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The Phoenicia Malta
Floriana, Malta · Independent · High Luxury
Scottish architect William Bryce Binnie, who also designed Arsenal's Highbury East Stand, built this Art Deco limestone hotel on the bastions outside Valletta's City Gate. Nearly finished in 1939, it was requisitioned by the RAF, bombed on 27 April 1942, and officially opened on 3 November 1947 as Malta's first five-star hotel. Princess Elizabeth danced in the ballroom in 1949, and Malta's 1964 independence celebrations were held here.
- 132 rooms
- Opened 1947
- Architect: William Bryce Binnie
About The Phoenicia Malta
- Architect William Bryce Binnie, who also designed Arsenal's Highbury East Stand and interiors at New York's Grand Central Terminal, built this Art Deco limestone landmark, nearly complete by 1939.
- The RAF requisitioned the unfinished hotel; it was bombed on 27 April 1942, then rebuilt and officially opened on 3 November 1947 as Malta's first five-star hotel.
- It sits on 16th-century bastions outside Valletta's City Gate and operated as Le Meridien Phoenicia from 1997 to 2007.
History
The Phoenicia Malta was designed by Scottish architect William Bryce Binnie - known also for Arsenal's Highbury East Stand and interiors at New York's Grand Central Terminal - with the project beginning around 1935 and championed by the Strickland family. The Art Deco limestone landmark stood nearly complete by 1939.
During the Second World War it was requisitioned by the RAF and heavily bombed on 27 April 1942; reconstruction ran from 1944 to 1948, and the hotel officially opened on 3 November 1947 as Malta's first five-star hotel. Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, danced in its ballroom in 1949, and Malta's 1964 independence celebrations were held here.
Formerly operated as Le Meridien Phoenicia, the hotel is now independent, a member of Leading Hotels of the World and Historic Hotels Worldwide.
The setting
6-minute walk to National Museum of Archaeology. 1 km from baroque-era Valletta Waterfront.
Restaurants and bars
- Contessa — Restaurant
- Beefbar in the city — Restaurant
- Palm Court Lounge — Bar
Amenities
- Spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
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