Realize Lebanon is somewhat off the beaten track for most posters on this board - regrettably. Beirut has some wonderful hotels and restaurants. Would anyone like to share their favourites/

I am visiting Baalbek, Beirut and Byblos in May, and I would welcome your recommendations for hotels, especially in Beirut (I will stay at the Palmyria in Baalbek).

Depends on your budget: the Hotel Phoenicia is the local Intercon; the European style Bristol, and the new Movenpick Hotel are also considered very good. The Movenpick has a dramatic location on the corniche, overlooking the Mediterranean. For a well- located boutique hotel, try the Albergo in downtown Asharafiyah (it also houses an excellent restaurant). The Lebanese handicraft shops L'artisant du Liban in Asharifiyah or West Beirut (Clemenceau) are well- worth visiting.

Thanks for the hotel advice. Im also going to be there end of May... spending some time in Beirut, Damascus, and Amman.

Michael -
I hope you have time to have a drink at sunset on one of the restaurant balconies overlooking Pigeon Rocks! I tried to really get in the spirit of Lebanon and drink Arak that night but after one sip decided Arak was not for me. (can't stand anis!)

I'm flying to Beirut today for the first time. Staying till Fri 1 May.

Would be interested to meet up with anyone who knows Lebanon very well and can show me the real bits (rather than the tourist bits).

Where do the locals eat out? Where to the Lebanese locals hang out? [email protected]

A few years back I planned a bike tour of Lebanon but then they killed their prime minister. Anyway I'd like to go in 2010. Advice?