On an overcast day, the sleek, glass façade of Four Seasons Hotel Beirut reflects the steely grey waters of Zaitunay Bay, but the atmosphere inside couldn’t be more different. The spacious lobby is both warm and inviting, and a tribute to Arabic opulence – the plush lounges filled with businessmen and well-dressed Beirutis catching up over coffee.
The hotel’s Deluxe Sea View Suites are generously sized at 69 square metres. The suite’s dining room, hued with neutral tones, is furnished with a classic dining set and antique minibar that hints at French elegance, which is unsurprising, as the hotel’s interiors were masterminded by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. The tasteful aesthetic continues into the open-plan lounge area, with a flat-screen television, elegantly upholstered armchairs, a sofa and coffee table.
Natural light streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows that lead on to two separate balconies, boasting city and marina views. There are more panoramic views from the bedroom, which is fitted with a king-size bed. The bathroom, in all its opulent marble glory, has an individual bath and shower lined with L’Occitane en Provence amenities, and an adjoining dressing/powder room.
Guests staying at Four Seasons are truly spoilt for choice – not only is there plenty to entertain inside the hotel, but its convenient downtown Beirut location gives way to further pursuits. If business simply cannot wait, the lobby lounge offers the right ambience and a well-stocked dessert bar.
Take a leisurely swim in the rooftop pool in Beirut, Lebanon
To completely unwind, you can opt for a few laps in the rooftop pool, or head to The Spa, which specialises in exotic Arabic treatments. Guests keen to flex their credit cards can wander to the luxury fashion houses in the Beirut Souks, while half-day trips to Lebanon’s other attractions such as Jounieh and Byblos in the north, and Baalbeck in the east can be arranged; the hotel’s concierge staff are all too happy to arrange transport and provide some insider travel tips.
Very rarely will you hear one sing the praises of a hotel breakfast, but the one served at The Boulevard stands out, with tiered stands piled with steaming Zaa’aatar manakeesh, sambousek and fresh Lebanese flatbread used to mop up creamy labneh or wrap around haloumi cheese. A buffet and a la carte menu is also available for traditional breakfast items. For lunch or dinner, dine on prime steak cuts at The Grill Room and after dark, make like the locals and head the roof to soak up Beirut’s skyline over chilled drinks and plates of Asian style tapas. Aptly named, The Roof is the hotel’s open-air bar – and it attracts a chic crowd during the summer months.
Grand design, a convenient location, excellent food and impeccable service are the hallmarks of a memorable stay, and Four Seasons Hotel Beirut certainly ticks all four boxes. Whether you’re a newcomer to the city or a traveller returning to experience New Beirut in all its glory, then this address on Professor Wafic Sinno Avenue is the place to be.
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