In the shadows of the towering fortifications around Malta's capital city, which once constituted the islands' main military defence, lies the Osborne Hotel , housed in one of the magnificent palaces built by the knights of the Order of St John. Described throughout the ages as a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen Valletta's importance has shifted from a strategic military city to an administrative and commercial centre that has placed the Osborne Hotel just a stones' throw-away from the island's major museums, art treasures and the unique 16th century architecture of the city.