Grand Harbour Marina remains one of the most popular marinas in the Mediterranean especially for superyachts due to the fact that the marina offers some of the biggest berthing spaces for such yachts. In fact, in 2015 alone, Grand Harbour Marina hosted 159 super yachts, a slight improvement on the 154 superyachts hosted at GHM in 2014.
"Undoubtedly, the location of Grand Harbour Marina set against the timeless backdrop of historical fortifications of Fort St Angelo and Valletta make our marina, one of the most spectacular in the region. This is further strengthened by the fact that our marina services are always top notch and we're located close to all the important amenities sought after by berth holders. Our location in Vittoriosa which is now a very sought after location both as a residential area and for cultural entertainment, is a big plus," notes Lawrence Zammit, Chairman of Grand Harbour Marina.
These views were echoes recently by Jay Deakin, First Officer of M/Y Fusion, a superyacht which started calling to Malta recently.
In an interview featured on www.crewport.com published by The Superyacht Group about captains' favourite marinas and ports of call, Jay Deakin listed the Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa as his most favourite marina.
"I had already visited the marina on a different yacht a few years back and my first impressions of GHM and Valletta were extremely positive. I was impressed by the imposing ancient fort and the city of Valletta itself welcome everyone to an island with a rich history and a welcoming, friendly culture. Once we had arrived, the helpfulness of all the marina staff, as well as locals, was the enduring first impression," explains Jay Deakin in his interview.
"Our decision to come to bring FUSION to Grand Harbour Marina however, was also based on price and the quality of the workmanship that we had experienced on our previous visits. Obviously the protection afforded from prevailing weather conditions by the impressive natural harbour was also a factor in our decision."
"From a competitive point of view, Grand Harbour Marina ranked very well too. We had in fact solicited quotes from numerous other marinas around the western Mediterranean which were within a reasonable distance from Naples, where we finished up our 2015 summer season. GHM's competitive rates contributed to our decision," added Deakin.
The complete experience offered by the marina was another important aspect mentioned in the interview.
"The facilities and the staff without a doubt contribute a lot to our positive experience. Services and amenities are very efficient - water, electricity and super-fast Wi-Fi not to mention the knowledgeable docking masters who made valuable suggestions regarding what weather to expect, and the space between each berth, all contribute to a seamless experience. We feel totally part of the family at GHM who make each yacht feel important and like there's not enough they can do for you. I find this a rare quality in my experience."
In his concluding remarks, Officer Deakin stressed that he will absolutely visit again.
"It really has started to feel like home and we cannot ask more of a marina or the staff because everyone is always so very helpful. Access to local facilities is easy and Malta's size makes it super easy to get around. We'll keep coming back!"