Self-described as a “modern classic for Beirut,” Gordon
Campbell’s Le Gray Hotel takes its throne in the historic downtown district. Many pass by its edifice, failing to realize what lies within. Straddling
Virgin Megastore on one side and Annahar on the other, the five-star property opened its doors in 2010 and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
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| Le Gray sits in the heart of Beirut Central District |
Intimately acquainted with Le Gray’s food and beverage
outlets, we know our way around the nuances of each: Gordon Café’s signature
cakes and loose-leaf teas; Indigo on the Roof’s superior Wagyu steak and sole
fish; Cherry on the Rooftop’s swanky bellinis and fresh sushi bites.
But for years now, we’ve entertained a pressing curiosity
about the action happening on floors 2-5. Accessible exclusively to hotel
guests, those levels would help us form a more global and holistic impression
of Le Gray, one to complement our dining visits and admiration of the hotel's modern decor.
So the first weekend of July, we checked in to an Executive
Suite.
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| Guest rooms stem from a circular atrium defining the center of the hotel |
Accommodation
Make no mistake: 60 square meters is supremely spacious for a suite. In fact, the
living area boasts a full-size sofa, two armchairs, a metallic coffee table, a
glass dining table, and a wooden work desk. Two floor-to-ceiling
double-pane doors open to steel-rung balconies. Upon our arrival, a pair of apples greeted us—epicurean indulgence would have to wait—as we sized
up our chamber from A to Z.
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| The living area of the suite |
The bathroom is a marvelous escape: a duo of generous sinks for
him and her, locally crafted hand soaps, a TV embedded in the wall to keep one company during a soothing
bath or shower.
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| The floor is a mosaic of hand-laid tiles |
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| Care for some TV as you bathe? |
The bed is snug, not gigantic but ample. There are book
lights on either side that activate by tapping the lamp gently with your
fingers.
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| The Executive Suite |
And these amenities are precisely what you look forward to
at a first-rate property like Le Gray. At the desk, there’s a series of outlets
accommodating a variety of international plugs (though oddly enough, I didn’t
spot the American one). The in-room espresso machine is no lesser than a
Jura-Capresso ENA 3, which does everything from grind to brew using
high pressure, resulting in a better-tasting coffee.
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| In-room espresso machine grinds beans and brews coffee |
In the evening, around 7 pm, two housemaids come round to
primp up the room, replacing bathroom towels and water bottles and placing
bedroom slippers on either side of the bed. The duvet is folded back, luring
you to dive in, but not so fast – time for a pick-me-up!
Cherry on the Rooftop
Alight at the 6th floor and make your way to the
pool area, which after 6 p.m. is closed to hotel guests and transformed into a
plush white lounge. While unfortunate that the majestic infinity pool closes
before sunset, perhaps the sacrifice is well worth it, because at 8:30 p.m.
Cherry belts out smooth tunes, delicious bites, and impeccable
cocktails. On Saturdays, singer Cinda RamSeur diffuses energetic vibes with pop and
rock music.
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| By sunset, the pool area transforms into a lounge |
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| Armchairs, sofas, and high tables accommodate lounge guests |
The food menu here is an ode to sushi lovers but also
features a selection of crudités, sliders, and other dainty bites. While the
cocktail carte seems to encompass every potion you can conjure up, don’t
overlook the house specialty, a delectable passionfruit martini.
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| Sushi bites |
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| Cherry's signature passionfruit martini |
Indigo on the Roof
Just across from a donut-shaped lounge encircling a vast
atrium, Indigo on the Roof sits in all its stately, illuminated grandeur.
Guests indoors can enjoy watching the chefs at work in a semi-open kitchen,
while lovers of al fresco dining will relish in the garden terrace with views of
Roman ruins.
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| The Lounge connecting Indigo and Cherry boasts an ever-changing art exhibition |
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| A resplendent chandelier is suspended from the peak of the atrium |
Come here for the culinary riches of British Executive Chef
Darren Andow, who reaches Beirut most recently from Bahrain’s ART Rotana. Inspiring
starters include pan-seared scallops that melt like butter on the tongue, contrasted with crispy veal bacon, creamed leeks, and truffle
vinaigrette (36,000 LL).
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| Pan-seared scallops with veal bacon atop creamed leeks |
You’d be remiss if you didn’t slice into the tender Wagyu
beef filet, 200 grams of marble score 7 meat that’ll swiftly recuperate you
from the hit to your wallet (125,000 LL). Two grilled mushroom caps cupping butter and roasted vine-ripe cherry tomatoes make this dish
easily the most coveted on the entire menu. Round it out with garlic mash
(11,000 LL) drizzled generously with olive oil.
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| Wagyu steak marble score 7 |
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Diner à deux: grilled sole, Wagyu steak,
garlic mash, seasonal salad, and marinated mushrooms |
Desserts are lessons in modern art, particularly the
assembly of the Caramel and Chocolate (16,000 LL). Trust that its vague name
does it no justice, and even a sweets connoisseur might fumble trying to
enumerate all the components. But in the white frame of the long platter,
expect raspberry jelly, iced parfait, crushed shortbread with poppy seeds,
whipped cream, hazelnuts, and dehydrated goji berries.
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| Caramel & Chocolate dessert: iced parfait with crushed shortbread, cream, and raspberry jelly |
Breakfast Buffet
In the morning, Indigo sprawls out its Sunday best with an
assortment of breakfast favorites, including viennoiserie, miniature manakish,
homemade bread, toast, muffins, and donuts. There are cereals and yogurts along
with compotes, jams, and fresh fruit. Strained yogurt (labneh), local
and international cheeses, as well as cold cuts and smoked salmon flesh out the
savory selection.
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| Viennoiserie: escargots and Danishes |
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| Fresh fruit |
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| A selection of Lebanese cheeses |
Nibble on your favorites as your hot dishes are being
prepared. In the Lebanese corner, cooked fava beans with chickpeas (foul
mdammas) and semolina cheesecake (knefe) vie for your attention, whereas pancakes, oats, and eggs
every way imaginable compete under the banner of international plates.
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| Fava beans (foul mdammas) |
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| Pancakes with maple syrup |
The
porridge is a wholesome choice, merging the steely grain with whole milk,
banana, cinnamon and as much honey as you require.
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| Oats with banana and cinnamon |
Infinity Pool
If by exercise you mean luxurious infinity pool with
chlorine-free fresh water cascading gently over purple glass embankments, coupled
with the ultimate perch over the Mediterranean and Martyrs' Square, I’m on board.
17-meters in length with a zig-zag edge contouring the indoor
bar area, this little oasis is the perfect nest atop Beirut’s hippest hotel.
Chaise-longues and a self-service towel cupboard outfit the space, which offers light healthy dishes, fresh juices, smoothies, and loose-leaf teas. The only
drawback is that guests are shooed out at 6 p.m., in preparation for Cherry’s
evening blossom.
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| View from the pool |
Closing Remarks
On several occasions, I’ve brushed past the likes of English
pop artist John Newman and Swedish singer-songwriter John Martin staying at Le Gray.
These prominent artists embody what Le Gray might be in the personified state:
artistic, hip, and ultra-modern. And just as they are up-and-coming artists
with a brilliant future before them, Le Gray too carries oodles of potential at
becoming Beirut’s bastion of smart hospitality.
Hardly stuffy and far from being pretentious, this is your
destination for topnotch dining and opulent overnight stays in a central albeit
cozy setting.
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| The magnificent atrium spirals upward in a sweeping fashion |
Beirut Central District
Beirut - Lebanon
Reception: +961 1 971 111
Reservations: +961 1 962 828
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