The Phoenicia Malta

When it opened in 1947, The Phoenicia rewrote the rules of Maltese hospitality. Its architect, William Binnie, brought his vision of bold, geometric glamour, and it soon became a magnet for royals, naval officers, and high society. Queen Elizabeth II famously danced here during Prince Philip’s posting on the island, and you can still feel the echo of those footsteps in the Palm Court Lounge. Today, the hotel leans into its heritage with elegant restraint: original marble, high arches, and curated Maltese art throughout. But there’s nothing museum-like about the experience – fresh flowers in every room, intuitive service, and a buzzy, ever-evolving calendar of cultural programming keep the atmosphere fizzing.

At Contessa, the hotel’s seafood-led flagship, expect drama with your dinner: scallop ceviche with pickled daikon, char-grilled calamari stuffed with couscous, or a towering seafood platter stacked with oysters, prawns, and bivalves. Finish with the coffee and vanilla sorbet, inspired by traditional Maltese liqueurs. The setting? A glass conservatory overlooking the gardens and harbour. For something bolder, Beefbar in the City serves prime cuts with unapologetic swagger, try the hand-cut beef tartare with yuzu truffle dressing or the Black Angus short ribs with punchy sides like truffle fries and shiso salad. In summer, the Bastion Pool Bar & Restaurant is the place to linger over sushi rolls, crisp rosé, and sunset views. And don’t miss afternoon tea in the Palm Court Lounge: JING loose-leaf teas, gourmet sandwiches, and pastries crafted in-house, all served under soaring arches with live piano on weekends.

Descend beneath the bastions and you’ll find a wellness space that feels worlds away from city life. The Himalayan Salt Room glows with soft amber light and mineral-rich air. The indoor pool, framed in stone and dappled in natural light, invites slow, meditative lengths. Choose the Phoenicia Signature Massage for a 50-minute fusion of hot stone, bamboo, and deep tissue techniques, or try the Himalayan Salt Stone treatment, where heated salt crystals deliver magnesium and calcium deep into tired muscles. After a long flight, the Jet Lag Recovery, a 20-minute ritual for heavy legs, works like magic. For guests who want more than a spa menu, personal trainers and garden yoga sessions offer holistic balance, while the heated pool and steam room are open daily.

Take a private tour and four-course dinner at the Inquisitor’s Palace, where historians and chefs recreate 18th-century flavours like stuffed ġbejniet pasta and spiced lamb with heritage vegetables. Join Chef Alessandro for a Catch and Cook adventure: start at sea at sunrise, master Maltese fishing techniques, then prepare your own bespoke meal in a private cooking class before dining under the stars at Contessa. Wine lovers can opt for a deep dive at Markus Divinus winery, tasting indigenous blends like Girgentina-Sauvignon and Gellewza-Merlot in a candlelit wine library. And art aficionados? The Artist in Residence programme transforms the Palm Court Lounge into a rotating gallery of Malta’s top talent where no two visits are ever the same.

The Bastion infinity pool, seemingly suspended over Valletta’s walls.

The Palm Court Lounge doubling as a monthly art gallery.

A moonlit spa swim for two with Champagne and fruit platters.