27th November 2001

Angelo Xuereb’s partners unethical behaviour

The partners of Angelo Xuereb in his proposed golf course bid seem to have caught Angeloitis and are playing dirty.

The Regent Hotels are advertising a golf course on the site beneath the former Verdala Hotel at Rabat, when the application for the golf course still has to be considered.

Angelo Xuereb’s partners are putting undue pressure on the Maltese authorities by adverting a proposed golf course as if it were already approved, when it is clear that the application is contrary to Structure Plan and would break an international agreement.

The Maltese public also has the right to know what exactly is meant by the Regent Hotel group when it claims that the former Verdala Hotel includes 30 extended stay villas when, as far as we know, no application has been made for villas.

The Regent Hotels’s website includes this text:

“Regent Debut Planned for Europe in 2002
The first hotel expected to open under the new expansion is The Regent Malta Hotel and Residences, which will join Regent International Hotels in 2002. The 200-room luxury hotel is located in the center of Malta near the historic cities of Mdina and Rabat.
The hotel offers 360-degree panoramic views of Malta and will be surrounded by an 18-hole golf course. Formerly the Grand Hotel Verdalla, Malta's premier luxury hotel is undergoing a USD $30 million renovation to world-class luxury standards before re-opening as The Regent Malta. After renovation, the hotel will include a complete spa, extensive meeting and exhibition space, and several restaurants. Guestrooms average 540 sq. ft.

The hotel also includes 30 extended-stay villas. By combining traditional hotel guestrooms with villas and extended stay components, this development brings the first mixed use luxury products into the Regent system.
"The Regent Malta represents the new generation of Regent by bringing a mix of hotel and residential components," said Huffsmith. "Travelers who have experienced Regent hotels or resorts may now enjoy these same luxury standards for their permanent address."
Angelo Xuereb has long tried to make mockery of the planning process and he is trying again through his partners. It is time that the Planning Authority takes a strong stand against Xuereb’s application and consigns it to the rubbish bin of history.