Hilton Calling. Issue 8 - May 2016

ISSUE 08

DESIGN & INSPIRATION International Designer Jean Philippe Nuel

A SHARED SUCCESS

An interview with Jean Faivre, Hilton Worldwide’s Area Vice President for Western and Southern Europe

ROME CAVALIERI

Experience the beauty of Rome

Mari - ball gown (worn as skirt) Nilara, top Liu Jo. Paulina - dress W Les Femme at Chelsey.

Jewellery - Diamonds International .

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WELCOME

D

ear guests and friends of Hilton Malta, I am delighted and proud to welcome you to this edition of our magazine, the first to be issued since our major refurbishment. As you may expect, the magazine is brimming with photographs and articles telling the story of this huge project, from the initial stripping down of our bedrooms, lobby and restaurant to the final, splendid product that we are so happy to present to you today.

As you can imagine, the sheer scope of the works called for a large number of tradespeople employing a wide variety of skills, the removal of tons of material, and the careful installation of brand new electrics, plumbing, lighting, wall and floor coverings, equipment and furniture. All of these would not have been enough to achieve the magical transformation in the hotel that we can all enjoy today, if there had not also been a massive input of enthusiasm, energy, and dedication by our teams and our supporters alike, who were determined that the hotel should look magnificent for our guests in time for the re-opening. From beginning to end we enjoyed the unfailing support of the Tumas Group, and it is a great satisfaction to us that their generous investment has reaped such brilliant results.

their stay, mirroring the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean beyond the glass. I am sure you will agree that any dish, hot drink or cocktail tastes even more wonderful with the kind of backdrop that Vista now offers to visitors. Just below, Oceana restaurant, with its broad spaces and crisp colour scheme, promises to revive visitors with its mouth-watering array of delectable dishes, lovingly prepared by our Chef and his team, who have been waiting impatiently for the re-opening of the restaurant in order to get their creative juices flowing. In a similar way, our new-look bedrooms are imbued with a calming and refreshing dĂŠcor, assuring a blissful retreat after a challenging business meeting, some serious sightseeing, a lavish meal or a day by the pool.

I hope you will agree that the new-look Hilton Malta was well worth waiting for during the ten weeks that it was undergoing refurbishment. Do enjoy all the improvements - but rest assured that our traditional warm welcome and caring hospitality are unchanged.

Kind regards,

Matthew And what a feast for the senses! Our lobby and Vista Terrace are a breathtaking sight for guests checking in at the start of

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CONTENTS

WHAT’S INSIDE 33

16. A SHARED SUCCESS

An interview with Jean Faivre, Hilton Worldwide’s Area Vice President for Western and Southern Europe.

19. PEOPLE FOCUSED

ROMAN HOLIDAY

Surely coordinating the needs of 800 team members is no simple task. We enjoy a coffee with Annika Galea.

Win a stay at the enchanting Rome Cavalieri – Details inside!

21. CHOGM AT HILTON

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A series of photographs taken during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting last held in Malta.

25. DESIGN AND INSPIRATION

Jean Philippe Nuel has been entrusted with the design for the latest Hilton Malta refurbishment project.

28. RACING AGAINST TIME

Ever wonder what getting such a huge job done in a mere ten-week timeframe would be like?

29. AN EYE FOR DETAIL

According to Chris Webb, collaboration and vision drive great design.

31. COCKTAILS AT THE QUARTERDECK

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Unwind in the classic sophistication of the Quarterdeck Bar and learn how the Black Swan cocktail is made.

LUNCH AT OCEANA

32. WELCOME TO THE VISTA

The Vista Lobby Bar is the ideal place to catch up, hang out, meet and greet.

50. STOP AND STARE Our models take a tour of the newly refurbished Hilton Malta.

61. RECENT HAPPENINGS

Here's what's been going on at Hilton Malta during the past months.

66. TAKE THE PLUNGE

Paul Sparling discusses the benefits of swimming.

Editor Dana Bonello

Magazine Coordinator Tamara Naudi

Design WAVA™

For Advertising Contact WAVA™

www.wava.com.mt

21 332667 / 9 info@wava.com.mt

Photographer Matthew B. Spiteri

Printers Print It

Fashion Stylist Carina Camilleri

Publishers WAVA™

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EVENTS IN MALTA

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UNESCO HERITAGE SITES

Contributors Alphonse Camilleri Annika Galea Chris Webb Gordon Mayo Jean Philippe Nuel Loredana Capobianco Melanie Faure Myoka Spas

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Dates, information and prices are believed to be correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. Neither the editor nor the publisher accept responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. While we endeavour to ensure that the organisations and firms mentioned are reputable. The editor can give no guarantee that they will fulfill their obligations under all circumstances. © Copyright 2016

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WHAT'S HOT

WHAT’S HOT! Rolex unveils the latest creations from its Oyster collection

OYSTER PERPETUAL AIR-KING The new Oyster Perpetual Air-King, a watch with an evocative name has been relaunched in 40 mm and perpetuates the aeronautical heritage of the original Rolex Oyster. The new Air-King, in a 40 mm case in 904L steel, features a distinctive black dial combining large 3, 6 and 9 numerals marking the hours, and a prominent minute scale for navigational time readings. The dial carries the name Air-King in the same lettering that was designed specially for the model in the 1950s.

OYSTER PERPETUAL YACHT-MASTER 40 EVEROSE ROLESOR A new version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40, Rolex’s emblematic nautical watch, is being introduced for the first time in Everose Rolesor (a combination of 904L steel and 18 ct Everose gold), in a 40 mm case with a chocolate dial. The new Yacht-Master 40 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015, which ensures singular performance on the wrist.

Edwards, Lowell Official retailer for Rolex in Malta Spinola Bay St. Julians and Zachary Street, Valletta.

T. + 356 21 384 503 - E info@elcol.com

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WHAT'S HOT

CHIC CAFÉ BY DAY… WINE BAR BY NIGHT…

Cleland & Souchet in Portomaso is recognised as the leading luxury lifestyle retail destination in Malta, bringing together the world of distinctive gifts and accessories with the world of wines, spirits, cigars and more. From this foundation, the C&S Wine Café concept was created and is now available at the Malta Intl Airport (departure lounge) and the newly opened flagship outlet in Dragonara Road, St Julians.

Look out for their trademark orange umbrellas for a perfect cup of coffee or an amazing section of wines by the glass accompanied by a tasty menu of light meals and platters.

THE NEW RETRO De Grisogono once again demonstrates its skill at transposing the aesthetic principles and timeless elegance of the past into the present. A simple design, made for modern-day individuals of taste and infused with a sense of broad panoramas evoking the chic style of the Fifties.

Fawaz Gruosi has given birth to a dream, the kind of dream that men treasure their entire lives, a dream that must be totally unforgettable and totally perfect. Famed for visualising his creations all the way through to the smallest details that further accentuate their luxurious, timeless nature, he had to wait seven years to turn his dream into a perfect reality. Consistently ahead of his time, this aesthete and visionary knows how to honour the past while creating the future. Going far beyond merely transposing a vintage style by giving it a modern touch, Fawaz Gruosi has - as always - followed his instinct and his vision. de GRISOGONO is exclusively available at Gioielleria Zampa 12, Republic Street, Valletta - Malta.

Tel: +356 2122 0194 Mob: +356 7970 6620 www.sergiozampa.com

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INTERVIEW

A SHARED SUCCESS

JEAN FAIVRE IS HILTON WORLDWIDE’S AREA VICE PRESIDENT FOR WESTERN AND SOUTHERN EUROPE. HERE HE SPEAKS TO HILTON CALLING ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE HOTEL’S RECENT HAPPENINGS.

Hilton Calling: Could you offer a brief overview of your involvement with Hilton Malta and its recent refurbishment project?

the best quality environment for our team members, while continuing be the pride of both Tumas Group and Hilton Worldwide.

Jean Faivre: As Hilton Worldwide we aim to offer our guests the highest standards in accommodation and services and we are very proud of the successes achieved by Hilton Malta.

My role as Vice President for the region was to liaise with the design team, the hotel operation team and the hotel owners – Tumas Group, as well as to offer support and guidance wherever required throughout all stages of the project. During this time, it was critical that we also took this opportunity to make adjustments to the facilities, to ensure we can operate more efficiently while providing enhanced returns to the Owners. From design to implementation, the objective was always to achieve a world-class quality product that meets the expectations of today’s traveler, as well as to provide

HC: Following its recent refurbishment, how do you feel that Hilton Malta has repositioned itself in the competitive European market?

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JF: The Hilton Malta has been one of Malta’s foremost hotels since the day it opened in the late 1960s. Following the rebuild and reopening in 2000, Hilton Malta has competed on an international stage and established a very strong reputation in the European Market. This refurbishment project – which I have to highlight was completed in just ten weeks – will strengthen the hotels position as one of the top hotels in Southern Europe for both the business and leisure traveler. Additionally, the hotel has always been very well supported by the Maltese people, I am sure they will

continue to be loyal guests and enjoy the newly renovated facilities even more.

HC: What changes do you foresee following such extensive investment?

JF: Besides the obvious physical changes that are so evident, I believe the hotel will continue to build on its repeat customer base, as well as attracting new visitors to these beautiful islands. Over the years, the Hilton Malta team provided excellent quality and service; following this investment the team is even more engaged and focused on service delivery and the initial feedback from guests has been impressive.

HC: What challenges does the industry currently face and what is being done in order to maintain a competitive edge?

JF: The fast changing global trends

INTERVIEW

and tastes, as well as the uncertainty caused by international, political, and economic events are challenges that the hotel industry is facing everywhere.

Despite this, the Tumas Group has provided significant investment to Hilton Malta ensuring the hotel offers extensively modern and up-to-date facilities that it needs to meet the expectations of today’s traveler. This investment, combined with the fact that Malta continues to develop and expand its economy, along with a consistent rise in visitor arrivals, and improved connectivity, gives the property an excellent opportunity to deliver impressive results.

HC: What do you feel makes the Hilton Malta stand out?

JF: Hilton Worldwide places a great emphasis on the human element of our business and continuously strives to ensure a highly motivated and engaged team. Obviously this also applies to Malta where the local team is an example of drive and passion, with a great sense of pride and ownership, and combined with a special touch of Maltese hospitality that gives life to this wonderful hotel. In my opinion this is what makes the Hilton Malta unique and a special place to stay.

HC: Any concluding remarks?

JF: Hilton Malta has gone from strength to strength over the years and I am extremely confident that this new investment will push this magnificent property to new heights. I would like to wish the Hilton Malta team every success and I look forward to celebrating their successes in the years to come.

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HR

PEOPLE FOCUSED

SURELY COORDINATING THE NEEDS OF 800 TEAM MEMBERS IS NO SIMPLE TASK. WE ENJOY COFFEE WITH ANNIKA GALEA, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT HILTON MALTA.

F

ollowing a career heading the HR Department within the IT industry, Annika Galea joined Hilton Malta as Director of Human Resources in February 2008 and has never looked back. “Hilton is kind of addictive. So many interesting things to work on, so many fantastic colleagues and such a beautiful environment, what more could one wish for,” she jokes.

Annika explains how HR is responsible for the team journey that starts way before a candidate is selected, all the way till after they leave the business to pursue other opportunities.

“We are involved in employer branding, recruitment, training, team engagement and ensuring that all team members lock into the Hilton’s core values.” Additionally, the department is also involved in CSR and social events, performance management, rewards and incentives. “When I’m asked what keeps people happy, it’s always a bit tricky to answer. Everyone is happy with different things and has different expectations from their

employment. It’s more about knowing the team members on a personal level and genuinely and authentically caring about them as individuals and in the work place. There is no one size fits all strategy or action that can do the trick.”

Surely engaging close to 800 team members is no simple feat. For this reason Annika is surrounded by her own Human resources Team and also what Hilton calls a ‘Blue Energy Committee’ that is made up of team members from various departments.

“The Committee meets up once a month to brainstorm and fill in our team events calendar, I am very blessed to be collaborating with some brilliant individuals and am very grateful for their constant support,” she notes.

Annika explains that her role involves striking a balance between speaking on behalf of the other team members, whilst keeping commercial considerations at the forefront. “We are here to create that balance, but very often Team member and business

goals are one and the same,” she notes.

At this point I am curious to know in what ways the industry has changed throughout her career. “I’d say that the most considerable difference is that today Hilton Malta enjoys a much stronger multicultural workforce.

This is absolutely fantastic, because we are able to attune to a number of nationalities, whilst retaining an authentically local touch.” In addition people are way more impatient that they have been in the past. In true millennial spirit, immediate gratification for higher level positions and fast track through the ranks is what team members expect. Working with an international brand with hotels is over 100 countries does provide team members with endless opportunities both locally and also internationally.

And once we’re on the topic of change, I cannot help but remark about the stunning refurbishment works that have been carried out at the Hilton. How do you feel about change?

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HR

“Incidentally, this is the second time I experience such extensive construction works at the hotel. When I first joined back in 2008, the Hilton was in the process of expanding its room capacity by an additional 116 rooms, bringing the hotel’s room count up to 410. It was a really exciting time from an HR perspective as we were entrusted to recruit and train a large number of team members who were employed to complement the increased volume capacity of the team at the time.”

From 2008 up till now the Hilton has been consolidating their current product and operations have remained pretty stable. 2016, on the other hand, has brought around more exciting changes. “The look and feel is completely different to the one we were used to, and it almost feels as though we’re walking into a different hotel every morning – I think its absolutely amazing and I’m very proud to be a part of it,” she notes enthusiastically.

Surely, keeping the team together during this period of time must have been a challenge, I comment.

“Refurbishment works went on for

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ten weeks and during this time a large number of our team members travelled to far and exotic places all around the world. ”We kept our team updated with daily pictures and videos of what is going on within the hotel through our internal social media platform. Of course a large number of team members where still working during the closure period, a special thanks goes to our Engineering and Housekeeping Departments who supported our owning Company with project implementation throughout the full ten-week period.”

Of course, as one can imagine, such extensive works require a considerable amount of investment, manpower and resources – and when set against tight deadlines, things can always get a little stressful towards the end.

“We wanted to open up the hotel with some energy boosters. For this reason we organised a number of celebratory events a couple of days before the official opening, a strolling DJ, hot dog stands, waffles and a funny refurbishment quizzes where a few of the activities that we organised in the run up to opening . It felt so good to be back together to celebrate this

huge accomplishment for our hotel, it was a really proud moment.”

Incidentally, pride is one of the main aspects to the Hilton Malta’s strength.

“Once a year Hilton Worldwide organises a Global Team Member Survey that is designed to measure team engagement. Pride was our highest store, with 90% of our team members responding positively when asked whether they felt proud to work for the Hilton brand.”

Certainly, with such a motivated team, one cannot help but wonder what it would take to be a part of the experience. “It’s all about attitude,” Annika mentions. “We look for passionate people as cliché as that sounds – we love people who love doing what they do, love working with a team and being with our guests and have a sense of pride of belonging to such a well-established hotel brand. Above that we look for team members who are smart, and have a can-do approach – as for everything else, there’s training,” she laughingly concludes.

VIP

CHOGM AT HILTON

HILTON MALTA PROUDLY HOSTED THE COMMONWEALTH BUSINESS FORUM (CBF) DURING THE CHOGM CONFERENCE IN MALTA.

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VIP

HILTON VIPS

HILTON MALTA HAS HOSTED SEVERAL CELEBRITIES AND INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. HERE ARE A FEW SNAPSHOTS OF OUR VIP GUESTS ENJOYING THEIR STAY.

Edward Zammit Lewis, Minister for Tourism

Charles, Prince of Wales arriving at the Hilton

Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis

His Royal Highness Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim of Brunei

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel HILTONCALLING 023

INTERVIEW

DESIGN AND INSPIRATION

THE LATEST HILTON REFURBISHMENT PROJECT HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN OF INTERNATIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNER JEAN PHILIPPE NUEL. HERE’S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE PROJECT.

Hilton Calling: What was the concept behind the design of the Hilton Malta’s refurbishment project?

Jean Philippe Nuel: With this project we aimed to highlight the seaside atmosphere of the place, without denying its classical architecture, as we believe it a reflection of Malta’s history and culture.

HC: How did you choose the palette and overall design and how would you describe it in your own words?

JPN: The selected color range for this project comprises a range of blue tones contrast against the use of light tone woods to create a fresh and aerial ambiance.

HC: What materials were you drawn to, and why?

JPN: We have used a lot of wood for both the floor as well as the wall panels, along with marble and new-generation tiles reminiscent of raw cement tiles or imitate wooden flooring, which are both pleasing to the eye as well as easy to maintain.

HC: What do you feel makes the new Hilton Malta stand out amongst your previous designs?

JPN: The former design included several classic interior design elements such as furniture, marble and fabrics.

My vision was much more contemporary, where the decor creates a dialogue between different ages without emulating any specific style.

HC: At the risk of sounding cliché, where do you find inspiration?

JPN: I always find my inspiration in films and books. To me, hotels are like the first sequences of a film, they must create a unique atmosphere. Every guest is entitled to end his or her film in their own personal manner, depending on the experience they had while spending time in the hotel.

HC: You have been quoted in saying that in a hotel, “the décor should surprise and astonish without shocking.” How was this achieved at Hilton Malta?

JPN: A hotel cannot be merely functional, it has to respond to the industry needs and must deliver both emotion and well-being. These two elements are the signature for a successful journey.

While working on the design for

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INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

Hilton Malta, I tried to reinterpret the quintessence of the place and its relationship with the sea.

We imagined the hotel as some sort of portal, that takes the guest from the urban Portomaso to the natural elements of the seaside across.

HC: Locations represent an integral part of your portfolio – what spots have influenced you most?

JPN: When the location of a project has a strong identity, it is really inspiring to use it to design the story of a hotel.

I have designed several hotels in some heritage buildings (such as the Hôtel-Dieu in Marseille, the Molitor’s swimming pool in Paris) and such locations always proved a fantastic opportunity to achieve amazing projects. At times the location itself can be the principal source of inspiration.

For instance, I have just started working on a new project located on Hokkaïdo island in Japan. For this resort project, the location has particularly inspired the concept design. The mountains and nature that surround the hotel are the key elements to federate the interior design concept.

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INTERVIEW

RACING AGAINST TIME

EVER WONDERED WHAT GETTING SUCH A HUGE JOB DONE IN A MERE TEN-WEEK PERIOD WOULD BE LIKE? WE CATCH UP WITH THE MAN OF THE HOUR; ALPHONSE CAMILLERI, PROJECT MANAGER, TUMAS GROUP. Hilton Calling: Could you offer a brief overview of your involvement in the Hilton’s latest refurbishment?

Alphonse Camilleri: The first talks related to the latest Hilton refurbishment date back to 2014, when the late Mr George Fenech, in agreement with Hilton International, decided it was time to give Hilton Malta a face-lift. My first task involved working on a comprehensive costing exercise. Once these were considered feasible and were subsequently approved, we met French interior designer Jean Philippe Nuel and his team and shared the various ideas and opinions.

Once designs were submitted and approved, a ten-week window from the second week of February till mid-April was earmarked as a period in which the hotel could afford to close down to complete the works. I remember being asked by Mr Fenech if this was a realistic timeframe to complete all works within the Public Areas and the remaining 200 guestrooms and corridors. My initial response was “definitely not”, but upon giving it some more thought I felt that I was up for the challenge and committed to complete the entire project within the stipulated ten-week period.

The refurbishment of the public areas entailed extending the floor area of the Vista Lobby Bar, constructing a terrace overlooking the pool deck, completely refurbishing the restaurant area and also extending the area of the restaurant terrace. This increased the seating by 116 at the Vista Bar and 80 at the Oceana Restaurant.

Plans were approved and finalised by the end of October, and during the months to follow I was entrusted to procure all materials required. These included everything from floor tiles

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and architectural lighting, to loose and custom made furniture, and soft furnishings. It might seem to be an easy job, however negotiating prices, finishes and delivery dates and juggling around thirty suppliers from ten different countries requires focus, long hours, and an ability to deal with multiple situations at the same time.

HC: What challenges did you face throughout the project and how were these overcome?

AC: To me, the most challenging tasks throughout the refurbishment included planning the works on site ahead of time, coordinating various trades and executing the work once the project kicked off. This meant that each day, out of the 60 available working days, was absolutely crucial; delays were not in our schedule. The constant monitoring and supervising of all the trades from before sunrise till after sunset was the only way to ensure that all ran smoothly. Obviously there were some unforeseen mishaps, but, being constantly at hand meant that I could immediately evaluate any situation and make a quick decision to find the ideal and most immediate solution. Halting works was never an option.

HC: What would you consider the highlight of the project?

AC: With only two out of the ten weeks left, I overheard some people saying that it would be impossible to finish on time, and, like other hotel refurbishment projects happening around the island there was bound to be a delay. It felt so good to see the reaction of these same people last during the official opening. As they walked into the foyer one of them actually said “Wow, this is incredible”.

HC: What are your concluding remarks?

AC: Of course, this achievement could not have never been possible without the assistance of Mr Emmanuel Fenech (Company director) who was constantly present on site, Mr Ray Fenech who showed full trust in my abilities, my colleagues at the technical office, Hilton management, and last but not least all contractors and suppliers who worked on site. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all whole heartedly.

INTERVIEW

AN EYE FOR DETAIL

ACCORDING TO CHRIS WEBB, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, EUROPE HILTON WORLDWIDE, COLLABORATION AND VISION DRIVE GREAT DESIGN. Hilton Calling: Could you offer a brief overview of your involvement in the Hilton Malta’s recent refurbishment project?

Chris Webb: My involvement included creating the overall design for Hilton Malta, along with Jean Philippe Nuel and his design team from Agence Nuel in Paris.

At project inception I defined design brief emphasizing on creating a sense of place and casual glamour. We believe that undertaking extensive research before starting out any project is one of the key factors to our success.

Here in Malta we wanted to celebrate the unique location, its colours, the heritage of the island and its unique patterns, motifs and style.

As a team, we have worked very closely with the owners, the General Manager and the design team to create a forward-thinking aesthetic that responds to the Hotel and Guest needs, while also celebrating the Mediterranean tones, warmth and local heritage. At each stage we have held design workshops, and presentations with a hands-on approach to design solutions, and a collaborative approach to finding the best solutions. Hilton Malta therefore builds on the success of other recent renovations and openings and offers an example of best in class design within the Hilton brand and it’s competitive set.

HC: Which do you feel are the best current trends in hospitality design today?

CW: Residential Styling I still anticipate a residential aesthetic having a significant influence in hotels in the years ahead. Today's guests seek a relaxed and thought-out approach

to a hotel environment that includes seamless, integrated technology, simple room controls, and the comforts of home. However with homes becoming ever more sophisticated places, hotel design is increasingly challenged to step up its game. Guests expect what they want, when they want it, and with the minimum intrusion into their busy lives. Nevertheless, a true sense of comfort, quality, and comfort are paramount.

A Sense of Place

accommodate the needs of all parties yet have a strong vision. However in terms of inspiration we have a global view of the hospitality world which is hugely important yet also have the ability to understand and deliver design that is relevant to the location.

HC: How would you describe your Hilton Malta experience?

CW: Collaborative, exciting, rewarding and creative. A great team!

Identikit hotels thankfully are continually vanishing. I firmly believe a hotel and its design should tell a compelling story, and speak of the place in which it resides. Surely this is why we travel – to open our mind to new, exciting things; to learn.

Apart from responding to the city in which the hotel is located, design should also subtly recall culture, location as well as the brand – it’s all about the detail.

HC: What design challenges are unique to hospitality?

CW: I believe the biggest challenge is making any design feel authentic, and giving it a true, subtle and relevant sense of place for the local market and international guests.

This can only be done through research and collaboration with our owners, operations team and external designers. As always, collaboration and vision drive great design.

HC: What’s the greatest source of inspiration for you in the hospitality and hotel design business?

CW: Listening…We take time to create briefs that

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QUARTERDECK BAR

COCKTAILS AT THE QUARTERDECK U nwind in the classic sophistication of the Quarterdeck Bar and enjoy the sense of glamour of sipping a cocktail whilst looking out onto the award-winning Portomaso Marina after a long day.

With its distinctive nautical theme and dark leather furniture, the chick Quarterdeck Bar exudes charm and elegance.

Whether you’re relaxing after a meeting or getting together with friends for special drinks, the intimate and timeless surroundings, coupled with the bartender’s knowledge, make the Quarterdeck bar an ideal location.

Choose from an array of fine champagnes, innovative cocktails, or from the vast international Wine List, which is aimed at complementing the delicious selection of platters, cheeses and gourmet bar treats.

We’ve tried it ourselves and we must admit that it’s as fantastic as it sounds – our favourite was The Black Swan so we thought we’d share. Feel free to take a photo of the recipe below and share it with your family and friends back home – it’s our little gift to you.

INGREDIENTS

40ml Gin 20ml Elderflower liqueur Muddled orange and lime Lemonade Fresh mint METHOD

Muddle a quart orange and quart lime in a black wine glass. Build up ingredients over ice and stir gently.

Garnish with mint.

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VISTA LOBBY BAR

WELCOME TO THE VISTA W

ith its calm blue tones and sleek design, the Vista Lobby Bar is the ideal place to catch up, hang out, meet and greet.

Enjoy a coffee with a view, catch up for a light lunch, meet colleagues and business partners, or treat yourself to an afternoon tea – the newly refurbished and highly anticipated Vista Lobby Bar definitely lives up to its expectations.

Ease in to the comfortable armchairs, or take in some fresh air while sitting on the terrace and enjoying the views of the pool area beneath, and the cobalt Mediterranean ahead.

Set to the highest standards in terms of design, service and offerings, the Vista Lobby Bar offers a selection of teas, coffees, speciality coffees and sweet selections. We were particularly taken in by the glass displays offering a tantalising selection of homemade cakes and pastries, as well as around twelve ice cream varieties to choose

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from by the scoop.

If afternoon tea is your thing, then you’ve come to the right place. Expect a selection of sandwiches, scones, pastries and cake along with coffee, fine teas and hot chocolate. And just as we’re on that subject; if you’re a chocolate lover then you must absolutely try our Chocolate Afternoon for Two. Enjoy a selection of savoury sandwiches along with chocolate truffles, macaroons, mousse, brownie and fudge amongst other – it’s an absolute treat.

If you’re more of a savoury sort of person, there’s definitely something for you too. The Vista Lobby Bar menu includes a soup of the day, sandwiches, baguettes, wraps, salads, as well as a selection of hot snacks. A definite must-try is the Slow Roasted Pulled Pork which is served on a crispy rosti potato and topped off with a fried egg and hollandaise sauce – you can thank us later!

TRAVEL

ROMAN HOLIDAY

THE ROME CAVALIERI EXCEEDS THE EXPECTATIONS OF A STAY IN ROME, AND OFFERS ITS GUESTS A SELECTION OF REFINED EXPERIENCES BEYOND COMPARE.

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As the only resort retreat in the Eternal City, the Rome Cavalieri is nestled in a 15-acre private Mediterranean parkland, and boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the Eternal City, with the dome of St Peter's prominently in view. Located just minutes from the Vatican City and the historic center, the Spanish Steps and their surroundings may be conveniently reached by making use of the Hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus.

The Rome Cavalieri is home to the world’s most prestigious art collection housed within a hotel, with more than 1,100 authentic masterpieces displayed throughout the public areas and suites. The museum-worthy private art collection includes a spectacular triptych by Tiepolo in the main lobby, a writing desk that belonged to Napoleon, the “Dollar Sign” series by Andy Warhol, as well as rare bronzes, statues and tapestries.

The Rome Cavalieri also hosts the 3 starred Michelin® restaurant “La Pergola”, considered as one of the best restaurants in Rome, if not in Italy, La Pergola is more than just an expertly crafted menu. Its threeMichelin stars (its the only restaurant that’s been accorded such an honour for the past 11 consecutive years) attest to the excellence of its cuisine.

Under the direction of celebrated Chef Heinz Beck since 1994, the menu at La Pergola represents his greatest achievement to date - innovative and exciting, while maintaining respect for the culinary tradition, all the dishes reflect the fact that great cooking is about handling fresh ingredients with sensitivity and passion. A wine cellar with over 60,000 bottles, a water

menu with 29 choices, olive oils and vintage balsamic vinegars from the best producers in Italy, as well as the finest ingredients sourced throughout the Mediterranean - all attests to the pursuit of culinary excellence.

L’Uliveto restaurant, another gorgeous eatery situated at the Roma Cavalieri, features regional Italian cuisine served al-fresco on a spectacular terrace overlooking the outdoor pool and park.

Four bars complete the rich culinary offer at Rome Cavalieri.

Leisure facilities include the awardwinning Cavalieri Grand Spa Club: with an array of exclusive beauty and relaxation treatments, it has been awarded Best Luxury Hotel Spa Award Winner in Italy and Top Hotel Spa Award in Europe. The 10 uniquely appointed themed rooms of Cavalieri Grand Spa Club host exclusive treatments of the world renewed Art of Beauty, by Swiss brand La Prairie, together with the most exotic essences and perfumes from line St. Barth. The

Jacuzzi features a hydro massage waterfall, and the ambience of the ancient bath style pool area is pure luxury. A vast range of facilities and treatments are available including two red clay Davis Cup tennis courts, ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ saunas, or the spectacular Turkish bath. The spa also enjoys a fitness center with adjoining Pilates and Yoga rooms, as well as four pools, three of which are outdoors and heated; if you’re in the mood to pamper yourself, one day is definitely not enough! The Cavalieri Grand Spa Club offers exclusive skin solutions, facials, indulgent body treatments, result orientated massages, as well as beautifying finishing touches that are available throughout the day, and are definitely recommended to complete your experience.

All 345 luxurious guest rooms and 25 Suites are extraordinarily spacious and have private balconies. Each room is designed with sleeping and living areas, and comes with a range of stylish features like baths in Roman travertine

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TRAVEL INTERVIEW

marble, automatic shutters, double soundproof doors, LED TV full HD with media hub, as well as a spacious balcony for an 'al fresco' breakfast or evening aperitifs.

slides open to your private panoramic roof terrace with a gazebo, a solarium, a Jacuzzi and the best views of Rome.

The Suite can be extended to include an extra bedroom or a private gym.

Enhanced by the genuine and personalized True Waldorf Service, Rome Cavalieri is one-of-a-kind hotel that delivers experiences beyond compare.

For the ultimate retreat in the Eternal City, the 25 Suites offer the best in accommodation, with a luxurious combination of art and antiques that creates an air of timeless elegance.

Guests staying in Imperial Rooms and Suites enjoy complimentary daily access to both the Grand Spa and the luxurious services of the exclusive Imperial Club, including a sumptuous buffet breakfast, complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, afternoon tea and pre-dinner canapés.

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MICHELLE GALEA IS THE WINNER OF ISSUE 7’S TRAVEL COMPETITION. CONGRATULATIONS!

Among all, the Penthouse Suite provides an unparalleled experience: each room is adorned with exquisite works of art, including a Warhol series and furnished in palatial style with a magnificent Karl Lagerfeld sofa, originally designed for his home in Paris. Elevated above the bedroom level is a hydro-massage tub with views of the Rome skyline. The bathrooms are panelled in precious marble with malachite inlays, while the taps are made of Swarovski crystals. For the ultimate luxury experience in Rome, climb the staircase as the glass ceiling

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Open daily from 7am to 11pm, and situated on the 7th floor, the Imperial Club is one of the most appealing spaces in the Rome Cavalieri, where guests can meet, browse among a wide selection of newspapers and magazines, catch up on the latest news or sports on satellite television channels, or simply relax with a good book.

The Hotel also hosts the largest and most modern congress centre facility of any European 5-star deluxe hotel.

Its award-winning Convention Center comprises 25 rooms over a total space of over 8,700 sqm hosting 5500 delegates. The Salone Dei Cavalieri multifunctional ballroom - “Where Art Meets Technology” - features the most opulent and technologically advanced facilities.

WIN A ROME VACATION!

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO WIN A FOUR-NIGHT STAY FOR TWO PEOPLE AT THE ROME CAVALIERI HOTEL 1) HOW MANY AUTHENTIC MASTERPIECES DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE HOTEL? 2) WHAT IS ITS THREE-STAR MICHELIN RESTAURANT CALLED? 3) WHAT ARE THE TAPS MADE OUT OF IN THE PENTHOUSE SUITE? Send your replies by email to mlahi_pr@hilton.com by 31st October 2016. The lucky winner will be contacted by Hilton soon after the competition closing date. The winner will be chosen at random.

ROME CAVALIERI, WALDORF ASTORIA HOTELS & RESORTS Via Alberto Cadlolo 101 - 00136 Roma Tel: +39 06 3509 2959 Fax: +39 06 3509 2147 www.romecavalieri.com

HILTON REFURBISHMENT

HILTON MOMENTS HILTON MALTA HAS BEEN THROUGH SEVERAL PHASES. HERE'S A COLLECTION OF PHOTOS FROM OUR BOOK OF MEMORIES.

THE OLD HILTON MALTA

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HILTON REFURBISHMENT

2000 AND 2016 REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS THE OCEANA RESTAURANT

THE VISTA LOBBY BAR

GUEST BEDROOMS

THE EXECUTIVE LOUNGE

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

OH WHAT A SURPRISE!

FOLLOWING ITS RECENT REFURBISHMENT, DANA BONELLO IS INVITED FOR LUNCH AT THE COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED OCEANA RESTAURANT.

A

week after the reopening of the Hilton Malta, I was absolutely thrilled to be invited to lunch at the newly refurbished Oceana Restaurant. I had dined at both the Oceana and the Bottega del Vino in the past, and apart from being intrigued by the thought of a new menu, I was dead curious to see what the refurbishment looked like after a ten-week closure.

I’m greeted at the spectacular lobby, with its tones of blues, foams, and whites, beautifully contrasted with the shimmering chandeliers above – I’m besotted.

Our lovely host for the afternoon shows us towards the staircase on the right and we head down to the Oceana Restaurant, located on the ground

floor of the hotel. At this point I could go into great detail about the various striking features that make it so darn pretty, but I figured that it would make more sense to leave the explanations to the Masters of Design found in this issue of Hilton Calling, and focus on what mattered more at that precise moment; lunch.

After taking a twirl around the restaurant and trying to make mental images of the hanging lampshades to look up on Pinterest later, we seat ourselves on an outdoor table right by the pool. We’re told that Executive Chef Joe Vella had prepared a tasting menu for the occasion, and we take advantage of the gorgeous weather to order a frosty Shandy and wait to see what the Oceana has to offer.

We start with a gorgeous carpaccio

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

of Angus beef that was served with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic crisps, flavoured avocado, balsamic jelly and a baby rocket leaves; and I must admit that the addition of a slice of crusty Maltese bread only made it more special.

Next was a lovely pressed confit of chicken and duck terrine, served with a luscious foie gras and chevre cheese beignet, macadamia nuts and a tangy orange dressing that is truly as good as it sounds. Right after came the grilled green asparagus, served on a bed of

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buttered mushrooms and topped with a poached egg glazed in béarnaise sauce.

Little did I know that the best was yet to come – out came the trio of pork that included crispy pork belly, seared fillet of pork and confit of pork, served with a potato croquette, root vegetables, and perfected with a drizzle of sage, orange and red wine jus.

Finishing off this already extraordinary repertoire, we were served with a

selection of homemade ice creams and an absolutely gorgeous baked chocolate fondant, followed by a delicious strawberry dessert that included flavoured aerated chocolate, meringue crisps and a strawberry ice cream sphere.

We share a round of after-dinner liquors and part ways with a smile, and content with the idea of having just discovered a new lunch spot in the heart of St Julian’s.

EVENTS

WHAT’S ON? MALTA INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL 6th – 8th May Mdina Malta's unique fortified medieval city Mdina will be hosting 3 days of gastronomic alfresco eating and drinking, as well as family fun entertainment. During this festival, patrons can indulge in freshly-prepared food. Desserts and surprises, together with live cooking shows and spectacles, are the order of the day. Designated food areas are carefully decorated to give the visitors the opportunity to virtually transport themselves to the countries and regions being depicted through the culinary expertise of the chefs. During the event, patrons are entertained with live performances on two different stages offering the likes of Malta's finest artists to complement the atmosphere. Children will also have their share with activities including bouncy castles and ongoing animation.

This year we will also be serving breakfast on Sunday morning as early as 7am while one can also visit one of the museums operated by Heritage Malta at Mdina and Rabat for half price on Sunday. www.maltainternationalfoodfestival. com MALTA FASHION WEEK 14th – 21st May Valletta Malta Fashion Week is filled with fashion shows and parties hosted at some of the most picturesque venues in Valletta. This fashion event provides up-and-coming local designers with a platform to showcase their creations alongside other established designers, both local and foreign. This event is part of the Valletta 2018 European Capital of Culture Programme. www.fashionweek.com.mt

Isle of MTV Malta Special 28th June THE GRANARIES

Photo by Allen Venables

VALLETTA FILM FESTIVAL 3rd – 11th June Valletta Following the success of the inaugural edition of Valletta Film Festival that took place in June 2015, Film Grain Foundation is organising the second edition of the festival from Friday 3rd to Saturday 11th June 2016. Over 40 films from around the world will be screened in various competitive and noncompetitive sections of the festival.

There will be also film industry events, master classes, concerts and parties. www.vallettafilmfestival.com

ISLE OF MTV MALTA SPECIAL 28th June The Granaries A world class line up of artistes will play in a free live concert on the Granaries in Floriana in front of a crowd which annually tops the 50,000 mark. Once again this promises to be one of the summer’s must-see musical events.

The Isle of MTV Malta is unique in offering young people across Europe an exclusive opportunity to experience some of the world’s best new and established artistes here in Malta, and for free. This event has become an

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EVENTS important annual destination for music lovers. The 2016 edition will be the 10th Anniversary since this major summer musical event is being held in Malta and it promises to be something really special! www.isleofmtv.com MALTA INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 10th July – 3rd August Valletta The Malta International Arts Festival is a showcase of top quality events and sees local and overseas' artists and performers side by side. The festival is the highlight in the cultural calendar and it brings about collaboration between Maltese and foreign artists.

Joint performances, and workshops held on its fringes help enhance local artistic development and provide impetus to cultural innovation on the Islands. The Malta International Arts Festival is a bonanza of performance, music and dance, and offers something from almost all artistic forms. The event has also over the years opened up little used and special venues, such as the Old Opera House ruins in Valletta and Argotti Gardens, and been an impetus for the Islands to set about providing a greater diversity of art and performance spaces. www.maltaartsfestival.org

MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2016 24th – 25th September Malta International Airport The Malta International Air Show, one of Malta's largest outdoor events, has gained the well-earned reputation as one of Malta's top outdoor family events, now in its 24th edition. The forthcoming edition is promising to be another successful air show, since discussions are underway with many countries to confirm participation. For further information visit the official website www.maltairshow.com. On the show ground, one can also enjoy touring around the Static display aircraft and also finds retail outlets selling official merchandise and a whole range of different items. One can also sit down and enjoy a meal and a nice refreshing drink. The Malta International Airshow is simply an event that cannot be missed. www.maltairshow.com ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE 22nd – 29th October Valletta Malta is proud to host the Rolex Middle Sea yachting race which takes place in the heart of the Mediterranean and covers one of the most beautiful

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MALTA VS SLOVENIA 11th November 20:45 On the 25th of July 2015 Malta has been drawn to play against England, Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia and Lithuania in group F of the qualifying round of the World Cup Russia 2018.

Malta's matches kick off on September 4, 2016 at home against Scotland, before facing England at the Wembley Stadium. As Malta is very keen on the English football, the clash against England is considered as the attractive outcome and is most awaited. Another crowd-puller is the game against Scotland, with Slovakia, Slovenia and Lithuania completing the group. www.mfa.com.mt Malta International Airshow 2016 24th – 25th Sep

7TH MALTA INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL BANDS FESTIVAL 2016 6th – 11th September Valletta A six-day festival of bands, majorette groups, marching bands, folk groups, street bands and piper bands make up the seventh edition of Malta International Musical Bands Festival 2016. During this week there will be three/four street parades and concerts in most towns of the island. www.euroartproduction.it QALA INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL 2016 16th – 18th September Qala, Gozo Music, dance, costumes... the 11th edition of the Qala International Folk Festival is organised by the Qala Local Council and the Qala Menhir Folk Group. A weekend of folk dance, music and traditional food in the quaint village square brought to life by an intercultural programme that has grown to attract locals and visitors. www.visitgozo.com

courses in the world. The offshore exciting race kicks off in the beautiful clear waters off the capital city of Valletta. Unique for a race of this length in that it starts and finishes in the same place, the 606-mile route starts in Malta’s magnificent Grand Harbour and also ends there. This race runs by incomparable scenery and is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often unpredictable and tough conditions. www.rolexmiddlesearace.com

MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Photo by Matthew Camilleri

HAIRCARE

KEY TRENDS TO SPOT THIS SEASON

UDONE CURLS

As seen at Jean-Pierre Braganza and House of Holland Loose, effortless curls where the order of the day at LFW. Jean-Pierre Braganza opted for clean, big, beautiful waves, while House of Holland went for a more lived-in curl which made use of label.m Souffle to give a slightly shinier look to the hair roots.

BUDDING BUNS

FOR HER

As seen at Tata Naka and Judy Wu Buns and ‘huns’ were out in force on the SS16 catwalks. From a loose bun at Judy Wu, to a South American inspired ‘hun’ as seen at Tata Naka, one bun or another was making a strong appearance.

Judy Wu buns were created using label.m Volume Mousse, back brushed with a label.m Grooming Brush to create volume and height when secured into a bun.

FOR HIM HOLIDAY HAIR

SIDEWAYS SLICK

From Saville Row to the French Riviera, hair took a holiday look with a naturalistic, almost anti-product, livedin vibe. LFW witnessed high hair, clean at the sides but not too fussy – just the right side of dishevelled for a relaxing city gent.

Slicked back hair was worn at several shows; include Matthew Miller, where the team created a perfectly polished side part by sweeping hair off the face, for a groomed gentlemanly take on a classic shape.

As seen at Chester Barrie, Jermyn Street and St James’s

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As seen at Matthew Miller and Hardy James

PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW B. SPITERI STYLING: CARINA CAMILLERI MAKE-UP: JEAN PILLOW HAIR: PENELOPE TABONE, TONI & GUY ARTISTIC TEAM MODELS: PAULINA FROM NOTICED MODELS MANAGEMENT AND MARI & NIKOLA FROM MODELS M

Nikola - shirt, jeans both Henry Cottons & Marina Yatching belt all at Garbo; tie from Liu Jo Mari - shirt Liu Jo men, suit Liu Jo Paulina - shorts Marina Yachting at Garbo, dress Liu Jo: 18ct white gold ring with diamonds and natural blue sapphire: 18ct white gold earrings with diamonds and south sea pearls both at Gem Mine

Nikola - suit Liu Jo; white shirt Henry Cottons at Garbo; watch Audemars Piguet at Diamonds International Mari - white lace dress W Le Femme at Chelsey; Stefan Hafner ear-rings & bracelet at Diamonds International Paulina - dress Nilara; watch U-Boat Classico & earings 18Ct white gold with natural diamonds and natural emeralds both at Gioielleria Zampa

Paulina - dress Liu Jo, De Grisogono necklace & ring at Gioielleria Zampa; Novecento Novantanove bangle at Diamonds International Mari - dress Silvian Heach at Chelsey's, Roberto Coin bangle at Gioielleria Zampa

Mari - dress Henry Cottons at Garbo; Roger Dubuis watch at Gioielleria Zampa; Novecento Novantanove bangle at Diamonds International Nikola - sweater, pants, jacket & belt all Liu Jo men

WELLBEING

THE MYOKA FIVE SENSES SPA Designed to subconsciously stimulate all the five senses, our experiences combine a luxurious blend of exotic cultures, traditions and techniques from around the world including Bali, Tibet, Polynesia, Japan, Morocco, Thailand and Europe. Our new experiences and facilities are a perfect escape to indulge....

Himalayan Salt Massage Known in the Himalayas as white gold. Pink Himalaya salt was formed approximately 250,000 million years ago and is believed to be the finest salt in the world.

Our latest offering, the Himalaya salt massage is a bed covered with crystals of 100% natural Himalayan salt that features as many as 84 different minerals.

This pink Himalaya salt has extraordinary benefits for the body.

Most of all it brings balance, restores the natural processes, provides energy and helps prevent a number of aliments and illnesses. Treat yourself to this exclusive treatment and experience the healing powers of Himalaya salt for yourself.

with attitude, this treatment will help you feel calm, whilst boosting your circulation and target knotted tissue addressing physical issues as well. Enjoy the slow rhythmical movements of the Balinese massage.

Drift peacefully on a heated water table whilst enjoying your enhanced experience. This experience can also be enjoyed with your partner in our spa couples suite.

Ultimate Relaxing Pedicure Experience If you love pedicures, you are going to love this. This pedicure treatment is not the same as the so called “deluxe” or “signature” pedicure being offered to us when we walk into any salon. The Myoka Pedicure does what it claims – revive, refresh, and comfort our feet for the ultimate relief sensation whilst being massaged from head to toe in a special massage chair. Relax and drift to a land far away.

Water-bed Massage Tables Relax yourself in the comfort on our new flowing experience water beds.

The warmth of the water helps your muscles to relax resulting in improved blood circulation while alleviating soreness of stiff muscles and joints.

The bed contours around the body perfectly, minimises pressure from the spine, allows the spinal muscles to fully relax, as well as aiding in the treatment of backache. Falling asleep during your spa treatment has never been easier.

The Relaxation Area & Spa Garden Extend the benefits of your treatment a little while longer and forget about time, in our new relaxation areas.

Whether you would like to fall asleep and drift off to a paradise or enjoy the one you are in, while taking in the peace and quiet and enjoying the views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Balinese Experience Balinese massage is a good treatment to choose if are interested in experiencing a variety of massage techniques. Needing some help to relax? or perhaps feeling a bit under the weather? A relaxation massage

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ACHIEVEMENTS

RECENT HAPPENINGS WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON AT HILTON MALTA DURING THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

GIOVANNI MACCARRONE APPOINTED NEW DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS OF HILTON MALTA

Hilton Malta announces the appointment of Giovanni Maccarrone as Director of Operations who joined the Hilton Malta team in January 2016.

“We are delighted to have Giovanni join our team. His extensive experience in the hotel industry will

certainly be beneficial in bringing new ideas to Hilton Malta,” announced Matthew Mullan, GM, Hilton Malta.

Mr. Maccarrone was formerly Hotel Manager at Hilton Giardini Naxos and held this position since 2012. Prior to this Giovanni held various General Manager roles in different properties throughout Italy. Giovanni has a strong food and beverage background with

over 10 years of experience in F&B Management and over 30 years of international hotel experience with various international brands. Giovanni was also involved in a number of hotel openings which will surely auger well to the launch of the new Hilton Malta product in April.

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ACHIEVEMENTS

FIRST GUESTS TO CHECK IN TO HILTON MALTA AFTER ITS REFURBISHMENT

Tad Zurlinden and Dominic Tidey, toast with General Manager Matthew Mullan, outside the hotel.

GROUP CONFERENCE & EVENTS AWARD

Huge congratulations are in order for Hilton Malta yet again!

Last week our General Manager along, with our Business Development and Sales Directors attended the Hilton Europe, Middle East and Africa General Managers and Sales Conference for 2016.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

Hilton Malta also won the Operational Excellence award for Europe, Middle East and Africa!

Our Sales Team was also nominated for team of the year.

Well done to all the team members involved we are very proud of you for achieving these impressive awards!

GIOVANNI MACCARONE, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS RECEIVING THE ECOCERTIFICATION CERTIFICATE.

Hilton Malta was first Eco certified in February 2003 and have once again renewed our participation for the next two years. Eco certification is a Malta Tourism Authority environmental initiative for Hotels catered for the local needs and requirements.

Our Group, Conference and Events team was nominated for team of the year for Europe and won!

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ACHIEVEMENTS

HILTON MALTA CHEFS COOK UP CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING MEALS AT MALTA KULINARJA

Portomaso, March 2016 – A number of chefs from the Hilton Malta team participated in Malta Kulinarja, a cooking and culinary arts championship organised by the Malta Chef's Society and held at MFCC, Ta'Qali between the 18th and 21st February.

Special praise goes to Chef Noel Azzoppardi who won best overall and Senior Chef of the year, Shawn Zammit who won Patisserie of the year and Gabriel Caruana who placed second as Junior Chef of the year.

Over 200 teams and individual

GROUP PHOTO

competitors participated in the event which was split up into separate competitions for various cooking genres. The Hilton team placed gold, silver or bronze in the following categories: Cold platter static, Asian fusion dish, Entrée dish, Amuse Bouche, Warm and cold plated dessert, Vegetarian dish, Junior plated dessert, Local pork dish (junior and senior), Practical junior, Pasta dish (junior), Traditional Maltese dish (junior and senior), Mediterranean underutilized fish dish (junior and senior), Three course mystery box (senior) and Chef’s Grand Prix.

All the winning teams who participated in the events were awarded the Tony

The Hilton Malta staff gather in the lobby after the ten-week refurbishment closure.

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RAISING THE FLAGS

Theuma Memorial Challenge Trophy named after the late Tony Theuma, former President of the MCFA and a pioneer in local culinary competitions.

About the Malta Chef’s Society The aim of the Malta Chef's Society is to stimulate greater interest and enhance higher standards in the culinary sector and to bring together chefs, and other professionals, working, studying, or otherwise active in the catering industry, with the purpose of helping them further their knowledge and skills, and directly contribute towards the improvement in the quality and standards of the tourism industry in Malta and Gozo.

Hilton Malta staff members raise the flags outside the newly refurbished hotel before their first check-in at noon.

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FITNESS

TAKE THE PLUNGE AND JOIN US WORDS BY PAUL SPARLING

H

ere at LivingWell Malta we have a state of the art gymnasium, over 35 classes a week, squash courts, flood lit tennis court and a 20 meter pool. This may come as no surprise, but did you know how many ways using a pool regularly could benefit you?

Swimming for around 30 minutes burns more calories than the equivalent time spent walking. Studies have also shown that swimming can actually boost your mood!

Here at LivingWell Malta we have a state of the art gymnasium, over 35 classes a week, squash courts, flood lit tennis court and a 20 meter pool.

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This may come as no surprise, but did you know how many ways using a pool regularly could benefit you?

Swimming for around 30 minutes burns more calories than the equivalent time spent walking. Studies have also shown that swimming can actually boost your mood!

The resistance of the water is about 40 times greater than air. This means that you have automatic resistance, which is ideal for toning, strengthening and rehabilitation.

The water also supports around 90% of your weight making it a lot easier on your joints.

After your swim, or after taking part in one of our four aqua aerobics classes,

you can also relax in the steam room and sauna or cool off in the plunge pool, all of which are included in our membership. Then head home - as with all exercise swimming will also help you sleep better, allowing you to feel recharged the following morning.

Memberships available starting from â‚Ź39 monthly Memberships to our Merkanti beach club also available: (+356) 2373 3401 paul.sparling@hilton.com

CULTURE

MALTA’S UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

DID YOU KNOW THAT MALTA HAS THREE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES? THESE INCLUDE THE CITY OF VALLETTA, THE MEGALITHIC TEMPLES, AND THE ĦAL SAFLIENI HYPOGEUM. IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THIS IS RATHER REMARKABLE, DUE TO MALTA’S DIMINUTIVE SIZE, BUT WHAT’S EVEN BETTER IS THAT YOU CAN GET TO VISIT ALL THREE EVEN DURING A SHORT VISIT. The City of Valletta Our capital city, Valletta, is considered to be one of the most concentrated historical areas in the world. Standing tall with over 320 monuments in less than a square kilometre, Valletta was home and harbour to many, including the Knights of St. John.

Built after the Great Siege of 1565 by the Knights of St John, this fortified city was built on a peninsula, high above sea level in order to protect its people from invasion. Despite its rich history, Valletta embodies the late Renaissance, with a uniform urban plan, as well as bastion fortifications around its walls.

The uniform grille of streets was originally designed to accommodate buildings of the Knights, with important architectural sites such as St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Master, Auberge de Castille, along with several other auberges and the Infirmary of the Order.

The best way to get around and see most of Valletta is definitely on foot, keep an eye out for the Barrakka and Hastings Garden, soak up the sun at one of the popular cafés in Queen’s Square, or take in the absolutely stunning surroundings by walking around its core.

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CULTURE

The Megalithic Temples Originally, UNESCO took an interest in naming the Temple of Ġgantija in Gozo as a recognised site, but upon visiting the archipelago they came to discover a series of prehistoric temples, which they grouped up and renamed to “The Megalithic Temples of Malta”.

These ancient monuments represent typical structures that reflect the development of early settlers from a cultural, artistic, and scientific perspective. Experts have often referred to these sites as “the oldest free-standing monuments in the world”, which is pretty impressive.

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum

Similar in many ways, the three largest temples on the island include Mnajdra, Ħaġar Qim and Tarxien, along with the megalithic ensemble of Ġgantija which dates back to 3000-2200 BC, which was one of the most significant periods of the Bronze Age in Malta.

Dating back to around 2500BC and representing great historic value due to the fact that it is the only known underground structure during the Bronze Age, the Hypogeum is one of the most impressive sites in Malta and requires online booking, generally well in advance.

Both Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra are the result of several individual developments, which in turn makes them unique, whereas the Tarxien temple interiors demonstrate early signs of craftsmanship and art.

Frequently referred to as ‘the labyrinth’ because of it many corridors that lead to crypts and chambers, this megalithic structure is built from large, irregular blocks of globigerina limestone, and

decorated with prehistoric tools made from obsidian and flint.

The Hypogeum was originally built as a sanctuary or oracle, but was eventually transformed into a crypt along the years, and over 7,000 individuals have been recovered from this site. The upper level displays a hollow central passage, with tombs laid around each side, the second level consists of a series of fine chambers, including the significant ‘Echo Chamber’ that echoes deep sounds within the structure itself, and the neighbouring Tarxien temple.

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