Doing business
A cityscape of cranes and new skyscrapers shows the
optimism of Lebanon’s capital. The banking and
tourism sectors are the linchpin that stabilizes the
economy, but around Beirut’s historic foundations, the
metropolis continues to re-invent itself and expand
providing new opportunities. The Lebanese
linguistically mix Arabic, French and English with
consummate skill. Usual business etiquette is
observed, from modest dress to proffering business
cards. Also expect to exchange pleasantries over coffee before getting down to work

Cool hotel
While a new breed of boutique hotels have opened
across the capital city, the Moevenpick Hotel & Resort
(www.moevenpick-beirut.com) and the three Rotana
properties – the Gefinor Rotana, Hazmieh Rotana, and
the long-stay Raouche Arjaan (www.rotana.com) –
remain popular with business travellers.

Hip restaurant
‘Momo’s at the souk’ (www.momobeirut.com)
headlines Beirut’s new wave of dining experiences to
match the country’s business and tourism revival.
‘Star Trek’ style automatic doors unveil a cosy yet
contemporary space, and an eclectic mix of art and
furniture, while mood lighting helps create the ‘wow’
factor. Sitting above the modern architecture of the
souk, Momo’s balcony provides an excellent al-fresco
dining option. The menu is a fusion of Moroccan,
French and traditional Lebanese dishes, making sure
all bases are covered.

Happening bar
Where to start? The Lebanese are known for their
‘joie de vivre’ and ability to party. Roof bars such as
Sky at BIEL (Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure
Centre), ‘Square’ at the Moevenpick Hotel & Resort
and ‘Bar ThreeSixty’ at Le Gray Hotel will delight and
amaze in equal measure. Move on to the Gemmayze
and Monot districts to continue the party until dawn.

Getting there
BMI operates a twice daily service to Beirut, with
morning and afternoon departures from Heathrow.
Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the national carrier and
offers the only other direct service to Lebanon.

Getting downtown
Taxis are plentiful and pretty much the sole means to
get about the city. If, however, visitors are willing to
share, then the most common transportation mode is
the 'service' – a shared taxi, with fares negotiated in
advance. Regular taxis have red license plates and an
official tariff. Certified airport taxis are recognised by
an airport logo on the door. The journey time from
the airport to downtown Beirut is 20 minutes and the
fare is around £15-20.

Must-see sights
Beirut’s compact city centre means the Lebanon National
Museum, the Ottoman-style Al-Amin mosque and the
architecturally refined Solidere area can all be explored in a
morning. Further afield are the Jeita Grotto and Lebanon’s oldest
winery, Ksara, in the Bekaa Valley.

CARBON COST
A return flight from London to Beirut will cover 6,972km and
produce 0.78 tonnes of CO2. Offset this with The Carbon Neutral Company from £7.80.

INSIDER'S TIP
“Take advantage of Beirut's exclusive 'rooftop bar' trend
and relaxing climate to impress clients and talk business informally. Remember to book a table in advance”
Mirna Abboud , MD,
www.gatewaylebanon.net

The details
Beirut is two hours ahead of GMT. Lebanon has a balmy Mediterranean climate most of the year. The currency is the Lebanese Pound or Lira (L£, LL), but the US dollar is widely accepted. For more information see: www.destinationlebanon.gov.lb.

Compiled by Ramy Salameh

BACK