The Phoenicia Malta
Malta
The Phoenicia Malta
The Mall, FRN 1478. Floriana. Malta
www.phoeniciamalta.com/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
N/A
Shareholders
Privately Owned
Date of Creation
10th July 2025
Hotel General Manager
Robyn Pratt – 40 years in the industry previously with Starwood Hotels EAME. Past roles include Vice President Design and Luxury Brands EAME and Vice President Operational Innovation.
Hotel Positioning
5-star Hotel – only LHW hotel in Malta. Vision to be recognised as leading Urban Luxury Hotel in the Mediterranean.
Development Strategy
A soft refurb of Levels 1 and 2 floors and corridors planned for Winter 2025/20026 and Levels 3 and 4 in Winter 2026/2027.
Plans for the addition of 50 new Rooms and Suites in the adjoining land which will be called St. Johns Gardens. Planning for a late 2028 opening.
The Phoenicia Malta
History & Story
The Phoenicia Malta is one of the island’s most iconic hotels, known for its timeless elegance and strategic location at the entrance to Valletta. Its story begins in the 1930s when Lord Strickland, Malta’s then Prime Minister, envisioned a grand hotel that would symbolise modernity and British prestige in Malta. Designed by Scottish architect William Binnie, the hotel was constructed in an Art Deco style with Mediterranean influences, using local Maltese limestone to reflect its heritage.
Construction began in 1936 and was nearly complete when World War II broke out. The hotel suffered bomb damage during the Siege of Malta, with parts destroyed, yet its resilient structure endured. After the war, it was completed and officially opened in November 1947 by Lady Margaret Strickland, becoming Malta’s first luxury hotel. It attracted dignitaries, artists, celebrities, and royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, who stayed there frequently during her time in Malta with Prince Philip between 1949 and 1951.
Today, The Phoenicia Malta combines its rich past with modern hospitality excellence. Its gardens extend over 7.5 acres with views across Marsamxett Harbour. The hotel’s Art Deco architecture, original stonework, and historic artefacts are preserved alongside contemporary design, luxurious rooms, recently added Phoenicia Spa and Wellness and award-winning food and beverage outlets. It remains a testament to Malta’s wartime resilience and post-war prosperity, welcoming travellers who are seeking both unique culture and heritage with their Mediterranean experience.
Date Renewal
2015: C EUR 29.5 million refurbishment of hotel and gardens – AP Valletta and Peter Young Designer
2020: C. EUR 5 million developments of The Phoenicia SPA & Wellness covering 1200 sqm on two floors, – AP Valletta and Peter Young Designer.
2021 – Converted Café Phoenicia to The Beef Bar – Third Party Operator
2023 – EUR 1million refurb of all day dining Restaurant and rebranding to Contessa
Date added extensions
The Phoenicia Spa and Wellness was the last extension to the hotel property opening in 2020.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• Prime Location –
• Historic Legacy and Architecture
• Expansive Private Gardens
• Blend of Classic and Contemporary Luxury
• Renowned Culinary Offerings
• Iconic Bastion Pool nestled beside the majestic Bastions
• Unique Event and Wedding Facilities
• Strong Reputation for delivering world class personalised luxury experiences
Location
Located in Floriana just outside the gates of Valletta, UNESCO World Heritage Site . Within 20 minutes drive to Malta International Airport
Key sites/activities in the area
• UNESCO World Heritage Site – Valletta
• St. Pauls Co-Cathedral
• Floriana gardens
• Grand Harbour
• Fast Ferry to Gozo
Fun Facts
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip loved to frequent the hotel when living in Malta – their favourite place for dancing with their friends.
Across the years many celebrities and dignitaries have stayed at the hotel.
Children’s Corner
No childrens activities but families are welcome.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites: 12
• Number of Luxury rooms: 29
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 132
Classic Rooms x 26: 20-23 sq. m., double or twin beds, nonsmoking, complimentary Wi-Fi, AC, combined bath and shower, safe, complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and LCD TV.
Superior Rooms x 23: 20-23 sq. m., city views, opening windows, double or twin beds, non-smoking, complimentary Wi-Fi, AC, combined bath and shower, safe, complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and LCD TV.
Executive Rooms x 42: 23-28 sq. m., city views, balcony, double or twin beds, non-smoking, complimentary Wi-Fi, AC, combined bath and shower, safe, complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and LCD TV.
Deluxe Harbour View Rooms x 29: 25 sq. m., harbour views, window or balcony, double or twin beds, non-smoking, complimentary Wi-Fi, AC, combined bath and shower, safe, complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and LCD TV.
Pegasus Suite x 4: 41 sq. m., views of Valletta, 1 suite with a king size bed and a sofa bed in the separate living room, mobile phone wireless charging station, two 43 inch flat screen TV’s, Bluetooth speaker with mobile device integration, stand-alone bath, separate shower, double vanity, double closet, lighted shaving and make-up mirror, free Wi-Fi, AC, complimentary non-alcoholic minibar and complimentary espresso- machine.
Valletta Suite x 4: 47 sq. m., Valletta views, sitting room, separate bedroom, 3 balconies, double beds, non-smoking, complimentary Wi-Fi, AC, bath and walk-in shower, safe, complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, tea and coffee.
Harbour View Suite x 4: 56 sq.m., harbour views, sitting room, separate bedroom, non-smoking, complimentary Wi-Fi, AC, bath and walk-in shower, safe, complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and 40-inch LCD TV.
Restaurants & Bars
• Contessa: Chef – Alessandro Gravino
Contessa is the hotel’s main restaurant, offering an elegant, warm and stylish ambience with spectacular panoramic night-time views of the beautiful Marsamxett harbour. Southern Italian cuisine with a focus on freshest of ingredients and popular for tableside entertainment with preparation of it’s famous Tiramisu.
• Bastion Pool Bar and Restaurant:– Chef – Matthew Sammut
Seasonal opening daily during April to October and is located a 250m walk from the hotel through the gardens. Open for lunch 7 days and dinner 3 days – Tuesday to Thursday with live entertainment. Meditteranean Buffet served Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
• Beefbar Restaurant:
Offering exceptional meat dishes and streetfood, Beefbar opened its doors at The Phoenicia Malta to take the famous brand onto Valletta’s fine dining scene. Open 7 days a week for both lunch and dinner.
• Palm Court Lounge:
Located in the heart of the hotel, the Palm Court Lounge is the perfect meeting place for a morning coffee, the famous afternoon tea or an early pre-dinner cocktail.
• The Club Bar:
The perfect place to unwind at the end of the day. Often described as the Phoenicia’s best kept secret, the Club Bar features a vast choice of whiskies and an extensive cocktail list.
Wellness
The Phoenicia Spa and Wellness offering swimming pool, fitness area, salt room, sauna, steam room, multi-jet showers and five treatment rooms. Opens Monday to Sunday 07:00 to 20.00 hours.D uring summer yoga and stretching classes offered to guests twice per week.
Outside massages offered in hotel’s relaxation garden.
Outdoor Bastion Pool opens from 07:00 until 19:00 daily.
Corporate & Celebration Events
• Grand Ballroom – Located on garden level of the hotel – a beautiful room which is multi-functional – can be used for meetings to any type of celebration including stand up receptions and sit-down events. Accommodating up to 180 guests for sit down event or up to 500 for stand-up reception.
• Maryanski Porch and Terrace – adjoins the Grand Ballroom and can be used for pre-event cocktails/ meetings, smaller seated events. Seats up to 70 – opens up to the Maryanski Porch which looks over The Rotunda and Gardens.
• Green Lounge A, B and C – Located on Ground Floor of hotel – 3 lounges ideal for smaller events with room divisible by 3 – up to 50 per room or up to 120 for the entire area.
• Bastion Pool Area – available from 2030 only for events – from 50 to 800 standing receptions – spectacular setting looking over the harbour and Bastions.
• Rotunda – Available for events until 11pm. Open air venue for either seated (120) or standing events (250).
• Knights Room – Small Board Room on Ground Level – seats up to 16 Boardroom style
Extra Notable Features
The Phoenicia Malta gardens sitting on 7.5 acres are a beautiful oasis for guests to relax and enjoy nature including the hotels vegetable garden where produce is used in the hotel’s kitchens.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2024
• International Hotel Awards – 2024 – 2025 Best Classic/Heritage Hotel, Best Spa Hotel, Best Large Luxury Hotel for Malta, and Regional European Awards.
• World Luxury Hotel Awards – Luxury Heritage Hotel, Luxury Spa Hotel and Luxury Urban Hotel for Europe
• Malta Business Awards – Leader in Quality Tourism and Exceptional Wellbeing at the Workplace
• Best Destination Wedding For Malta – International Wedding Awards
• LTG Global Awards Winner – Luxury Hotel of the Year – Malta
• The Definitively Good Food Awards – For Contessa and Bastion Pool Restaurant
• Conde Nast Traveller Readers Choice Awards – Top 10 Hotels in Central and Southern Europe and Top 20 for Rest of Europe
2020-2023
• Conde Nast Traveller Readers Choice Awards – Top 10 in Central and Southern Europe and Top 20 for Rest of Europe
• The Definitively Good Food Awards – For Contessa and Bastion Pool Restaurant
• Malta Business Awards 2023 – Runner Up in Customer Excellence Award
Number of employees
274 Full Time Equivalent