The George, a €12 million four-star hotel, is scheduled to open on Paceville Avenue in June next year, general manager Malcolm Azzopardi told The Times Business.
Described as an "urban boutique hotel", The George is a joint venture between ESE Group, the English-language tuition concern, and Vassallo Group, the building contractors.
It will occupy a footprint of 14,000 square metres and overlook Ball Street at the rear. Excavation kicked off in February and construction is well under way. The hotel will create around 40 jobs.
The property was originally intended solely for student accommodation but Mr Azzopardi explained plans evolved into a 112-room contemporary hotel that would target higher-end English language students, particularly the corporate market and longer-term adult students, and business and leisure travellers.
Architect David Vassallo and interior designer Katya Weidersum have been entrusted with the project.
The George will feature two floors of public areas, including a mezzanine that will house the main restaurant, and five room floors, besides a 55-space underground car park. A bright, spacious lobby has been designed to show off the hotel's sociable side - there will be an ample bar area and a computer station able to accommodate several guests at any one time. A round-the-clock food store has been neatly incorporated in the design for added guest convenience.
Three meeting rooms and an executive boardroom make up The George's mini business centre offering which will be able to accommodate 140 delegates.
Leisure and wellbeing facilities include an indoor pool, a 220-square metre spa, and a mini gym, besides a roof-top pool, decked sun terrace and sky lounge.
Incorporating five types of rooms, 70 per cent of which will be over 40 square metres in size, The George aims to target a variety of guests. Twenty-five double rooms will surround the sizable inner courtyard for guests in search of tranquillity. Deluxe rooms featuring two queen beds and a private balcony will be ideal for families while the spacious junior suites will incorporate a living area.
Ten 70-square-metre penthouse suites include a terrace and use of the outdoor spa. A collection of studio rooms offers versatile living spaces for longer-stay guests and include workspace, and fully equipped kitchenette.
Mr Azzopardi pointed out that from management to guest services, The George plans to maximise use of technology and considerable investment was being channelled in this direction. Significantly, there will be complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel and all rooms boast IP TV and iPod docking stations.
The hotel will be marketed online, particularly through popular social networking media and travel sites to reach its target client base. Bookings will begin to be accepted online at www.thegeorgemalta.com in late January. The mobile version of the hotel's portal launches in March.
The George will be another landmark on the quieter side of Paceville where regeneration is gathering pace. The hotel is also ideally located to enjoy proximity to the entertainment mecca on one side and the smart shopping and dining district and promenade on the other.
It will welcome its first guests at promotional rates when it opens in time for the industry's anticipated upturn in the third quarter of next year.
"I am quite happy that we were not open this year," Mr Azzopardi said.
"We believe very strongly in the product we plan to offer next year. The George will be a lean operation able to package a high standard offering at competitive rates."