I have just come back from Beirut where I stayed for 4 nights at the Phoenicia Hotel ,
The hotel is really great, the rooms are big, with all comforts and super clean and with modern furniture.
The service is great, the staff is very helpful and everything went out very well.
Definitely one of the best hotel in Beirut .

This is the grand old lady of hotels in Lebanon. It has great heritage, and oozes charm. One cannot but be impressed with its grandeur - the staircase, the ballroom, and the fact that so many famous people stayed there throughout the past 50 years.

We stayed in the Premium Front View rooms. The room size is satisfactory, and the decor is elegant. The king bed was comfortable, but the twin beds weren't as comfortable. Also, there were stains on the headboards. Balcony is nice, but faces the road so you'll be exposed to the pollution of noise that is typical of Beirut. On that note, while the room windows are double-glazed, road noise still seeps through. Bathrooms are well-appointed, with excellent toiletries. Overall, I believe it is time for a renovation, as the rooms were looking tired for a hotel of this calibre.

Restaurants in the Phoenicia are excellent. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets are fantastic, and the lobby is a great place for a light meal. Mosaic restaurant has splendid views of the sea and marina. What we also loved is that the hotel strictly enforced the non-smoking law, which is a relief as smoking indoors is endemic in Lebanon.

The staff were excellent and impressed in every way. The spa and gym are fantastic, and while the pool is nice, it is rather small. Another gripe is the valet parking service, which is expensive and also applies for hotel guests.

All in all, this is a great hotel, and one should stay there.

The intercontinental chain is probably the best business hotels I have stayed in. They are designed to really take care of the business traveller. The Phoencia is a great hotel, very comfortable rooms and beds plus great service. I did not managed to try any of the restaurants but I am told that they are very good. They had a asian restaurant called "Wok" which unfortunately the one time we wanted to try the restaurants was closed on the wednesday. The bar/restaurant at on the top floor first tower, Eau de Vie is very nice and nearly always quiet during then week. They have a free pool table if your interested and a great view of the harbour.

Room Tip: if you stay in the first tower near the entrance then you get a balcony. if you are in the second tower toward the back of the hotel as my colleague did, there are no balconies.

I was a guest at the Phoenicia intercontinental in Beirut for two nights in at the end of August while on tourist visit to Lebanon. I have to say that is one of the most luxurious hotels I have ever been to in my life. Here's how my experience went:

Hotel
The building is a massive U shaped hotel compound of three wings overlooking the wonderful Mediterranean sea front. It is extremely well maintained on the outside and ever better on the inside. The hotel dazzles at night when its entire facade lights up and radiates all across the waterfront.
Walking in the halls you will automatically notice the grandeur and the luxury in the finest details. While on the main entrance you are thrown to a huge mansion style staircase decorated with the finest marble. The front desk and the lobby area is simply majestic with all the fine finishing of wood, marble and ceramics.

Rooms
There is no doubt that Phoenicia’s rooms promote the values you would expect from an intercontinental hotel. 5 stars have its meaning in this hotel as it is just a wonderful coupling of modern furniture, with high end luxurious conservative finishing. The bed is large enough and situated at the middle ornate by curtain like tissue that dangles from the ceiling. All rooms are fully equipped with the necessity of relaxation and comfort. From high speed internet to wireless keyboard control of the entertainment system to the coffee makers with a large variety of hot beverages all is offered for your utmost convenience….a real recipe for laziness.

Service
There is no doubt that the service is equally luxurious. You are greeted from the main entrance by bell boys and doormen who greet you with a perfect smile, give you directions in the hotel and will jump at the opportunity to help you with any requirement of the surrounding area. It is well know that Lebanese are hospitable by nature, the service at the Phoenicia perfectly embodies that reputation.

Price
Well the Phoenicia is not your average stay so it will be costly enough to stay in that hotel. But judging by the quality of service and amenities offered i think it is quite explained.

Location
It is located at the heart of downtown Beirut, in the most perfect place to be at downtown is just a couple of minutes away and if the weather is good you can just walk across the old rustic, cultural streets of downtown Beirut. If you are a beach fan, just cross the street and head down to some of the nicest beach fun areas in town and party from dusk till dawn. Hamra street is just North with a huge variety of bars and restaurants, not to mention the proximity to Gemayze street with another large variety of early evening/late night bars and clubbing.

I highly recommend the Phoenicia