Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech yesterday visited the Hotel Fortina Spa Resort in Sliema, boasting a six-wave spa and unique therapy spa bedrooms.

The hotel and spa have just undergone an investment of close to Lm10 million in refurbishment. The six-wave spa is the only such facility in Europe, a classification awarded by the British International Spa Association.

Managing director Michael Zammit Tabona said the owners were proud to have created the first therapy spa bedrooms in the world.

This was a good niche market because many people were seeking anti-stress relaxation holidays. He said that a new niche would be created with the development of a body, mind and spirit spa within the complex, bringing the number of spas to four.

Manager Tiziano Mousu said the Fortina spa was innovative in that it was also a medical spa, also providing physiotherapy. More than 300 treatments are provided.

The hotel, a combination of four and five stars, has 300 rooms including 35 spa bedrooms, nine of them with swimming pools.

Asked whether clients had complained about the Tigné project construction site surrounding the hotel, Mr Mousu said many had, some even asking for their money back.

The site, he said, had been in its current state for the past year-and-a-half and the hotel had no idea for how longer it was to remain in that state.

All inclusive prices at the Fortina start from Lm40 per person per night in a normal room going up to Lm150 per person per night for the most luxurious rooms.

Dr Gonzi said he was impressed with the investment at Fortina, an expression of confidence in the country's potential.

Tourism, he said was a main pillar of the country's economy and everyone had to work to ensure tourists felt at home and getting good service everywhere.

He hoped Fortina would be successful saying its success was well deserved.