In his article, entitled Malta gets a long overdue makeover, published on 21 August, Paul Murphy argued that good taste “has put the island back on the map” and went on to compare Malta to the last time he was here five years ago.

While saying that “many of us still regard Malta as a cheap bucket-and-spade holiday island”, he says this is ironic because “most of its coastline is bereft of sand and soon there will be no fewer than 13 five-star hotels – not bad for an island the size of the Isle of Wight”.

The author also said Malta’s most popular resort areas – St Julian’s, Sliema and St Paul’s Bay – “lack both beaches and, until recently, sophistication. Build ’em high and sell ’em cheap was the policy, resulting in a glut of mediocre package accommodation and bars and restaurants to fit. Upmarket tourism was restricted to the capital, Valletta, with its Baroque architecture, and Mdina, one of Europe’s best preserved medieval walled towns”.

The article also mentioned Strait Street in Valletta, which he said was nicknamed “The Gut” by the British servicemen who “once made this red light district tick”. He added that when he was last in Malta five years ago, “he was approached by a couple of weary-looking prostitutes who looked as if they hadn’t done much trade since our boys weighed anchor for the last time in 1975”.

The writer was probably referring to the departure of the British fleet, and must have failed to check his facts as this took place in 1979.

The author also argues that top-end hotels are redefining Malta’s resorts; the elegant Le Meridien Phoenicia in Valletta will soon have a sister, the Le Meridien St Julian’s, opening this November. He said this will incorporate the late 19th-century Villa Cassar Torregiani, on the waterfront of Balluta Bay, just around the corner from the centre of St Julian’s.

“In the neighbouring bays of St Julian’s and St George’s are five more five-star hotels, the most impressive being the luxurious Hilton Malta, the anchor point of the up-and-coming Portomaso Marina. The five-star Radisson Hotel and Spa Resort will open at Golden Bay in 2005 and in Vittoriosa, a five-star hotel is also proposed, which will cater for ‘super-yachts’ berthing at the Port Cottonera marina.”