“The island has so much going for it. At The Phoenicia
we are spoilt, being in an area that, to a certain extent,
is protected. When our guests are blown away by one of
our curated experiences, and they come back again and
again, that is what success looks like. And that’s what we
should all be looking at, as a destination. Malta has many
rich stories to share, and if you listen to someone like Liam
Gauci recount these stories, it’s just wonderful to look at
the island with those eyes.”
Robyn is referring to Malta’s popular maritime historian,
who is also the brains behind the Taste History concept,
which revives historical recipes and ingredients through
immersive dining experiences.
“This is exactly the kind of experience I’m talking about. If
we manage to find a way of making this more accessible,
that would be wonderful. I believe that Malta has the right
vision, but we need everyone to come together, and to be
committed to where we want to go,” she continues.
Meanwhile, the hotel is set to continue bringing Malta’s
culture and history to life in a way that feels real. Next
up is the restoration of St John’s Gardens, which Robyn
assures me will be developed in a way that’s “mindful
about UNESCO being our next door neighbour, so we’re
working alongside Heritage Malta on that.” There’s also the
addition of larger and interconnecting rooms.
“The vision is to take this hotel to the world of luxury. And
we intend to make sure we keep the promise we made to
the guests. It’s easy to promise, but the way you deliver on
a promise is what defines the brand and the person. No
matter what, we stay true to who we are.”
And with Robyn at the helm, the course looks clear.
Click here to see Horeca Issue 21 online