More investment needed in boutique hotels

joseph mallia mamo

Apr 16th 2010, 20:01

Will boutique hotels get finances from banks. The answer is no. Boutique hotels tend to charge high prices due to individual service they offer. However rates in Malta are low and thus these hotels will not generate enough funds to meet their commitments.Banks are reluctant to lend monies. Unfortunately Dr Demarco being Parlament secretary forTourism does not know the needs of hotels, the market etc. It is easy bluffing because the truth is very much different

James A. Tyrrell

Apr 16th 2010, 13:23

Mario de Marco makes some good points here but doesn't his call for more 'boutique hotels' simply open the door for developers to apply to build small luxury hotels in 'special areas' where they would not otherwise be considered?

Can't the Malta Tourism Authority understand that God has provided them with everything they need to attract tourists to Malta? All they have to do is ensure that when the tourists arrive they are greeted with a country that makes them want to return. One of the main ways they could achieve that is to clean up a lot of the half completed developments that have been littering the country for years before they create new building sites.

Dieter Fenech

Apr 16th 2010, 11:56

Dr De Marco is absolutely right. Wininvest Group are presently about to commence work on the construction of what will become one of Malta's finest boutique hotels at our flagship Blue Harbour Development on the Ta' Xbiex Yacht Marina. We are certain that this investment will go a long way towards upgrading the lovely marina in Ta' xbiex and also add further diversity and quality to Malta's tourism product.
Dieter Fenech
Managing Director
The Wininvest Group.

Paul Vella

Apr 16th 2010, 11:50

If we are thinking of converting dilapidated or empty 'palazzi' situated in 'special' locations into small 'chic' hotels, that's fine. If we are thinking of creating architectural monsters similar to the 'pseudo boutique' hotel in High Street in Sliema near Stella Maris Church...then God forbid!! Concurrently It would be worth while bringing over another world figure or two and arrange for their routes to cover road networks that were overlooked during the recent papal overhaul (or rather 'patching up')

Vince DeBono

Apr 16th 2010, 11:33

@ Joseph Cauchi. It is a term to describe a small hotel with more personalised service and usually striking decor - could be chic, classic, retro or modern, etc. The point is that the visitor does not feel one of 500 residents in a big complex. Clients therefore are willing to pay more for a more individual experience. Such hotels tend to be 4* or 5*. There is such a hotel in Mdina for example.

Andrew Azzopardi

Apr 16th 2010, 11:28

@Joseph Cauchi

A boutique hotel is usually relitavely small yet luxurious. The hotel is is also usually in a 'special' location. Xara Palace is a typical boutique hotel.

For example a nice Palazzo cum hotel would be considered a boutique hotel due to intimacy, luxury and style - as opposed to a conference/business hotel such as Intercontinental with clean lines, large meeting rooms and hundreds of bedrooms.

Joseph Cauchi

Apr 16th 2010, 11:06

Please excuse my ignorance.

Could someone tell me what “Boutique Hotels” mean?

Thanks.

JC.