An Imperial Anniversary
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by Marika Azzopardi
It is fondly referred to as the 'Grand Mother' of the industry. And rightly so. Born in 1865 the Imperial Hotel of Sliema celebrates its 145th anniversary this year, effectively making it the oldest hotel in Malta.
The first thing that hits you on entering this discreet-looking establishment is the imposing staircase that beckons welcomingly to the visitor with its wide open arms.
The hotel boasts many of its original Victorian features, although much has been lost through time, either due to wear and tear or practical requirements.
Threading carefully back through its history reveals further insight. Mr Attard, the General Manager, explains, "The Imperial did not originally start off as a hotel. Through research we discovered that it was built by a gentleman, a certain Mr Galea, as a gift of dowry for his daughter. However, something happened that changed all this – possibly the daughter cancelled the marriage and the building was transformed into a hunting lodge."
At the time, way back in the last half of the 19th Century, the surrounding areas of Sliema were practically uncharted territory, save for the original Union Club building which was already in existence just some distance away. The idea of the hunting lodge made sense as it attracted the club's members to extend their visit whilst in the locality. To prove his point, Mr Attard indicates the two heads of hunting dogs carved above the lintels of two front windows on the façade.
Then came World War I when the hunting lodge's extensive space was utilised as an infirmary for the wounded and sick. Back to peacetime, the Imperial became a hotel and remained so until the next international conflict escalated. This period was not without its own scathing memories. For one thing, testimony of shrapnel still exists on the hotel's façade. Thankfully, a 50 kilo bomb which fell in the hotel's garden failed to wreak extensive damage and the hotel was saved.
During World War II, the Imperial was transformed by the British forces into Wrens' quarters and served to house members of the British Women's Royal Naval Service. Mr Attard tells me of a recent Wrens' reunion which was organised at the Imperial (the last group of Wrens had Commodore Picton accompanying them and who was actually 'piped-in' the hotel and all the group were greeted with a Guard of Honour by the Sea Cadets) and which unearthed quite a font of information from the ladies who returned for the event. However, for the purpose of transforming a hotel into a sort of barracks quarters, much of the original decoration was disturbed, with electricity and water pipes being drilled right through the upper tiers of the high walls, wrecking the containment of the exquisite 19th Century hand-painted roof decoration. Mr Attard voices a desire to have all this restored to its original beauty.
Following extensive re-decoration, the hotel resumed its activities post-war and has remained active since. "Even then, during that phase of the hotel's history, much of its original conditions were disturbed beyond retrieval. For instance, in the large lounging area the hotel had two fireplaces. Today only one exists, the other having been removed so that its space could be taken up by a bar. We retained both chimneys on the roof however, and perhaps one day will return the fireplace where it should have remained."
This hotel has seen some of the most illustrious visitors pass through its doors and reside within it. Tracing back the list of its occupants, Mr Attard who has a penchant for history and historic buildings was amazed and honoured to find some curious facts. "We have had Queen Elizabeth residing here back when she was still Princess Elizabeth. Then there was Lord Mount Batten, prime ministers, diplomats and a good number of international personages. It is even highly probably that the Austrian Empress Sissy passed through too."
I think that we should mention that both Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip together with Lord Mount Batten use to come for dancing at the popular Imperial Hotel Ballroom, which also was The Place for Weddings. Today, the old ballroom is replaced with the New ballroom which has already been used to host some UN backed Conferences and Seminars, besides other occasions including banquets and parties. The latest VIP and a returning guest is H.E. Orthodox Archbishop David-Francis – Metropolitan Archbishop of Australasia. We also had the Queen's Cousin staying at the Imperial very recently.
Referring back to what Mr Attard calls 'our famous staircase', he tells me how it featured in a memorable scene of the epic 1976 film 'Shout at the Devil', starring Roger Moore and Lee Marvin. Moore in fact, chased and fought a criminal down those very steps which were transformed purposely for the shooting. While I could not recall the scene in question, it was impressive to know that Roger Moore actually dived down those stairs and managed the stunt successfully. Up till today, a repeat client of ours – Mr. John Sanderson, one of the then guests who actually played part of an extra in the same film, still visits the hotel at least twice a year.
There are other curiosities in this hotel…. Like the pool area which was once a tennis court, the ultra-centenary-old gilt mirrors, and the 24ct gilding on the columns in the lounging area, the Louis XVI clock that still works perfectly to this day and the ballroom which once hosted some of the Maltese high society's biggest events especially at the height of British rule.
The hotel today relies strongly on repeat clients (the longest repeat client has been coming for the last 50 years, while another client Mr. Cole, has been returning to the Imperial for the last 27 years and is currently on his third visit during this year) plus those who reach the hotel through recommendations and word of mouth. Most people residing within this hotel situated smack in the centre of good old Sliema vie for peace and tranquillity which is amazingly present within the Imperial's precincts. No sound of noise or traffic reaches the hotel, even whilst one is sunbathing in the open, on the terrace above the garden. And patrons keep seeking the good old ways such as the old fashioned waiter service and the traditional tea served in a teapot… very quaint and very English indeed.
"The repeaters come looking for 'their room', 'their chair', 'their table'. It can get quite out of hand at times, especially when you get three people demanding to sit at the same table at the same time, all three insisting it is 'theirs'. But it also shows the fondness with which this small three-star hotel is regarded. Newcomers are astounded by the uniqueness of the architecture and the décor and feel intrigued by the age of the hotel and the fact that it is still standing in an area that was very badly hit during the last war."
As we roam the hotel, we are greeted by Imperia, the hotel's mascot, a she-cat who is at ease just about anywhere and on anybody's lap. But it is not difficult to feel that this hotel could be considered 'home'. It is also practically 'home' to some members of staff. The 45-strong retinue running the Imperial includes characters like Lino Xuereb who has been responsible for its maintence for the past 38 years; or Julian Saliba who has been cooking for its patrons for the past 33; or another maintenance man – Tony Borg who has been fixing things at the Imperial for the past 26 years; as well as Carmen Mifsud who has been housekeeping for the past 30 years and Rita Azzopardi who has been taking reservations for the last 13 years.
Malta has so many quietly hidden gems, which are silent testimonials to a long and varied history. The Imperial Hotel of Sliema is one case in point.
More information about the Imperial Hotel
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