Bid for Selmun Palace Hotel rejected
The only €2 million bid for Selmun Palace Hotel and the temporary grant of the castle that adjoins it has been turned down because it does not meet the government’s expectations, The Times has learnt.
No decision has been taken on the next step so far. The government may either issue another call for bids with the same conditions or else set fresh specifications in the hope of attracting a more generous offer for the property.
The sole bid for €2,012,556, came from a notary and his wife from Żabbar, who own wedding reception halls.
The hotel is owned by Selmun Palace Hotel Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Air Malta.
The airline, which last week announced losses of €31 million for the last financial year, decided to sell non-core operations and focus solely on the airline business.
Selmun Castle, originally built by the Knights of St John in 1783, is being offered on a temporary emphyteusis for 99 years against a ground rent of €70,000 a year. The castle houses some of the hotel suites as well as being the venue of weddings and other functions.
Designed by Domenico Cachia in 1619, Selmun Palace is often perceived as the baroque version of Verdala Palace. It was the most important property of the Monte Di Redenzione, a pious foundation set up in 1607 for the redemption of Christian slaves in the Barbary States.
The tower was leased to Air Malta for a period of 99 years, on condition that the company had to restore and preserve the tower and guarantee free access to the public.
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charles vella
Feb 3rd 2010, 19:24
The Govemeant should turn the Hotel in a old People home . Before it goes in private sector.
R.Lewis
Feb 3rd 2010, 16:02
First of all a big congratulations to the Govt for not giving away a place like that for this miserable tender. The tender should at least list the minimum offer. Secondly in my opinion it is one of the nicest Palaces we have on the Island and should be refurbished and made the President's Palace, with the surrounding grounds.
Charles Micallef
Feb 3rd 2010, 15:13
Selmun Palace Hotel will only become viable as a holiday resort, if it is linked to Mistra Bay by means of a footpath or otherwise to give access to a beach of sorts, as it stands it is cut off!
Joe Morana
Feb 3rd 2010, 15:11
@ Mr. Engerer: What difference does it make which government sanctioned this blasphemy? The Selmun Palace saga is but one of many slaps in the face to the Maltese People, as well as to Malta's history and heritage, by a succession of pseudo-patriotic and leader-wannabees dating back to the 1950's. The sins of the fathers will be visited upon their children, and their children's children!
Deo Catania
Feb 3rd 2010, 14:48
@Gonzi. ever heard of eBay? start listing everything there, saves you a lot of hassle. Auction, reserve price, Buy It Now.....quite easy to use really. While at it you can sell Malta as a whole package including illegal immigrants.
Peter Murray
Feb 3rd 2010, 12:21
Seems to me that the solution offered by some of the respondents is obviously over-simplified-merely get rid of the hotel.What about the immensely negative impact this would have on the employees and the many ancillary industries associated with the functioning of a popular tourist hotel?
The bid was a derogatory one and be treated with contempt and quite rightly was dismissed.Regarding the Palace itself this is a magnificent historical monument and its current lease stipulations must be preserved and robustly guarded.However,the current criterion of free access to the public is somewhat opaque as when is the castle actually open to the public-days and times-and where is this vital info made known,and what measures exactly have been implemented by Air Malta to preserve the castle?
Steve M Engerer
Feb 3rd 2010, 11:11
@Joe Morana
Which rapacious goverment are you talking about!!??
The Hotel was built in the 1970's - so it must be the Labour Government!!
Just curious!!
Joseph Calleja
Feb 3rd 2010, 10:57
This beautiful palace is a piece of art with a lot of history. The hotel should never have been built around it and spoil it's magic, but what's done is done. My suggestion, like all others is to demolish the hotel and adorn the palace surroundings with worthwhile landscaping. This magnificent palace should be maintained and turned over to the Mellieha Local Council or to the Malta Heritage so it can be used as a tourist attraction. Very few people remember that before the hotel was built, this palace was once used as a priest residence and he celebrated mass in a little chapel inside. I would ask the Mellieha Local Council to do it's utmost to acquire this Magical Palace and preserve it like they are doing with the Red Tower and The White Tower. The Selmun Palace is very unique and it should be a stand alone icon. I urge all the NGOs to support this cause to preserve this magnificent Palace.
edward ciantar
Feb 3rd 2010, 10:56
Raze the hotel to the ground. Embellish the area around the beautiful castle and integrate it with Fort Cambell as an area for agro-tourism. No more speculation for the sake of the Maltese and visitors alike.
S.Cassar
Feb 3rd 2010, 10:01
Why not remove the hotel & convert it for agroturismo? we dont have 1 place like that in malta!
Would be a new tourist attraction!
Surely better than a venue for weddings!!!!
Joe Morana
Feb 3rd 2010, 09:56
The Selmun Palace is an historical landmark. It should have been retained and maintained by the Government as a heretage site, to be enjoyed and appreciated by all who love Malta's history, and not turned into a wedding dance hall for the sake of a 'quick buck'! Another example of mismanagement by a rapacious goverment, focused solely on selling Malta, piece-meal, to the highest bidder!
Alfred Baldacchino
Feb 3rd 2010, 09:43
I would demolish the hotel, landscape the area and set the tower for lease to period enactment tourism.