This year marks the 20th year anniversary of The Victoria Hotel’s operations. In order to keep up with the times and keep the standards high, as they have always done, the management of the hotel felt that a renovation was needed. From the walls and floors to the furnishing, the fresh new look given to this establishment really turned things around.
Technically speaking, the Victoria Hotel is a four-star resort, but it has been quite well known as the only hotel in its league to offer five star services and facilities. This makes it one of the more superior four-star city hotels in Malta. Situated in the heart of Sliema close to the main promenade, the hotel also offers an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, fitness room and spa making it the perfect hotel for a romantic getaway, a vacation with friends or for business travellers.
One of the main areas to undergo refurbishment was the lobby/reception area, offering a refreshing look while preserving the Victoria’s well known traditional design. The reception desk has been given a brand new look, with a rich royal purple velvet backdrop, accented with gold features. The area surrounding the fireplace has been updated with new furnishings, making it a warm and comfortable environment for our guests to relax, when staying at our hotel.
The guest rooms were freshly renovated and the materials chosen for these rooms and suites were partially influenced by clothing and the catwalk.
The winged headboard is sumptuously upholstered in antique gold alligator with brass studding. Dispensing with wardrobe doors, it’s curtained in a luxurious hound’s tooth fabric in black and brown. The chosen wallpaper has a background of a matching check with embossed leaves in a deep, velvety red. Pug dogs in period costume feature in the interior design of these rooms, since they were Queen Victoria’s favourites way back in the nineteenth century. These dogs add a playful touch to the tapestry cushions, as does the small brass pug door-pull on the mini bar.
perfield’s Restaurant has also been renovated and is now a beautifully proportioned, internal space with elegant architecture, similar to palm court restaurants in classic iconic hotels worldwide. The challenge of the designers in this regard was to soften multiple apertures and bring the room to life with a fresh pastel concept. Finding a splendid wallpaper with an abundance of flowers and birds quickly launched the designers into the concept. Oval chairs, upholstered in ostrich pattern and faux leather sit around light wood tables on turned pedestals, which achieved a sense of space and light. The designer’s customisation of high-backed and winged chairs created mixed height seating. This restaurant is not only popular for those indulging in a decadent Sunday lunch, but is a known venue for the organisation of events, mostly weddings. The new bright décor at The Copperfield’s Restaurant fits in well with the current vintage wedding themes as well as makes it an ideal venue for winter weddings. Moreover, clients at this restaurant can now enjoy delicious traditional afternoon tea.
The Penny Black Bar has also been modernised with a new parquet type flooring, together with an exclusive wall paper design which uplifts the bar’s eccentricity.
Changes were also made to the meeting rooms of the hotel, including the William Shakespeare Suite, Lord Derby Suite, and the creation of the Lord Byron Suite.
WIFI has also been upgraded and is now accessible throughout all the hotel on complimentary basis. The renovation project upgraded and perfected every aspect of the guest experience by ensuring upscale rooms and improving dining experience. It took place over a period of two years, splitting the works between the floors and public areas.
During more intense periods of work, The Victoria Hotel stopped receiving guests as it would not have been possible to offer the same levels of service. However, during lighter periods, guests were accepted as the works would not have affected their stay.
The creative and talented designer, Penny Apap Brown, together with the Director of Hospitality at AX Hotels, Ms Claire Zammit Xuereb, have been collaborating for the accomplishment of this project with the aim of giving guests a 5-star experience in a 4-star hotel. Data was collected from guest questionnaires, surveys and general feedback, which then helped shape a number of decisions taken by the management with regard to hotel design and needed features, keeping our client in mind throughout the whole process.
The changes mark a new start for The Victoria Hotel. With a new look and new facilities, guests will be able to enjoy the same great service in a modern environment.
The alterations made will give the hotel an even more inviting atmosphere for all the guests to relax and connect with friends, family, and colleagues.
Our ultimate aim is to ensure that the Victoria Hotel will remain offering its 5-star service; however, this refurbishment will further enhance the stay of our visitors, with new and improved facilities.