Five-star facilities at Fortina to be completed by April

Luxury Hotel facilities will go beyond the five-star level with the completion of the second phase of a major project that will bring the deluxe spa concept to Malta.

Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Times last week, Michael Zammit Tabona, of the Fortina Spa Resort in Sliema, said the Lm7 million project, due for completion by next April, includes the completion of an 17-storey tower, the opening of ten restaurants offering international cuisine, a separate, five-star reception area and a newly built Santé Spa Centre finished to the highest standards. Some 70 jobs are to be created thanks to the development.

The first phase involved the construction of a new wing with the world's first therapeutic spa bedrooms came on stream last month. These include 33 therapeutic spa bedrooms, 15 of which have their own private pool on the roof, and a further 20 rooms with spa bathrooms and a separate spa on the balcony.

Mr Zammit Tabona said the new spa concept targeted both men and women who want to combat stress, with a venue where people can not only de-stress but also de-toxify themselves and promote a healthy lifestyle.

The new spa bedrooms include:

¤ a spa in the bedroom with two different programmes;

¤ a fully equipped 50m2 bedroom;

¤ a bathroom that includes, among the standard equipment, a Dermalife machine with detoxification therapy using the most up-to-date technology;

¤ a balcony with a staircase leading to an upper floor; and

¤ a private roof garden with concentrated seawater pool, barbecue area and sunbeds with complete privacy.

The Dermalife machine offers hydrofusion therapy amalgamating steam with a vibrating massage and Far Infra red with the option of including essential oils. Visitors have a selection of treatments in a therapeutic bath providing up to seven different programmes with the use of seaweed, salt and a choice of various essential oils.

In addition, a high pressure massage shower for two people includes a steam sauna, aroma therapy, seaweed and mud treatments, with algo, mud and other products available to compliment treatments.

There is also a Stressbuster machine in each room, which helps to increase oxygen in-take, promotes lymphatic drainage and helps the metabolism.

Mr Zammit Tabona said the project was the result of 30 years experience in the business, 15 of them in tourism, and will result of a state-of-the-art facility that is unique in the world, promoting the use of Mediterranean sea salt for physical well-being.

Already, the rooms that are available have made an impact on the hotel's existing guests and many had asked to upgrade. A full luxury package, including many fine details, was being taken up.

With the second phase, the new Santé Spa Centre will be opened including: a Finnish Sauna, Mediterranean Sauna, the Reflexology Basin, Ice Fountain, Kneipp walk, Relaxation area with Tepidarium and heated recliners, Experience Showers, Laconium Trilogy - the holistic bathing ritual - and Aqua Meditation.

Patrons will be able to book the services of a personal masseur either in their bedrooms or in the spa and can even book their own chef to cook their food on the barbecue in the roof garden. The rooms enjoy 24-hour room service and the tower will also house duplex spa bedrooms housing 126 bedrooms and luxury suites.