Hazledene announces £11m upgrade of grand old Maltese hotel

Hazledene Investment Management, part of the Edinburgh-based hotel and property development group, Hazledene, has today announced a £11 million restoration and refurbishment of Malta’s grandest hotel.

The extensive upgrade of the five-star Phoenicia Hotel in the island’s capital Valetta is being undertaken on behalf of Hazledene by international hotels group CampbellGray Hotels, which will also manage the luxury 136-room hotel overlooking Valetta’s historic Marsamxett harbour.

Hazledene, run by entrepreneur Mark Shaw, acquired The Phoenicia in late 2012 and plans to have it open again for guests by Spring next year and in full operation in time for Malta’s Presidency of the European Union in 2017.

Valetta is due to be the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

The five-month refurbishment programme – between November this year and March 2016 – will allow the work to take place without the risk of disruption to guests.

With The Phoenicia considered to be one of the architectural jewels of Malta, the refurbishment will be sympathetic to the hotel’s rich heritage, said Mr Shaw.

The Phoenicia was built in 1939 by Lord and Lady Strickland, when Malta was still under British rule, with the aim of attracting a cosmopolitan clientele enjoying standards of comfort and service equal to the best hotels in the great European capitals.

But due to the Second World War, the hotel was not officially opened until 1947.

Mr Shaw, who recently sold Pragelato Village Resort in the Italian Alps to HSBC Assurance after an extensive refurbishment programme, and also built and owns the Park Inn Hotel in Aberdeen, said he was excited to see The Phoenicia being restored to its former glory and taking its place again as one of the grandest hotels in Europe.

He added: “We are delighted to have Gordon Campbell Gray and his excellent team overseeing the next chapter in the life of The Phoenicia, allowing it to realise its full potential as a world-class hotel that will appeal to many.”

Gordon Campbell Gray said: “I have always wanted to restore a grand hotel and opportunities such as this happen rarely. The philosophy behind the renovation of The Phoenicia is very much about restoring it to its original grandeur while at the same time making it feel like now and therefore more relevant to the current international traveller. What excites me most though is the chance to work with the super-professional team at The Phoenicia who, over the years, has contributed to the success and immense popularity of the hotel.”

The major upgrade of the The Phoenicia will include:

• A complete refurbishment and upgrading of all guest rooms

• The creation of several new rooftop Sky Suites

• The addition of an infinity poll with sweeping views of the harbour

• A complete re-landscaping of the hotel’s grounds and terraces

• Restoration of The Phoenicia’s classic façade

• Refurbishment and upgrading of all the hotel’s public spaces

• A new health club and spa with eight treatment rooms, state-of-the-art gym and indoor pool. (The spa will open in October 2016)