Staybridge Suites Beirut Hotel Experience

Travel is always exhausting, no matter how short or long your trip is, and how enjoyable it tends to be. Let’s not lie to each other, we all know that the hotel we stay at anywhere we go plays a great role in how well we enjoy our trip. It is the first step into the comfort and relaxation of your trip. Business and frequent travelers will know exactly what I mean!

Let’s get to the point of this post. On my current trip to Beirut, I have decided to stay at the Staybridge Suites Hotel, located in Verdun – Beirut. Not my first stay at the hotel, and definitely not my last. This is by far my favorite hotel in Beirut. In a city where tourism is always gleaming, finding the right hotel might be a fuss. So many hotels to select from with so many options to choose from, whether you want to go for the affordable side, or the extremely luxury side of hotels in Beirut. I would like to assure you to look no more, Staybridge Beirut is definitely your best option! Read further to know why.

The beautiful, recently constructed hotel is located in the heart of Beirut, in the area of Verdun, just a 3 minutes walk from busy hamra street, and 3 minutes from the Verdun shopping area. It is absolutely the perfect location to stay away from busy Hamra roads, and yet close enough to walk there. The 28 floor building serves guests the comfort they have never experienced at any hotel. These floors are divided into: 2 underground parking levels, 1 underground gym and laundry room level, a ground floor, a mezzanine floor, guest rooms from 1st to 22nd floor, and a rooftop edge pool with an open relaxation area on the 23rd floor.

Upon check-in, you are welcomed by an extremely friendly staff who assures you that you are now at home. Everything around you says “Welcome Home,” it honestly does not get any better! You are also given a letter by the hotel manager which includes a welcome message with a warm stay wishes, and signed personally to ensure a personal and friendly relationship with guests.

During reservation, I requested a high floor for my King Size Studio, which was granted to me upon check-in, however, after getting to my room I found out that it was a smoking floor (which I never requested), and the room did smell like smoke. So, I called the reception, and the receptionist was extremely helpful and courteous to change my room immediately. Due to the hotel being full, she has unreluctantly upgraded my room to a One-Bedroom Suite on a lower floor. A bell boy was sent immediately to my room to transfer my luggage.

Boy is that One-Bedroom Suite a pleasure! It is my first stay in this type of room at the Staybridge, and I will always continue to book it.

 

Upon entrance into my 503 suite, I was greeted with a spacious area that included an entrance server and a mirror to my left, and a the kitchenette to the right. The kitchenette included a small serving counter with 2 seats, glass counters for glassware (similar to a bar), and all kitchen appliances that you may need (probably more than you will actually need). The living room was connected openly to the kitchenette, which also included a glass door to the balcony. Also to my right was a closed door, which included an ironing board; turns out it is a personal storage and ironing room! Straight ahead was the bedroom, separated by a door for privacy.

Who thought you would ever find such a small useful room in your hotel suite! It is truly a great place to hide your luggage, hang some clothes and do your ironing so that you do not have to mess the whole room.

The living room offered a spacious area to sit and watch TV, or to welcome guests in your room without having to seat them in the bedroom. The couch is also a sofa bed, which is great if you are coming with a family. Facing the living room to the right is the glass door and windows that enter the perfect amount of sunlight needed to brighten your room. You can also open the door and enjoy being on the balcony which has patio seats for 2 people.

The kitchenette provides you with the snacks and equipments you need to make you feel at home whilst traveling. It includes a microwave, a mini-fridge, an electric stovetop, a kettle, a dishwasher, a bread toaster, glassware, silverware, and full cooking equipments such as pans, bowls, and more. A small sign sticking on one of the cupboards assures you that you can also bake at the hotel using the oven provided on the mezzanine level. What more do you need!

A small tray placing on the serving island provides you with complimentary water, tea, coffee, oreos (ate them already), popcorn (ate it already), and a kettle to boil water. There is also a coffee press to guarantee your coffee the way you like it. The 2 water bottles are replaced for free every day.

Moving to the balcony. The view on the 5th floor was not the best honestly, as it is directly disturbed by the neighboring Le Bristol Hotel. However, the view on all other top floors is surreal!

Moving to the bedroom of this suite. The room includes an extremely comfortable King Size Bed that may keep you glued to its sheets. Be careful to miss your vacation because of this tricky comfy bed! The room also included a hairdresser, with a mirror and dressing counter. To the left of the room entrance door is a walk-in closet followed by the spacious bathroom of this one-bedroom suite.

The huge bathroom in this suite offers a bathtub, a glass shower box, a toilet seat, a bidet, and a round sink on a big counter which allows you to place all of your toiletries comfortably. You will also find 2 bathrobes, and fresh facial and body towels. The hotel provides you with excellent quality Shampoo and Shower Gel from The White Company – London, you will even find them placed in big bottles, similar to a home style shower/bath so that you feel at home in the bathroom too!

 

Last, but definitely not least, is the rooftop of this beautifully architectured hotel. The rooftop on the 23rd houses a big edge pool with a wonderful tanning and relaxation area. It is a must to get up there and enjoy the view, even if you do not want to swim. The Patio on the roof is a small open air area that has a few couches and is also a floor above the roof, but accessible only via stairs from the 23rd floor. DO NOT MISS THE VIEW ON THE ROOF!

This hotel is simply a wonderful experience. From the moment you enter the hotel, to every single second you spend in the hotel, it will definitely be an enjoyable time. Their attention to detail is wonderful. The hotel staff even sets together 2 Social Gatherings every week, one on Monday and the other on Thursday from 6pm to 7pm, in which they invite all hotel guests to socialize, enjoy free food and drinks. During the summer the gathering is done at The Patio on the 23rd floor, whilst during winter it is done in the Mezzanine floor.

The breakfast offered every morning from 7am to 10am, and on weekend from 7am to 11am is simply delicious. They offer the breakfast in a home-style environment that is truly unique and never expected at a hotel. You will find fresh cooked food, sweets, pastries, eggs (scrambled, fried, omelet), jams, milk (soy and regular), fruits, cereals, pancakes, and anything you could think of having at home, probably even more!

The only thing I do not like about the Staybridge, is that they charge LBP20,000 per night to park your car at the hotel’s underground parking. The parking is also similar to a maze, be sure to follow the signs or else you will find yourself in some other place.

 

In my opinion, Staybridge Suites Beirut is definitely the best hotel I have personally visited in Beirut. I have been to so many, and it occurred that the first time I ever stayed at the Staybridge was due to a very bad experience at another hotel in Beirut that made me switch immediately to another hotel, which was luckily the Staybridge. If you are visiting Beirut or planning to visit Beirut anytime soon, make sure to book your stay at the Staybridge, and enjoy all the goodness this hotel has to offer.