The Grand Hotel Excelsior is most certainly grand, and designed to fit seemlessly into its ancient backdrop. Looking like a huge cruise liner at dock, this sleek stone and glass building has been sculpted into the fortified battlements that have protected Valleta since the times of the Knights of St. John.
Built in 2007, the 5-star hotel has already become one of the landmark hotels of this stunning city, the stone weathering beautifully to take on the colours and patterns of the 16th century walls into which it is wedged.
Just a few minutes walk from the Valleta city gates, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Excelsior is a calm and luxurious oasis, sandwiched between the Great Siege Road that skirts the compact city and fascinating and bustling Marsamxett Harbour. But don't expect to find banana boats and jet skis to take your interest and fill your ears. From any number of vantage points - your balcony, the 6th floor Harbour View, the Chartroom Bar or the stunning poolisde - you'll be treated to view of super yachts, fisherman in their one-man craft, colourful, traditional Maltese luzzus, navy vessels and an assortment of sailing yachts all clamouring for your attention against the backdrop of the harbour and Manoel Island.
The pool area is certainly on of the highlights of the hotel with a large outdoor pool bedecked with loungers and umbrellas. From here you can watch the Maltese maritime world go by. An equally grand indoor pool will suit those wanting to escape the rays of the sun.
Indoors, guests can relax in a number of bars and restaurants, where attentive staff wait on you with pleasure.
The Yacht Club is a superb place to enjoy dinner as you watch harbour life, fireworks and listen to the daily thuds and blasts of ceremonial and festival canon fire.
