Hotel Al-Bustan

Perched atop a mountain in the historic town of Beit Meri, with pristine views over Beirut and the Mediterranean, the Hotel al-Bustan is a haven for art and culture enthusiasts. Away – but not too far – from the buzz of the urban center, Hotel al-Bustan is a short ride from the commercial district and an equally short walk from ancient roman relics. 

But the Al-Bustan is also brimming with its own history. Since its inauguration in 1962  by Lebanese entrepreneur Emile Bustani. The hotel replaced the derelict Grand Hotel, where Bustani had shared special memories with his wife in the 30s. The new hotel he envisioned would serve as a bridge between East and West. When Bustani died in 1967, his wife Laura continued the renovation project and named it “Bustan” which means garden in Arabic.

Owned independently by a family, it pairs timelessness with an air of modernity, all of which is reflected in its modern facilities. The hotel itself houses an art collection, with local and international work, as well as antiquities. It is the chosen site of the annual Al-Bustan International Festival of Music and Art, which takes place in February through March for five weeks.

The hotel has 117 rooms and 21 suites. Amenities include Les Glycines, an elegant a la carte restaurant, a wine cellar, an Italian trattoria, the Crystal Garden, a glass conservatory often reserved for banquets, Le Village, a Lebanese restaurant with local foods, The Scottish Bar fit with piano, an Ottoman-inspired lounge for afternoon tea and receptions, and themed terraces.