If you, like me, are fascinated of the recent history of Lebanon you should stay at Mayflower hotel.
If you, like me, are looking for a hotel in Beirut located ideally you should stay at Mayflower hotel.
Mayflower was at time the only hotel, during the civil war, to be open. During fierce fighting the media of the world was staying at the Mayflower. Most, if not all, other hotels were closed. With just a little bit of imagination you can feel like Mr Robert Fisk having a drink with another war reporter at the Duke of Wellington bar. Duke of Wellington might be the coolest place to have a drink in the Middle East.
Location and atmosphere is everything with the Mayflower. I would not stay there if I was primarily looking for a great breakfast, service or room standard. So, don´t expect a luxury hotel. Don´t even expect a very good hotel. The reason that I love this place more than any other place is it´s history and also possibly it´s location.

My room was neat and clean, the staff was helpful and friendly, the location is perfect, and the breakfast was superb. They even have a small library downstairs where I read some good books. This place has character. If you are expecting the Ritz, you will be disappointed, but why expect the Ritz? This is a great place, and I plan to stay there again.

Hamra is a great location for a Beirut base. The streets around the hotel are safe, full of bars and cafes and bursting with life.
The hotel is a little dated with the exception of the newly re-furb'd bathrooms.
The beds are really really comfy! Breakfast is a little disappointing really. Not much choice and the restaurant is in the basement with no natural light.
Overall a great base and if we are being honest, you don;t really spend much time in your room anyway.
I'd recommend this place.

Found the Hotel to be in need of a little refurbishing but for the price I paid to stay for 10 days I really should not be complaining. Would go back again. The bar is somewhere to be careful as they like to let you drink and then charge at the end of the night. Not saying that we were overcharged or anything but I would prefer to pay as I order. Hotel is ideally located and right beside Hamra the main shopping area. Watch for the Taxi Men outside the hotel as they will resort to all kind of tricks to get your fare. We found one Taxi driver to be decent. A guy named Samhir who operates from outside the Mayflower but watch the others. We let on we were not going anywhere one day and they got a taxi to intercept us on another street so be very careful. Using any of these guys, use Samhir. His relation works in the hotel. He speaks fluent German but his English is not great but enough to suffice.