H9978NEthomasg
Google
I stayed at Hamra Urban Gardens for six weeks, and from the very first day it felt like home — not just as a polite phrase, but in the genuine sense of the word. And for that, I have to give the highest praise to Hossam, the beating heart of this hotel. Every single day he greeted me with a smile, a fist bump, and a conversation about where I had been, what I planned to do, or simply how I was feeling. People often say “consider this your home,” but thanks to him, I truly did.||Whenever I needed help arranging a rental car — which I used throughout my stay — Hossam took charge of the negotiations and somehow always managed to secure a better price. Nothing was ever too much trouble. We sometimes talked for fifteen minutes or more, and those conversations became a daily highlight. If anyone deserves a raise or a promotion, it is Hossam.||The hotel itself was consistently excellent: clean sheets every day, a fresh room, spotless towels, and always warm water. Electricity in Lebanon sometimes cuts out briefly — that’s normal everywhere — but it always came back within a few minutes. You can eat very well in the hotel restaurant, though I often chose to walk into the city or pick up something from a supermarket and eat in my room. Despite the lively street outside, the rooms are quiet and peaceful.||The entire staff is warm and welcoming, and everyone takes a moment to say something kind, which makes a long stay surprisingly easy. There are great cafés nearby for coffee, shops where you can get a SIM card (ask Hossam for help), and I never felt unsafe walking anywhere. People are used to seeing foreigners, even though there aren’t many on the streets.||A more difficult part — not about the hotel, but about life in Beirut — is seeing poverty up close: women with small children, and kids selling roses. It’s uncomfortable, but never aggressive. Twice I gave a bit of money to a young child who sat quietly on a street post staring ahead, but most of the time I simply walked on respectfully or took a small detour between the cars. It’s part of the reality of the city, and you find your way of handling it.||Hamra Urban Gardens is a place I can recommend without hesitation. And when I return to Beirut — which I hope I will — I know I’ll come back here, if only to greet the wonderful people who work there. I couldn’t name a single negative thing about the hotel itself. It was a safe, warm, and welcoming base for six memorable weeks.
