A TOUCH OF NATURE

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa presents digital artist John Hicks with the exhibition A Touch of Nature on display from the 8th of August and throughout the month, in the reception area of the hotel in Balluta Bay.

Artist John Hicks was born in 1986 in Leicestershire, England. As a young digital creator, he received his B.A. from De Montfort University in his hometown and attended the Post-Graduate program in painting at the Newtown College in Wales, before settling down in Malta in 2012.
In college, Hicks produced tonal drawings, acrylics, oils, alcohol markers and sculptures of still life in clay, bolster and wood. He also experimented with character portraits and busts. A great portion of his time was already dedicated to product design.

Days to Come, by John Hicks

SUI GENERIS EXHIBITION

Naomi Gatt and Claudia Muscat have combined their artistic talents to present a colourful and varied array of exhibits under the common title SUI GENERIS.  This unique painters’ exhibition is being hosted at Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa in Balluta Bay. Indeed, the hotel has consistently established itself as a mecca for Maltese and foreign artists alike over the past 7 years.

Naomi Gatt is a graphic designer and owns a first degree in Communication and Psychology. The mastering of these two essential elements of human interactions enables her to express her inner feelings in poignant and surprisingly accurate female facial expressions.  She has playful traits which bring out unexpected renderings in her depiction of common objects.  Naomi has dabbled with various topics and different media, however what lures her most is the capturing of faces.  The viewer is transported to the soul of the painting through the eyes of these inspiring portraits. It is a very powerful way for Naomi Gatt to bring her deepest emotions to the forefront of her exhibits. She chooses simple, nearly depurated images and transforms them into intense art depictions.

by Naomi Gatt. All rights reserved.

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.

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. 

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!

A real Coup d’État for PRIMA TAZZA launch

A surprise Opera performance to portray the strong energizing feeling of a morning coffee cup!
A few months ago, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa launched a creative committee called LM100Malta, with renowned members from various artistic disciplines. To kick off their programme of activities in style, the hotel organised an unusual morning event baptized PRIMA TAZZA, involving LM100Malta members Julian Calascione (Illy Coffee representative) and Marie-Therese Vassallo, from the Malta Cultural Institute. The event was aimed at reinforcing the Coffee Culture within the hotel, highlighting KuDéTa Bar & Lounge as being the ideal venue for all to enjoy their first and traditional cup of coffee of the day. With a great coffee supplier and breathtaking views over pretty Balluta Bay, the place has certainly a lot to offer to coffee lovers. Additionally, Le Méridien Management’s goal is to bring to life an inspiring environment in their public areas, in line with their Brand mission statement.

Hotel patrons, VIP guests, Starwood Preferred Guests members and local media personalities were invited to the PRIMA TAZZA launch which occurred at KuDéTa Lounge & Bar on Friday 27^th of April at 8.30am. To further enhance this unique launch, the radio XFM 100.2 was broadcasting live from KuDéTa with presenter Steve Hili sharing entertaining comments about the surrounding activities during his popular Big Breakfast Show.

KuDéTa Lounge & Bar was indeed buzzing with a fun atmosphere, great marketing visuals from Illy Coffee and the morning chatter of the attendees. Several coffee stations were available for guests to treat themselves to their favourite Illy coffee cup, whilst Le Méridien kitchen went out of their way to present a breakfast reception, with delicious items ranging from apple turn-overs to the classic French croissants. Mood videos were being projected on a large screen and Julian Calascione, the representative of Illy Coffee in Malta, greeted the guests with a welcome speech about the coffee culture in general.

Le Méridien boasts Maltese Culture for World Tourism Day

St Julians, Malta – September, 30th 2011

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has been celebrating World Tourism Day every year, on September 27. It is on that specific date, in 1970, that the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. The purpose of World Tourism Day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.

The participants to World Tourism Day excurison organised by Le Meridien

Le Méridien Malta paints it purple for SPG

The launch of the SPG awareness week started with a bang this Monday at Le Méridien Malta, with a Guest Cocktail Party proudly representing the colours of SPG and involving our dedicated Management Team, available to present customers with all the advantages the program has to offer. All throughout the week, our hotel guests checking in at the front desk will be greeted by enthusiastic receptionists wearing SPG T-shirts purposely printed for the occasion. All arriving customers are being offered a delicious home-made SPG cupcake as a welcome treat, prepared with passion by Le Méridien kitchen brigade. Our maintenance and housekeeping departments worked hand in hand to bring the SPG theme alive throughout our premises: countless purple balloons filled up with helium are nicely covering up the ceiling of our lobby, whilst the façade was decorated with a huge Starwood Preferred Guest banner hanging down from the top of the building. Last but not least, guests and associates alike can’t stop talking about the impressive highlight of the week… As soon as the sun goes down, passers-by on Balluta Bay Promenade can indeed enjoy an unusual sight: the entire facade of the hotel prettily lighting up with a distinctive purple halo...

Children's Art for the Planet

This year, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa went "Beyond the Hour*" on the occasion of Earth Hour 2011, a global awareness movement for the environment that started off in 2007.

Indeed, on Saturday 26th March, instead of simply switching off the lights from 8.30pm till 9.30pm as indicated by this energy-saving project, the Hotel’s management went one step further. Guests and patrons were formally invited to join the Team in the hotel lobby at 8.15pm to share a welcome drink. Shortly before the lights went off, the official video of Earth Hour 2011 was projected on a giant screen to raise awareness of the initiative amongst all present. This introduction video was followed by a choreographed Le Méridien moment called “evening ritual”, whereas members of the staff – dressed in the appropriate branded costumes - solemnly entered the lobby and lit up the candles placed on the center piece of the room. The scene was rolled out on a powerful music by the artist Enya playing in the background. The evening then transformed into a candle-lit moment whilst a talented guitarist pleasantly entertained the guests for a couple of hours.

Earth Hour at Le Méridien: children’s pledge for Mother Earth

At 8.30pm on Saturday 26 March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for the Earth Hour. So will all Starwood Hotels worldwide. Fully supported by its mother company, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa will adopt the initiative for the 3rd consecutive year. But with an interactive and creative twist this time.

"The project has been impressively evolving on a global scale", states Mark Muscat de Celis, Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien St Julians. "And we don’t want to fall behind. We want to involve our community, encourage Maltese people to take action and motivate our youth to adopt a new perspective."

With this philosophy in mind, Le Méridien St Julians is launching an interactive competition based on children’s creativity and aimed at populating what promises to be a unique art exhibition. Indeed, the management is enthusiastically inviting all children between 7 and 14years old to come up with an A4 creation on the theme of "Mother EARTH"*. The technique (water colours, pencils, collage, etc.) is left to the preference of the child, however all artworks must be laid on A4 sized paper. The drawings will all be exhibited on the 26th March at the KuDéTa Bar & Lounge. On that day, hotel guests and local customers will be able to enjoy this "Mother EARTH" art exhibition and vote for their favorite piece of art. The winner of the competition will get a free afternoon of horse riding for him/herself and his/her close family, together with a picnic basket full of delicious Le Méridien treats.

Art competition for children on the theme of "Mother EARTH"

On top of this original exhibition, Le Méridien St Julians will of course respect the electricity curfew that will put the entire hotel in the dark from 8.30pm till 9.30pm. "But switching off the lights is a simple gesture that must come across as a celebration", emphasizes Angela Saliba, Hotel Manager. "We want to go beyond a mechanical energy saving moment and we are inviting all our patrons to take a stand with us by sharing the magic of a candle-lit evening". Indeed, for an hour and decorated by the children’s creations, Le Méridien’s public areas will solely be lit with candles. To encourage both hotel guests and local customers to visit the premises for this special evening, the Management is also organizing a "Happy Hour" at the KuDéTa Bar & Lounge from 8.30pm and 9.30pm: for every drink purchased at the bar, clients will receive a second one for free.

AMBIguous: a creative versatility!

This upcoming art exhibition, named "AMBIguous", is gathering the creative forces of two very versatile Maltese artists: Mr. Mark Mallia and Ms. Claire Attard-Vella. It will be on display from the 12th till the 27th of March 2011, on the second floor of Le Méridien St Julians in Balluta Bay. Access to the exhibition area is free of charge.

Claire Attard-Vella working on one of her creations

Malta Cultural Institute Concert

The third concert of the Malta Cultural Institute season 2010/ 2011, will be held on the 13th December 2010 in the Grand Exhibition Hall of the Hotel Le Meridien, St. Julian’s, at 7:00pm. Special guests for the evening will be the Piano Duo Franco Foderà and Giovanna Mirrione, who are travelling from Trapani, Sicily, to perform for the MCI. They are not new-comers to Malta and have performed on the MCI platform some years ago.

EOSE Delegation at Le Meridien St Julians

EOSE President praises fitness facilities

Officials of the European Observatoire of Sport Employment (EOSE) were recently in Malta to view local sports facilities and discuss employment opportunities with the Malta Sport Council, the Malta Exercise Health & Fitness Association (MEHFA) and the Malta Qualifications Council.

The delegation, which stayed at Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa, was shown around the major sporting facilities on the island by Gino Schiavone, President of MEHFA, and were given detailed information by the Malta Sport Council on the local sports set-up and how associations like MEHFA work to provide the right competencies for the industry to promote employment.

Commenting on the hotel’s leisure facilities, EOSE President Stephen Studd said: “This is a very professional set-up, with a busy gym – a reflection of the excellent customer care this facility provides.”

Photo Caption
Gino Schiavone, MEHFA President (first from left), with the EOSE officials outside Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa (from left): Ben O’Rourke, member; Jean Louis Gouju, Treasurer; Aurelien Favre, Executive Director; Thierry Zintz, Secretary; Stephen Studd, President; and Matthias Guett, Researcher

Guerlain unlocks beauty secrets at Le Méridien St Julians

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa and Guerlain hosted an exclusive evening event for their esteemed clientele on Wednesday 7th April, in the Pisces Hall of the hotel premises.

The event evoked an enthusiastic response from all attendees, who came together to explore the new beauty elixir and the alluring fragrance, and to learn about the latest discoveries in beauty secrets.

Guerlain unveiled its most popular seasonal line of cosmetics - the Terracotta 4 Seasons Tailor-made Bronzing powder collection, creams and make-up, ideal for all seasons.

Guerlain make-up artists briefed all the participants about Guerlain's Orchidee Imperial absolute skin care products that address all problems from dehydration, pigmentation and wrinkles which are part of the brand's latest grooming secrets.

The beauty session and launch of the cosmetic line and perfume, was followed by a consultation where individual queries were answered.

For the occasion, the culinary team of Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa prepared some mouth-watering Asian and Mediterranean treats including tantalizing appetizers, a hot buffet section and a succulent chocolate fountain with gorgeous strawberries.

All the participants walked away with special gifts consisting of Guerlain's latest perfume Idylle trial size, Orchidee Imperial cream trial size, Parure foundation trial size and Rouge G four colour sample card.

Guerlain is distributed by X-Treme Co. Ltd and can be found at leading perfumeries.

Mark Sagona - Exhibition

The latest collection of paintings, entitled Nocturne, by Gozitan artist Mark Sagona was inaugurated on Saturday 6th March by Professor Mario Buhagiar at Le Meridien St Julians Hotel & Spa (Exhibition Area, Level 1). This is Sagona’s seventh personal exhibition to date which follows his last important show at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta in 2008.

The twenty semi-abstract acrylic canvases, all produced in 2010, are inspired by the beauty and magic of nocturnal light in various spots around the Maltese Islands. They continue to emphasise Sagona’s fascination with light which has featured in various of his personal exhibitions.

Professor Buhagiar, Head of the Department of History of Art at the University of Malta, who also wrote a short note for the exhibition brochure comments that Sagona “has earned good repute as an artist destined to leave his mark on Maltese Art of the first decades of the 21st century”.

Lights out

LE MERIDIEN ST JULIANS CELEBRATES EARTH HOUR
Candle Light Hour shows caring for the planet

A leading light in hospitality is about to go dark. But just for an hour – and for a good cause. For the second year in a row, Le Méridien St Julians Hotel and Spa will participate in Earth Hour, on Saturday, March 27, the global environmental awareness event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to send a powerful global message about the importance of environmental sustainability and caring for the planet.

Le Méridien St Julians will observe Earth Hour by switching the hotel’s lights off and taking several energy-saving measures for one full hour, further underscoring Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to environmental sustainability.

From Beijing and Brussels to Baltimore and Buenos Aires, Starwood hotels flying brand flags, including St Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Westin® and the recently launched Aloft® and ElementSM , will do likewise.

“Between 8.30 and 9.30 p.m. on Saturday we are also hosting an evening ritual with live music and celebration drinks in the KuDéTa – all by candle light,” said Angela Saliba, general manager of Le Méridien St Julians. “From 9 p.m. there is also a Happy Hour during which patrons will benefit from 50 per cent off all consumption at the bar.”

Celebrities at Le Meridien St Julians

Left: Mr. Alexis Callus, Sales Manager
Right: Mr. Christian Panucci, Parma FC international, Defender.

Left: Mr. Al Bano Carrisi, Italian Singer
Right: Mrs. Angela Saliba, Hotel Manager

Left: Mr. Michael Shannon, Former Hotel Manager
Right: Mr. Bryan Adams, Singer

Middle: Mr. Alessandro Del Pierro, Juventus - together with LMSJ Food & Beverage Associates

Middle: Gigi D'Agostino, DJ, with LMSJ associates

Dior Bliss at Le Méridien Hotel Malta, starring ladies only

Dior Bliss adds Hollywood touch to Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa, during the very special corporate event of the 18th of November 2009. Because women are all special... all stars. Franks hosted a Dior Bliss event in the main exhibition hall of Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa in Malta.

The event, strictly on invitation and accessible to ladies only, enhanced Dior’s image as a brand of enchantment. Guests went along with the fashionable dress theme "black & white, with a touch of red". They were greeted upon arrival to a fruit smoothie and canapés, before being invited to be photographed by Mark Cilia with a Vogue backdrop, Hollywood style.

Clare Borg, Dior trainer and beauty consultant, then outlined the latest Dior products being launched this winter, including Capture Totale in the skincare range, Sérum de Rouge lipstick and the 10th anniversary of J’Adore, Eau de Parfum.

All these Dior products are endorsed by celebrities like Sharon Stone, Monica Bellucci and Charleze Theron.

Following the presentation, guests were invited to a VIP area in the Pisces Hall, turned into a Hollywood Studio for the occasion and where they could browse through the trendy photographs taken at the start of the event. Guests were also given the opportunity to try the new Dior products, get in-depth information, hand massage and free consultation, whilst treating themselves with a glass of wine and elaborated nibbles.

A successful event, both for the Dior brand in Malta and for Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa whose Corporate Team managed to impress and pamper their business partners in a sophisticated yet personalized and original way.