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erched at a height 3100feet in the Chouf region, 28miles from the smothering heat of the Lebanese capital, the Mir Amin luxury hotel seems to have always been there. More than a hotel, The Mir Amin is a real palace built in 1838 by the Emir Bechir Chehab II for his son, Emir Amin, who lived in it till his death. Afterwards The Mir Amin became in turn state property, a private club for the Lebanese army, and a hotel plundered during the Lebanese War. In 1987 it was finally restored to a luxury hotel. Its architecture, of Italian, Arabic and Ottoman inspiration, got it the nickname "small Beit Eddine " after the bigger palace which today is the summer residence of the Lebanese president, not far from The Mir Amin.
Salamlak and Haramlak
This luxury hotel consists of two buildings: the Salamlak, or outside residence, and the Haramlak, or internal residence. |
The Salamlak, formerly the apartments of the Emir, will delight you with its delicately decorated arches, its sculptured rich wood and its green indoor gardens, especially the Guest Hall and the Imperial Suite. The swimming pool is a work of art, with an amazing mosaic at the bottom. Walk along fountain-lined paths and let yourself be guided by the sound of water towards Haramlak, the former harem. Haramlak's beauty resides in its archways overlooking the valley below and the ornamental pond tiled with hundreds of meters of white marble.
Haramlak is a temple of pleasure for all senses: two restaurants offer you sophisticated European and oriental foods. Taste a mezze listening to luth and derbouka music. After your meal try playing the famous backgammon in the game room. If you prefer a typical moment of oriental serenity, slip into an Arabic tent to sip a cup of Turkish coffee or a fresh lemon squash while smoking an apple-, rose- or honey-flavored water pipe, lounging comfortably luxurious carpets and pillows.
You can finish the evening in Arabic Lounge, where statesmen of the Arabic world and princes of the Bay meet. Or maybe you will return to one of twenty two rooms or suites, decorated with typically oriental luxury and refinement married with modern comfort that Emir Amin himself would envy.
Maëlle Olivier-Jabbour - © 2003
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