The Best Luxury Hotels in Beirut, Lebanon for a Romantic Getaway
Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort offers everything you could want from a Beirut break | Courtesy of Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort Beirut / Expedia.com
The Lebanese capital of Beirut is a prime spot for romantic breaks away from it all, with luxurious hotels offering everything from plush spas to world-class cuisine.
Beirut is the perfect pick for loved-up couples looking to balance laid-back sun and sea fun with proper sightseeing. Busy days can be spent shopping the slick, modern souks, home to fashion-forward shops and trendy restaurants; wandering through treasure-packed museums; or snapping selfies at the 12th-century ruins at nearby Byblos. Evenings can be spent strolling the Corniche waterfront, or dining in an elegant restaurant. The nights? Well, that’s reserved for these luxury hotels – the very best in Beirut for a romantic getaway.
Steps from the balmy Mediterranean shoreline, this decked-out pad to the northeast of the city centre has one major romantic selling point: sweeping views of the glittering blue sea. And not just from the bedrooms. A 6,000sqm (65,000sqft) spa affords sumptuous vistas alongside soothing pools, tennis and squash courts as well as a steamy hammam – perfect for two. Multiple restaurants, from a Lebanese mezze haunt to a fine-dining seafood spot, are on hand for a quiet night in.
A honeyed curve of private beach fronts the Movenpick Hotel Beirut, giving you romantic sun and sea vibes – all within easy striking distance of Beirut’s sights and its fabulous restaurant scene. Floor-to-ceiling windows connect terraces with modern, crowd-pleasing rooms, dressed in creams and warm greys. Fancy a pampering session à deux? Book into the rambling spa for muscle-melting ESPA massages, after a tranquil dip in the indoor and outdoor pools.
One of Beirut’s swankiest – and most exclusive – luxury hotels, Le Gray was forced to shut its doors after the tragic 2020 Beirut explosion. Reopening after a renovation in early 2022, it will no doubt make a swift return to hosting the city’s well-heeled set, who previously flocked for loved-up dinners at the romantic rooftop restaurant. Dine while drinking in sweeping views over the city and coast, then make for the intimate cigar lounge to sip whisky until the wee hours.
Calling all foodies – the Crowne Plaza is primely placed in Hamra, an electric neighbourhood of bars and restaurants, so it’s an ideal pick for couples who want to spend evenings out exploring. Or for those who just want to chill – particularly in the glassy indoor pool, topped with a greenhouse-style roof (nowhere’s better if you need to crash the day after a big party session). Bedrooms come with robes and terraces, a lovely extra indulgence.
If the rooftop pool isn’t enough to convince you, then the old-world vibe – chandeliered lobby with columns, sculptures and palms – should do it. Set steps from Beirut’s waterfront, where you can see boats slink by under the hot Mediterranean sun, boutiquey Le Patio keeps things classic in rooms with wooden headboards and gold-framed paintings. You’re just a five-minute walk from Beirut Souks, buzzing with top-notch shopping and elegant dining spots.
Fusing French glamour – Marie Antoinette-style prints, heavy drapery – with unique Lebanese touches, Hotel Albergo is one of the city’s most characterful hotels and the only member of luxury brand Relais & Chateaux in the country. Eating is a priority here, with a restaurant decked out in Venetian blinds, Persian rugs and leafy palms – dishing up old-world romance alongside its lemony risotto. Rise early to snag one of the loungers plunked right in the shallows of the rooftop pool.
Nothing is too much to ask for at the InterContinental Phoenicia – whether you’re seeking a limousine for hire or a table at the city’s hottest new restaurants, the concierge desk is on hand to sort it quick-smart. Bold contemporary art adds a dash of drama to the elegant neutral spaces, while a sublime spa boasts a couples’ suite so you can get your massages done as a pair. If you can tear yourself away from the grand neoclassical pool, Beirut’s famous Corniche is walking distance away.
Bang on the coast, south of Beirut’s city centre, the Kempinski is built around a lagoon-like pool; when viewed from the right angle, it almost feels like a floating city. No question, this is a pick for couples who want to take it easy, spending days soaking up rays while lazing on palm-shaded loungers and sipping fruity cocktails. Kick-off your morning with a floating breakfast for two – flaky pastries and pancakes munched straight from a bobbing tray in the pool.
Kids in tow on your romantic break? The Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand has family-friendly facilities aplenty – kids’ pool, connecting rooms – but also coupley perks such as a shuttle to the nightlife of Hamra Street, handy once the skies turn inky. Rooms dressed in lemon sorbet hues come with private balconies or broad sweeping views from big windows. Be sure to catch live music in the highest bar in Lebanon, Up on the 31st.
Sleek contemporary style your thing? Book into O Monot, where rooms come with underlit beds, boxy modern lines and the occasional splash of lilac among a sea of white. This boutiquey stay near St Joseph University feels like a fresh yet sophisticated getaway, from the lobster served up in the upper floor restaurant to the rooftop pool, complete with its own bar. The lobby lounge is a lovely area to just hang out with a cuppa, thumbing through books and planning your time in the city.
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