Napoli Hotel Beirut

Out of desperation, we ended up staying at the Napoli. In high season you should book way ahead of time. I had done so usuing a Lonely Planet budget option that when I arrived was not an real option (read my blog).

The Napoli is in Hamra just off the Hamra main street. It's location in Hamra is good. You are located well, for this part of town. The exterior is standard storefront fare. The lobby is sparsely furnished with a few touches that would be the "Napoli" influence. Otherwise there is no real reason to call it ....anything Italian. The front desk personel are not overly friendly and not rude. They just "work there" and no more. The front door has the stickers for the credit cards accepted but, when trying to pay usuing one of those options, the front desk person told us that it was cash only. When pointing out the credit card stickers, we were told that it didn't matter and demanded cash. When I expressed that it was decptive and that they should remove the stickers if they no longer accepted credit cards.......he got up and went to the front door and removed the sticker and so....now pay in cash.

The room is generously sized but basic. The sheets had holes in them. The walls were dirty and some of the lighting didn't work. There was a balcony with a view of Hamara main street....no reason to stay here. The mattresses are tolerable and the pillows as well. The bath was not clean either. THe tub even had large spots of wear all the way through the paint .....and rusted. Again, as a budget "hotel" option, it is tolerable but, I would have chosen another budget option if I could have found availability.