Providing immersive experiences: The Embassy Valletta Hotel’s unique portfolio of hospitality solutions

As the largest hotel within the city walls, located right on one of Valletta’s most iconic streets, The Embassy Valletta Hotel is in the enviable position of being right where it all happens.

Its credentials are certainly impeccable, sitting right above a boutique cinema complex that is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It boasts 81 luxury rooms – some of which enjoy stunning harbour and city views – and a swimming pool that’s the largest in the capital. Even if you have never visited The Embassy Valletta Hotel, chances are that you will recognise the pool immediately – with the imposing Carmelite’s Church rising behind it and Manoel Island in the distance, it has served as backdrop for many a celebrity influencer’s Instagram story.

The hotel houses a modern meeting room adjacent to a charming courtyard lounge bar, as well as fitness and therapy rooms, and a hair salon. General Manager Hubert Debono speaks with justifiable pride, as he tells iGamingCapital.mt that it would be difficult for any other property within Valletta to replicate these facilities given the various limitations that are inbuilt within the city.

“The Embassy Valletta Hotel exists to provide our guests with an exclusive, memorable and immersive experience in a European city of culture and within a UNESCO world heritage site. Our location is part of our intrinsic identity, and guests look forward to being part of the capital’s lifestyle for some days,” Mr Debono says.

The hotel is, in fact, specifically sought after by guests for each and every facility it offers, starting with the magnificent The Rooftop, commanding sweeping views beyond Valletta. This is where guests start off their day with an exquisite breakfast overlooking the infinity pool – incidentally, the pool is heated all-year round, making it very popular with guests even in the winter.

Being at The Embassy Valletta Hotel is very much about being in Valletta itself, with guests eager to make the most of their experience in such a vibrant cultural hub. For this reason, the front desk team has been trained by a certified tour guide to provide personalised recommendations of the most meaningful and authentic experiences in Valletta and around Malta.

“We also provide our guests with a free, informative mobile app that is full of useful suggestions, up-to-date information, booking options, exclusive discounts and a live chat to ensure that they will make the most of their stay,” Mr Debono explains.

The hotel attracts a diverse clientele, with no such thing as the ‘typical visitor’ and ranging from international to locals who want to make the most of their time in Valletta, including delegates of small, MICE leisure groups. Luxury dining is undoubtedly another big draw to Valletta, with the city now showcasing 10 restaurants featured on the Michelin Guide, three of which having the coveted 1 Michelin star. The Embassy Valletta Hotel, too, boasts some excellent additions to the Valletta dining scene.

“AKI restaurant, located on level -1, has been described by Michelin as a ‘sleek, stylish, basement restaurant where, from each table, you can watch the chefs as they carefully prepare Asian-inspired – mostly Japanese – dishes. The Rooftop Restaurant on Level 7 likewise impresses, as Italian chef Filippo Siena and his team create Mediterranean inspired dishes that are accompanied by decadent cocktails, fine wines and a spectacular view,” Mr Debono says about the restaurants.

“Naturally, our team will be happy to recommend various other restaurants nearby where guests can enjoy various types of cuisines, for a 360-degree experience of everything the city has to offer in terms of culinary experiences.”

With all this wealth of experiences accessible to guests, it is no wonder that the Embassy Valletta Hotel plays a strong role in terms of corporate events. A creative events team is in place, with extensive knowledge and experience to make sure all events reach the highest standards. Mr Debono confirms that the team will cater for a number of facilities and options, covering anything from C-Level meetings to team building events.

“We handle anything from business meetings and presentations to fun team events such as stand-up receptions, cocktail parties next to our rooftop pool, and private film screenings inside our in-house cinema complex. Our events team always ensures that any events we host have that WOW effect,” he says with a smile.

The team also prides itself on providing a bespoke solution, steering clear from the ‘one size fits all’ approach.

“We understand that each client may have different objectives, and we make sure that any packages we offer – whether they include the use of our conference facilities, hospitality, leisure options, or a mix of all three – are customised to one’s needs. Clients are simply requested to get in contact with our events team, and together we can create the ideal event,” he explains.

In recent years, Valletta has also gained popularity as a destination for smaller team-building activities, especially among gaming companies with an international workforce keen on directly experiencing one of the most spectacular heritage sites in the Mediterranean. These also tend to gravitate towards The Embassy Valletta Hotel, making it their starting point or end point of the event.

“There are multiple ways how we can help such companies ensure that their event is successful,” he says, explaining how the hotel has hosted groups doing a treasure hunt, using the location as a starting point and gathering at The Rooftop for bites and cocktails afterwards. Other groups have opted for the cultural angle, taking in various performances before ending the day with a stay at The Embassy Valletta Hotel.

“We encourage anyone who’s planning a similar event or a stay in the city to get in touch and discuss how we can create the best package. One thing is for sure – our team will deliver a memorable experience in Malta’s capital,” Mr Debono concludes.