Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/553115
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 AUGUST 2015 News 17 the charm of boutique hotels Similarly, the manager of the 13- year-old Hotel Juliani, Georgios Rouvelas, said that as a small, fam- ily-run boutique hotel, the focus was on ensuring each guest stay was particularly memorable. "Many of our guests are looking for something a little different to make their visit to Malta memora- ble from check-in to check-out," he said adding that the hotel held a personalised approach as that special something on offer. "Our team takes pride in getting to know each guest and their pref- erences, giving them one-on-one attention and an insider's perspec- tive on how to get most out of their time in Malta, experiencing all that our hotel and island have to offer," Rouvelas added. He also said that the experience has so far been "challenging yet exciting". "We understand that one can- not stand still in our industry as the game and even the rules are constantly changing. With that in mind, we are vigorously attentive to our guest's comments and aim to lead the way in boutique hotel trends." Located in the heart of Spinola Bay, Hotel Juliani naturally caters for an altogether different audi- ence than Trabuxu Living. The hotel, which boasts a Mediter- ranean design and feel, hosts a total capacity of 47 rooms and 94 guests, particularly with the recent launch of its three new elegant De- signer Suites in the historic heart of the hotel. "Just as each independent bou- tique hotel is unique so are our guests, though typically we attract an independent-minded business or leisure traveller seeking to es- cape the hustle and bustle," he said, adding that while not always located at the seaside, boutique hotels are typically relaxing and welcoming oases to return to at the end of a day spent exploring Malta's historic, cultural, natural and culinary sites. Talking about the inevitable ex- penses of running such a business, the Fenech Solers also added that their establishment would never compromise on its level of service. "From an operational perspective it is critical to the success of TBL that we operate cost effectively while ensuring that we provide an optimum service to our guests at all times," they said, adding that the small number of rooms helped them to offer as tailored an experi- ence as possible. "However being small means that we must measure that level of service with our overheads and keep expenses manageable at all times," they added. They further explained that their pensione caters predominantly for travellers aged between 30 and 60 years of age who on average stay for between three to four days at a time. "Travellers opting for Valletta are, of course, in the majority. They could be visiting on busi- ness, as well as travellers seeking a cultural experience," they said, stressing that their location was a great asset in this respect. They added that so far, the pen- sione's busiest seasons are spring and autumn, and that the estab- lishment is normally marketed directly via the company website (www.trabuxu.com.mt) aside from other highly popular online book- ing agencies as well as a select number of specialised internation- al boutique websites. Rouvelas, on the other hand, said that as with Malta's tourist prod- uct in general, summer was their high season, but that an increase in both leisure and business stays during shoulder and low seasons had been noticed in recent years. "We have also noted the length of peak season continues to ex- pand each year to include March through to October," he noted, adding that visitors often shared their experiences with others via social media networks such as Fa- cebook and TripAdvisor. "We also work to continuously improve our facilities, adding a new gym and boardroom that will open next week, to attract repeat visitors," he said, stressing the ho- tel's efforts for marketing through feedback. Surprisingly, owner of Chapel 5 Suites in Naxxar, Malcolm Jones, listed the shoulder months as particularly strong aside from the peak summer months. Chapel 5 Suites is situated in a quaint, palazzo-style house of character, and has a maximum oc- cupancy of 10 people. Given the fact that Naxxar isn't traditionally a touristic area, one questions how such a business would thrive, but Jones says that it is its niche appeal that has made it so successful. Targeting people over 25 years of age, the establishment is marketed as a unique concept and boasts an altogether different experience from other boutique hotels, par- ticularly given its location, which offers an "immersion in history, village traditions and beautiful churches and chapels". The palatial property was first built approximately 300 years ago and has recently been restored to become the establishment it is to- day. Jones says that the location was ideal both for its attention to the customer experience and be- cause it was located in a very cen- tral town and only a short bus ride away from touristic hot spots. "The fact that the hotel is off the beaten track, has served our niche market better," Jones says. Trabuxu Living (Photo by Mark Cassar Photography) Chapel 5 Palazzo suites View from the roof at Chapel 5 suites Trabuxu Living