MAYFLOWER HOTEL ^{* * * *}

The story of the Mayflower is above all that of a family, that of the Lebanese Mounir Samaha. While dividing his time between London and Beirut, he decided in 1956 to open the Mayflower, an elegant hotel with a British touch, in the heart of Hamra, as well as an English pub on the ground floor, The Duke of Wellington. During Beirut's golden age in the 1960s, the Mayflower became the favorite meeting place for stars from all over the world to stop over in the Lebanese capital. The civil war broke out and the Mayflower, which had never closed its doors, became a haven for journalists, diplomats on the move and spies of all kinds. The hotel attracted a few enemies (especially since the Duke of Wellington continued to serve alcohol to all these beautiful people). He was targeted and a shooting broke out: a bullet impact was still visible in the restaurant. When Mounir Samaha died in the 2000s, his son Sherif took over the business. Since then, their rooms, large and bright, have been renovated while keeping this slightly outdated British aspect, which gives it all its charm. With its impeccable service and ideal location just a stone's throw from Hamra Street, today's Mayflower is a tribute to this historic Beirut establishment.