We stayed for 3 nights med-Feb 06 on a break from Cyrpus. A superb hotel that is worthy of its 5* rating. Beautiful decor, very helpful staff and great luxuary all round. The fitness area and indoor swimming pool are of the highest quality, with a large number of machines, plenty of TV screens etc and lots of staff to help. The breakfast buffet was a true international feast and to be enjoyed. Hotel staff helped arrange trips out and the hotel taxi service, although a bit more expensive than the standard (rough!) taxi, were high-quality vehicles with mostly English speaking drivers. Trip downtown was $10, which was resonable by average City prices. Rooms were also very high quality and were regularly looked after to a very high standard. The locals reckon its one of the best hotels in Beirut. They also have good security. One the best hotels we have stayed in for a long while. Highly recommended

We stayed here with our two young children in the height of the summer season. We stayed for about four days, as we were actually staying in West Beirut with family for the bulk of our vacation, but wanted some beach time. The pool area is really great for families, the bar and restaurant had good service, and though the pool was crowded with tourists from the Arabian Gulf, there were plenty of chairs for sunbathing. The children's pool had a great slide/water playground area, and had a lifeguard who was attentive, so we could let our four year old play to his heart's content. The beach, unfortunately, was not very clean, and there was a "red flag" (no swimming because of tides and heavy surf). Therefore, we spent most time poolside, but enjoyed walking by the beach area. Our family members who live in Beirut year-round prefer to go to other beaches, such as some near Jounieh (north), or closer to Sidon (south).

We had a room with a pool view, which was clean, but pretty small for the price (and we got a deal from someone who worked there), and the bathroom was also fairly small. However, since we spent most of our time there at the pool, it didn't really matter.
The only meals we ate (other than by the pool), was a nice breakfast buffet, which had all the usual Lebanese breakfast items, as well as anything to satisfy American or European tastes.
Overall, a nice hotel in a great area of Beirut. Not a bad choice if you prefer to be on the water.

My wife and I are just back from a 10 day stay at the Movenpick during Ramadan. The hotel’s leisure facilities are unique in Beirut with 3 outdoor pools, a marina, one indoor pool and a well equipped gym. We stayed during low season, with low occupancy rate at the hotel, and the poolside restaurant and bar were closed. Therefore, there was also no service at the pool, unless you called room service. The bar was half closed off for renovation and one day entirely closed, which was rather annoying. The two restaurants were reserved for Ramadan Iftar buffet in the early evening (primarily attended by local Beirut people) and reopened at about 20h30 for people like us. Food is excellent, but f you have a habit to dine early with a glass of wine, avoid Ramadan at this and most hotels in Beirut. We had a deluxe sea view room, which was rather small, and the bathroom can only hold one person at the time. Staff was friendly and helpful, but housekeeping needs an overhaul: several times the room minibar was not replenished, no fresh minibar glasses were provided, the first night we discovered that the bed linen had not been replaced from the previous guest and the bed smelled badly. If you are a non smoker, learn to adapt because nearly everyone chain smokes and non-smoker areas are rare if existent at all. The hotel has an arrangement with a taxi company, which charges rip off rates, in excess of what I am used to pay in Brussels or Paris for short trips.
Overall, at the low season rate of $205 per night plus tax the hotel provides reasonable value for money. Everything else is expensive: $4 for a beer, $15 for a hamburger. At those prices one expects top quality across the board, and I would never pay $325 plus tax which is charged in high season.

Great place to stay - close to the center and next to the beach. Fab pool (50m) allowed for some sunbathing before exploring the city. Great breakfast until 11 am with mixture of Western/Swiss and Middle Eastern choices. Very friendly stuff.

Unsual for this type of hotel: our room had only a shower, albeit big one. We were on the lowest floor into the court yard, found the room a bit on the darker side - ask for a room higher up.

Would def return!