Where to stay in Beirut, from luxury hotels to soulful guesthouses
From Ottoman grandeur to intimate guesthouses, these thoughtfully designed Beirut hotels exemplify Lebanon’s famously warm hospitality
Beirut is a city where tradition and modernity collide, reflected in a rapidly evolving hotel scene that ranges from boutique guesthouses to regal institutions. Where you stay is determined by what kind of trip you’re looking for: check into Gemmayzeh or Mar Mikhael if you want nightlife on your doorstep, or Ashrafieh or Abdulwahab to experience the thrum of a local neighborhood. Beyond the city, guesthouses in the mountains offer picturesque escapes. Wherever you land, expect heritage, crafted design, lush gardens and Lebanese warmth in abundance.
Hotel Albergo
Best for: opulent all-suite living in a historic 1700s landmark
Address: 137 Abdel Wahab El Inglizi, Beirut
Price: 470 USD per night
A Relais & Châteaux institution, Hotel Albergo captures Beirut’s layered spirit. Its Levantine aesthetic unravels in de Gournay wallpaper, Damascene antiques, and Ottoman frescoes, while hallways adorned with Persian rugs and carved woodwork fuel the oriental fantasy. A birdcage elevator takes you to your suite and each one is unique: some facing the lush courtyard, others gazing over Beirut’s skyline. Hospitality here is typically Lebanese: seasonal fruit bowls and trays of Turkish delights are offered as a gesture of welcome, and massive bath salt jars invite guests to linger and unwind. The rooftop pool feels like an escape, while the boutique spa, exquisitely designed, is a destination in itself. Located in the upscale Achrafieh district, the city’s cultural landmarks and finest restaurants are on your doorstep.
Hotel Lost
Best for: embracing Beirut’s wild side and making new friends
Address: 1100, Furn El Hayek Secteur 61 Rue 80, Yared, Beirut
Price: 106 USD per night
Lost is Gemmayzeh’s wild child. Housed in an art deco building overlooking the St. Nicholas stairs, this boutique hotel radiates the city’s energy; its lobby doubles as a bar, always buzzing with locals, making it impossible not to meet someone new. Rooms are simple, warm and characterful, lined with Beirut’s signature patterned tiles. Step outside and you’re minutes from the city’s best bars and restaurants; order a Sake Spritz at nearby Cyrano and you’ll see why it’s a favourite. For travellers chasing connection over polish, Lost thrives on Beirut’s contradictions.
Beit Trad
Best for: a mountain escape imbued with authentic Lebanese hospitality
Address: 6 El Kfour Street, El Kfour
Price: 350 USD per night
Beit Trad is set in Kfour’s lush hills, around 40 minutes north of Beirut. The limestone building dates back to the 18th century and was once a family hideaway during the civil war. It was revived by Sarah Trad, who meticulously converted the property into a nine-room guesthouse. Vaulted ceilings, arched windows, antique furniture and hand-embroidered linens set a mood of quiet elegance. The marbled bar, crowned by an antique chandelier, brings a note of Lebanese opulence into the mountains, with local staff mixing excellent negronis. Meals are home-cooked and seasonal, with salads, orchard fruit, and family recipes shared in a nostalgic buffet: the host often joins for coffee, adding intimacy to the “Beit” experience. At the edge of the property, framed by cypress and pine trees, the pool recalls the romance of Under the Tuscan Sun. For those seeking authenticity beyond the city, Beit Trad is a rare refuge.
Beit el Laffé
Best for: a serene guesthouse in the middle of the city
Address: Azarieh, st Charbel street, Beirut
Price: 110 USD per night
In the heart of Ashrafieh, Beit el Laffe feels like a secret retreat. Loquat trees shade the garden, their branches heavy with fruit in spring, which guests are invited to pick and enjoy. Light filters through the leaves, casting a shifting glow across the garden and communal spaces. Visitors are encouraged to move slowly: mornings with coffee and breakfast in the garden, afternoons with books, and evenings with music that changes periodically. The house is saged daily, and flowers are foraged from the mountains and arranged carefully by Pascale, the owner and creative director of the guesthouse, whose presence infuses the space. She will generously share travel tips and tricks with guests, guiding them to events that only the local art scene knows about. Beit el Laffé is more than a guesthouse; it is a place of ritual, often hosting intimate concerts, workshops and special gatherings. With just three suites, it is often fully booked, so plan ahead.
Maison Dada
Best for: Bold design and emotive art
Address: Gemmayze, Al Arz street, Beirut
Price: 25o USD per night
Fresh on the hotel scene, Maison Dada has been conceived by brothers Marc and Mario Dada, referencing both the avant-garde art movement and family name. This boutique showstopper sits in one of Beirut’s historic quarters across from Downtown. Its French Mandate-era bones, with stucco facades and wrought-iron balconies, are met by interiors rich in pattern, texture, and personality. Rooms feature antique tiles, while oak and walnut wood brings warmth. Curved, organic shapes flow throughout the property, alongside an impressive art collection. Look out for Fragments of Resilience, an installation made from salvaged aluminum shards that recall the chaos of the August 4 blast. It signals Maison Dada’s DNA: a place where design, hospitality, and the city’s scars come together, reimagined as part of Beirut’s ever-evolving story.
