Popular now
Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon brought to market for £6m

Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon brought to market for £6m

RBH secures management contract of Radisson Hotel Liverpool

RBH secures management contract of Radisson Hotel Liverpool

Marcliffe Hotel unveils £1.1m refurb

Marcliffe Hotel unveils £1.1m refurb

2026 Programme
09:40 – 10:25 Market Insights

Beyond the Horizon

A sharp, data-driven deep dive into the financial and economic currents shaping the UK hotel industry. The panel will unpack raw macroeconomic data, tying CPI changes and debt finance realities directly to RevPAR, ADR, and disposable guest spend.

Jeavon Lolay
Jeavon LolayLloyds Banking
Dave North
Dave NorthLloyds Banking
10:25 – 11:10 Operations

Frontline Fortitude

Hotel operators are caught in a pincer movement: skyrocketing supply chain and labour costs on one side, guests demanding flawless value on the other. This panel digs into asset management, smart cost-control, and building operational agility across diverse portfolios.

Julie White
Julie WhiteAccor
David Anderson
David AndersonAimbridge EMEA
David Hart
David HartRBH Hospitality
11:30 – 12:15 Leadership

The Modern Anchor

Managing a modern hospitality workforce demands a shift from old-school hierarchy to empathetic, visionary leadership. These industry standard-bearers explore how to inspire loyalty across multi-generational teams, foster open communication, and maintain personal mental resilience.

Christian Masters
Christian Mastersart'otel Hoxton
Caroline Gregory
Caroline GregoryThe Lovat Hotel
Simon Numphud
Simon NumphudAA Media Services
12:15 – 13:00 Events Market

The New Roar of MICE

The MICE sector looks radically different than it did a few years ago. From hyper-personalised retreats to tech-heavy hybrid conventions, this session uncovers what today's corporate planners actually want from a venue — and how to maximise yield per square foot.

Shonali Devereaux
Shonali DevereauxMIA
Varun Shetty
Varun ShettyThe Belfry Resort
14:00 – 14:45 Development

Blueprint for Growth

Despite tight credit markets, the appetite for strategic hotel development remains fierce. Brands and asset managers discuss the shift toward conversions, brand repositioning, and adaptive reuse over ground-up builds.

Tim Davis
Tim DavisPACE Dimensions
Gavin Taylor
Gavin TaylorClermont Hotels
Paul Blackmore
Paul BlackmoreHilton
David JM Orr
David JM OrrResident Hotels
14:45 – 15:30 Technology

Beyond the Buzzwords

AI is already driving revenue and plugging labour gaps. This panel cuts through the jargon to showcase how automated guest messaging, contactless check-ins, and predictive analytics can save thousands of labour hours.

DB
David BeersChoice Hotels
RBH
AI SpecialistRBH Management
CT
Canary PanelistCanary Tech
15:55 – 16:40 People & Culture

People First

Recruitment is tough, but retention is where the real battle is won or lost. Industry leaders share actionable advice on mental health initiatives, flexible working models, and defined career progression pathways.

Mark Lewis
Mark LewisHospitality Action
Suzanne Speak
Suzanne SpeakRadisson Group
16:40 – 17:05 Crisis Management

When the Custard Hits the Fan

In a 24/7 digital world, a single bad incident can escalate into a viral PR nightmare within minutes. A compressed, highly practical session delivering an actionable blueprint for emergency communication and brand protection.

CC
PR Leadership TeamCustard Comm.
Companies Joining Us
Accor Hilton Radisson Aimbridge RBH Hospitality The Resident Clermont The Belfry art'otel Hoxton Lloyds Banking Accor Hilton Radisson Aimbridge RBH Hospitality The Resident Clermont The Belfry art'otel Hoxton Lloyds Banking
Headline Sponsor
Canary Technologies
Supporters
Hop Software
HBD Partners
Become a Sponsor
Interested in partnering?
Please contact Michael Northcott, Editor and Event Director, at mjn@mulberrymedia.co.uk.
Canary Technologies: The #1 AI-powered guest management system. Trusted by 20,000+ hotels, Canary streamlines operations via contactless check-in, AI guest messaging, and secure transactions that reduce chargebacks by 90%.
Hop Software: A cloud-based Property Management System (PMS) built to reduce hotel expenses and drive direct bookings via commission-free engines. It simplifies complex operations for properties of all sizes at a fraction of legacy costs.
HBD Partners: Industry specialists in hospitality recruitment with 30 years of expertise. HBD focuses on sourcing elite talent and interim leadership to help leisure and travel firms achieve their impact goals.
Home > Latest News > International > AX Hotels opens Malta’s first integrated wellness retreat
AX Hotels opens Malta’s first integrated wellness retreat

AX Hotels opens Malta’s first integrated wellness retreat

In this episode we speak to Philip Lassman, managing director UK&I at Numa. Philip spoke about the lessons learned from his time at Hilton, IHG and Accor, and how his early roles have shaped his leadership approach, the rise of aparthotels and why guests are increasingly seeking flexible and locally connected stays, how Native by Numa sites root themselves in their local neighbourhoods, and Philip’s plans for growing the Numa brand.

In association with

Register to get 3 free articles

Register to unlock the article and receive our free newsletter. Join 26,000 other hotel leaders and stay in the know.

No spam Unsubscribe anytime

Want unlimited access? View Plans

Already have an account? Sign in

AX Hotels has opened Verdala Wellness Hotel, described as Malta’s first integrated wellness retreat.

The adults-only venue forms part of the group’s AX Privilege Collection and has been built into the ridge above Rabat’s valleys. It is based around five themes – nutrition, movement, rest and recovery, emotional wellbeing, and connection – overseen by head of wellness Amber Gauci Ward.

The 46-room hotel includes a 1,500 sq m spa hub with seven treatment rooms, a hammam, saunas, hydrotherapy pool, meditation areas and a salt cave. The spa offers holistic therapies alongside technology-based treatments such as pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and LED light therapy.

Rooms and suites feature wellness minibars, yoga mats, vegan amenities and natural materials intended to encourage rest. The largest option, the Observatory Suite, includes a terrace with hot tub, hammock and valley views.

Dining is led by chef Victor Borg, known for Michelin-starred Under Grain, and head chef Brady Dalli. Menus focus on seasonal produce and anti-inflammatory principles, served across three venues: The Griffin Brasserie, The Ridge Pool Bar and The Living Room Lounge.

Josef Sant, commercial director at AX Hotels, said: “Verdala Wellness Hotel gives the UK trade something genuinely new to sell in Malta – the island’s first fully integrated wellness retreat. Wellness tourism is one of the fastest-growing travel sectors, and Verdala has been designed from the ground up to meet this demand.”

Previous Post

Sir Hotels opens its first London site with Sir Devonshire Square

Next Post