A Guide to the Best Hotels in Beirut

Beirut’s grand dame hotel Le Bristol is home to an opulent ballroom (the oldest in the city), a piano-studded lounge and fabulous gourmet cuisine – and yet don’t think this place is stuck in the past. With a sleek rooftop pool, lined with sunshine-yellow loungers, and ‘hipster’ rooms – where contemporary art mixes with parquet floors and traditional furniture – this Beirut hotel really does combine the best of old and new Lebanon.

The InterContinental occupies a prime location by the water, overlooking nodding boats in Beirut’s harbour and the popular corniche waterfront. The rooms at this luxury hotel in Beirut are classically elegant: dressed in hues of white and gold, with comfy seating areas, they overlook shimmering blue waters beyond. As for facilities? Expect both an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness centre and three restaurants (including one poolside) to choose from, perfect for travellers who demand plenty of choice in their holidays.

One of the city’s most glamourous – and exclusive – hotels, Le Gray was forced to close its doors following damage from the devastating bomb blast that rocked Beirut in August 2020. But it’s set to return from spring 2022, offering sweeping views across the Mediterranean from its lounge along with world-class fine dining and an infinity pool. You’ll also have access to one of the city’s best spas, with volcanic hot stone massages and anti-aging facials.

Much of the city is imbued with old-world glamour and this boutique hotel in Beirut channels it with aplomb. Expect plush red carpets, ancient-style carvings and a leafy café, which creates the timeless ambience you’d expect in this enchanting city. A sun-dappled rooftop terrace is the perfect place for a decadent lunch, served up by bow-tied waiters, while the jewel-box rooftop pool tempers the heat of the Lebanese afternoon.

The rooftop pool and terrace bar, gazing out across the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, is the unequivocal highlight of this stylish hotel in Beirut, perfect for couples. Another is the 10th-floor restaurant, with cushy leather sofas warmed by a flickering fire and a range of delightfully indulgent dishes – from lobster to steak. Well-heeled travellers will appreciate the bright rooms, with flashes of contemporary art and blooming orchids.

Looking for a stay with an intimate feel? Set in a home built in 1929, this Instagrammable spot, with Art Deco furnishings and soaring ceilings, combines classic Lebanese vibes with a perfectly on-trend bohemian atmosphere. The two twin rooms are bursts of colour – one in shades of blue, another in coral hues – and have been styled to perfection by host Jamil. You’re just a hop from trendy Gemmayze street, often called the Soho of Beirut.

Bright and airy, with a friendly feel and vine-coated terrace, Baffa House is a B&B made for artsy types: it’s right in Beirut’s creative district, Mar Mikhael. Colourful prints dot the walls of the bedrooms – with just four, this place feels pleasantly intimate – while pops of orange, blue and yellow team up with clean white-washed walls. It’s one of Beirut’s best hotels and the owners, a filmmaker and graphic designer, have brought their strong sense of design to every corner.

If you’re after a pad with real Lebanese flavour, try Beyt Mar Mikhael. At this apartment stay just off Beirut’s waterfront, intricate carpets hang on walls; geometric tiles line bathroom and bedroom; arched windows let sun pour in from a pretty, leafy terrace. It’s just a mile from popular Gemmayzeh street, but don’t head out to explore without enjoying the authentic Beirut breakfast first.