Saint Georges Hotel, Beirut: A Tale of Glamour, Conflict, Resilience & Renewal
A Sparkling Beginning (1920s–1930s)
Set elegantly at the tip of Saint George Bay, the Saint Georges Hotel was inaugurated in 1933. Envisioned during the French Mandate, its soaring Art Deco façade—designed by Lebanese architect Antun Tabet in collaboration with Auguste Perret’s influence and the French architects Jacques Poirrier, André Lotte and Georges Bordes—instantly transformed Beirut’s shoreline. More than a building, it was a seaside sanctuary, complete with a private beach and yacht marina, where the city’s elite and adventurous travelers came to bask in Mediterranean luxury.
The Golden Age (1950s–1970s)
When Lebanese entrepreneur Abdallah El-Khoury acquired the hotel in 1958, he and later his wife Nadia, ushered in its peaceful days. By the 1960s, the Saint Georges poolside was a passport to glamour, welcoming Middle Eastern sovereigns and Hollywood royalties such as Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton.
That heady blend of sun-soaked leisure and star-studded soirées came to symbolize Beirut’s own “Paris of the Middle East.”
War’s Shadow & the Long Silence (1975–1990)
In 1975, as Lebanon descended into civil war, the Saint Georges closed its doors. It swiftly became part of the infamous “Battle of the Hotels” – a series of fierce clashes in which rival militias fought over Beirut’s tall, sturdy hotels, using their rooftops as sniper and artillery positions. Combat scarred its walls and roof, and for fifteen years it stood occupied, its grand interiors ransacked and its corridors silent. Only in 1990, once the guns finally fell quiet, did the El-Khoury family reclaim their once-glittering landmark, now a poignant ruin overlooking a city in fragments.
The Struggle to Rebuild (1990s–2010s)
Post-war Beirut’s reconstruction champion Solidere reclaimed much of the bay for a new marina, sparking decades of legal battles over the hotel’s historic seafront rights. Fady El-Khoury’s bold “STOP SOLIDERE” banner draped across the hotel became an emblem of resistance against the downtown developer’s rapid-fire land reclamation. Meanwhile, waterfront cafés and promenades sprang up around the hotel’s derelict shell. Yet through it all, Beirutis still flocked, each summer, to the restored Saint Georges pool club—swimsuits and memories the only legacy of the original splendour.
A New Chapter Begins (2020s–Present)
Against all odds, 2020 saw the municipality grant Fady El-Khoury a long-sought renovation permit. A brief, high-drama sealing order over unpaid fees was overturned overnight—proof that the city still cherishes its most famous ghost hotel.
In May 2025, the first fruits of those plans finally emerged: The View – Saint Georges Hotel, a sleek 39-room annex across the road, opened with an invitational gala. Guests can now stay on-site again, sip cocktails overlooking the historic pool and watch the sun sink behind Beirut’s silhouette, just as their grandparents once did.
The Grand Reopening
The grand opening of The View – Saint Georges Hotel on 25/05/2025 was nothing short of spectacular. Mr Fady El-Khoury addressed an audience ranging from the Minister of Tourism and leading journalists to VIPs and Lebanon’s elite, his words of renewal echoing across the marina. As the bay erupted in fireworks, light and hope were reborn in a city that has endured so much—yet stands resolute and flourishing. Generous platters of Lebanese mezze and flowing drinks spoke of our cherished hospitality, while a seventies-themed celebration—complete with retro tunes and vintage décor—rekindled memories of the hotel’s golden era and Beirut’s pre-war splendor. All the while, the original St Georges Hotel with its iconic coral façade showcased that its restoration is very much a work in progress—another testament to the city’s enduring spirit.
Beirut’s resilience is etched in every cracked column and polished tile of the Saint Georges. Its journey from 1930s magnificence, through wartime anguish, to 21st-century renewal mirrors Lebanon’s own story. As the hotel reawakens, it invites us all to reclaim beauty from rubble—and to believe, anew, in the promise of tomorrow.
AT A GLANCE
Perched at the tip of Saint George Bay, this 1934 Art Deco icon melds historic glamour with contemporary luxury. Here, bespoke service and sumptuous surroundings set the stage for an unforgettable Mediterranean escape.
Rooms & Retreats
The View Hotel: Deluxe sea-view rooms and Junior Suites with club-pool privileges, in-suite salon treatments and panoramic bay vistas.
Villas & Bungalows: Private pool access, marina outlooks and indulgent in-room Jacuzzis—perfect for couples or families seeking exclusive luxury.
Dining & Drinks
Le Resto: A refined harbour-front dining room serving Lebanese mezze, fresh seafood and decadent desserts.
Le Bar: Chic indoor-outdoor lounge offering sushi, sliders, artisan pizzas and signature cocktails to live DJ sets.
Gourmet Food Court: An open-air pavilion delivering casual local specialties and international favorites.
Experiences & Events
Seaside Serenity: Private beach, yacht marina and sun-soaked terraces for ultimate relaxation.
Water Adventures: Boat tours, guided diving and watersports along Beirut’s storied coastline.
Celebrations: Floating platforms and waterfront terraces for luxury weddings, birthdays and corporate soirees.
Why Visit?
A harmonious blend of Art Deco heritage, modern luxury and authentic Lebanese hospitality—Saint Georges promises both timeless elegance and vibrant seaside living.