Events Archives - The Phoenicia Malta

The Mediterranean Film Festival: An Enthusiasts Must-See

The Mediterranean Film Festival in Malta is a must-see event for film enthusiasts and travellers alike. Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta’s stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage provide the perfect backdrop for this annual cinematic celebration. With a diverse array of films from across the region, the festival brings together filmmakers and audiences to enjoy thought-provoking storytelling and artistic expression. Here’s why you should attend the Mediterranean Film Festival in Malta and why staying at The Phoenicia Malta is the best choice.

Experience the Best of Mediterranean Cinema

The Mediterranean Film Festival showcases an impressive selection of films from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and, of course, Malta. From captivating dramas and charming comedies to insightful documentaries, the festival offers a broad spectrum of genres that cater to various tastes.

Attendees have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the region’s vibrant cultures and diverse perspectives through cinema. The festival also includes workshops, panel discussions, and networking events, making it a fantastic opportunity for filmmakers and movie lovers to connect and learn from each other.

Discover Valletta’s Historic Charm

The festival is held in Valletta, Malta’s capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning architecture and historical landmarks. While attending the festival, you can also explore Valletta’s narrow streets, visit its majestic churches, and soak in the atmosphere of this picturesque city.

Take some time to visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, with its breathtaking interior, or the Grand Master’s Palace, showcasing Malta’s rich history. Valletta is also home to many excellent restaurants, cafes, and shops, allowing you to indulge in local cuisine and unique finds.

Stay at The Phoenicia Malta

For the ultimate festival experience, choose to stay at The Phoenicia Malta, our luxurious 5-star hotel known for its elegant style and impeccable service. Located at the entrance to Valletta, The Phoenicia Malta offers unparalleled proximity to the festival venues and the city’s main attractions.

The hotel features beautiful rooms and suites, a stunning infinity pool with panoramic views, and a unique lush garden to stroll through. Our top-notch dining options, including the acclaimed Contessa restaurant, which serves a mix of Mediterranean and European dishes. If you’re looking for a little pampering, then the Phoenicia Spa & Wellness, with its stunning facilities and numerous treatments, is just the thing you need to relax and unwind.

Staying at The Phoenicia Malta ensures that you can enjoy the Mediterranean Film Festival and the city in comfort and style.

A Celebration of Local Food and Wine at The Phoenicia Malta

The Phoenicia Malta is thrilled to announce Wine & Dine, an exquisite culinary event taking place at the esteemed Contessa restaurant on the 26th of April. In collaboration with renowned local winery Marsovin, this event promises an evening of gastronomic delight, spotlighting the flavours of local ingredients and some of the finest indigenous wines the island has to offer.

‘Local’ and ‘indigenous’ are two concepts that have gained a lot of importance over the last few years, evoking a sense of place and identity. This event promises a harmonious blend using the best of local flavours and seasonal ingredients expertly crafted by Head Chef Daniel Debattista and his talented culinary team. Some ingredients have even been grown in the hotel’s own kitchen garden, in fact. Each delectable dish will be paired with fine Maltese wines from Marsovin Winery – a leading winery deeply rooted in Malta’s viticultural history. Each carefully selected wine is produced using the local indigenous grape varieties – Girgentina and Gellewza – and served from Magnum bottles.

This event serves as a testament to the hotel’s dedication to supporting the Maltese community and environmentally conscious actions. One of the many reasons why The Phoenicia Malta has been voted as a Sustainability Leader within the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World network.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Marsovin and showcase the best of Maltese ingredients at Contessa,” said General Manager of The Phoenicia Malta. “This event reflects our commitment to celebrating local flavours and supporting sustainability initiatives within our community.”

Guests can anticipate an evening of culinary exploration. From flavoursome starters to decadent desserts, each dish will be expertly paired with Marsovin’s finest wines, creating an unforgettable dining experience.

Join us on April 26th at Contessa for a celebration of Maltese gastronomy and wine. Reservations are highly recommended, as seats for this exclusive event are limited.

For more information and reservations, please contact us at [email protected], or book directly through the widget on www.phoeniciamalta.com/contessa

Dine with the Stars 2024

Charles Grech & Co. Ltd. in collaboration with The Phoenicia Malta, is thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated culinary event, ‘Dine with the Stars,’ now in its second edition. Taking place on Monday, February 26th, this gastronomic gala will showcase the talents of Malta’s 6 Michelin-starred restaurants in an exquisite 6-course dinner, all in the spirit of charity.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, ‘Dine with the Stars’ has become a hallmark celebration for connoisseurs of fine dining and philanthropy alike. The evening promises an unparalleled dining experience where each participating restaurant will present a unique and tantalizing dish, expertly crafted using primarily locally sourced ingredients.

The journey through this culinary evening will unfold at The Phoenicia Malta, commencing with a welcoming Barons De Rothschild Champagne and canapés reception at the elegant Palm Court Lounge. Guests will then be ushered into the recently launched Contessa for a sumptuous 6-course dinner, skilfully curated by Malta’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants. Each course will be thoughtfully paired with exquisite wines, courtesy of Charles Grech & Co. Ltd. Guests are than welcome to enjoy an exclusive post-dinner gathering, providing a unique chance to interact with the chefs themselves.

The event continues its commitment to charitable causes, with proceeds benefiting the Malta Community Chest Fund. The Malta Tourism Authority proudly supports this initiative, underscoring the island’s commitment to promoting its culinary offerings. For those eager to partake in this gastronomic experience, reservations can be made via the widget on Contessa page.

Dine with the Stars – Michelin Dinner

The month of February came to a close with a unique culinary event at The Phoenicia Malta, in collaboration with Charles Grech & Co. Ltd. For the first time ever, the island’s five Michelin-starred restaurants got together in the name of charity, with each restaurant presenting one course to the 80 food aficionados in attendance, including the acting President of Malta, H.E. Professor Frank Bezzina.

Guests were escorted through the magnificent art deco doors of the Phoenix Restaurant, and the night kicked off with the silky freshness of Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs NV Champagne and delightful canapes carefully prepared by the Phoenicia Malta’s kitchen team.

As diners were invited to take their seats, the service team, comprising of servers from each participating restaurant, gracefully placed baskets of freshly baked bread on each table. The first dish, an amuse bouche created by Noni’s Jonathan Brincat, featured an original and fun presentation whilst delivering equally impressive flavours. The tasty course was washed down with a second wine, an elegant and fragrant white from Tuscany.

While guests chatted away, Ion’s Eoin Smith was making the final touches to his course, a delicately presented plate featuring King Crab and Tzarsky Caviar. Moments later, the plates were served in perfect unison, as Ion’s Restaurant Manager instructed guests to scoop down through all the layers to fully enjoy the combination of elegant flavours. The sweetness of the crab and saltiness of the caviar were paired with a Chianti Classico, a full-bodied red with rounded tannins and a structured finale.

Next up was Under Grain’s dish: Roasted Monkfish, ‘Textures & Temperatures’ of Cauliflower and Curry Caper Sauce. The beautifully tender monkfish was surrounded by a cauliflower foam, which proved to be a perfect match for the curry caper sauce. Chef Victor Borg’s creation was paired with another Sangiovese wine, Artisti per Frescobaldi Montesodi, fragrant on the nose and rich on the palate with a riveting acidity and robust tannins.

The main course was presented by Bahia and featured slow-cooked pork belly. Despite the tender pork and no crackling, Chef Tyrone Mizzi ensured some crunch by including ‘puffed skin’, together with pak choy ‘kimchi’ and white onion. And since a main course deserves a king of wines, it came paired with a 15-year-old Brunello di Montalcino… its mouthfeel generous and full, with a thick, velvety texture.

Finally, dessert was created by the long-established de Mondion Restaurant, producing an elegant and classic-looking sweet, with flavours of cherries, chocolate and bitter almond. Making this dessert complete was Pomino Vinsanto, a wine with a very intense array of aromas. On the palate, its freshness and sweet taste balance out beautifully, complementing Chef Clint Grech’s course perfectly.

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and this is exactly what happened on the night. An evening of superb food and wine quickly came to an end, which meant it was time for the chefs to make an appearance and say a few words. For most, this marked the end of the evening. For others, there was still more to go, as they moved on to The Club Bar with the chefs.

The Phoenicia Malta is proud to have been part of such an exclusive event and we look forward to creating more unique experiences for locals and visitors alike. Thank you to Charles Grech for the collaboration, as well as for providing the fantastic wines enjoyed on the night. Needless to say, a big shout out also goes to all restaurants and respective staff members for making this night possible.

Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

A chat with Sue Gregory

This month’s Artist in Residence welcomes Sue Gregory, a relatively new painter who discovered her love for art during Covid times. The tight restrictions across the island meant that people found themselves spending more time at home. In certain instances, this also gave people the opportunity to explore activities they previously never found time for, such as the case with Sue Gregory.

Sue explains that she had always been good at drawing and that as a child she was constantly with a sketch pad and pencil in hand. She adds, ‘I never, however, attended art lessons and never ever tried painting using a paintbrush. I only tried during the Covid lockdown, using a small notebook and children’s watercolours.’

A former children’s teacher for 30 years, Sue took the leap and decided to venture into being a full-time artist. Not for a lack of passion for teaching, but because she had discovered a new passion for painting. ‘I felt that I could not give my 100% to both. So, with the support of my husband, I took the plunge and called it a day, and started a brand-new way of life,’ she shares.

Walking through Sue’s first exhibition at The Phoenicia Malta’s Palm Court Lounge, titled A Mélange of Moods, one will quickly notice that the artist explores a number of different styles and techniques. She shares that the most time-consuming would be her ink and watercolour buildings, as they are very difficult and detailed. When asked whether she has a favourite style, Sue explains, ‘I don’t really have a favourite, because I have many different styles which reflect my personality and mood on that particular day. But I do love painting flowers!’

When asked what inspires her and how she seeks inspiration when this is lacking, Sue shares that she tends to find inspiration everywhere. ‘Anything can inspire me: a tree, a person walking in the road, a picture on a magazine, a quaint house, a beautiful antique building. Just about anything! Depending on what I feel like painting on the day.’ Sue adds that she likes to take photos wherever she goes, which she keeps in a folder named ‘Pictures to paint’, this way she’s never out of inspiration.

Sue’s opening night proved to be a very successful launch, with Palm Court Lounge buzzing with excitement and positive energy. ‘I was amazed at the feedback’, Sue admits. ‘I was fortunate to sell a third of my paintings on the first day and have since replaced them with new paintings which I luckily had already framed. I was thrilled and very proud of my success. I am grateful to everyone who helped make my launch a success.’

Discussing her plans for the future, Sue shares that she will definitely continue to learn and plans to take more online courses, develop techniques and continue to paint as long as her health allows. ‘I also teach art to children, and I intend to develop this path further,’ she adds, a clear demonstration that her passion for teaching children is still very much alive. ‘I shall start working towards my next exhibition!’ she concludes enthusiastically.

We would like to thank the talented Sue Gregory for choosing The Phoenicia Malta as the venue for her first exhibition, and we would like to wish her every success in her new journey.

The Benefits of Steam Rooms

At The Phoenicia Malta’s Deep Nature Spa we have a number of facilities one can enjoy. These include a beautiful indoor pool, salt room, multi-jet showers, sauna as well as a steam room. One may wonder whether certain amenities truly offer any benefits to their users. This blog will focus on steam rooms and why they may, in fact, be deemed beneficial to us all.

Are steam rooms the same as saunas?
Sometimes steam rooms may be confused with saunas. Whilst steam rooms are considered similar to saunas, the main difference is in the type of heat that they provide. A sauna uses dry heat, usually from hot rocks or a closed stove (the latter system is used at Deep Nature Malta). Steam rooms are heated by a generator filled with boiling water. While a sauna may help relax and loosen your muscles, it won’t have the same health benefits of a steam room. The key to the steam room’s unique health benefits is the humidity.

Here are the main benefits of these rooms:

Improves circulation
Sitting in a steam room might significantly improve your cardiovascular health. A study of older individuals showed that moist heat improved circulation, especially in extremities. Improved circulation can lead to lowered blood pressure and a healthier heart. It can also promote healing of broken skin tissue.

Lowers blood pressure
Another study showed that in a steam room, some people’s bodies release hormones that change their heart rate. One of these hormones, called aldosterone, regulates your blood pressure. When aldosterone is released from sitting in the steam room, it can help lower high blood pressure. This is part of the reason that the steam room makes you feel relaxed.

Reduces stress
Being in the steam room can also decrease your body’s production of cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone that regulates the level of stress that you feel. When your cortisol levels drop, you feel more in control and relaxed. Spending a few minutes in a relaxed state not only improves your health, but also helps heal your mind and improve your focus.

Promotes skin health
Through environmental exposure, all sorts of toxins can become trapped underneath your skin. Steam rooms help solve that problem by using heat to open your pores. The warm condensation rinses away the dirt and dead skin that can lead to breakouts. As a result, you may have clearer and more even-toned skin.

Boosts the immune system
Different forms of hydrotherapy are known to boost immunity, and steam rooms are no exception. Exposing your body to warm water stimulates leukocytes, which are cells that fight infection. Sitting in a steam room when you’re fighting off a cold shouldn’t be your first line of defence, though, as there’s no proof that the steam can kill a brewing infection. But using steam rooms regularly will give your bloodstream an immunity boost that could lead to you getting sick less often.

Aids in workout recovery
The pain you feel after working out is called delayed onset muscles soreness (DOMS). Professional athletes have known for decades that heat therapy can help them recover from training workouts. Heat can penetrate deep into muscle tissue and help relieve DOMS. A recent study showed that moist heat works as effectively and more quickly than dry heat in muscle recovery. Keep this in mind after your work-out at The Phoenicia Malta’s fitness centre!

Clears congestion
Steam rooms create an environment that warms the mucous membrane and encourages deep breathing. As a result, using one can help break up congestion inside your sinuses and lungs.

Loosens stiff joints
Warming up before a workout is critical in avoiding injury. Using a steam room as part of your warm-up could help you reach maximum mobility during activities such as running, Pilates, and yoga. During a particular study, heat was applied to the knee joint before activity, and as a result, the joint was far more flexible and relaxed. The results showed that heat can help reduce injury before a workout. It was also found that women especially benefitted from heat therapy on the knee joint to prevent injury.

Burns calories
When you’re in the steam room or sauna, your heart rate increases. If you use a steam room after an aerobic workout, your heart rate is already elevated, and the steam room can prolong that elevation. When used correctly, experts note that saunas and steam rooms stimulate your body in ways that typical exercise does not.

With all these benefits, what are you waiting for? Book your next session at Deep Nature Malta via this link or ask our staff at The Phoenicia Malta to direct you towards the spa.

Steam Room

Deep Nature Spa

International Women’s Week – Let’s all get great at seeing beyond our bias!

This week’s blog is written by our General Manager Robyn Pratt, who is passionate about supporting individuals and teams to be the best version of themselves no matter what their gender, culture, marital status, with children or not, or age is.

Our leadership team watched a video on the various biases that can be at play within the workplace and it can be surprising how many there are and how many times without really thinking these biases impact our decisions.

Something I have loved about being part of the hospitality industry for the past 45 years is the fact that I have had the opportunity to work beside and learn from people of all ages, nationality and cultures. Having diversity within the workplace provides the opportunity to consider things from differing perspectives and almost always, when you consider everyone’s point of view, there will always be an idea or solution that comes together that some have never considered.

Imagine if everyone was the same! Imagine no opportunities to learn from others through their different perspectives! Imagine not having the ability to try new ways of doing things! Imagine not having the opportunity to develop and grow your own horizons through seeing things through others eyes!

What a boring world it would be.

We have 26 different nationalities working under The Phoenicia Malta roof and recently we held our end of year party (a little late due to Covid restrictions) and it was wonderful to feel the energy and see how people from so many countries come together as one family unit to celebrate each other.

Please do not consider bias as just being gender – all of us need to consider our thoughts carefully. And most importantly, consider what you think of yourself – what self-bias do you carry which limits your own potential.

Let’s all celebrate each other’s differences and use our varying perspectives to develop the best possible solutions to whatever issues we may be facing.

Right NOW in this world is the time to consider each other, let our biases go and work with each other to lift this world up for all of us to be the best we can possibly be.

Have a wonderful upcoming weekend and sending love and support to all who are suffering at present.

The Phoenicia Malta Staff Party

The Iconic Phoenicia Malta Celebrates 75 years Since Welcoming its First Guest

Malta’s iconic hotel, The Phoenicia Malta turns 75 years old this coming November.

To celebrate, the hotel will be presenting a year-long series of events culminating in a week of special celebrations for its November birthday.

Says Robyn Pratt, GM “Our hotel is very special to the hearts of all Maltese, and we are looking forward to sharing this special occasion with all our friends both locally and internationally. It will be 75 years on November 3^rd since we welcomed our first guests to the hotel.

“Indeed’ she added, ‘to help us celebrate we’d love to hear from our customers, memories of their special occasions at the hotel, whether it be holding their weddings here or honeymoon or simply being brought for Tea as a child. I speak to so many people and everyone seems to have a special memory of some type connected to The Phoenicia”.

The Phoenicia Malta, located on the doorstep of the islands’ capital Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site has grown in stature in recent years and is now recognised as one of the great hotels of the Mediterranean.

Over recent years it has undergone major refurbishment including the recent addition of the beautiful Deep Nature Spa in 2020, upgrading of the extensive gardens and opening in April will be the newly created Pegasus Suites.

About the hotel

The hotel has played host to Royalty, Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip visited, politicians and numerous movie stars over the years.

It’s set on 7 acres of landscaped gardens and is just a few metres from 16th century fortifications.

Construction of the hotel started in the late 1930s and was almost finished by 1939. Following the outbreak of WW 2 the completed parts of the Hotel were requisitioned by the British military and used by RAF personnel.

The hotel suffered extensive damage by aerial bombardment in 1942 and reconstruction of the damaged parts began in earnest in 1944 and finished in 1948.

The hotel was officially opened in November 1947.

The Phoenicia Malta is a luxury 5-star hotel grandly located on the doorstep of Malta’s Capital City of Valletta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Set in 7 acres of landscaped gardens, it is a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World and boasts 132 rooms and suites, an infinity pool, the Deep Nature Spa as well as several dining options. The hotel offers a number of unique meetings and event spaces making it a coveted location for meetings and conferences, as well as weddings and events of any size.

The Phoenicia Malta is iconic and prides itself in delivering the highest level of warm and personalised guest experiences which is a reason why many of The Phoenicia Malta guests return year after year to their favourite Mediterranean hotel.

The Phoenicia Malta Gardens

Deep Nature Spa

Getting to know Kenneth Zammit Tabona

Over the past weeks, Palm Court Lounge at The Phoenicia Malta has hosted Kenneth Zammit Tabona’s beautiful watercolours, in an exhibition titled ‘Mediterranean Dreams’. We sat down with Kenneth to learn about his artistic journey and what inspires him.

When asked how his passion for art came about, Kenneth explains that he believes a person is born with that passion. He goes on to recount how as a young boy he used to enjoy scribbling everywhere, including on walls and especially in his schoolbooks. He smiles and describes how his father used to call him ‘his Picasso,’ whilst his mother used to get angry as his scribbles meant that they would not be able to resell his schoolbooks.

Kenneth’s first medium was pen and ink, which is a far cry from the colourful works we see today. Kenneth reminisces how a sketch he drew for fun was soon followed by an invitation to illustrate Nicholas de Piro’s ‘Lost Letters’. This event truly brought out Kenneth’s artistic side and, one could say, is what influenced him to truly delve into his talent. Feeling a bit more adventurous, Zammit Tabona eventually introduced another medium to his works: gouache.

This led to him hosting his first big solo exhibition in 1992 and another at the Melitensia Art Gallery in 1995. Both were sell-outs. ‘It was quite extraordinary!’ he declares. ‘That’s how it started, how I found myself to be an artist,’ he says, adding that it is something he still finds it hard to believe. ‘Who, me? An artist?’ he exclaims.

Since then, Kenneth plucked the courage to move onto watercolours, which is a harder medium to master since it allows no room for error. ‘Watercolour always scared me a little bit. Gouache is more static, more obedient. As a medium it behaves. You want it there and it stays there. Watercolour tends to do things, so until you actually get round to how to how to used it, you can’t make mistakes.’

We talk about his current exhibition, ‘Mediterranean Dreams’, and he explains that he was inspired by his friend Marquis Anthony Cremona-Barbaro’s garden in Tarxien. Talking about the red walls that can be admired in this garden and is featured in a number of his paintings, Kenneth explains ‘To me the red is something so beautifully Mediterranean. It goes so well. That red which contrasts with the limpid blue skies of Malta and the green – it’s so vivid! It creates such a beautiful splash of colour.’

Chinese porcelain is also featured heavily in this exhibition. ‘Actually it was also Anthony who encouraged me to go into it. I then realised how beautiful it is. It truly is a fascinating study,’ he explains. Between gardens, red walls, blue and white porcelain, and Kenneth’s cat Felic gazing through the window, these paintings portray a wonderfully idyllic setting worthy of the term ‘Mediterranean Dreams’.

A Chat with American Mezzo-Soprano Jennifer Larmore

Earlier this month renowned mezzo-soprano Mrs Jennifer Larmore visited the Maltese Islands for a Masterclass in Valletta, made possible thanks to local mezzo-soprano Ms Clare Ghigo. We sat down with Mrs Larmore, a guest of The Phoenicia Malta, to learn more about her career and her first impressions of the island.

Hailing from Atlanta (USA), Jennifer Larmore reveals that her voice was noted at an early age. As a child she would come home with little notes pinned to her clothes, which would read ‘Encourage Jennifer to sing. She has a wonderful voice’. She adds that her parents discovered she had this voice by the time she was 12 and then started participating in a number of state competition and also won an ‘All-State Competition’. ‘By the time I was 15 that is all I wanted to do!’, she exclaims.

Describing how her international career kicked off, Mrs Larmore explains that it came about quite unexpectedly. Her former husband, who was also a singer, was booked for an audition with Opera de Nice. She took the plunge and asked whether she could sing at the end of his audition and his agent agreed, subject to time being available. There was indeed enough time to spare so Jennifer went on to sing. Not only was she given the job, but she was given 7 contracts on the spot!

Jennifer’s career went from strength to strength, which saw her travel and perform across the world. When asked about her favourite performance, Jennifer admits that this is always a very hard question to answer as there are many magic moments in Opera. She adds, however, that if she really had to choose, she would go for a night at the Metropolitan Opera. She describes the moment she went up on stage, sick and running a fever. Before she even sang a note, everyone starting applauding. It was her first performance back in her own country in some time and it was clear that everyone was keen to watch her perform. She reveals that she was overwhelmed by the response and went on to sing with such abandonment and such joy that it was one of the most amazing memories of her whole career.

We wrap up our chat by asking about her impression of Malta and the hotel. Mrs Larmore explains that this was her first visit and that her expectations of this Mediterranean Island were met and that she would describe Malta as ‘Magical’ and ‘Exotic’. She recounts how on her first day, after settling into The Phoenicia Malta, she walked out to Valletta and wondered, ‘Where am I? Am I in Italy? Am I in an Arab Country? Am I in England?’. She added that she loves the mix and of course also the fact that everyone on the island speaks English.

As for The Phoenicia Malta, Jennifer smiles and says ‘My first impression was luxury. There is a fast rhythm to a Masterclass so you need somewhere where you can come back and feel at home and be comfortable. This hotel is exactly that. It is a fantastic base being so close to Valletta and staff are very attentive and give careful detail to what we actually want.’

It was a pleasure having the talented Mrs Jennifer Larmore stay with us and, more so, hosting a recital with her students at The Phoenicia’s Palm Court Lounge at the end of her Masterclass. It was a spectacular performance which took everyone’s breath away.