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XARA PALACE HOTEL, MALTA
By: Jason Pollock
Xara Palace Hotel, Malta
Xara Palace Hotel, Malta
Pride Life discovers five-star opulence in Malta
"The hotel is the finest in Malta"
Historic Mediterranean Malta renowned for many centuries as the home of the legendary Knights of Saint John and latterly for its heroic part in the war effort is, in the 21st century, about to experience yet another renaissance in its dramatic history.
Malta’s capital, Valletta, with adjoining Three Cities, is architecturally spectacular and doing its level best to live up to its dramatic past. But the grandeur is fading fast.
Meanwhile, Sliema on the south coast with its UK chain retailers creating a home from home in the sun has successfully created a more downmarket resort much favoured by British package holiday tourists.
However, it is in need of more prestigious hotels in order to attract discerning international travellers to the island.
But now bucket-loads of money are flooding in from Brussels for this smallest and newest nation to fly the European Union flag, encouraged by an impressive governmental drive for private enterprise and conducive tax benefits.
Fast becoming reminiscent of the regenerative Berlin of a couple of decades ago, Malta is being brought lovingly and expensively up to date as its stoical people witness yet another quantum leap in the fortunes of this sun-kissed island.
Whilst all this structural activity is happening in the south, one part of the island that will never change is the beautiful medieval walled city of Mdina.
Built high on top of a hill with panoramic views across Malta and down to the sea, this city was first fortified in 700BC by the Phoenicians.
Saint Paul called it home after he was shipwrecked on the island and it’s been the base for illustrious Maltese families ever since.
Mdina has been meticulously maintained though the centuries as the most complete mediaeval walled city in Europe. Often called the Silent City, its narrow, cool streets are simply not wide enough for cars so the clacketty-clack of a pony and trap are the loudest vehicle sounds you’re likely to hear. At night, when the day tourists have long gone, the creatively lit city is an oasis of tranquillity.
Complementing this stunning location is the Xara Palace Relais and Châteaux Hotel. In a country not noted for five-star opulence the hotel, built into the wall of the city, is the finest in Malta.
Designed for one of the noble Maltese families in the 17th century this stylish boutique hotel is run and owned by one of the most renowned and respected families on the island. The atmosphere as soon as you enter through its ancient doors is of being a privileged houseguest in this most stunning of mansions.
The attention to detail and customer service is exemplary. Every room and suite has been individually designed with specially selected local antiques to perpetuate the sense of history which seeps through every wall and crevice whilst providing modern day amenities expected of a hotel of this quality, including free wifi and plasma TV.
The restaurant, the de Mondion, more than deserves its accolade as the best restaurant on Malta. Set on the roof of the hotel, its terrace gives diners a spectacular 180-degree view enhanced in the summer by the Maltese passion for firework displays!
The food is Michelin star at its best. A small but highly creative menu allows the award-winning chef to cook a range of simply amazing modern Mediterranean dishes bursting with creativity and flavours.
Gourmet lovers come from far and wide to sample the delights of the de Mondion. The actor Omar Sharif, one of many well known personalities to sample the food, wrote in the guest book, “worth coming from Cairo for”! Competitive restaurants within the walls of Mdina may promote “fine dining” but none of them can hold a candle to the de Mondion experience.
For those wanting a lighter menu the hotel’s attractive Trattoria AD 1530 offers an al fresco dining experience on the piazza. From great pizzas, vegetarian dishes and creative salads, their menu is complemented by local fresh fish and brilliant pasta dishes.
Although Mdina’s Xara Palace is away from the “madding crowds” of the southern resorts and cities, it’s still the ideal base from which to explore the island by cab or rental car or experience the quaint bus service for a bit of real Malta.
When we left to catch the convenient Air Malta shuttle back to Heathrow it was with the certainly that we would return to Xara Palace and this fabulous city.
The Xara Palace, Misrah il-Kunsill, Mdina MDN 1050, Malta. Tel: + 356 21 450560 Email: info@xarapalace.com.mt www.xarapalace.com
