Tiny bit of Paradise
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Tiny bit of Paradise
By Isabel Fereday
A Presence for 35 years
The name Paradise bay, in my mind, invokes images of trekking down numerous stairs laden with beach paraphernalia to enjoy one of the finest, most northernmost sandy beach. Adjacent to this popular bay is the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel, which this year celebrates 35 years in operation.
This 4 star hotel has a unique vantage point, it is not only remote, but in a wonderful spot, sitting on a peninsula surrounded by water. Any traveller seeking complete rest and peace would find it hard to find any other hotel that could compete. On a sunny September day, overwhelmed by the blueness of the surrounding sea and sky. I visit the hotel to meet the Directors and learn about its past and its future!
The Outset
The Paradise Bay Resort Hotel forms part of a legacy, left behind by one of Malta’s tourism pioneers, Moses Fenech. A cook by trade from a family fishermen, Moses planted the seeds of his empire in 1950’s by acquiring an old rundown shack on Military Bay. He called this bar and restaurant the Cote d’Or, and soon began offering bed and breakfast to fuel the sense of nostalgia held by British ex-service men, returning to this bay to recount their memories. The business thrived, and Moses built the Golden Bay Hotel. The name stuck.
In the mid 1960’s, a time when entrepreneurship was praised and encouraged in Malta. Taxes were at an advantageous rate, many taking the opportunity to cash in and invest in new business. One such person was Rhodesian (now Zimbabwe), Elizabeth Halsted Taylor. A shrewd businesswoman. she leased the land that spans about 2000 tumoli of this area and built the original Paradise Bay Hotel.
Moving to its present state.
When The Paradise Bay Hotel came on the market as a going concern, Moses Fenech took the opportunity to add it to his growing leisure empire.
Moses’ daughter Beatrix remembers the day of the signing well. It was 17th Feb 1970 and the loan for the investment came from the Scicluna bank. All parties signed the contracts at the banks premises at Palace Square in Valletta. From that day forth, the hotel has been under the control and management of the Fenech family.
The original hotel building had a modest 40 rooms, with a restaurant and small swimming pool. As the leaseholder, Moses Fenech decided to build a totally new hotel on the land, and provide up to date facilities. Dr. Dominic Mintoff was appointed to draw up the new plans for new hotel and construction began in 1972. By May 1974 the New Paradise Bay was complete and boasted 180 fully air conditioned rooms, all with sea views! A massive fish-shaped pool, and an innovative suspended restaurant completed the opulence.
In May 1974 the hotel received its first guests and the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel (as it is now called) this year celebrates its 35th anniversary. Throughout the past 3 decades the hotel has seen many face-lifts and updates, however the building structure has remained unchanged.
With the increased capacity in rooms and improved facilities, British tour operators viewed the hotel as a strong contender for chartered holiday tourists. Ferdinand, the now Managing Director and youngest son of Moses recalls how in those early years the Hotel’s occupancy was 100% British. He adds that the British were very loyal, most guests returning year after year.
The refurbishment and decorating of the hotel has been an on going process. In 1980 the original 1966 hotel was brought up to 4 star standard, as foreseeing and catering for the guests requirements is vital. The renovations that take place are through the joint effort of the management team and staff. Ferdinand adds that he gathers ideas very much in the tradition of his father. Travelling and seeing how other hotels operate.
A hotel’s success is based on much more that just the facilities and the rooms, it is a social space and the people who work there define it. Staff loyalty has proved to be one of The Paradise Bay Hotel’s strongest resources. Malcolm Howe, General Manager says, "it’s fair to say that the place was successful due to the loyalty of many longstanding staff members who travelled every day to work from the Cottonera parts." He further points out that the reservations clerk who sits in the same office as himself has worked at the hotel 35 years since the very beginning.
Present times have seen the 4* market struggle to keep its head afloat as they compete with rates offered by 5* Hotels. The management are aware of the competition and strive to adapt and innovate to bring the very best experience that customers deserve. This year, to meet both the demands of independent travellers and agencies, a centralised electronic booking system is being set up in order to avoid multiple bookings, and create a seamless, modern reservation system.
An area of interest to all those involved in the tourism industry at the moment, including guests, is 'sustainability'’. The Paradise Bay Resort Hotel scores very highly within this arena. The culture of recycling has always been part of the ethics and when the new hotel opened back in 1974, it was already using seawater in the air-conditioning system. In 2005, further modernisation was made by implementing energy saving measures throughout the hotel.
The family at Paradise Bay
With the purchase of the original 1966 hotel Beatrix and her young family took over the management. They moved into the building and offered their hospitality to many visitors.
Beatrix’s son Stanley, has joined our meeting in his painting and decorating clothes (he’s been lending a hand with white-washing the hall), tells me how he remembers running wild in the beautiful surrounding countryside. His affinity with this hotel is obvious, and as our meeting progresses, he recounts a number of endearing tales from the history of the Paradise. He fondly shares an anecdote told to him by his father.
"My father (a doctor by profession) ran the original smaller hotel with my mother for a couple of years, a client arrived and my father carried her bags to her room, then she called to say the flushing systine was blocked so he fixed this. An hour or so later she called down requesting a doctor – my father swapped his tool bag for his briefcase and went up to see her!"
Moses Fenech believed in a hands-on style of management, a belief followed to this day! Truly a family run hotel, Ferdinand tells me that a Director is present at the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel at all times. This truly resonates commitment to me. I have never come across a hotel in which one of the owners is present, day and night!
The family’s intimate involvement with the hotel is further highlighted when Ferdinand starts to talk of his wife, re-potting some plants to go in the hotel gardens.
Moses built the family empire based on people connections; Ferdinand recalls that his father loved life. “ He was always in the bar/lobby talking to everyone here at the Paradise, while I worked in the background till 4am most nights. His travels took him to world-renowned places and homes of the elite. He built his ideas by talking to all, then fine-tuning them for his own implementation. Leaving school at the tender age of 12 years did not mean he stopped learning - on the contrary, he spoke many languages, picked up along the way.
Today, the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel is run by Ferdinand, youngest son of Moses, his son Stefan and Beatrix’s son Stanley. Beatrix is retired but still attends regular board meetings as a Director.
Malcolm Howe, the General Manager has been with the company for 18 years and also forms part of the board. He is the only non-family member in a decision making position. After finishing his term of service with the British Air Force, Malcolm, a guest at the Paradise Bay Hotel, was offered the job by Ferdinand and hasn't looked back.
From personal family anecdotes, to business decisions, to moving with the times, all this makes up an interesting concoction of stories. There are plenty of lessons to be learnt from a place that has had such a consistent team of involved management. The Paradise has so much more soul and personality due entirely to the fact that it is a family run hotel.
A Future for The Paradise
For the most of the past 35 years Managing Director Ferdinand Fenech has worked at the hotel, and every morning, he makes his way over in his classic Maserati. When asked about the future, he tells me he has a vision that expands beyond the present site. He sees the empty land that curves towards the bay, developed, offering more options for guests.
Until that plan materialises, there is plenty to attend to. More rooms are being built with existing room interiors refurbished and completed. New contracts have been signed with French tour operators, and similar deals are being made with the German market. Continual local marketing of the hotel is also an important issue. Bookings from the Maltese for a weekend break have risen and locals now bring in a fair proportion of the income.
The Paradise Bay Resort Hotel is an ideal spot to tie the knot, romantic and quiet. Taking a cue from the increasing requests made by couples wanting to visit Malta to wed, a Gazebo is being built on the cliff edge to allow wedding ceremonies to be held.
The Paradise Bay Resort Hotel for the past 35 years has united the family members, who have worked hard to see it thrive. The place continues to be managed by the heirs of Moses Fenech, keeping his values of hard work and good communication alive. His full size bronze statue stands proud in the reception area of the hotel reminding the younger family members who they are.
On asking the directors how they would describe the hotel, they all agree that it is first and foremost “a family hotel, catering for families”, whilst Beatrix adds that to her, it is a "tiny piece of paradise".
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