Le Gray Hotel :
Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut is the Pearl of the Middle East
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the river of alcohol that nightly flows its length. Centered in the Gemmayze neighborhood, the street easily earns its nickname as “SoHo by the Sea.” Myu nightclub just off Rue Gouraud on Rue St. Antoine, is a prime choice to start your evening. The spot features classic Mediterranean food with French and Asian flavorings. Start your evening with a Lychee Martini, then move on to the Sheikh Mahshi. Myu’s column-framed entrance is flanked by enormous glass windows – seemingly designed for a neighborhood everyone craves to be seen in. From there, just walk the street and willingly get pulled into whatever crowd seems to most want your company.
Beirut is brazen in its search for reasons to celebrate – or to simply party for no reason at all. The city has long been the world’s nightlife party capital – with good reason. Decades of destruction and turmoil would cause any reasonable resident to form this expedient conclusion: Live for the moment. It may be all you’ve got.
Souk el Barghout is also near Le Gray - in fact it’s right outside the front door in Martyrs’ Square. The occasional market is a prime spot to haggle over local antiques – including carpets, furniture, jewelry and paintings. You can also grab a coffee or snack. Further away, the treasures of Lebanon are all within a few hours drive: cedar forests, the famed ruins of Baalbek and Byblos, Jeita grotto cave system with the world’s longest stalactite, the must-see National Museum, and other sites.
Le Gray’s Numerous Luxuries
After exploring hectic Beirut and Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast, Le Gray beckons like home. The PureGray health club and spa is a good place to start. Along with treatment rooms and sauna, the spa includes a state-of the-art gym with personal trainers. Sunset is an optimal time to visit Cherry on the Rooftop, Le Gray’s Pool Lounge with its perky red and white couches. Although the lounge’s infinity pool is tempting at dusk, I recommend an early morning dip to view ships arriving along the city’s expansive bay.
A significant Cuban cigar collection and an impressive cognac list are found at the Cigar Lounge. There’s also a terrace, the recommended area for smoking your Cohiba Maduro V Genios. Bar ThreeSixty has a wrap-around view of the city, sea and mountains. The neon here can get a bit bright, especially in the interior-lit tables, but the blue lacquered grand piano signals you’re not allowed to leave without having fun. Soft jazz, soul and funk should speed your journey.
Cuisine for Every Pallete
If you’re not visiting Gemmayze in search of culinary treasure, Le Gray has ample selections. The low key pool lounge is great for breakfast and lunch – as is Gordon’s Café. The café is adjacent to the reception area along the length of the hotel. The side patio is a great place to sit and imbibe Beirut in all its improbable color and variety. Serious cuisine is the domain of Indigo on the Roof, an “international restaurant with a Mediterranean twist.” The rooftop restaurant also has al fresco dining on the terrace. The best beef and fish of Beirut is featured, along with 250 wines. Try the signature dish, Tajima Wagyu filet.
Le Gray, Martyrs’ Square
Beirut Central District
(+961) 1 96 28 28
reservations@legray.com
www.legray.com
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