What to do in Malta - Malta at Christmas

Christmas is a very important day for the people of Malta and its sister Island of Gozo. In Maltese Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Il-Milied it-Tajjeb’.

Christmas in Malta

For a very special, spiritual evening, one should join the congregation at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta for candlelit carol singing. Other Baroque parish churches across the Maltese Islands are just as awe-inspiring during Advent. Their interiors are decked out in papal crimson and altars are adorned with flowers. All churches have a calendar of events, ranging from the procession of Mary and Joseph, to streets with groups of children carol singing. The Churches are decorated with lights and nativity cribs known as ‘Presepju’, built by the church goers. Christmas Eve’s midnight mass is the most significant holiday tradition in Malta as the country is widely Catholic, thus churches are heavily populated during this ceremony. During midnight mass, a boy or a girl, normally aged 7 to 10 years old, delivers a homily instead of the priest. This is called ‘Priedka tat-Tifel’ which means the preaching of the child.

Qaghaq tal-Ghasel

Imbuljuta tal-Qastan

Maltese traditions

Maltese people enjoy a wide range of food at Christmas. Traditionally, the Maltese house-wife kept the fattest rooster, ‘hasi’, especially for Christmas Lunch, which was roasted at the local bakery in a casserole dish full of potatoes and vegetables. The customary dessert served at Christmas was the Treacle Ring, ‘Qaghaq tal-Ghasel’. To finish it off, a hot Chestnut and Cocoa Soup, ‘Imbuljuta tal-Qastan’, which was served as a cosy night cap during the cold December days. Today the traditional Maltese menu has made way for Christmas Turkey, Christmas Cakes, Christmas Puddings and Mince Pies, all inherited during 164 years of British rule (1800 - 1964) in Malta. The Italian Panettone has also become a Christmas favourite amongst Maltese residents. Some of the Maltese are nowadays enjoying their traditional Christmas Lunch together with their families in superior Malta Restaurants.

If you would like to experience memorable Malta Holidays, then contact the team of this leading Malta Hotel.

Living a Royal Christmas at the Excelsior Hotel Malta!

This Year Let Your Star Accompany You to the Grand Hotel Excelsior

&

Celebrate the Christmas Spirit with Your Family and Friends.

Check Out what this top 5 star Malta Hotel has to offer for this Festive Season!

Malta Attractions - Walking Trails

Malta’s central position in the Mediterranean has made the Island a hub of history - from the landing of St Paul; through the times of the Knights of St John; to the modern epic of Gallant Malta.

A cultural mix makes Malta unique. Its language is based on Arabic, but English is widely spoken. There is a rich variety of country walking allowing visitors and locals alike to explore the Maltese Islands’ landscape of small ridges and valleys, seamed by tracks among stone walls and little farmsteads as well as lovely panoramic coastal paths. There are a number of attractive country walks in Malta. The ideal period for walks is autumn to spring as the weather would not be as hot and the countryside turns into a green paradise with blossoming wild flowers.

Gozo is greener, without the bustle of large towns. With some great walking across irrigated farmland, steep valleys, terraced fields and table-top hills, there is no better way of discovering the best the island has to offer. Through walking tours you may explore the hidden and secluded areas around the island and discover stunning views and hidden valleys. You may come across wayside chapels and old forts as well as villages that have remained practically untouched where elderly men and women still work the fields. There are also many historical and archaeological sites with breathtaking views.

If you are planning your next Malta holidays the Chauffuer Driven Service at this superior Malta Hotel can assist you with your Malta Walking Tours.

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.



Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta - First among Equals

VALLETTA, MALTA, June 2012: Grand Hotel Excelsior, the first local hotel to be awarded the National Equality Mark.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior is proud to be the first local Malta hotel to be awarded the Equality Mark certification by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE), with the support of the European Social Fund (ESF).

The National Commission awarded Grand Hotel Excelsior in recognition of the organisation’s efforts to provide the ideal work environment that is free from any type of discrimination. This achievement is another proof of the hotel’s commitment to its employees and acknowledges its responsibility to provide equal access to opportunities and career development based on employees’ potential, irrespective of their gender and family responsibilities.

“We value our employees as the most important resource within the organization and we are duly bound to offer a working environment where employees work without fear of prejudice or gender discriminations,” said Norbert Grixti, General Manager of Grand Hotel Excelsior. “Since opening its doors in 2007, the Grand Hotel Excelsior has always been a pioneer in gender equality within the hospitality industry and we have always maintained this position throughout all training and other human resource programmes.”

Stay updated with events taking place at this Luxury Malta Hotel.

Valentines Day at the Excelsior Hotel Malta

Magical Moments are notes in life composing a symphony for Love.

Enjoy a magical Valentine's Day at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. Special Dine and Stay Malta Valentine Offers also available...
 
For more information about Valentine's Day kindly visit this Luxury Malta Hotel Website.

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.

Our Presidential Suite - A Suite fit for Royalty!

A Glimpse of Our Presidential Suite...

Living Room

Dining Room

Master Bedroom

Large Terrace

A Suite fit for Royalty! Located on the 10th floor this Luxurious Suite consists of two spacious bedrooms with king sized beds, two lavish bathrooms and a large terrace with sun beds and outdoor furniture. The Presidential Suite offers a 180-degree breathtaking sea view of Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island. Ideally located in a corner this Spacious Suite also has a well lit living room and a dining room with an adjoining separate toilet and a separate balcony. It’s like travelling with the comforts of your home.

Should you wish to check availability and Book Online this Luxury Malta Accommodation kindly visit this Top Malta Hotel's Website at www.excelsior.com.mt.  

The Grand Hotel Excelsior’s volunteers visit Dar il-Wens residents

Last week a number of volunteers forming part of the Aid the Community Committee of the Grand Hotel Excelsior, took time out of their busy work day to have tea with the residents and carers of Dar il-Wens in Kalkara. Aid the Community is one of the committees set up by the HR Department of the Excelsior Hotel Malta to assist the less fortunate. The group of volunteers was warmly welcomed by all at Dar il-Wens.


The Grand Hotel Excelsior team makes every effort to assist those in need – be it employees or the members of the community.

For more information about the activities and events organized by this Leading Malta Hotel kindly visit the Grand Hotel Excelsior’s website at: http://www.excelsior.com.mt/

Meet the Gingerbread Family at the Grand Hotel Excelsior!

VALLETTA, MALTA, December 2010 - Nothing beats the smell of gingerbread in the air at Christmas time! Bring your kids to the Grand Hotel Excelsior to create some magical memories!

A number of chefs from the Excelsior’s award winning kitchen brigade took time out of their personal schedule to work on this year’s Gingerbread Castle. A large number of hours were put into creating this spectacular 114 kilogram house, which proves to be an attraction year after year.

The Excelsior chefs have prepared something a little more special for you this Christmas. They are not only teasing you with the gorgeous aroma of gingerbread as soon as you walk in to the hotel lobby, but also giving you the chance to taste these hand-made delights. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the cosy sofas of the Harbour View Lounge, sipping on mulled wine and nibbling on Christmas treats, to include mini mince pies, traditional festive fruit cake and ginger bread biscuits for just 2.50 Euro per person. Keeping the little ones in mind, after all Christmas is for kids, the Excelsior Hotel Malta has put together innovative stocking fillers – the Gingerbread family is available to purchase from Harbour View Lounge.

Contact the Grand Hotel Excelsior on 21 25 05 20 or food.beverage@excelsior.com.mt for more information or visit http://www.excelsior.com.mt/. Live the Grand Life this Festive Season.

Discover The Wonders Of The Capital At This Malta Luxury Hotel.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta...

Located just 5 minutes from the city center, with direct access to the main points of interest, this Luxury Malta Hotel welcomes you to classical elegance and unparalleled service.

Embraced by the bastion walls of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Valletta, Grand Hotel Excelsior blends contemporary vision with the rich history of Marsamxett Harbor. Surrounded by the exquisite beauty of the Valletta waterfront, this seaside Malta hotel offers a private 30-berth marina, large indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, and a health and beauty centre. Witness the sailboats gently silhouetted by the sun in the private marina. Sip a cocktail by the pool. Delight in all this quintessential Malta luxury travel destination has to offer – located in the heart of the capital city.

An excellent address!

For more information kindly visit: http://www.iprefer.com/iprefer/hotels/index.aspx?id=62891