customer experience.”

Should you wish to experience a luxury holiday at this superior Malta Hotel contact us on info@excelsior.com.mt or on 00356 21250520.



72 hours in Malta

300 days of sunshine, crystal clear Mediterranean waters, 7,000 years of history, thriving local traditions and laid-back rural villages, delicious cuisine and a vibrant nightlife – Welcome to Malta!

Stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, two minutes away from Valletta, and relive the Knight’s of St. John legacy. Visit the medieval city of Mdina, one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture. Head north to enjoy Mediterranean sun, sand and sea. Experience Gozo where tranquillity is still a way of life. Enjoy Malta’s religious ‘festas’, adorned churches and glittering firework displays. Discover megalithic temples, rugged countryside and dramatic cliffs or submerge into a diver’s paradise. Wine and dine in stylish surroundings and party in lively evening venues.

If you have only three days in Malta, do not attempt to see it all. Although the area covered by the Maltese Islands is just 316 km², there is plenty to see and do so we recommend you experience just a few of Malta’s highlights to get a feeling of the island’s character.

We will start by giving you information about Things to do in Malta on Day 1.

Day 1 – Valletta & Sliema

With the Grand Hotel Excelsior as your home, the Capital Valletta, is probably the most obvious place to start. With the entire city declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, walking through its streets is nothing short of walking through an open-air museum. Walk along Republic Street to St John’s Co-Cathedral, the jewel of Valletta, with its gilded interior enough to make one’s jaw drop. Look out for the Caravaggio’s only signed painting, The Beheading of St John. Exit the Catheral and dive into the open-air market in Merchants’ Street. All in all, Valletta is also a great place for shopping.

Do take the time to wander through the alleyways, up and down the lopes and stairways, and to sit under the sun with a coffee watching the pigeons. In whichever order you choose to do these, try to be at the Upper Barrakka Gardens at noon for the re-enactment and shooting of the cannon, and enjoy one of the most spectacular views in Malta, that of the Grand Harbour.

For the afternoon we recommend a Harbour Cruise which takes you to see the the Three Cities from a unique perspective and which offers an insight to the essence of Maltese History.

Tomorrow we will be giving you some tips on what to do in Malta on Day 2. So visit the Blogs of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta to stay updated.

Should you wish to experience one of our exclusive tours during your Holidays in Malta kindly contact our chauffeur driven service on: +356 21250520 or on transport@excelsior.com.mt.

Photos courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority.



Valletta - the Capital City of Malta

Valletta can be described as a living experience of Baroque architecture, dotted with quaint cafes, and over 25 churches, testament to the centuries-old grained Catholic faith of the Maltese nation. With its fortifications and history-filled streets, is probably the best known place in Malta and gems such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral justify its reputation.

Malta’s majestic Grand Harbour is one of the most spectacular ports in the world separating the capital city of Valletta from the historic cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. The harbour has been a hive of activity for over two thousand years. With its imposing fortifications and vast panorama, Grand Harbour is Malta’s principal maritime gateway and a popular port-of-call for ships that are cruising the Mediterranean.

The Three Cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea are three of the oldest towns on the island of Malta. The town of Vittoriosa played an important role in the 1565 Great Siege of Malta.

Vittoriosa was the town in which the Knights of Malta settled in on their arrival from Rhodes in 1530. Vittoriosa together with Cospicua and Senglea form three important walled cities along one side of the Grand Harbour. The town of Kalkara is located close to the Three cities. The town gets its name from the latin word calce (lime) since a lime kiln was located here during the Roman times. In Kalkara one finds the quaint hamlet of Santu Rokku and Fort Ricasoli which over the years has been used for the construction of film sets for important blockbusters like Gladiator and Troy and the recent Agora.

For information on Things to do in Malta during your holiday speak to the Transport Desk at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta and they will guide you with some of our popular Malta Excursions.

Fool's Paradise - Carnival in Malta and Gozo

Carnival was introduced to the Maltese Islands by Grand Master Piero de Ponte back in 1535. Held on the week prior to Ash Wednesday, and the approaching 40 days of Lent all rich and tantalizing foods and drink had to be disposed of. The result was a near hedonistic celebration of gluttony and other naughty pleasures, celebrated in the village or town.

The Maltese Karnival also has it’s own unique traditions, among these is the game Kukkanja which was introduced by Grand Master Zondadari in 1721. A crowd assembled in the Palace Square on Carnival Monday and at a given signal attacked the hams, sausages and live animals tied to the long beams fixed against the guard house and covered over with branches of trees in leaf. The provisions became the property of those who, having seized them, were able to carry off the items.

These traditions unfortunately have been lost in Malta, however one can still see the Kukkanja in Gozo’s villages. The nobility would obviously refrain from such rustic endeveavours, preferring a more subtle approach in the form of Carnival balls.

Official Celebrations open with the Parata, an ancient sword dance commemorating Malta’s victory over the Turks in 1565. Nowadays it is mainly children who participate in the dance. The Parata is of special significance in the history of the Maltese Carnival. Under the Knights it was taken very seriously, and the Maltese eagerly awaited its performance because the rule was “no Parata, no Carnival”.

Valletta hosts a number of these parades in costume and colourful floats which normally follow a particular theme, among these the Carnival King. These parades are judged and prizes are given for best dances, costumes and floats. During the 20s and 30s these parades would portray caricatures of the leading political figures which led to some tense situations. The colonial governors outlawing this form of satire of which has never been expressed since.

In Gozo parades also take place at Victoria (Rabat). However the attraction to many Maltese and tourists is the spontaneous Carnival held in Nadur, where costumes take a more personal theme, and show the Gozitan spirit to distinguish themselves from the rest.

Several Carnival Activities are centered in and around Valletta. If you would like to experience the Maltese Carnival Celebrations stay at one of the top Malta Hotels which is located on the doorstep of Valletta and enjoy superior Malta Accommodation.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Excelsior Hotel Malta

Madame Secretary Hillary Clinton with Team Members of Grand Hotel Excelsior

VALLETTA, MALTA, October 2011 - The management and staff at the Grand Hotel Excelsior are extremely honoured to have had the opportunity to host the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her successful visit to Malta on the 18th October 2011.

With the Corporate Sales Team

The Grand Hotel Excelsior strongly believes in its commitment to promote Maltese hospitality to all its distinguished guests. Madame Secretary left a note note in the Hotel’s Visitor Guestbook saying “Thank you for your gracious hospitality and warm welcome to Malta. All the best.”



Mr Mario Attard, Owner’s Representative

 This was one of a series of events where the Grand Hotel Excelsior played host to prominent people. For the past three years, the hotel played host to the well known artists performing at the yearly concert, Isle of MTV - Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias, Black Eyed Peas, Scissor Sisters, David Guetta, Kid Rock, Kelis to name but a few. Tom Jones, Rod Stewart and Ronan Keating, who were in Malta to give a concert, also chose to stay here.

Stay updated with more top Malta events and news from this superior Luxury Malta Hotel.

Santa Swim in aid of Puttinu Cares

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Santa is fun, he can swim!

The Grand Hotel Excelsior will be organising a Santa Swim on Saturday 3rd December at 14.30 hrs at its Marina Triangle at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta. All proceeds will be donated to the Community Chest Fund.

Should you wish to participate in any of these fun events, please contact us on 21250520 or email info@excelsior.com.mt.

May your most precious gift be what you choose to give.

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.