CHRISTMAS & LATITUDES

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa in Balluta Bay marked the beginning of its Festive Season last Friday, with an innovative media launch celebrating Christmas under different latitudes.

Giant Christmas cake on the theme "Christmas and Latitudes"

On Friday 29^th of November, the entire management team of the 5 star hotel joined efforts to present their clients and patrons with an enchanted atmosphere on the occasion of the official festive season opening, baptized Christmas & Latitudes. Doors opened at 8pm with a Children’s choir interpreting various carols and embarking invitees onto a merry and sweet-sounding universe as soon as they stepped in the main lobby. The choir, presented by LMMalta ambassador Edward Mercieca and his renowned Stage Coach School, was composed of 65 enthusiastic and talented children who managed to grab the undivided attention of the audience in just a few notes.

For the event, as well as for the whole month of December, the hotel has been magically dressed in its most fancy apparatus: a detailed and tasteful decoration in line with the chosen theme. Wood work, figurines and accessories have been set throughout the floors, reflecting native scenes and celebratory customs from various continents. An unusual yet didactic Christmas surrounding that is in itself an inspiring experience for adults and children alike.  

Guests were greeted upon arrival with a welcome drink and gathered in front of a giant Christmas cake, a surprising and astonishing creation by Le Méridien kitchen brigade. The cake, representing a giant compass and highlights from each and every continent, was presented and cut in the introductory phase of the evening. Portions of it were sold throughout the following weekend in an effort to gather funds for l-Istrina. Guests were then invited to follow the hotel team to LM AIM center on the 1^st floor of the premises where a myriad of other entertaining surprises were awaiting them.

To warm up the dance floor, 16 dancers of Stage Coach performed a flag dance, setting the tone of a successful party indeed. After this uplifting performance, Marie Therese Vassallo, Director of Malta Cultural Institute and part of LMMalta, shared her mezzo-soprano voice with everyone through the moving song Let there be peace on earth.  This number marked the start of an entertaining night where a three-piece band encouraged guests to let their hair down and fill in the dance floor with their best groovy moves. Food was certainly not left to chance, as Executive Head Chef Reuben Grixti and his team took the opportunity to display mouth-watering themed corners, allowing invitees to have a taste of Le Méridien’s promising Christmas & Latitudes menus.

Online Christmas brochure: www.lemeridienmalta.com/christmasbrochure2013

Online booking: www.lemeridienmalta.com/forms/christmas

Groups, bookings and enquiries:  christmas.malta@lemeridien.com 

Christmas & Latitudes

Christmas wears luxurious scents of discovery this year at Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa. The creative management team has taken out a compass and drawn bridges across oceans, showing their clientele directions to festive traditions and countless rituals all over the world. The hotel will be unfolding all their menus, Christmas-related activities and decorations around one unique – yet inspiring - focal point: the many customs and traditions celebrated under different latitudes at this time of year.  

Year after year, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa always strives to present a new refreshing angle to its Christmas and New Year’s Eve options. Everything is carefully thought through to provide visitors with a renewed and enchanted experience. With this in mind, and throughout the past Christmas seasons, the hotel has in turn invited us to a Christmas Factory, engulf us magically in a fairy tale atmosphere and inspire us with a musical approach. Le Méridien’s inspiration goes across borders this year with a merry season entitled “Christmas & Latitudes”. 

 "Our Christmas & Latitudes brochure has been conceived like a boarding pass, opening doors to a multitude of new horizons", explains Melissa DeGabriele, Senior Marketing Executive at Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa. "It presents our menu options of course, all articulated around the selected theme, but it is also filled with fun facts, quotes and QR codes, allowing the reader a dynamic and interactive approach to his selection process." Indeed, Le Méridien Christmas & Latitudes brochure invites the reader to learn about myths and dishes, dances and customs, unusual tastes and colourful folklore. Whilst flicking through this extensive list of dinners, lunches and parties; one can also unveil some interesting cultural facts and inspiring quotes that join the dots of true international celebrations. This is a wide-range theme that allows space for the expected traditional Christmas spirit, but taken to a whole new and different level. 

CHRISTMAS & LATITUDES

Our entire hotel team is proud to present our innovative Christmas theme: this year, we are taking you around the world for the end-of-year festivities!

Our Christmas brochure is live:

HOPS & FORK

your favourite beer on a silver plate

Beer is the world's most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and is the third-most popular drink overall, after water and tea. But beer is more than just a drink. Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa, in partnership with Farsons, explores the unlimited possibilities of the rich flavours contained in a pint and demonstrates the versatility of that ancestral brewed recipe. Until the 25th of October, the culinary theme at KuDéTa Lounge & Bar is beer, with special offers, à-la-carte beer pairing menu, weekend entertainment and giveaways. A 5-star approach to malt and ale, which promises to seduce crowds of beer enthusiasts.

Did you know that lagers go very well with fish and white meat dishes, whereas ales pair well with smoked, barbecued food and red meats? Well, that’s only one of the many tricks that Le Méridien creative kitchen brigade will be using for the delight of our taste buds in the coming week. Throughout the Hops & Forks initiative at KuDéTa Lounge & Bar, visitors will be able to avail themselves from a unique a-la-carte menu with tantalizing items such as asparagus ravioli with a Blue Label Ale beurre blanc, beef stroganoff gnocchi with a Guinness and truffle cream sauce or ginger and Cisk Export cake with hazelnut ice-cream. But that’s not it. A lot of other dishes are on offer with surprising and inspiring accompaniments such as Hopleaf Pale Ale cream sauce, Woodpecker sauce, bacon compote infused with beer and so on. Other interesting highlights include black shell mussels cooked with Cisk Lager and even a choice of homemade pizzas with a sumptuous beer dough.

Sunday Lunch the way YOU like it

With the winter season approaching, the heart-warming Sunday lunch tradition resumes itself all over the island. Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa has successfully revisited the formula and revived the concept. For the upcoming months at Scirocco restaurant, everyone is really spoiled for choice. Whether you are vegetarian, gluten intolerant, on a sugar free diet or just very hungry, the new Le Méridien Sunday lunch menu gives you plenty of options.

World Travel Award winners triumph in Europe

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa was part of the top brand names to emerge victorious at World Travel Awards 2013 Europe ceremony, held in Antalya, Turkey on 31st August 2013. The 5 star hotel, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, was awarded Malta’s leading Spa resort.

The industry’s elite, including senior executives of leading travel companies, government ministers and top tourism decision-makers, attended the gala event hailed as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”. World Travel Awards celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade, celebrating those companies and organisations that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence in product and service. The Gala Ceremony had an entertainment line up of top stars with Turkish TV host Ece Vahapoglu, world renowned classical trio Sterling EQ, opera maestro Andrew Amdur and the sensational Fire of Anatolia Fire entertaining the guests.

LE MERIDIEN SUMMER BACKDROP

Food is the common ground. Summer is the backdrop. Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa embraces the island’s peak season with exclusive culinary-related events. Unveil Le Méridien’s summer calendar and celebrate summer in style.

 

ROOFTOP DINING

The ideal place to surrender to a magical experience is on the rooftops of Balluta Bay. La Bajja outdoor restaurant opens every evening throughout summer with a great à-la-carte menu. Perched on the 12th floor of the hotel, you will enjoy fantastic views whilst indulging in Le Méridien creative cuisine.

CORK & FORK

There’s more to wine that meets the eye. For only 45euros per person, you can spend an evening in culinary delight at La Bajja rooftop restaurant with wine specialists and Le Méridien kitchen brigade. These Cork & Fork events include an exceptional 5 course dinner and selected quality pairing wines provided by the suppliers involved.

A taste of Malta in Paris

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa shares a taste of the Maltese Islands on the occasion of Joseph Calleja’s concert in the romantic capital city of Paris.

On Tuesday 23rd of April, Joseph Calleja performed at the Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides in Paris. For this unique and prestigious occasion, “La Grande Voix de Malte” (The Great Voice of Malta) was accompanied by the Orchestra of the Republican Guard, directed by François Boulanger. As part of a Brand that mixes contemporary culture with its European heritage and that aims at creating a culturally refined, meaningful and stimulating atmosphere in more than 100 hotels around the world, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa naturally hopped on board of this artistic exchange as presented by the Maltese Ambassador in France, S.E.M. Pierre Clive Agius. The evening, under the patronage of Claude Bartolone, President of the French National Assembly, certainly contributed to strengthening the Franco-Maltese relationship. The concert was followed by a Maltese dining reception in the beautiful and historical private halls of the Governor of Paris, concocted in exclusivity by Le Méridien St Julians’ Executive Head Chef Reuben Grixti.

Joseph Calleja’s concert at the Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides in Paris with the Orchestra of the Republican Guard.

Lights out at Le Meridien St Julians

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa  joined millions around the world in turning off lights for Earth Hour 2013 to illuminate a powerful message about environmental awareness and action. Earth Hour 2013 took place on Saturday, 23^rd March at 8:30 p.m. local time.  Created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour is the largest movement for the planet in human history, spanning 7,000 cities, 152 countries, with a digital reach of 200 million. 

Le Meridien: one of the Finest European Hotels

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa in Malta has been awarded as one of the best hotels in Europe by the European Finest Hotels organisation (EFH) for its unique and exceptional qualities and the high level of its offers and services.

 

Out of nearly 230 000 hotels in Europe, only 70 establishments have been awarded by EFH. European Finest Hotels is an initiative of the European non-profit making organisation "European Consumers Choice". Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa has met the European criteria for 5 star rating with above average bedroom sizes, a state of the art fitness centre, on-site spa services, great acoustic comfort, a fine-dining restaurant and staff who speak at least two languages. In addition, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa meets another 80 requirements laid out by the European Finest Hotels organisation: adherence to accessibility norms, air quality, culinary options for vegetarians or allergy sufferers, a business centre with up-to-date technology and full business services, fine furnishings, electric adaptors, newspapers on demand, exceptional surroundings, originality in architecture and interior design.

 

Andy Smith at KuDeTa

Andy Smith will be performing on the 18th, the 22nd and the 23rd of March from 9pm onwards at KuDeTa Lounge & Bar. Don't miss it!

 

A snippet of Andy Smith's biography:

 

Andrew Smith started playing the guitar and bass from a very young age and honed his talents playing for choirs and gospel artist. Opportunities soon came his way that would propel him into the British mainstream music industry.

 

He has worked with world renowned recording artists from the UK and around the world. He has produced, toured and played with the likes of : Westlife, George Michael, Rod Stewart, Shakira, Amy Winehouse, Gwen Steffanie, Jamiroquai, Take That, Gabrielle, Lauryn Hill, Alexander O’Neil, M People, Atomic Kitten, Lulu, Gloria Gaynor, Desire, All Saints, Matt Goss, Lemar, Jocelyn Brown, Billy Piper, Belinda Carlise, Chipmunk, and Beverely Knight, just to name a few.

French fashion at Le Meridien

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa is proud to announce a new prestigious partnership with the French brand “Pause Café”, now displaying a stunning clothing collection on the 3rd floor of the hotel. This is the first “Pause Café” boutique in Malta.

 

Founded in 1988 in the Champagne region of France, the brand “Pause Café” has enjoyed a tremendous success and growth, since the formation of its mother company Ryvia in 2000. A household name in many European countries, a new Pause Café boutique is now available to Maltese customers at Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa in Balluta Bay. With a practical location nearby the reception desk on the 3rd floor of the premises, the outlet opened its doors on Thursday 7th March for a special launch event. The new “Pause Café” boutique presents a beautiful stock with a broad selection of the exciting summer 2013 collection, designed for ladies with character who know what they want. Distinctive, original and of a quality that is second to none, visitors to the boutique can expect to be spoiled for choice with this brand that delivers effortless French style.

 

This stunning ladies wear brand is distributed in over 1300 retailers worldwide and also has 70 of its own branded outlets. Creativity, originality, colour, choice, quality and a broad size range (from 36 to 54, French sizes) are the major advantages of “Pause Café”. Pause Café has many thousands of fans in various European markets but this is a first in Malta: you can now experience this amazing brand without leaving the island. To celebrate the opening, a 10% discount is being offered for a limited period of time and hotel/restaurant guests will be delighted to know that they can also collect Starwood Preferred Guest points (www.SPG.com) when shopping at “Pause Café”.

 

THE END

MYSTERY. CURIOSITY. DISCOVERY.

Le Méridien Venetian Ball

This coming Friday 8th of February 2013, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa is organising its first Venetian Ball at the hotel in Balluta Bay. Tickets are available in Malta at 202 Jewellery Le Méridien outlet (Mon to Sun from 10am to 10pm) or from 202 Jewellery Outlets in Bisazza Street Sliema, Merchants Street Valletta, Zabbar Road Fgura & Victoria Gozo. (Mon to Sat from 9am to 7pm)

MORE INFO ON http://on.fb.me/100yWm6

For the occasion, we will have many surprises for you:

1. A Pair of Crystal TRESOR PARIS Earrings will be given to all Ladies on Entrance. Earrings to be worn during the Event to be eligible to win Grand Prize.

2. By attending Le Méridien's unique masquerade ball, guests automatically enter a poll to win a 2 night stay at the Westin Europa & Regina in Venice!

3. The runner-up will get a complimentary Valentine's dinner for 2 people. 

Price per person is €30.00 including finger food, welcome drink and entry ticket.

You may get a FREE ticket when purchasing a Tresor Paris Watch or Jewellery for €99 or more at a 202 Jewellery outlet. 

Overnight stay for Venetian Ball participants: €60euros per room per night in a Classic Room.

Dress code: Guests are expected to wear period costumes or fancy dress/black tie with mask. 

We are looking forward to sharing one of the fanciest evenings of the year with you!

Le Méridien goes greener than ever

St Julians, Malta – February, 1st 2013

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa received the prestigious Green Key Award, rewarding the hotel's management for their tremendous and fruitful efforts in eco-related initiatives.

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa is the first hotel in Malta and the ICM region within Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide® to receive the Green Key Award. The Green Key is an international eco-label tourism facility: it aims at contributing to the prevention of climate change and it encourages sustainability in tourism with recognised awards and the promotion of eco-friendly initiatives. Awarded to over 2,000 establishments in 38 countries worldwide, the Green key is recognized and supported by the World Tourism Organization and UNEP. It is presently the largest global eco-label for accommodation and hospitality services.

Multiple Awards for Le Méridien St Julians

St Julians, January, 22nd 2013

Officially praised by the Tripadvisor online community and awarded best Spa Hotel in Malta by The SPA Traveller, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa is starting the year with an uplifting wave of official recognition.

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa has been praised by travellers themselves with great achievements in the Tripadvisor community. The hotel was very recently been chosen as a qualifying property in 3 different categories by TripAdvisor in its 2013 Travelers’ Choice® awards: Top 10 luxury hotels in Malta, Top 25 hotels in Malta and Top 25 hotels for Service in Malta. Now in its eleventh year, the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards honor the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travelers all around the world. “And our guests' opinion is so valuable to us”, explains Franco Vella, General Manager at Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa. “We have our own internal customer satisfaction system: a detailed electronic questionnaire lead by our Mother Company with elaborated data, strict follow-up guidelines and of course very high targets with regards to the overall satisfaction of our visitors. We share these, as well as our Tripadvisor reviews, with our entire team on a daily basis: this precious feed-back is a guarantee of the permanent improvement of our services. Acknowledging and acting upon our customers' comments is a top priority.”