Insider’s Guide to Where to Stay in Beirut

Searching for the most epic and dreamy areas to stay in Beirut, Lebanon? You’ve come to the right place! As a lifelong lover of all things Middle East and Lebanon and an insider to all the country’s nuances, I’ve got all the best tips on where to stay in Beirut for budgeteers, luxury lovers, and much more!

The best area to stay for first-timers in this chaotic city is Achrafieh, an area that extends from Gemmayzeh to Badaro and is full of epic nightlife spots, walkable streets, cozy corner cafés, and opportunities to make new friends at every turn.

We’ll also be talking about Geitawi, Downtown, Ain El Mreisseh, Hamra, and Verdun!

So, stick around for all the insider tips, local hidden gems, and the top hotels in Beirut as I take you on a journey through this MAGICAL city, making planning easy and stress-free.

If you are in a hurry

If you’re here for a grab n’ go for your Middle East adventure, I got you! Save time and stay centrally located in Achrafieh or Geitawi in one of these amazing hotels. You won’t regret it!

Here’s a map of all the areas you can stay in the Lebanese capital, so take your pick based on your preferences!

1. Achrafieh – where to stay in Beirut for the first time

Traveling to Beirut for the first time can be daunting, so let Achrafieh be your guide! Achrafieh encompasses a large, mostly Christian area across east and central Beirut that includes Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael, Sodeco, Sassine, Mar Mitr, and Badaro. It’s pretty upscale, with calm, quiet streets, leafy residential boulevards, and lots of hidden cafés to discover!

Beirut’s tallest point, Sassine Square, is located here, and it’s also where you’ll find lots of Beirut’s most famous landmarks and museums, like the Beirut National Museum, Sursock, MIM, and Beit Beirut, so there’ll be lots to keep you busy!

This area is beautiful and super walkable, has some fun bars around Mar Mikhael, and most importantly, some absolutely GORGEOUS hotels.

Looking for more things to do in Beirut? Check out my full guide for all the insider tips and hidden gems!

Other accommodation options in Achrafieh

P.S. Arthaus Beirut is another luxury option I just couldn’t resist including! Heralding old Beirut, its gooooorgeous interiors will honestly make you never want to leave. The entire hotel is artistic and peaceful, there are spacious rooms, and there’s a lovely outdoor seating area surrounded by leafy trees!

2. Geitawi – for a peaceful retreat in Beirut

Listen, Beirut is a pretty mad place. It’s polluted, cars honk like crazy (you’ll hear it in your dreams), and Arabs are lovely and loud! BUT do not fear, for Geitawi is here to rescue you from Beirut’s madness!

Geitawi is a beautiful, leafy residential neighborhood next to Achrafieh. Many people think Geitawi is in Achrafieh, but it’s actually a tiny little district all on its own! You’ll find gorgeous neighborhood shops and cafés where the vendors will quickly learn your name, and it’s a serene retreat in the city center.

Here, you can sip on smoothies on quiet corners, go vintage shopping, and get lost without a care in the world! So, without further ado, let’s find the most epic stays in the area!

NOTE: there are no luxury hotels in Geitawi, as this is more of a laid-back, solo traveler’s paradise than a king’s retreat! If you’re looking for luxury hotels around this area, I recommend checking out the 2 luxury options in Achrafieh above!

Accommodation options in Geitawi

3. Downtown Beirut – for luxury hotel bonanzas

Downtown Beirut in the city center is a haven for all things splendid. Think high-end shops, Parisian boulevards, 5-star hotels, and just general extravagance – and it’s a MUST for those looking to spend their time in Beirut splashing the cash.

It is beautiful here, but bear in mind that Downtown Beirut is not real Beirut in its essence. It’s been ultra-modernized for tourism since the Civil War, so if you want to stay somewhere more authentic, look elsewhere! That being said, Downtown Beirut is so lovely, and it’s nice to spend time there wandering down broad avenues amid leafy trees and designer stores. It’s a great place for business and leisure guests alike!

So, let’s get into all the best places to stay in Downtown Beirut for business and leisure guests!

Other accommodation options in Downtown Beirut

4. Ain El Mreisseh – for epic seafront views

Ain El Mreisseh is an excellent choice for those looking for modern rooms with PHENOMENAL views across the ocean! It’s also a great spot to use as a base as it’s right next to the Hamra district, the nightlife and restaurant haven of the city.

Another perk about staying in Ain El Mreisseh is its proximity to Raouche! You can wander down Corniche Al Manara (the seaside promenade) all the way down to the end and enjoy incredible seafood with a view of the pigeon rocks. All within walking distance from your hotel!

So, let’s get into the epic stays around this area!

Other accommodation options in Ain El Mreisseh

5. Hamra – where to stay in Beirut for nightlife

Party lovers unite! 🍻 Get ready for the time of your life in Hamra, West Beirut, where business meets pleasure meets an EPIC Lebanese vacation!

Hamra isn’t just party party though – it’s also the place for amazing restaurants at any time of day, boutique shops, and everything else you could possibly want. You’ll also find a few neat coworking spaces around here, so if you’ve got a bit of life admin to get done, just hop over to B-Hive (check out their insta here).

Hamra is a good option if you don’t want to be far from Beirut airport (although the airport is honestly in pretty close proximity to all these areas as Beirut is teeny teeny tiny 🤏).

Something to bear in mind about Hamra is that traffic RAGES here day in, day out, 24/7. Just let the honking wash over you and get used to the noise; you’ll barely notice it after a few days! 🤪

Other accommodation options in Hamra

6. Verdun & Raouche – for a family-friendly stay

Verdun often gets missed by tourists, but I think that’s a travesty! Verdun is a stunning neighborhood on the west side of Hamra full of gorgeous, modern apartment blocks and leafy suburban life. It’s a great place for shopping (shout out to ABC Mall!), and it’s close enough to Hamra and the rest of Beirut and yet far enough that it makes for a nice, quiet stay.

Verdun, with its relatively central location, is also a leisurely stroll to the ocean, which is a bonus for me any day! Raouche Rocks is just moments away, and there are plenty of lovely places to eat and enjoy a coffee.

This is also a great place to stay if you need to be close to Beirut airport, located south of Beirut! It’s just a 10-20 minute drive away, depending on the traffic.

Other accommodation options in Verdun

BONUS: Best places to stay in Beirut for solo travelers

I get it, Beirut is a solo traveler’s HAVEN! It was mine for many years before I met my husband, so I know all the best places to stay in Beirut for those looking to make new friends in this awesome city. Let me share my knowledge with you, lovely Miss Tourists!

So get your solo travel pants on, and let’s get to it!

1. Hostel Beirut
Hostel Beirut in Geitawi is one of those places you’ll leave thinking you’re leaving home. The people who run it are absolute GEMS, and the whole place is full of good vibes, all types of travelers you can think of, and endless opportunities to make friends for life. I’ve stayed there too many times to count, and I can honestly say some of my favorite Beiruti memories were right there in Hostel Beirut 💗

2. The Colony, Karantina
The guys who run The Colony wanted to bring Beirut to travelers right in the hostel, and boy did they do that! I can vouch for them; they’re awesome, and their hostel in Karantina just channels them 100%. It was pretty much completely destroyed in the blast of 2020, but they rebuilt it, and now it’s even better than before! It’s in a lovely quiet area, and the hostel is also an exhibition space, so expect lots of arty-farty people and good times!

3. The Grand Meshmosh Hotel
The Grand Meshmosh is an absolute must if you like home-cooked food, a warm atmosphere, and a central location with easy access to Gouraud Street and Armenia Street (Mar Mikhael) for fun nightlife and amazing restaurants! They also cater for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free, just let them know when you arrive! It’s also not just a hostel – they also have double rooms and family rooms as well!

4. Auntie Lulu’s
Auntie Lulu’s holds a special place in my heart, as my husband and I stayed there when we first got together ❣️ It’s quite basic, but every unit has a little kitchen area, a bathroom, and a bed, which is perfect for anyone looking for a clean place to sleep but won’t spend too much time in the room. The best part is the rooftop pool, where you can chill with the others staying in the building and relax under the stars at night ✨

5. Hamra Urban Gardens
Hamra Urban Gardens pretty much always has availability, as the building is huge! They have private rooms as well as dorms, and the staff are really friendly and will happily hook you up with fellow travelers looking to take a day trip with new and fun people. My favorite thing about HUG is the chill vibe up on the rooftop, where there’s a tiki bar-style terrace and pool so you can sunbathe all day listening to soft techno music and looking at all the eye candy 🍭

6. Luna’s Village
I’ve mentioned that Luna’s is a great place to go for vegan food, but it’s also a little hotel! Luna’s is run by the most awesome people (big shout out to Omar!), and you’ll be sure to find some like-minded people right under their roof. You’ll have an individual suite, access to games and a pool table, and the opportunity to make friends for life!

FAQs about where to stay in Beirut

Conclusion

Well, there you have it! Now you know where to stay in Beirut and the best hotels in each area, making planning super easy – all you have to do is pick one!

If you want more insight into the country, don’t forget to check out my Lebanon travel guide for all the insider tips and tricks to make your stay as memorable as possible 🇱🇧

You have so many amazing options to choose from in this fascinating city, but if it were me, my personal favorites would be:

• Arthaus Beirut, Achrafieh – Arthaus is a personal favorite of mine because it’s so unique! You can’t get much better than this for luxury!
• O Monot – O Monot is honestly a top choice for those who want class, style, and a central location on a mid-range budget! That rooftop pool is calling my name 🤽

Beirut is SUCH an amazing place, and I had the best time sharing all my insider knowledge with you! Just remember to book those hotels in advance for the best prices!

Drop me a comment if you need a hand, I’m always here to give tips!

Happy travels!

Lizzie

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