Mir Amin Palace

Lebanon


Wealthy Beirutis in search of fresh air dominate the guest list at this elegant place. Built in the 19th century as an emir's residence, it opened as a hotel in the 1970s and has been well maintained – though not noticeably refurbished – since then. All of the rooms are large, but the executive doubles and Imperial Suite are the pick of the bunch.

Common areas include an indoor restaurant, a lounge where you can enjoy a coffee and nargileh, a huge swimming pool and a summer-only terrace restaurant that is known for its Sunday lunch buffet (US$44). Note that the hotel is always fully booked over July and August – book well in advance if you are planning to visit at this time. It's hard to feel that summer prices offer value, but they drop off substantially at other times. It's very near Beiteddine Palace.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lebanon attractions

1. Beiteddine Palace

0.2 MILES

Sitting majestically on a hill surrounded by terraced gardens and orchards, Beiteddine Palace is one of the highlights of the Chouf Mountains. This…

2. Main Square

1.02 MILES

The main square is a showcase of fine Arab architecture, including the Mosque of Emir Fakhreddine Maan, built in 1493, and, behind it, a cobbler's souq…

3. Qaisariye

1.02 MILES

This harmonious khan just above the square was built in the late 16th century and chiefly served as a souq for silk and jewel traders. These days a French…

4. Serail of Youssef Chehab

1.02 MILES

On the main street opposite the main square is this beautiful 18th-century palace, which now serves as the town hall (look for the two carved lions above…

5. Shouf Biosphere Reserve

8.77 MILES

The largest of Lebanon’s three natural protectorates, comprising an incredible 5% of the total land area, this is the largest natural cedar reserve in the…

6. Chateau Kefraya

9.16 MILES

One of only a couple of wineries in Lebanon that you can currently visit without pre-booking, this produces quality wines of all three colours. You might…

7. Deir El Qalaa

11.06 MILES

Built over the remains of a Roman temple, this 18th-century Maronite monastery was extensively damaged during the civil war but has been fully restored. A…

8. Horsh Beirut

12.86 MILES

The large and verdant Horsh Beirut could be the city's version of Central Park, but opening hours are irregular to the point of arbitrary, and it’s manned…