There may be as many as 11 new hotels opening in the capital, after the planning authority received a stream of development applications.

A Mepa spokesman said the Authority started receiving applications for small hotels in Valletta two years ago. “The authority has received 11 applications for the rehabilitation and change of use of properties into guesthouses or boutique hotels,” he said, adding that this would not mean any new buildings were developed.

Six of the applicants have already received permits and the other five are being processed. Boutique hotels typically have between 10 and 50 rooms, offering bespoke services and luxury facilities, and have become a preferred form of accommodation for tourists on the lookout for a genuine travel experience.