Name: Villa Clara Boutique Hotel
Address: Ashrafieh Mar Mkhayel,, Beirut, Beirut, Beirut, not available, Lebanon
Rating: 9

Air conditioning

Smoking areas

Smoke-free property

Heating

Newspapers

Express check-in/check-out

Garden

Terrace

General

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Flat-screen TV

Shower/Bathtub

Shower

Wardrobe/Closet

Rooms

Ironing

Laundry

Safe-deposit box

Concierge services

Telephone

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Breakfast

Breakfast in the room

Restaurant

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Airport transportation

Car rental

Transfer services

Transfer

English

French

Arabic

Languages Spoken

Sun Deck

Recreation

Free parking

Parking

Event facilities

Business

Beauty services

Beauty and wellness

Babysitting and childcare

Children's playground

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the boutique hotel

Room amenities

Villa Clara Boutique Hotel

Beirut

When I get to know the good ratings attributed to this hotel, I'm sure it's false reviews, and my mistake was relying on it to make my choice. Trip Advisor needs to be more vigilant about the authenticity of the reviews, otherwise the credibility of the platform is subject to collateral. The hotel is relatively well located, that's all. The service is desirable, the staff lacks courtesy, the rooms are dirty and the bathroom is full of mold, and there's no report that separates the room from the room from the water point.

An unusual but poor accommodation - run away

This place was beyond disappointing. It is advertised as a 'luxury' property, and may have been years ago, but we found it to be run down and abandoned. In addition, we only saw the owners once at the property, despite hospitality expectations for the price point. The rest of the time there was one person or no one on the property. 

We were told we needed to pay in cash and felt unsafe leaving large amounts of money in the room given the hotel is in a dark alley and gates were usually open with no security. 

I hope that the owners take these reviews seriously and turn the property around because it has so much potential. If you do go to Beirut (which you should - it’s an amazing place with great people and delicious food!), we heard about and saw other places in the area (Mar Mikael) that are wonderful. 

My experience was similar to some of the reviews posted in December - which were very detailed. 

I’m giving it 2 stars for the location - which I think is very generous.

Very disappointing & not as marketed

The moment you step in, you are enchanted with all your senses.  
The team and the owner are veryy welcoming. I loved every minute of it. The food is extremely good and fresh. Most importantly you feel that everyone puts his heart into it. We felt at home.

The most beautiful place in Beirut

If you ever consider visiting Beirut, Villa Clara is the place to be. 
In the heart of authentic Beirut, clean and so heart warming welcoming. Lot of culture and a mix of Lebanese and French one too. I love the place and people who works there.

Loved the place

Cozy , clean , welcoming and amazing food  . Just the right place to visit in winter and summer . 
I highly recommend it to family and friends .
Even if you visit the place solo they make you feel that you are among your family and friends .

The perfect runaway

The one star is for the hotel location in a very nice and lively neighborhood. 
The hotel experience in itself deserve ZERO star only!☹️
It feels like entering a house that have been deserted in haste and everything left off in its place with a few willing but disoriented staff. It is dark, cold, gloomy, dull and desolate (definitely not a place to stay at during the cooler months). We stayed 5 nights (but really only for the night - spent as much time as possible outside) from Dec 20 to Dec 25, we were served 5 identical breakfasts. The first evening, before going out, we sat in what serves as lobby/restaurant/bar  we tried to order a glass of local Lebanese wine but only got leftovers from what was the last available already opened bottle...no sign of life. 3 days after our arrival, after I personally contacted her via what’s app the owner asked me if we had checked-in yet?!😳. That was the only interaction during our stay. Something must have happened there...what is unclear, but we really had this odd feeling of being in an abandoned place, very  far from the glamour experience promised on the website and even in some travel guides.

An abandoned house

Yes, I found Villa Clara absolutely charming and different (in the most positive way) from many other B&B and Hotels.
First the decor and art collection is funky and kinky and buzzy and BohoChic and over the top (again in the most positive way) and put a smile on your face at every moment.
Then the breakfast: sublime and heavenly are two words to describe it. It is generous and varied and the quality worth of a Michelin star (at least).
Then the owners (Olivier and MH) are full of life and passion for this place that is a pleasure just to see them.
So in all this why I gave only 4 star instead of 5 and the answer is...the bedroom! Do not take me wrong the bedroom and bathroom are fine but the bedroom and bathroom hasn’t the same passion of other parts of the house: beautiful art approach you from the ceiling and walls but the bedroom itself could be, according to me, more luxurious.
The size doesn’t matter and doesn’t bother me (perfectly formed as it is) but I can see so many little touches that would make the bedroom feeling luxurious and cosy and...unforgettable! 
Neither to say I will happily return to enjoy this special place.

Beautiful Art Deco retreat in Hip neighbourhood.

Having read a couple of articles in quality magazines ... I had to experience it myself on my next visit to Beirut. What those articles did not prepare me for, was that beyond the beautiful surroundings, the wonderful artwork, and the great location in the heart of hip Mar Mikhael district, was the genuine welcome received by the hosts and their team. It really feels like staying with friends, it’s not just a room you are booking it’s a unique experience.
A couple of days before arriving in Beirut I started feeling a bit sick ... Marie Helene was soo supportive and offered all the help as well as asking me if there was anything I needed, wether she could assist me in anything, call a doctor to the hotel .. get me anything from the pharmacy.. you would expect that from a relative or a good friend ... her genuine care was very touching. Thankfully by the time I left I was feeling better and had the opportunity to meet  some other guests and friends of Marie Helene and Olivier ... it was so nice coming “home” in the evening after my long days through Beirut to be greeted by them and join them for a drink or two in that beautiful patio that feels like a bubble of good vibes and were you know you ll meet some very special people. The only problem I had with Villa Clara was the amazing breakfast which left no room for lunch and the fact that the whole place just embraces you and feels so good that I really had to push myself to actually go out and explore the amazing city of Beirut. I could have just spend days lounging on the little balcony or in the patio browsing through art magazines and books lying around whilst sipping on Arabic Coffee ... My only regret not staying longer... Merci a Marie Helene , Olivier and all their lovely team for an amazing stay...A bientôt😉


Way more than a boutique hotel 

The place is beautiful, the reception is perfect, the rooms are beautiful, with a great ceiling height which gives them volume. The breakfast is divine, the service, with little care: we enjoyed ourselves!!! On the other hand, the bathroom smells of repeated sewers and above all, there is no kettle with tea or tea in the common areas or in the rooms. The situation is very quiet, there are small top restaurants around. We enjoyed our stay, thank you!

All right, but...

We knew from our confirmation email not to expect the Four Seasons but we were nonetheless disappointed with a few elements. 

First, the positive: Rudy makes the place come to life as he explains the artwork and lights. It was really neat to learn the story behind the artwork and the decor is well executed. The hotel is a cool converted house in a great neighbourhood. We had a good breakfast and excellent service. 

Now, the negative: the place wasn’t as clean as expected. For exemple, there were cobwebs on the ceiling in our room and dead or dying flowers in vases throughout the venue. It may be better to skip the latter altogether rather than have dead petals adorn tables. Our AC was weak and we were hot overnight. We also needed to turn the taps on and off multiple times during our showers to prompt the hot water to come back on. Simply put: the upkeep and general services could be improved. 

In short, a unique experience but don’t expect it to be your usual level of quality for the price point. 

Villa Clara Boutique Hotel

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