As part of TDM's coverage of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Summit and hosted by Visit Malta, our General Manager and Managing Editor checked into The Phoenicia Malta to experience it firsthand.
Arriving at Valletta’s entrance, guests approach through centuries of dramatic, honey-hued limestone fortifications. Positioned right past Triton Fountain and steps before Renzo Piano's iconic city gate, The Phoenicia Hotel Malta stands gracefully at the intersection of capital life and Mediterranean coastal living.
As Malta's original luxury hotel and a long-standing member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the property occupies a distinct niche on the island. It functions as a sophisticated city hotel, yet sits within seven acres of private gardens backed directly against Valletta's 16th-century stone bastions. Consequently, this unique layout lets you step straight into the capital's main streets, or retreat into quiet green grounds out back whenever you desire.
Heritage and Atmosphere: Life Inside the Property
Passing through the revolving glass doors into the Palm Court brings an immediate sense of the building's 1930s origins. Opened in 1947, The Phoenicia hosted high-society gatherings, diplomats, and royalty for decades. Most notably, Queen Elizabeth II danced in its grand ballroom while living in Malta as a young princess.
Despite its storied background, the atmosphere stays wonderfully unpretentious and easygoing. Sunlight streams across Art Deco touches and polished terrazzo, striking a balance between a grand historic landmark and an informal island hideaway. Therefore, the property strikes a natural, effortless balance between a grand historic hotel and an informal island hideaway.
Accommodations: Room & Suite Breakdown
Interior architect Peter Young styled the hotel's 132 guest rooms and suites. Crisp whites, warm ochres, soft blues, and traditional Maltese patterned floor tiles link the interiors directly to the surrounding archipelago.
| Category | Size | Key Features |
| Superior & Executive City Rooms | 23–30 m² | Floriana and city views, optional balcony |
| Deluxe Harbour View Rooms | 25–30 m² | Marsamxett Harbour views, private balcony |
| Junior Suites | 42 m² | Open-plan layout, integrated lounge area |
| Executive & Valletta Suites | 47–68 m² | Separate living area, dual Maltese balconies |
| Harbour View Suites | 62 m² | Top-floor position, panoramic harbour views |
City & Superior Rooms
These refined accommodations are ideal for travelers spending most of their time walking the historic capital. These rooms overlook Floriana's architecture or Valletta's fortified walls. Additionally, they feature opulent marble bathrooms with rainfall showers, pillow menus, and carefully stocked minibars.
Deluxe Harbour View Rooms
These sunlit rooms face Marsamxett Harbour. Private balconies give guests a front-row seat to watch yachts move across the water. Moreover, these spaces are complemented by airy blue and white interior tones.
The Luxury Suites
For longer stays or extra space, the suites add exceptional layout options:
- Junior Suites (42 m²): Combine sleeping and sitting areas into an open floor plan, convenient for catching up on work or relaxing after a day in town.
- Valletta Suites (up to 68 m²): Feature residential-style layouts with separate living rooms, dual balconies, and deep soaking tubs in marble bathrooms.
- Harbour View Suites (62 m²): Positioned on top floors for unobstructed harbour and garden views, accompanied by tailored concierge services.
Culinary Journeys: Dining & Drinks
The hotel's dining spots lean heavily on local ingredients and regional flavors. As a result, guests enjoy an authentic taste of the Mediterranean throughout their stay.
The main dining room serves an extensive breakfast spread each morning with fresh pastries, smoked fish, and local cheeses. In the evening, it transitions into a quiet, candlelight setting for modern European dishes, using vegetables and herbs grown in the hotel's own organic garden. Outdoor terrace seating overlooks the harbour.
Styled with dark mahogany, polished brass, and archival photos of historical guests, this spot focuses on classic cocktails and drinks infused with local botanicals.
The Bastion Pool Bar & Restaurant
Open during warmer months right beside the pool, offering grilled seafood, fresh salads, and chilled drinks at the foot of the historic stone walls.
Wellness and Leisure: Gardens, Pool & Spa
Finding seven acres of land attached to a capital city hotel is exceedingly rare in Europe. However, The Phoenicia turns this space into an urban oasis.
Positioned at the base of the bastions, the outdoor pool sits right where historic masonry meets Marsamxett Harbour. Swimmers look straight across the water toward the Sliema skyline.
The subterranean spa includes a heated indoor pool set under limestone arches, a Finnish sauna, an herbal steam room, a salt room, a fitness center, and five treatment rooms for massages and facials.
Strategic Location & Convenience
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Right at Valletta’s Front Door
Sitting directly past Triton Fountain and steps from Renzo Piano's iconic City Gate, guests can walk into Valletta’s historic capital in minutes. It provides immediate foot access to key venues like the Mediterranean Conference Centre, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, and Castille Palace without needing a car. -
Effortless Transport & Connectivity
Located just outside the city walls, the hotel allows delegates, media teams, and guests to bypass inner-city traffic and strict security blockades. It sits right by the central bus terminus and main taxi routes, offering direct 15-minute connections to Malta International Airport, as well as easy access to the Grand Harbour ferry and Barrakka Lift. -
Privacy Within 7 Acres of Gardens
Spanning seven acres of private, landscaped grounds, the property offers a peaceful, securable sanctuary in the middle of the bustling capital—ideal for quiet bilateral meetings, high-level discussions, or simply unwinding away from the crowd. -
Five-Star Hospitality & Event Spaces
An iconic Art Deco landmark, the hotel combines historic grandeur with modern luxury. Featuring versatile grand ballrooms, private meeting rooms, and fine dining at Contessa, it seamlessly hosts diplomatic delegations, corporate leaders, and media teams under one roof.
Exploring the Capital: What's Nearby
Valletta is a compact UNESCO World Heritage site where key landmarks sit within a short walk from the lobby:
- St. John's Co-Cathedral: Plain on the outside, but dramatic within—packed with gold leaf, intricate marble floor tombs, and Caravaggio's The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens & Saluting Battery: A five-minute walk from the entrance offers wide views over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities, with traditional daily cannon firings at noon.
- Manoel Theatre: One of Europe's oldest operating theaters, hosting live plays, classical concerts, and operas.
- Harbour Ferries & Water Taxis: Quick access down to the waterfront allows you to catch a traditional wooden dġħajsa across to Birgu or hop on the ferry to Sliema.
The Verdict
Whether visiting Malta for industry events, a quick weekend escape, or a broader Mediterranean trip, The Phoenicia delivers an experience that is hard to replicate. Ultimately, it balances historic weight combined with the open space and pace of a high-end coastal resort.
