Picolo recommends · Hotel in Valletta, Malta
The Phoenicia Malta
A grand old hotel at Valletta's city gate, where palm-lined garden terraces step down to a pool facing Sliema across the harbour.
Step out of the front door and Valletta's gate is right ahead of you, with the old city behind it. Round the back, the gardens drop in terraces towards Marsamxett Harbour, ending at a pool that looks over the water to Sliema.
Inside, the mood belongs to an earlier age: tall ceilings, palms and a lobby where guests genuinely linger. The island's main bus terminus is next door, handy for day trips to Mdina or the ferry for Gozo, and the restaurants of Valletta are a short stroll through the gate once evening comes.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose The Phoenicia Malta
No other address in Valletta combines the old city on foot with a real hotel garden and pool. For a first trip to Malta, that mix of sightseeing and somewhere green to come home to is hard to beat.
You are just outside the walls rather than in the narrow streets themselves, so every outing starts with a walk through the gate. Travellers who dream of a balcony over a Valletta lane should pick a townhouse hotel inside.
What you get
- Terraced gardens with palms
- Pool overlooking Marsamxett Harbour
- Classic grand hotel lobby
- Restaurant on site
- Main bus terminus next door
A day at The Phoenicia Malta
- Morning
- Through the city gate to St John's Co-Cathedral before the tour groups.
- Midday
- Lunch in the shade of the garden terraces.
- Afternoon
- A swim in the pool with Sliema across the water.
- Evening
- A walk along the bastions as the harbour lights come on.
Location
Floriana, Valletta, Malta
Open in MapsQuestions about The Phoenicia Malta
Is The Phoenicia Malta inside Valletta?
It stands just outside the city gate, in Floriana. The old city starts a few steps from the entrance, so you can walk to most sights.
Does The Phoenicia Malta have a pool?
Yes. You will find it at the foot of the terraced garden, with views across Marsamxett Harbour towards Sliema.
Is The Phoenicia good for getting around Malta?
Yes. The island's main bus terminus is right next to the hotel, which makes day trips around Malta straightforward without a car.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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