Palazzo Capua, the 19th century Victorian edifice in Sliema, has been placed under the umbrella of the five-star The Palace hotel after being run by sister hotel The Victoria, a four-star, for over a year.
Claire Xuereb, general manager of The Palace and Palazzo Capua, says the change in strategy makes the hotel, which was named after the mansion, the only property in Malta to offer a real palace as an exclusive facility.
"Palazzo Capua is the reason behind The Palace," Ms Xuereb explains. "It is the historical part of our boutique hotel. We do have an element of Palazzo Capua in all our rooms through photography so our guests can relate to the connection."
The house was originally known as Selma Hall but later took the name of one of its more glamorous residents, Prince Charles of Capua, who eloped to Gretna Green to marry Irish heiress Penelope Smyth. His brother Ferdinand II, the King of the Two Sicilies, exiled him and confiscated his property. The couple ended up in Malta and took up residence at the colonnaded house, where all their four children were born. The Capuas left Malta in August 1850. Several foreigners moved in and out of the building until the Mattei family occupied it between the 1890s and the late 1930s. The palace was even home to the Sisters of Charity until the 1970s.
After lying in a derelict state for 20 years, the palace was restored to its former glory and transformed into an exclusive conference and events venue. Over the past months, several couples, mostly from overseas, have celebrated weddings there.
Furnished with antiques, Palazzo Capua may host medium-sized events like business breakfasts, seminars and conferences for up to 80 delegates in its three main halls on the ground floor - the interconnecting William Morris, Oscar Wilde, and Charles Reade Suites - which may be partitioned according to necessity. With its own kitchens, Palazzo Capua's catering options range from networking menus to banquets.
Its most unique feature is its five suites, four of which are duplex, that support the conference facilities. Ms Xuereb says the suites are among the largest to be found in a Maltese property. All are furnished differently to accommodate varying tastes - from the romantic to the functional - and boasts rich fabrics, restored traditional flooring, feature walls, wooden staircases and high-tech entertainment and business amenities.
Both Palazzo Capua and The Palace enjoy access to Alexandra Gardens - the palazzo from the main corridor on the ground floor, The Palace through its State Hall conference room.
Ms Xuereb says a team of waiting and housekeeping staff have been assigned to Palazzo Capua to ensure the "non-standardised" service guests would expect from such a property. The marketing team includes two members assigned to corporate sales and a third to hospitality.
The Palace hotel, with its own five suites conceptualised to themes like music, fragrance and texture, its executive lounge for business use, and its careful balance between design and comfort, is starting to see a steady stream of repeat guests, mostly from northern Europe.
Ms Xuereb says 2009 will present various challenges to the tourism and events industry so it will be important, primarily, to offer more value to clients.
"Next year, we shall find ways to be more creative and cater for clients' different requirements with even higher standards," she explains. "The Victoria and The Palace are designed to 'mother' guests. They are hotels that feel like homes. In this business, you have to find ways to ensure guests enjoy a stay that is striking. That is how a hotel is remembered."
Claire Xuereb, general manager of The Palace and Palazzo Capua, says the change in strategy makes the hotel, which was named after the mansion, the only property in Malta to offer a real palace as an exclusive facility.
"Palazzo Capua is the reason behind The Palace," Ms Xuereb explains. "It is the historical part of our boutique hotel. We do have an element of Palazzo Capua in all our rooms through photography so our guests can relate to the connection."
The house was originally known as Selma Hall but later took the name of one of its more glamorous residents, Prince Charles of Capua, who eloped to Gretna Green to marry Irish heiress Penelope Smyth. His brother Ferdinand II, the King of the Two Sicilies, exiled him and confiscated his property. The couple ended up in Malta and took up residence at the colonnaded house, where all their four children were born. The Capuas left Malta in August 1850. Several foreigners moved in and out of the building until the Mattei family occupied it between the 1890s and the late 1930s. The palace was even home to the Sisters of Charity until the 1970s.
After lying in a derelict state for 20 years, the palace was restored to its former glory and transformed into an exclusive conference and events venue. Over the past months, several couples, mostly from overseas, have celebrated weddings there.
Furnished with antiques, Palazzo Capua may host medium-sized events like business breakfasts, seminars and conferences for up to 80 delegates in its three main halls on the ground floor - the interconnecting William Morris, Oscar Wilde, and Charles Reade Suites - which may be partitioned according to necessity. With its own kitchens, Palazzo Capua's catering options range from networking menus to banquets.
Its most unique feature is its five suites, four of which are duplex, that support the conference facilities. Ms Xuereb says the suites are among the largest to be found in a Maltese property. All are furnished differently to accommodate varying tastes - from the romantic to the functional - and boasts rich fabrics, restored traditional flooring, feature walls, wooden staircases and high-tech entertainment and business amenities.
Both Palazzo Capua and The Palace enjoy access to Alexandra Gardens - the palazzo from the main corridor on the ground floor, The Palace through its State Hall conference room.
Ms Xuereb says a team of waiting and housekeeping staff have been assigned to Palazzo Capua to ensure the "non-standardised" service guests would expect from such a property. The marketing team includes two members assigned to corporate sales and a third to hospitality.
The Palace hotel, with its own five suites conceptualised to themes like music, fragrance and texture, its executive lounge for business use, and its careful balance between design and comfort, is starting to see a steady stream of repeat guests, mostly from northern Europe.
Ms Xuereb says 2009 will present various challenges to the tourism and events industry so it will be important, primarily, to offer more value to clients.
"Next year, we shall find ways to be more creative and cater for clients' different requirements with even higher standards," she explains. "The Victoria and The Palace are designed to 'mother' guests. They are hotels that feel like homes. In this business, you have to find ways to ensure guests enjoy a stay that is striking. That is how a hotel is remembered."