A Hedonist's guide to… is an exciting new series of guides that explore the finest restaurants, the most stylish hotels and the chicest bars in each of our six cities. Designed to be the quintessential 'little black book' A Hedonist's guide to… has all the best addresses in town. This is the ultimate weekend break guide helping you optimise your weekend away; all the restaurants, hotels, bars, cafés and clubs are photographed so you know what to expect before you go.
A Hedonist's Guide to Beirut
The party capital of the Middle East, in times of peace, Beirut is home to high octane nighlife, wonderful restaurants, beaches and skiing. Lebanon correspondent for the Telegraph, writer and DJ, Beirut resident Ramsay Short sought out his favourite places to feature in Hg2 Beirut.
'it's a warzone - are you mad?', I hear you ask
Despite a brief revival of its glamorous self, the assassination of Hariri in 2005 and invasion by Israel in 2006 has seen this wonderful city thrown back into turmoil. All hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs are still open (luckily not a single one of our places were touched in the troubles of 2006), but the Lebanese are, once again, nervous about their future. We are enormous fans of Beirut and hope to see it restored to its rightful glory one day. As the British Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to Lebanon, tor the moment it's probably only a destination for the intrepid and those on business travel.
How long do I stay?
A long weekend is plenty of time if your main agenda is to enjoy Beirut's excellent nightlife. It can, if you plan on staying a while, get just a little bit urban and stifling so, the political situation permitting of course, head our of town to explore the ancient temples at Baalbek, the Crusader castle at Byblos, or just enjoy sunning yourself at Jiyeh or skiing in the mountains.
When should I go?
Before the present troubles, Beirut was an excellent year round destination. In summer there are some of the most beautiful Mediterranean resorts in the Levant to visit, or mountains and beautiful valleys to the north or south to be explored. During the winter season – generally late December to the end of February – the ski resorts of Faqra and Faraya, just an hour’s drive from the centre of Beirut are stunningly beautiful and a lot of fun.
Where should I stay?
Beirut's new hotels are primarily of the high end, chain variety - excellent for business, but sadly lacking in charm. There are a dearth of individually designed boutique hotels, so don’t expect to lounge around in wonderfully renovated colonial villas or Arabic mansions. The Albergo, Intercontinental Le Vendôme and the Monroe all offer an escape from the predictability of chain hotels but don’t quite have the same emphasis on uniqueness and design that has become the fashion in the West. Beirut is not large, so wherever you’re staying, the chances are your hotel will be close to major shopping, nightlife and tourist attractions. Booking couldn't be easier, just click here.
What do I need to take?
* Camera to capture sunset over the Pigeon Rocks or a wonderful Roman ruin
* Some big labels - the Lebanese take glamour seriously
* A flack jacket - well, you never know
* Hg2 Beirut, of course!
Now all you need to do is book that flight and enjoy!
'it's a warzone - are you mad?', I hear you ask
Despite a brief revival of its glamorous self, the assassination of Hariri in 2005 and invasion by Israel in 2006 has seen this wonderful city thrown back into turmoil. All hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs are still open (luckily not a single one of our places were touched in the troubles of 2006), but the Lebanese are, once again, nervous about their future. We are enormous fans of Beirut and hope to see it restored to its rightful glory one day. As the British Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to Lebanon, tor the moment it's probably only a destination for the intrepid and those on business travel.
How long do I stay?
A long weekend is plenty of time if your main agenda is to enjoy Beirut's excellent nightlife. It can, if you plan on staying a while, get just a little bit urban and stifling so, the political situation permitting of course, head our of town to explore the ancient temples at Baalbek, the Crusader castle at Byblos, or just enjoy sunning yourself at Jiyeh or skiing in the mountains.
When should I go?
Before the present troubles, Beirut was an excellent year round destination. In summer there are some of the most beautiful Mediterranean resorts in the Levant to visit, or mountains and beautiful valleys to the north or south to be explored. During the winter season – generally late December to the end of February – the ski resorts of Faqra and Faraya, just an hour’s drive from the centre of Beirut are stunningly beautiful and a lot of fun.
Where should I stay?
Beirut's new hotels are primarily of the high end, chain variety - excellent for business, but sadly lacking in charm. There are a dearth of individually designed boutique hotels, so don’t expect to lounge around in wonderfully renovated colonial villas or Arabic mansions. The Albergo, Intercontinental Le Vendôme and the Monroe all offer an escape from the predictability of chain hotels but don’t quite have the same emphasis on uniqueness and design that has become the fashion in the West. Beirut is not large, so wherever you’re staying, the chances are your hotel will be close to major shopping, nightlife and tourist attractions. Booking couldn't be easier, just click here.
What do I need to take?
* Camera to capture sunset over the Pigeon Rocks or a wonderful Roman ruin
* Some big labels - the Lebanese take glamour seriously
* A flack jacket - well, you never know
* Hg2 Beirut, of course!
Now all you need to do is book that flight and enjoy!
