Intercontinental Malta open for business

The InterContinental Malta opened its doors to the public last Saturday. The five-star deluxe hotel, with 451 rooms over 15 storeys, and full conference facilities, is to operate in both the leisure travel and corporate markets. The particular focus will be Europe, the US, and emerging markets.

The hotel was designed by the Maltese architectural firm Bezzina & Cole and the US design firm Di Leonardo - to the highest specifications to meet the demands of the fast-growing conference and incentive travel market. The lowest floor of the hotel is a contained conference centre, with 18 meeting rooms (the largest having 750 theatre style capacity), separate reception, cloakrooms and kitchen service, and an entrance independent of the main hotel lobby.

The hotel boasts an unusual design of glass, steel and contemporary furnishings, where works of art are displayed throughout the public areas.

There are several outlets for drinking and dining, two of which - in the central gardens and at rooftop level - will be open in the warmer months. The Eastern Breeze, an Asian fusion cuisine restaurant, has been open since late December, and has already proved highly successful.

The InterContinental Malta has outdoor and indoor pools, a full beauty treatments' centre, and a health and fitness centre. The top three floors of the hotel house 113 Club guestrooms and suites, including the Presidential Suite and the Club InterContinental Lounge.

The hotel is owned by Eden Leisure Group, and is under long-term management contract to InterContinental Hotels & Resorts of Six Continents Hotels, the world's leading hotel group, which owns, manages, leases or franchises more than 3,270 hotels and around 512,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.