Minor Hotels has signed a franchise agreement for NH Collection Sliema, its first hotel on the Mediterranean island of Malta.

Scheduled to open by the end of 2026, the premium new-build property will be located in the coastal town of Sliema, which is less than 10 kilometers from the country’s capital, Valetta. just steps from the the seafront promenade, shops and local restaurants.

Designed as an urban resort, NH Collection Sliema will be steps from the town’s seafront promenade, shops and restaurants. It will offer:

• 268 guestrooms and suites
• a spa and wellness center
• a rooftop bar with sea views
• a swimming pool
• on-site restaurant

Gonzalo Aguilar, CEO of Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, commented on the signing of NH Collection Sliema: “Malta marks an exciting new chapter for Minor Hotels as we enter this vibrant destination for the first time. We are delighted to introduce the extraordinary NH Collection experience to Malta, bringing our signature blend of premium hospitality and local authenticity to Sliema.”

Minor Hotels’ expansion through franchising

NH Collection Sliema, operating under a franchise agreement, exemplifies Minor Hotels’ strategy to expand its franchising model in key markets. The group’s ‘asset-right’ approach, balancing ‘asset-heavy’ owned and leased properties with ‘asset-light’ managed and franchised properties, enables Minor Hotels to scale more rapidly, foster strong partnerships with local stakeholders, and create sustainable, long-term value for investors and partners. Minor Hotels is actively pursuing franchise opportunities in countries where it has an established presence, as well as untapped markets such as the Balkans or the CIS region.

To drive this expansion, Minor Hotels has appointed Sandra Cremesini as senior vice-president of Franchise Support, Minor Hotels Europe & Americas. With over a decade of international franchise management experience in leading industry companies such as Marriott, Cremesini’s appointment strengthens the group’s commitment to strategic growth through franchising.

NH Collection is a premium hospitality brand from Minor Hotels with over 100 hotels and resorts in 25 countries worldwide.