March 1 opening for St Julians upmarket hotel

The 276-room Le Méridien St Julians, the second Le Méridien Hotel in Malta run by the global hotel group Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, will open its doors on March 1, the company said.

It is located in the grounds of a 19th century Maltese villa, in the picturesque Balluta Bay area of St Julians.

The five-star hotel, having a blend of contemporary design, reflects the distinctive architecture of the surrounding area. Bedrooms will have a balcony or terrace, with sea or country views. Le Méridien St Julians' signature restaurant will be the fashionable Villa Brasserie. Located in the newly renovated 19th century Villa Cassar Torreggiani, it will offer contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, created by Michelin-star French chef Michel Rostang.

In addition, the hotel will also have five indoor and outdoor restaurants and bars.

The conference centre, with its 14 meeting rooms on one level, includes a fixed seat amphitheatre and a dedicated business centre. A large landscaped terrace allows events to be held outdoors. Three floors of executive bedrooms will complement the conference centre. The hotel will also boast the Lotus Spa & Health, one of the largest on the island, which will offer an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, male and female hammam steam rooms, gymnasium, squash court and beauty treatment rooms. These leisure facilities will be complemented by a rooftop swimming pool and sundeck with panoramic views over the island's coastline.

Le Méridien St Julians will bring Le Méridien's total number of rooms in Malta to 412.

London-based Le Méridien is a global hotel group with a portfolio of more than 130 luxury and upscale hotels in 56 countries worldwide.