However, the minister was of the opinion that the public land and such project should be subject to a competitive opportunity among architects.

[6] In October 1924, under the new Minister for Public Works Giovanni Adami, a public notice was issued for numerous projects in the surrounding of the entrance from and to Valletta, including the building of a 200 beds modern style hotel.

[6] The Prime Minister Gerald Strickland and his wife Margaret were the minds behind the Valletta entrance project.

[8] The project began in 1935, and a year later, the Scottish architect William Binnie was commissioned to design the building.

With the outbreak of World War II, the finished parts of the hotel were requisitioned by the British military to be used by the Royal Air Force personnel.

[4] The opening ceremony was attended by Lady Margaret Strickland, Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi and Governor Francis Campbell.

Throughout the years, the Phoenicia has hosted a number of distinguished guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Edwina Mountbatten,[17] Alec Guinness, Jeffrey Hunter, Gérard Depardieu, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Joaquin Phoenix and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The building has a chevron shape, with a central circular Palm Court Hall giving on to the restaurant and then the terrace.