The capital of Malta, Valletta, is easily one of Europe’s most incredible cities, an important harbor across time, with an impressive history, surrounded by mighty fortifications and full of tales.

From the stories about the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, who swore to defend Christianity and later were given Malta to be their home to how Valletta became an unbeatable military fortress and Europe’s finest capital city, the history of this place shows how it got to be called ‘a city build by gentlemen for gentlemen’. Nowadays, Valletta is a superb town and a popular tourist destination, filled with many attractions and all kinds of opportunities to relax or have fun.

For those looking for the best of the best while there, The Phoenicia Malta is one of the finest five star luxury hotels on the island, one that brings together an exquisite experience, stunning decor and definitely the ideal location to discover Valletta.

Situated right at the entrance to the capital city, this luxurious hotel was constructed during the 1930’s and opened officially only in 1947, offering grand interiors, with luxurious furnishings and amazing rooms, complemented by world class dining venues and outstanding service.

First Impression

At first sight, The Phoenicia Malta seems to combine the elegance of the old world with today’s modern luxuries in the most beautiful way possible. This 5-star hotel was built right outside the 16th century city walls, but it’s also tucked away from all the noise and busy tourist spots and it has a hidden gem in the back, a large exotic garden that feels like a private park.

The Phoenicia hotel is also the only five star property in Malta with such a long history, and the best part is that its original architecture has been properly preserved, giving it a unique colonial atmosphere.

The hotel offers no less than 136 rooms and suites, all of them modern and stylish, with several good dining options, an outdoor pool into the secluded gardens and plenty of other business amenities, with special meeting rooms and a grand ballroom for banquets. There is also the possibility of receptions, weddings and other events.

A stay at the Hotel Phoenicia Malta is a cultural adventure in itself, one that brings together tradition with the Maltese hospitality, plus all the luxurious amenities for the modern man and woman.

Accommodation

The rooms and suites at the Phoenicia Malta have all been beautifully updated, but keeping the original features and the authentic tiled floors from the past. One of the first things that strikes you when you first enter one of their rooms is the astonishing views around. The hotel’s unique vantage point over Valletta and its historic buildings makes that possible.

The rooms themselves have a superb and relaxing Mediterranean decor, with Maltese tiled floors, contemporary furniture and some of the most comfortable linens and fabrics for the best sleep possible.

We’ve had the opportunity to try one of their executive rooms, with a lovely balcony. The balcony is small but it allows you to enjoy Malta’s sunny days and soak in the relaxing views around. We had all the amenities we needed, from bathrobes and slippers to AC, minibar and satellite TV.

The design of the room is minimalist, without any fuss, complex color schemes or patterns, but it contrasts nicely with the rest of the hotel’s design and architecture. The bathroom and shower were superb, plus the bidet that’s often found in European hotels. The room and what it offers is comfortable, with lovely large beds and nice linens to comfort your sleep.

Eating & Drinking

On the culinary side of things, The Phoenicia impressed us a lot. Their menus are carefully combined to use only the best of the local products, offering plenty of interesting flavors and tastes for everyone. The Phoenix restaurant features a lovely main dining room, drawing inspiration from the great European cafes.

They’ve got breakfast, lunch and dinner options alike, and depending on the event, they serve special menus as well. The Maltese and European flavors are combined to create stunning dishes, which often involve fresh fish and other daily products.

Cafe Phoenicia is a casual and modern place, considered by many Valletta’s most lively cafe. But the place it’s more than a simple cafe, offering casual dining in a calm and relaxing atmosphere or serving as the ideal meeting place for some drinks with friends. They serve a wide range of salads, burgers, pasta and pizza as well.

The Club Bar is your evening place. Cozy sofas, low lighting and black and white photos of the island, plus great cocktails in notes of live jazz music make for the perfect low key evening setting.

The Pool and those Lovely Gardens

The Phoenicia Malta has a heated outdoor pool that seemed a lovely idea, especially with its panoramic views of the Marsamxett harbour. The bad side was that when we had the chance to stay there, it was closed due to repairs. No pool relaxation this time for us. But the wonderful gardens around the hotel met our needs for exploration and relaxation.

The lush green gardens of the hotel span across more than seven acres, ending by the ancient fortified walls towards the historic entrance of the Maltese capital, making it an icon among all of Malta’s tourist destinations.

Final Thoughts

Valletta was simply amazing, and the Phoenicia Hotel was the cherry on top, definitely the ideal choice for anyone who visits Malta and its capital city. This charming hotel is located very close to all the famous sites you might want to visit. And if you want to go to another city, the bus or taxi stations are right across the street.

The design of the hotel and the overall atmosphere there was a real treat. Details have been well thought out, and the hotel creates a warm, comfy and sophisticated vibe, especially in the lobby, which we can say it’s probably among the best in the world. Service is at high levels and the staff always helpful and welcoming, making our stay there a real pleasure.