Charming Mid-Century Sea View in Mar Mikhael

Perched on the famous Vendôme stairs centering Beirut's Mar Mikhael district, this authentic apartment is the ideal place for a couple, small family, or group of friends looking to explore Beirut & Lebanon from its most vibrant neighbourhood. A fully-equipped refurbished 1950's home in a charming area at the centre of 200+ eateries, bars, boutiques, & art galleries. Enjoy the fresh sea breeze while admiring stunning views of Beirut port and the city's coast all the way East to Mount Lebanon! You will be staying in a freshly-renovated apartment on the third floor of a 1950's building built by two Persian-American civil engineers with direct access to one of the most famous stairs in Beirut - where the Vendome cinema once stood. The furniture is a mix of authentic 1950's pieces that I've found in second-hand shops and re-upholstered with new textile, custom-designed mid-century beds and tables, as well as various matching newly-made pieces carefully selected from the style of that era. Guests will have the whole flat to themselves and are welcome to use all rooms and utilities. Although Beirut still suffers from daily electricity shortages, the flat comes with 24h electricity and each room comes with its own remote-controlled air conditioning unit for cooling or heating. I can be as helpful or hands-off as you need me to. Happy to meet for coffee or a drink whenever I'm in town. I'm equally happy if you only reach out if and when you need something. I usually respond very quickly. Mar Mikhaël is a residential and commercial neighbourhood (sector 75) in the Medawar district of Beirut, Lebanon. The neighbourhoud is named after the Maronite Catholic Church of St. Michael. Since 2010, Mar Mikhaël has emerged as one of the most fashionable in Beirut, with many trendy boutiques, art galleries, antique furniture stores having opened in the area. In addition, many bars, restaurants and cafés have quickly replaced hardware shops, car parts and furniture stores, becoming a hotspot for trendy lovers of art, culture, food, and hip cafes. Getting here from the airport is easy. Take an Uber or Careem from the parking lot for a flat fee of $16 and find yourself at the apartment within 20-25 minutes depending on traffic. Once, settled you'll find yourself within convenient reach to 95% of all activities. Walk a few steps down the stairs to arrive to the center of Mar Mikhael's nightlife district with about 200 restaurants, bars, pubs, & nightclubs. Walk 10 minutes South on Armenia street to get to the upscale neighbourhoods of Gemmayze and Sursock. Pass Gemmayze by another 5 minutes to find yourself on the former civil war demarcation line between East and West Beirut where you can now find the Beirut grand mosque, Martyr's square, the parliament, the Ministry Saray, the Roman bath, & the renovated old Souks. Continue for another 10 minutes and you'll find yourself at the Zaitouna Bay (olive tree bay) harbour. Want to visit Hamra, the American University, the Beirut Corniche, or the Pigeon's Rock? You don't have to wait longer than a few minutes with taxis as affordable as a $4 Uber ride or $1.5 with the local 'service' cars. If you're planning to explore the rest of Lebanon then you'll be happy to find yourself a short 10-minute walk to the central Charles Helou bus station where for the low price of $2 you can catch a bus to virtually any destination. This includes the ancient Phoenician ruins of Byblos, Baalbeck (the world's largest Roman temple complex in the world), Tyr (the city that gave rise to Carthage), Sidon, the cedar forests and traditional villages in Chouf, the city of Tripoli (known for its sweets and its Crusader fortress), etc. For your convenience, here's a list of the most common destinations and the most convenient way to get there. - Mar Mikhael's nightlife district with 200+ restaurants, bars, and pubs: you are located here. - Gemmayze with 150 restaurants, the Sursock Museum, and about 20 art galleries: 7 minute walking time. - Beirut Souks: 15 minute avg. walking time - Zaitunay Bay: 25 minute walk or a $4 Uber. - Hamra, American University, etc: 45 minute stroll or $5 Uber. - Byblos, Tripoli, Tyre, Sidon: 5-minute walk to the Charles Helou central bus station from which you can ride a $2 bus (each way). - Baalbeck, Aanjar, Bekaa wineries: I highly suggest you take a private driver or tour and am happy to provide reliable recommendations. Mar Mikhael is perhaps the most vibrant area in Beirut today and although the flat is somewhat removed from the main Armenia street it could get somewhat noisy particularly before midnight on weekends or during festivities. The flat is on the third floor of a building which like the majority of buildings in the area has stairs-only access.