The Crowne Plaza Beirut, the first Crowne Plaza hotel in Lebanon, has opened for business.
The hotel, located on Hamra Street - once known as the Champs Elysees of Beirut - becomes the ninth Crowne Plaza property in the Middle East region. "The introduction of the Crowne Plaza brand in Lebanon is part of the process bringing about the revival of its capital city," said David Atkinson, area director of marketing, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa. "We're committed to supporting the country's redevelopment, and in particular that of Beirut, and are also looking towards more new projects in Lebanon." The Crowne Plaza Beirut is situated just a short stroll away from the Corniche, with all 168 rooms and 31 suites overlooking the Mediterranean, and just 15 minutes from the airport. It becomes the fifth property in Lebanon managed by Six Continents Hotels, said a spokesman. He said all guest rooms are air-conditioned and feature private bathrooms with separate bath and shower, hair dryer, bathrobe, satellite TV and in-house movies, radio, international direct dial telephones, voicemail and interactive Internet access via TV. Twenty-four-hour room service, mini-bar, laundry and valet facilities are also available. The Crowne Plaza Club floors are specially designed for business travellers offering private express check-in and check-out, executive lounge with complimentary breakfast, light refreshments, internet access as well as a fax, scanner, colour printer and photocopier. The hotel has four food and beverage outlets; the Vivaldi Mediterranean Brasserie, Top 21- the rooftop restaurant, Falls Lounge, and a food court. With excellent conference and banqueting facilities including a grand ballroom catering for 600 people, five natural daylight conference rooms, an intimate rosewood boardroom, as well as a fully equipped business centre offering extensive in-house audio-visual support, the hotel will become a key venue for business travellers and event organisers. Like all Crowne Plaza properties, the Crowne Plaza Beirut offers "meeting success", a global programme guaranteeing specially tailored service for meetings, conference and event organisers, designed to make their events a success. The hotel's fitness centre has a temperature-controlled rooftop swimming pool, fitness and health club with fully equipped gymnasium, steam room, jacuzzi and massage treatments. A large underground parking facility for 400 cars provides relief from the steady build-up of traffic in the area.