International hospitality brand AC Hotels by Marriott has announced the opening of its first hotel in Malta, AC Hotel by Marriott St Julian’s. The hotel is located close to St George’s Bay, Bay Street shopping complex and other entertainment hubs that populate that area.

Marriott International shared that the AC Hotel by Marriott St Julian’s is owned by The Ona Hospitality Ltd, a group of business ventures based in Malta that last year had successfully issued a €16,000,000 bond on the Malta Stock Exchange.  

The new “lifestyle hotel”, designed by Italian-based architecture and design association Fabris & Partners, was described as retaining a Maltese colour scheme throughout the public spaces and guestrooms, a palette that “took inspiration from the natural and urban environment around the hotel.” The hotel offers 106 contemporary guestrooms and suites.

Matthew Boettcher, Vice President and Global Brand Leader said that the company is “delighted to be bringing AC Hotels’ design-driven guest experience to Malta. The hotel marks Marriott Bonvoy’s third property in this vibrant Mediterranean island destination.”

AC Lounge, located on the rooftop terrace overlooking the St Julian’s skyline, will feature a menu with “cocktail and European tapas.” Other facilities include a heated outdoor rooftop pool, an indoor pool, a meeting space with seating for up to 40 people, and a gym.

The new hotel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Robert Abela on Wednesday (today).

AC Hotels operates over 225 hotels in 31 countries and territories. The company was founded by J. Willard and Alice Marriott in 1927 and its first venture was a nine-seat root beer stand. Thereafter the company continued to expand into the lodging business with the Twins Bridges Motor hotel in Arlington, Texas and in 1966 the brand became international when its airline catering division, In-Flite, acquired a flight kitchen in Venezuela. Its first European hotel was opened in 1975. In 2016 Marriott International acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide creating the world’s largest hotel company. The event was celebrated in New York City’s Time Square.