The Best Hotels in Beirut

Beirut Hotels

Beirut is the vast, sprawling capital city of Lebanon, set on the country’s eastern coast. Glitzy high rises pierce the skyline - boasting quirky modern architecture - lining up beside bright sand-coloured churches, blue-domed mosques and enormous synagogues. Whether you’re after an electrifying holiday of bouncing clubs and bars, or an inspiring getaway full of museums and art galleries, Beirut’s diverse culture caters to all. If you want a break from the city’s buzzing streets, just head down to its wide golden beachfront.

Things to see

Begin your Beirut morning by taking in some of the city’s remarkable architecture. First on anyone’s list should be the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, located in downtown. This awe-inspiringly huge mosque is a modern build, but boasts Ottoman influences, with its spired minarets and sapphire-blue dome. The intricate ornamentation of patterned gilding and sweeping night-black calligraphy inside is inspirational. After, head to the National Museum of Beirut for a taste of ancient archaeology. The museum’s grand halls and galleries house over 1,300 mystical artefacts, ranging from prehistoric tools to medieval Mamluk weapons. The museum is renowned for its collection of ancient Phoenicia relics, so be sure to see its smooth marble statues of Greek gods. For a relaxing afternoon, head to the Sanayeh district and discover René Moawad Garden, a large tree-studded green space - speckled with chess tables - where Lebanese contemporary artists often display their work.

Hotels in Beirut

As a vast city, Beirut has a range of accommodation suited to all tastes and budgets. Treat yourself to a slice of urban luxury at one of the 5-star Beirut hotels, set in flashy complexes. These hotels offer outdoor pools with poolside bars, fine in-house dining, and enormous rooms with king beds. Alternatively, a number of surprisingly affordable 4-star hotels offer saunas, health clubs, and rooftop terraces, where you can take in the view across Beirut’s glittering city skyline. For urban adventurers looking for an easy, comfortable, and cheap place to sleep, try one of Beirut’s 2-star hotels.

Where to stay

For instant access to Beirut’s main historical sights, stay in downtown, beside the bustling port and marina. This area is also ideal for those seeking to splurge at Beirut’s designer clothing stores. If you crave an electrifying getaway full of neon-lit clubs and bars, stay in the Ashrafieh district, Beirut’s youthful centre of modern nightlife. For something a bit different, why not stay in Ain El Mraiseh, a luxury area set on the seafront, at only a short 15 minute walk from the city centre. Amble along the promenade, and enjoy sweet pistachio baklava at the seafront cafés.

How to get to Beirut

The easiest way to reach Beirut is to catch a year-round flight to Lebanon’s busy Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport, located a mere 7 kilometres south of the city centre. There is no direct public transport from the airport to the city, but an abundance of both airport-authorised and private taxi cabs wait outside the terminals to race you to the centre at an affordable price. Beirut’s diverse architecture makes it a wonderful walking city, but hop in a hail-taxi or make use of the efficient bus services to reach those less central city sights.