Last month, Ian Henderson of the Telegraph in the U.K. published a piece on Beirut.  Take a look at what he has to say here.

The piece is good news for Lebanon tourism. Henderson’s outlook is optimistic, and he sees a lot of promise and potential in this thriving capital city. He sees a place that is rectifying its image from one of war-torn instability to a well-deserved spot in the cosmopolitan sun. He even calls it “The Next Big Thing.”

Some of the highlights that Henderson points out:

• Beirut’s shiny new downtown district
• The diversity of a city where a Blue Mosque, an Orthodox church, a Jewish synagogue and a Catholic cathedral coexist
• Le Gray, “one of Beirut’s newest and chicest hotels”
• The fine dining at Tawlet café
• Lebanese wineries such as El Massaya and Château Musar
• The ruins of Baalbek

The Telegraph’s conclusion:
“Leave your preconceptions at home, and you’ll find Beirut to be one of the most exciting and welcoming cities on Earth.”

The ruins of Baalbek were also recently featured in an article in The Travel Word, which notes that Lebanon’s Greco-Roman ruins rival Greece’s Parthenon in grandeur and scale, with the added benefit of less tourist congestion.

Ready to see Beirut and Baalbek for yourself? Book your Beirut hotel to start exploring its urban beat, and then plan a day trip to Baalbek about 90 min to the east. Book with LebHotels.com, much more than your bed in Lebanon.

Feb 24, 2011 – Oryxinflightmagazine.com – by Daisy Carrington

Beirut is one of the most ancient cities in the Middle East, but that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past. New restaurants and hotels are opening up at an accelerated rate, making it one of the trendiest cities around.

To say that Beirut is a city of contradictions would simplify what’s really going on in this vibrant capital. True, you could marvel at the sheer volume of construction cranes one moment, and in the next stare admiringly at some of the Roman-era ruins – such as the Cardus Maximus, remnants of a once-thriving marketplace. But these aren’t contradictions so much as layers in a metropolis that boasts a long and rich history.

The architecture, demographic make-up, and culinary landscape all hint at Beirut’s colonial past. The city has belonged to just about every major civilisation, switching from Roman rule to Arab before the Crusaders grabbed it for themselves. It was also part of the Ottoman Empire before being placed under a French mandate following World War I. In 1943, it gained its independence as well as a new, increasingly clichéd moniker: ‘The Paris of the East’. Though the city’s prosperity was broken up by a civil war in 1975 and political turmoil in 2005, it has once again regained its place as one of the region’s most exciting, and hence heavily touristy, go-to spots.

While the city is constantly rebuilding and reconstructing, it possesses a sort of old-world charm. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and a stop into a café for a late-night dinner (the restaurants are empty before 10pm) is likely to result in a lively debate about art, politics, and cinema with a group that were strangers only a few hours prior. To add to the city’s Bohemian vibe, discussions are likely to switch between Arabic, English, and French – sometimes even mid-sentence.

Of course any discussion of Beirut is incomplete without including the thriving nightlife. Bars and clubs end up in the most unlikely of places. Take for instance Centrale: considered one of Beirut’s best bars, this hotspot is set up in a large, elevated steel pipe in a renovated 1920s building. Not quirky enough? There’s always the infamous B 018, an underground club with a retractable roof (the spot was a refugee camp during the Civil War). In a city that has just about seen it all, do as the locals do and just join in the fun.

Places to Stay

As tourists continue to flock to Beirut, so too do the hotel magnates. Two very upscale hotels joined the hospitality landscape last year: The Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, and Le Gray. The highlight of The Four Seasons is its rooftop pool, which is the highest in the city and overlooks a stunning view of the Mediterranean. Le Gray, meanwhile, offers a sleek and stylish design, coupled with a 500-piece collection of contemporary art, which hotelier Campbell Gray spent four years collecting. A Kempinski and Grand Hyatt are also on the horizon.

*Four Seasons Hotel Beirut starting at $490/night including taxes.
*Le Gray Hotel Beirut starting at $380/night including taxes.

Just when you thought Beirut is becoming overwhelming, it just keeps the good things coming! Besides the latest deals for hotels in Lebanon, the capital welcomes a Jazz giant with open arms! Meet Stefano di Battista:

By the looks of it, this Jazz soiree promises to lull you beyond the hassle of everyday life, elevating you to the peaceful and enchanting world of music. Speaking of stress, here’s our selection of the best spas in Lebanon, dedicated to release all accumulated tension and pressure:

-Le Royal Hotel Beirut with rooms starting at $249/night including taxes.
-Grand Hills Hotel and Spa with rooms starting at $367/night including taxes and breakfast.
-Le Gray Hotel Beirut with rooms starting at $380/night including taxes.
-Intercontinental Mzaar Hotel Kfardebian with rooms starting at $269/night including taxes and breakfast.

February is all about love and treats and well, you’ve earned it!

Jan 10, 2011 – HotelierMiddleEast.com- by Oliver Ephgrave

The recent return of political stability means Lebanon is re-emerging as the tourist hot spot of the Middle East. Oliver Ephgrave gets under the skin of this vibrant destination.

With its Mediterranean coast, Roman ruins, mountain ranges, ski resorts, ethereal caves and dynamic capital city, Lebanon possess all the ingredients of a top travel destination. But while the country’s delights have been known to travelers for decades, its flourishing tourism industry was crippled by the civil war from 1975 to 1990 and continued political tension with Israel.

Yet in the last few years, with the security and political situation in Lebanon vastly improved, tourists are returning in their droves. Recently the Lebanon Ministry of Tourism projected that the total number of visitors in 2010 will be 2.2 million — up from 1.85 million in 2009.

Lebanon’s location puts it within easy reach of Europe, Africa and the rest of the Middle East. Christophe Hazebrouck, general manager of one of Beirut’s newest luxury hotels, Le Gray says: “In terms of our hotel guests, around 65% come from the Middle East, 25% from Europe — mainly the UK, France and Germany, while 5% come from the US and 5% from other destinations.”

For its Middle East visitors Lebanon has a popular reputation as being the “Paris of the Middle East” says Bruno Hivon, regional manager destination development of Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean for Emirates Destination & Leisure Management Division.

“It received this status before the Civil War,” he says. “A lot of Arabs visit repeatedly every summer. They like to visit Beirut to shop and enjoy the fantastic nightlife and food in a very comfortable environment.”

And thanks to its ski slopes Lebanon has also become a hugely appealing winter sport getaway for Middle East residents too. “It’s one of the few places in the Middle East where you can ski,” points out Hazebrouck. “In the winter, we get many people coming from around the GCC to enjoy themselves.”

Check out Lebhotels.com‘s unique hotel deals in Beirut and the ski resorts with plenty of hotels and chalets in Mzaar (ex Faraya – Mzaar) and the Cedars.

January holds a lot of surprises and we at Lebhotels.com make sure that you, yes you, are the first to know about them. For one, you can find great deals for hotels in Lebanon, and if you are fond of the powder and passionate about winter sports, then Lebanon’s ski resorts welcome you with open arms and lots of snow with unbeatable offers for hotels in Mzaar or chalets in the Cedars.

That being said, the Music Hall Beirut is hosting one of the most anticipated events of this new year as two rock giants, Anneke (The Gathering) and Danny Cavanagh (Anathema) join strings and vocals in a very intimate acoustic performance.

Save the date, this January 11th, experience the rock duo who promises to enchant you all night long. Afterward, walk along the beautifully decorated streets or spent the night at one of these 5-star Beirut hotels such as the Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut starting $310/night or Le Gray Hotel at $360/night including taxes.

You have been witnessing the best deals for hotels in Lebanon, but have you ever seen a building dance? Well this is your chance! For the first time in the Middle East, a 3D projection mapping event will take place in Beirut to blow some life into the downtown architecture.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate the holidays in a magical setting! Talking about magical, check out these hotels in Beirut and their latest holiday special deals:

*Monroe Hotel Beirut: Rooms starting at $198/night including taxes and breakfast.

*Le Gray Hotel Beirut: Rooms starting at $360/night including taxes.

*Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut: Rooms starting at $310/night including taxes.

This is just a little sneak peak into our long list of best deals for 2010, want to take the whole tour?

Besides being one of the newest hotels in Lebanon, Le Gray Hotel Beirut enjoys one of the most coveted locations in downtown!

Celebrate Christmas in the heart of Beirut city , right next to the gigantic Christmas tree illuminating the capital, at Le Gray’s roof top Indigo restaurant. A traditional 4-course meal will be served in a festive atmosphere as a harpist and a pianist lull you through the night. Room rates start at $360/night for the double room including taxes.

Oh boy oh boy! Christmas treats are pouring on Lebhotels readers this year! Not only have we gathered the best deals for hotels in Lebanon but the best events as well!

Ladies and gents, boys and girls, gather up for the biggest parade in town! This Thursday, a marching band, a Santa float and many surprise acts will head down town for the illumination of the giant Christmas tree. Be part of the parade or have  a front seat view from your own balcony at Le Gray hotel, one of the best hotels in Beirut, starting $360/night  including taxes.

Nov 2010 – This Is London – Travel – Sarah Sands

[...] Our final stop was Beirut which we reached via another enchanting Roman city, Baalbek, and across the western range of mountains. There is something about Beirut that makes your spirits soar. It is something to do with its indomitable spirit. Here is a city bombed to bits by civil war from 1975-1990 but which rebuilt itself with flair and hope. The Four Seasons in Beirut is a stunning hotel on the harbour with a view that could almost be Cape Town.

There is also the stylish new Le Gray hotel, opened by Gordon Campbell Gray, who also founded One Aldwych in London. Beirut is an energetic and cool city. Some may regret the passing of the old, pre-civil war Parisian style but I forgive the city everything for its belief in its own future.