Couched in the comforts of boutique plushness and nestled in the heart of Achrafieh, the Albergo is the place to go if you want your luxury with a strong dose of character. Parakeets squawk at you as you pass through the foliage to the foyer, where you’re greeted with top-rate service. With its velvet-lined couches and walls studded with curious ephemera, the decor is as sumptuous as a 19th-century academic’s study. Jump into the tiny Art Deco lift and take yourself to the rooftop terrace where calm reigns and lush leaves sway, oblivious to the rhythms of the city. Meticulously decorated suites each have their own distinct character, making sure Albergo gets boutique down to a tee.
Cherry-picking the best from the vast pool of luxury hotels in Beirut was never going to be an easy task. The city may no longer be the cosmopolitan playground for the rich that it was in the ’50s, but its impressive range of plush accommodation speaks to its enduring appeal for the international jet set. All tastes are catered for: whether you’re after a rooftop pool or a vast seaside spa complex, cutting-edge art or old-school boutique charm, Beirut will oblige. Sleep well.