Monot Suites

Terrazzo and glass line the indoor pool at Monot Suites, lit by daylight rather than the Mediterranean itself, a few streets back from Beirut's shore. The hotel sits mid-block on Monot Street in Ashrafieh, a district of stone townhouses, coffee shops and late bars rather than a beachfront strip. Suites come in three grades: deluxe, junior and business, each finished in a contemporary style with modern fittings. Rooms are fitted with Uriage bath products drawn from thermal spring water. It is a compact, vertical stay. Guests can walk to the Nicolas Sursock Museum, the Saint Nicolas stairway and the bars of Gemmayze, and the front desk will book tables at nearby restaurants such as Le Relais de l'Entrecôte and Falamanki. In the evening, the hotel's own Analogue Bar opens at 8pm with a kitchen menu and live music, drawing a mixed crowd of guests and locals into a small, close room rather than a grand one. By day, the gym and indoor pool cover the quieter hours, with free Wi-Fi and underground parking, self-park or valet, handling the practical side of a city stay. Beirut's coastline and harbour lie a short drive away, making Monot Suites better suited to travellers who want Ashrafieh's streets and nightlife within reach than to those chasing a sea view from the room.