LEBANON – Le Bristol Beirut: A unique luxury hotel in downtown Beirut (hotel review)

Beirut is also called ‘the Paris of the Middle East’ which is something you’ll only understand if you have visited. When I was planning my Lebanon itinerary, I looked for a hotel where I could sample this Parisian atmosphere with a twist. Le Bristol Beirut is a hotel that offers exactly that, and I highly recommend staying there. Located in downtown Beirut it offers a truly unique luxury experience. Join me on a tour through Le Bristol Beirut in this hotel review.

The hotel

Le Bristol Beirut is located just 15 minutes from the airport in downtown Beirut. When I said that I would be driving myself in Lebanon some said I was crazy. Except the city trip in Beirut itself I drove each day of my Lebanon itinerary and I can say it’s perfectly possible and safe. When I arrived at Le Bristol Hotel, the staff warmly greeted me. The valet parking took care of my car and luggage was taken to the room. Check in was very quick and had a big surprise but more on that later in this hotel review!

When you enter Le Bristol Hotel, you’ll find the reception on your right and the lobby bar in front of you. The whole lobby has a trendy atmosphere with blue, greyish, and white decor. On the left is the restaurant called Les Gourmandises which has a small outdoor terrace. Make sure to have a coffee there and watch people pass by. When I stayed the hotel was in process of creating a green patio as well so make sure to check it out and let me know how it was. The hotel has also an off-premise location called Villa Linda Sursock where special events are held. I missed the Easter lunch as I simply had to do a Tripoli day trip that day. Rooms are on several floors of which floor 3, the trendy hipster floor, is where I stayed.

The hipster floor is decorated in trendy colors with graffiti, photos, and artwork throughout the corridor. It has a lounge area too where you can have coffee, tea, soft drinks, and small snacks. The best way to explore the artwork is by “scooter”. Of course, that’s what the kids did up and down all the time. Rooms on this floor have also other benefits including a 30-minute massage, daily minibar, amenities and more.

I highly recommend booking a room on the hipster floor as it’s unique and these extra’s make a stay much more comfortable.

The rooms at Le Bristol Beirut

If I travel alone, I’m all right with a spacious room but when it comes to family travel connecting rooms or preferred a two-bedroom suite is what I want. I always book two rooms and then contact the hotel if connecting rooms are possible. When we arrived late afternoon at Le Bristol Beirut a surprise was waiting. An upgrade was arranged to a corner two-bedroom presidential suite. Isn’t that awesome? It was on the newly renovated hipster floor! The kids loved that and I’m sure after reading this hotel review you understand why.

Our room was situated in the corner and had a large hall, spacious living room and two bedrooms with both an en suite bathroom. The living room had a lounge area and large flat screen TV. I don’t need a TV, but the kids love that as they can connect their Nintendo Switch to it and play games. On the left was a dining table and, on the right, a working desk. The light from all the windows and a light decor made the room look even bigger. Although the room has all the modern amenities the furniture has that Parisian look. It’s in the small details that makes you feel home away from home. The huge teddy bear is a signature of Le Bristol Hotel and a small one is there to take home.

Both bedrooms and bathrooms are the same, but one had twin bedding for the kids and the other a large king bed for me and my wife. Beds are large and not too soft which I prefer. I slept like a rose all 4 nights. A large wall painting is behind the beds which has scenery on it from Lebanon. Make sure to follow my Lebanon itinerary to see all this scenery in reallife too. The decorations and colors make the room feel very chic. The same applies for the bathroom but it has something hipster too. A chalkboard where you can thank the housekeeping, write something you need, or just draw something. The kids heavily used it. The bathroom has quality amenities and everything else that you would expect.

The (presidential two-bedroom) rooms at Le Bristol Beirut let you experience that Paris in the Middle East but with a great hipster and modern twist! I felt at home in this trendy atmosphere.

Facilities at Le Bristol Beirut

Le Bristol Beirut has all the facilities you expect from a five-star hotel. These include free fast wi-fi, concierge service, currency exchange, valet parking amongst many others. No need to go into detail of those in this hotel review but there are a few facilities I used which I will highlight. These include the pool and gym.

The roof top pool isn’t the largest pool to be honest but that’s fine for a city hotel. It’s a great place for an afternoon dip and relax with cocktail before joining Beirut’s bustling nightlife. Just next to the pool is the gym which has enough equipment to keep you busy. I didn’t use the gym as I still had work to do during this leisure trip, but the kids went daily for 30 minutes to keep in shape and burn those calories.

Normally I do not cover business and/or event facilities at a hotel, but Le Bristol Hotel is special. The convention room in the basement looks  just like any convention room (see photo in the gallery below) but it’s worth mentioning that during the civil war this room was in use for government officials to meet. Another room worth mentioning is the Golden Room. It’s the oldest ballroom in Beirut and if it’s empty, I highly recommend having a look or maybe get married? The decoration is simply magnificent.

Dining & Drinking at Le Bristol Beirut

At Le Bristol Beirut you can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Les Gourmandises. It’s famous for its pastries since the hotel opened its doors over 60 years ago. At breakfast various dishes are prepared fresh including eggs, pancakes, and Lebanese culinary treats. The buffet has a lot of choices including the sweets Les Gourmandises is famous for. Just watch your kids that they also eat the healthy stuff and not just the chocolate fondue. Les Gourmandises is a bright and modern restaurant but has a Damascene room as well. You’ll get that traditional feeling when you’ll have breakfast before heading out to explore Lebanon.

In the evening Les Gourmandises serves dinner but I only had a burger when I arrived late at the hotel one of the days. In the evening make sure to visit Hamra (walking distance) for traditional Lebanese cuisine. Badaro street is another option which is an upcoming neighborhood with hipster bars and restaurants. It’s close to the National Museum so combine a visit. Le Bristol Hotel has also an off-premise location called Villa Linda Sursock. One of Beirut’s historic landmarks. It’s open for special events like Easter lunch or BBQ nights. Make sure to try it out!

This review of Le Bristol Beirut is all about the hipster floor which also includes a lounge. You can have all day refreshments there and just relax in case your room doesn’t have a living room. It’s a nice place to have a coffee. In the evening, if you’re not out partying, you can have a cocktail at the lobby lounge. There is a lot going on at Le Bristol with enough options to have a drink or a snack.

Conclusion

Le Bristol Beirut is a true luxury hotel in downtown Beirut. It’s centrally located close to the corniche, Hamra and the airport. The staff is friendly, helpful and will make sure your stay will be a memorable one. The hotel has enough options for a drink and dinner but make sure to go out too and sample that Lebanese cuisine. A rooftop pool is a huge plus for this city hotel. As said, Beirut is the Paris of the east which Le Bristol Beirut definitely contributes too. The rooms have that Parisian feeling which combined with the hipster and modern look make it truly unique. My family and I really felt at home at Le Bristol Beirut and I’m sure you will too.

If you would like to know what you can do in and around Beirut then see one of these options: 10 days Lebanon itinerary (8 day trips from Beirut). I will add more destination information over time.

For more hotel information and booking options please visit the website of Le Bristol Beirut or subscribe to the Facebook page of Le Bristol Beirut to receive the latest hotel news.

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Gallery of Le Bristol Beirut

** All opinions are based on a genuine stay, flight or experience. I’m not affiliated with the hotel, airline or tour operator but I might be (partially) sponsored – or paid. **