Chronicles from Malta | Palazzo Jean Parisot Boutique Hotel

When visiting a city for its historical features, staying in the city center always seems to be a wise option. In Valletta that was the case and we couldn't be happier with our choice. Palazzo Jean Parisot was the quintessential home away from home. Comfortable and with tasteful interior design, this boutique hotel is steps away from the main attractions of Valletta and close to many great restaurants and bars.

Named after the influential Grandmaster of the Order of the Knights of St John, Jean Parisot de la Vallette, this gorgeous Boutique Hotel is located on Saint Paul's Street and can offer its guests a choice of 8 lovely suites, including a penthouse suite.

Our suite was beautifully appointed, spacious and very comfortable. All the suites include a fully equipped kitchenette, and we all know that in some situations that can be quite convenient. The hotel is recent and you have the feeling of entering in a brand new home, for which the decoration and care of the staff in keeping everything absolutely spotless and perfect just makes never want to leave. A great mattress, top quality linens, and comfy pillows made our nights perfect for resting from the intense days visiting Valletta.

And we can not forget the rooftop terrace, with the spectacular view of the city, and over the Grand Harbour, to Fort St Angelo and the historic Three Cities. Perfect in the morning, lovely for an afternoon drink, a relaxing bath in the extra large Jacuzzi or a nap in the sun loungers, and absolutely breathtaking at night when the fireworks fill Valletta's sky with light.

You know I enjoy good food and breakfast is an important moment of the day for me. At Palazzo Jean Parisot I've found a careful selection of high-quality products available for the morning meal and I can assure you that my breakfasts were complete and delicious. Breakfast is served on the covered patio and there are plans to start serving it also in the terrace. All through the day, there is a basket of fruits available to all guests, and all the suits are equipped with an espresso machine, coffee capsules and tea bags.

Technology is also a high point in the hotel. Your access to the building and to your room is made through a personal code, the "Do Not Disturb / Please Clean my Room" signs are electronic and every suite provides a state-of-the-art technology by way of a Suite Pad, which gives us up-to-date information on the property, special offers, restaurant recommendations, activities and points of interest in the city.

But all this High Tech investment does not mean that the human factor is not important. The staff attention, courtesy, and professionalism are difficult to top. There was no effort enough to make us feel welcome, to respond to any of our requests and to make us feel comfortable and satisfied with the smallest details. We stayed just for 3 days in Valletta, but when we crossed the doors of Palazzo Jean Parisot Boutique Hotel we leave with the feeling of living behind a familiar place.

Palazzo Jean Parisot Boutique Hotel
76, St. Paul’s Street, Valletta
Malta
Phone: +356 21333565
E-mail: pjp@roosendaal.com.mt

The Wanderer's Gallery | Malta

Chronicles from Malta | 3 Places to Remember

We arrived less than a week from our visit to Malta and my memories of this Mediterranean country will always be pervaded by its yellowish limestone walls, the colorful doors, the clear and warm waters and the kind people I've met there.

There are many points of interest in this small nation, including natural, archeological, historical and artistic attractions, but in this first article, I'll focus on 3 places included in our itinerary that struck me the most: Mdina, Valletta and the Three Cities, and Gozo and Comino.


MDINA

The fortified city of Mdina was the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period and is still known today as the Silent City, and by its titles of Città Vecchia or Città Notable. Within the walls, the resident population is of just a few hundreds, but you can count on the tourists, arriving each day, to add largely to these numbers. Walking around the narrow streets, you can count on finding something to aim your camera at the turn of each corner: the impressive stonework, the colorful doors, and windows or the detail of a balcony will surely capture your eye

GOZO AND COMINO

Gozo is the second-largest island in the archipelago and although is more rural then the main island of Malta, is deservedly known for its scenic coastal landscape and geological features (who have not heard about the Azure Window or the Blue Hole?). Gozo is also rich in archeological sites of notable importance, like the Ġgantija temples and presents some stunning beaches and places to dive. The Blue Lagoon of Comino surely is a winner to me and Victoria is a city not to be missed, especially during the Festa of Saint George.

VALLETTA AND THE THREE CITIES

Founded in the 16th century and built under the rule of the Order of St. John - also known as Knights Hospitaller - the city of Valletta is essentially Baroque in its character. And if some of the simpler and austere facades of churches and cathedrals may full you, the rich interiors remind us of glorious days. Its monumentality and historical value are such that Valletta was officially recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. To move around the city you must be prepared for some steep streets and stairs (nothing much for a Lisbon native, though!), but the views of both the city, the Grand Harbor and the Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua) across the water are recompense enough for your effort.

You can find all the information you need on Malta, Gozo, and Comino, at the Malta Tourism Authority site. Pay them a visit at Visit Malta for inside tips on what to see, what to do and where to go, and for loads of relevant information on the country and specific places that you don't want to miss.

Wine Chronicles | Soul Garden (Lisbon)

The Corinthia Hotel Lisbon is one my favorite hotels in Lisbon, and to make something good even better, it has made a renovation of the outdoor space and opened the SOUL GARDEN - a bar in an outdoor green space with a direct access to the exterior, independent of the hotel.

The renovated space consists of a bar, different lounge-style seating areas surrounded by green structures creating different environments, and three islands located in the garden ponds, each dedicated to bartending experiences with Old Fashioned, Sour and Negroni cocktails.

O Corinthia Hotel Lisbon é um dos meus hotéis favoritos na cidade de Lisboa, e agora é capaz de se tornar um dos meus lugares de eleição nos fins de tarde e noites quentes de Verão. O Corinthia renovou o espaço exterior e abriu o SOUL GARDEN - um bar num espaço verde ao ar livre (giríssimo!), com acesso directo ao exterior. 

O renovado espaço é composto por um bar, diferentes áreas de estar, em estilo lounge, rodeadas por estruturas verdejantes que criam diferentes ambientes, e três ilhas localizadas nos lagos do jardim, cada uma dedicada a experiências de bartending, com os cocktails Old Fashioned, Sour e Negroni.

The bar is run by Nélson Antunes, who manages the hotel's bars and offers a menu rich in Cocktails, Mocktails, Gins, Rum, Vodkas, Wines, Champagne and Natural Juices. Of note are the white Negroni cocktails served in a mug and the Arabica Old Fashioned, with the aroma of arabica coffee served on a slate with incense. These cocktails are amazing, but my favorite is the Basil and Ginger Sour. Fresh and aromatic, its all you need for a hot Summer night!

O bar, sob o comando de Nélson Antunes, responsável pelos bares do hotel, oferece uma carta rica em Cocktails, Mocktails, Gins, Rum, Vodkas, Vinhos, Champanhes e Sumos naturais. A destacar os cocktails White Negroni servido em caneca e o Arabica Old Fashioned, com aroma de café arábica servido numa ardósia com incenso. São fantásticos e, como os olhos também comem, lindos, mas o meu favorito é sem dúvida o Basil and Ginger Sour. Fresco e aromático, é tudo o que se precisa para uma quente noite de Verão!

The gastronomic side is also very important and is in charge of Chef Carlos Gonçalves who prepared a menu of light, fresh and balanced dishes, with flavors inspired in the Orient and in perfect harmony with the cocktail proposals, ideal to share in a late afternoon of Summer.

The menu includes dishes such as Sea Bream Ceviche with Aji Amarillo, Salmon braised with Japanese mustard sauce, fish  "Escabeche" with rice vinegar and purple onion, Vegetable and Shrimp Tempura, Scallops Tartar with Yuzu vinaigrette, avocado, cucumber, salt and sesame, and Tataki steak matured with Waldorf salad. I've had the opportunity to sample all the options and must called in love with this menu. It's hard to name a favorite, but maybe the tempura will be my first choice.

No Soul Garden a vertente gastronómica não é menos importante e está a cargo do Chef Carlos Gonçalves que preparou um menu de pratos leves, frescos e equilibrados. Com sabores inspirados no oriente e em perfeita harmonia com as propostas de cocktails, as opções apresentadas são ideais para partilhar num final de tarde de Verão. 

Do menu fazem parte pratos como o Ceviche de dourada com Aji Amarillo, Salmão braseado com molho de mostarda Japonesa, Escabeche de peixe em vinagre de arroz e cebola roxa, Peixinhos da horta e do mar, Tártaro de vieiras com vinagrete de Yuzu, abacate, pepino, flôr de sal e sésamo e Tataki de novilho maturado com salada Waldorf. No evento de inauguração tive oportunidade de experimentar todos e tenho que dizer que tanto as opções de carne como de peixe e marisco são uma delícia. É difícil apontar um favorito, mas para mim o Tempura de vegetais e camarão ficaram em primeiro lugar.

Soul Garden is also home to artists such as DJ Moon and DJ Tiggy, who present their dynamic sets every Wednesday and weekends from 5:30 p.m. With eclectic and personalized playlists and Tuesdays and Thursdays the percussion sounds bring a masterful touch to a unique and modern tasting experience.

O Soul Garden é também a casa de artistas como DJ Moon e DJ Tiggy, que apresentam os seus sets dinâmicos todas as quartas-feiras e fins-de-semana a partir das 17h30. Com playlists ecléticas e personalizadas e às terças e quintas os sons da percussão trazem um toque magistral para uma experiência de degustação exclusiva e moderna.

SOUL GARDEN

Corinthia Hotel Lisbon

Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, nº 105

Lisbon 1099-031

Portugal

Phone: +351 217 236 305

Email: lisbon@corinthia.com