Stayed at Phoenicia in Feb, 2012. I've been to many hotels in my life so far and this has been one of the best. The way they pay attention to the tiny details that make a difference is breath-taking. For example, the choice of soap bars and shampoos in the toilet is luxury. How the room service checks if you need anything by passing by every night. And one of the nights, they asked me if I needed anything and when I said no, they handed me a very nice scented card with information on the phoenician culture - it was a cultural experience as well. The rooms are nicely decorated. And the complimentary coffee, fruits, and pastries were refreshing. The staff are extremely friendly, welcoming, and helpful, except for the bouncers outside who thought they were protecting a military garisson. Last, but not least, the choice of restaurants is good and food was absolutely yummmy! P.S. there is a place for improvement when it comes to bed pillows. Some hotels offer a choice of soft and hard pillows.

A fine, high quality luxury Hotel in the heart of the city

I attended the 4 days Forum of the Lions Clubs International in December 2011. Good location. The hotel is near sea and some rooms have excellent view of the same. The hotel has everything that a star hotel of this category offers. Excellent spacious rooms, swimming pools, restaurants, spa etc etc. The hotel catered well to delegates from 56 member countries of ISAAME (India, South Asia, Africa and Middle East) that are part of this Constitutional Area of Lions Clubs International.

The Phoenicia Hotel has seen it all: glamorous events, scary times, first line in the civil war strife, windows shattered as a result of the bombing assassination of a prime minister, multinational meetings, and a continuous unremittingly first class management of hotel operations. Occupancy numbers have varied according to circumstances from zero when Beirut became a war zone, to over 98% when calm prevailed. The hotel is home to two excellent restaurants: The Wok W.O.K. offers Asian food from Thailand, China, and Japan (including an excellent sushi bar), and Cafe Mondo featuring Italian specialties. But, the crown of it all is the Mosaic room and its Sunday brunch. There, the Phoenicia takes you around the world with its display of international salads, appetizers, and main course items which take up half of the space while the other half is reserved for traditional Lebanese cuisine. You will find Mloukhieh, Kebbe bil Laban, hummus, and tabbouleh stuffed grape leaves (meat or vegetarian). You certainly will experience the proverbial challenge between your eyes and your stomach especially when you view the mountain of desserts. My favourite Kneffeh Bil Jeben (melted cheese covered with shredded wheat and semolina), a variety of baklava, and the very modest countryside specialty, Debs Bil Tahini (carob molasses mixed with sesame butter). After you have indulged yourself, you may end up on the decorated terrace having cafe noir or blanc (made with orange blossom water). All of this is a perfect fit with the elegance of the culinary and hospitality show especially evident at the entrance where sharp looking parking valets (ant like, always on the move) take and bring back the latest model vehicles of your dreams.
One observation: despite all the petro money that has poured into the safes of the Phoenicia, it has never been influenced by the nouveau riche phenomenon of the Gulf states, but has maintained its Lebanese cachet mixed with international sophistication. Bravo Intercontinental Group!