Hotel News Archives - Page 3 of 4

Shopping at The Phoenicia Malta

Tired of those nagging pre-Christmas thoughts about what to buy and when you will have time to buy it? Well think no more! In fact, instead of feeling exhausted at the end of a long Christmas Shopping Day – why not choose to do your shopping at The Phoenicia Malta and relax and rejuvenate at the very same time?

Imagine, doing all your Christmas Shopping and steps away is a relaxing lounge where you can sit and relax and enjoy the festive surroundings of a luxury hotel. For shoppers who have spent EUR50 or more you can enjoy a complimentary hot beverage of your choice.

“With our new restaurant and retail partners we have something for everyone” says Robyn Pratt the Hotel’s General Manager. Here are just some ideas for beautiful gifts which will delight anyone.

Gift Vouchers of any monetary denomination which can be redeemed in either the hotel or our Spa
A Beefbar Malta Gift Voucher – wonderful dining experience for lunch or dinner.
Gift Vouchers or Sunglasses available from our partner Shades by O’Hea
NIICHE Artistic Perfumes or Gift Vouchers from our brand-new partner
Dining Vouchers of any amount at our popular Phoenix Restaurant – breakfast, lunch or dinner.
A Gift voucher for a special Champagne Afternoon Tea at our Palm Court Lounge
A special getaway mini-break (either weekday or weekend) including Spa Treatment, dinner and accommodation
The gift of wellness – A half-year or full year membership with our Deep Nature Spa and Gym
Dean Gera Gift Vouchers or products – what a wonderful pampering gift – a blow-dry a month for a whole year perhaps?
A gift of rejuvenation with a Deep Nature Massage, Facial or Manicure a month. How pampered would the person you choose this special gift for feel?
Deep Nature face and skin products
A Deep Nature Yoga Session or Personal Training per week
A private Gin or Whisky Tasting (minimum of 6 people) in our popular Club Bar – what fun!
An Afternoon Tea at home – delivered by The Phoenicia Malta team. Let us bring our delicacies to you.
A Luxury Suite experience including accommodation in our Harbour View Suite, massage for 2, dinner for 2 in our Phoenix Restaurant and Champagne breakfast for 2 in your Suite

You see, Phoenicia Malta can be your one-stop shop for special gift giving for this Festive Season.

The Phoenicia Malta have made shopping for Gift Vouchers very simple – click here to purchase your Gift Vouchers which can be redeemed at The Phoenicia Malta.

To discover more about Phoenicia Malta Gift Ideas please send an email with your query to [email protected].

The Team of The Phoenicia Malta together with our retail and restaurant partners wish everyone a safe and joyous Christmas.

The Phoenicia Malta Christmas Showcase

It was a fine Autumn evening when The Phoenicia Malta welcomed a number of guests for a taste of Christmas at the iconic hotel. The Christmas Showcase took place at the beautiful Maryanski Porch, which glittered with festive decorations and friendly smiles. Guests were greeted with Prosecco and intricate canapes, as beautiful live music further created a Christmassy vibe.

One of the Phoenicia Malta’s festive banqueting menus was presented during the evening, which comprised of hot & cold canapes, tasty finger sandwiches and two food stations. As guests enjoyed the delightful food offering, The Phoenicia Malta team interacted with individual guests and further described the experiences which could be offered. The hotel provides various venues, which cater for different-sized groups and event styles. Guests were invited to have a look at their preferred venues to truly picture their festive occasion, as they wrapped up the evening with scrumptious Christmas sweets and mulled wine.

We would have loved to share this evening with you too, however you are still in time to book a memorable Christmas experience at The Phoenicia Malta. Whether you are planning a small festive gathering or a large company event, we invite you to get in touch with our team ([email protected]) and learn more about the various options available. In the meantime, please feel free to have a look at our Banqueting or Festive Season menus.

For those looking to visit the island of Malta during the cooler months, make sure to take advantage of our Autumn and Winter Packages.

The Phoenicia Malta plays host to top events this summer

As summer draws to a close, we think back on the exciting events which took place at The Phoenicia Malta these last few months. From the Malta Jazz Festival opening to the Isle of MTV Press Conference, as well as the Jurassic World in Malta event, The Phoenicia Malta welcomed many distinguished guests, both local as well as international.

The Phoenicia Malta’s support of local arts and culture has also long been established, which is why the hotel has been backing the Malta Jazz Festival for several years, with this year’s official opening last July once again taking place at the Rotunda (pictured below), to the entertainment of many visitors and hotel residents alike.

A couple of weeks later, the hotel welcomed a number of international artists as part of the extremely popular Isle of MTV. The yearly event is held at the Granaries, located a mere 200 metres from the hotel, making it an excellent location for both artists, crew and even guests. This year, the hotel was also entrusted with hosting the Press Conference, which saw numerous local and international press attending and enjoying the opportunity to interact with the stars.

Lewis Capaldi and his team also chose to stay at The Phoenicia Malta earlier in July, for his concert which was also held at the Granaries. Despite the short stay, Lewis has thoroughly complimented both the island as well as the hotel.

Most recently, the hotel hosted Universal Pictures during their Jurassic World Media trip to Malta. As part of the event, the group visited film locations and recreated some of the stunts which could be observed in the movie. The group also had their share of fun at The Phoenicia Malta, with an easy-going welcome event at the Rotunda (pictured above) and a fun-filled closing party at the Bastion Pool. The latter comprised of an exclusive Chameleon75 event with live entertainment, dancers and even fireworks. With all the smiles and dance moves which could be observed, it is safe to say that guests had a memorable night!

At The Phoenicia Malta we take pride in everything we do. It is a privilege to host such events and their guests, and it is our mission to ensure maximum success and utmost satisfaction.

Welcoming The Phoenicia Malta’s New Events Executive

The Phoenicia Malta welcomes Enya Cassar who joins the Sales and Marketing Department as Events Executive. Enya’s focus will be developing and operating the hotel’s Weddings business, whilst also supporting the rest of the Events Team.

A graduate of BA (Hons) Tourism Studies from the University of Malta, Enya gained solid experience in tourism whilst working for both the national airline as well as the Malta Tourism Authority.

Enya explains that her love for the Weddings Sector has been instilled in her by her family, namely her father. ‘My father is a weddings videographer so he would often take me to weddings and wedding fairs, including here at The Phoenicia Malta. I like the industry so much that in fact my dissertation examined Destination Weddings and the local market,’ she shares.

Commenting on the new appointment, General Manager Robyn Pratt says, ‘The Phoenicia Malta is a part of thousands upon thousands of wedding couple’s memories over our 75-year history. In our journey to be constantly considering new ways to improve our guest experience we look forward to having Enya on board to lead our forward focussed strategy on this important part of our business.’

The Phoenicia Malta’s New Spa Manager

The Phoenicia Malta is happy to welcome Violeta Colic Sokovic as its new Manager for Deep Nature Spa. Violeta may be new to The Phoenicia Malta; however, she is certainly not new to the Spa and Wellness industry, having worked in various positions within the industry for the past 12 years.

Following her studies at the International School of Beauty Therapy, Violeta began her career as a therapist. She is passionate about constantly developing her expertise and skills and has completed various courses throughout her career which have resulted in her becoming a Trainer herself. She has moved into various management roles over the past few years.

Violeta recalls how on the first day of her studies, she admired a particular certificate on the wall. ‘In order to achieve that certificate, you first need to attain all those other ones,’ she was informed. That was the moment Violeta decided she would succeed – and she certainly has.

When asked about her plans for Deep Nature Malta, Violeta determinedly replies, ‘To make it the most popular Spa on the island.’

Commenting on the new appointment, Hotel Manager Silvan Camilleri said ‘We are delighted to welcome Violeta to the team – a person with genuine passion and commitment towards delivering the best possible guest experience. We are confident that Deep Nature Malta will benefit from Violeta’s experience, and we look forward to achieving new milestones.’

Art Installation at Bastion Pool

The Phoenicia Malta is renowned for its collaborations with both local and international artists. In fact, June sees not one, but three Artists in Residence within the hotel, featuring paintings as well as sculptures.

For The Phoenicia Malta’s 75th Anniversary, yet another artist’s work can be admired on the property. Located at Bastion Pool Bar & Restaurant, multimedia artist Selina Scerri developed an installation called ‘Shades of White.’ The installation is made of delicate layers of translucent white fabric designed to flow and dance with the wind. The movement produces mesmerizing patterns of light and shadow. The different-cut fringes impart a lively organic quality to the installation.

Throughout her career Selina has explored subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Domesticity, Pornography, Tattoos and Magic. Her professional career started in London in 2002 when she enrolled at Central Saint Martin’s College studying Fine Arts. In 2022, she obtained a Masters in Illustration from Falmouth University. She has exhibited with galleries in the UK, Italy, Malta, and Spain. She is currently the Artistic Director of CSAI, the new Creative Science and Arts institute.

Come and enjoy a delightful meal by one of Malta’s most breath-taking pool areas, whilst admiring Selina’s enthralling installation.

The Phoenicia Malta’s New Sales Manager

The Phoenicia Malta is delighted to welcome Stephanie Gambin as its new Sales Manager.

A graduate of the University of Malta (B.A. Tourism Studies) and the University of Surrey (MSc International Tourism Management), Stephanie joins the team after gaining strong sales experience within the local hotel industry.

Stephanie’s passion for hospitality is evident, having discovered her love for the travel industry from a young age. ‘It’s exciting. You’re doing different things, you’re always on the go, and you’re constantly meeting new people. It’s great!’

Looking back at the past two years, Stephanie adds, ‘The effects of Covid-19 were devastating on the industry, however sitting in the hotel’s busy Palm Court Lounge, it’s wonderful to see how things have picked up once again. I look forward to bringing even more business to the iconic Phoenicia Malta.’

Commenting on the new appointment, General manager Robyn Pratt says, ‘Every department is important in a hotel, however having a solid sales team is fundamental to the success of any company. We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to the Phoenicia family and to reaching new heights, together.’

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’.