Reviews: Family Destinations!!! - FEM:Family Events & More!

Family Staycation @ St Paul Resort

9/20/2017

A week and a half ago we decided to farewell our summer season with one last family getaway.

I got on my laptop and started researching for new options till I came across a new name.....
St Paul Resort ; they have recently listed themselves on booking.com, thus I had no previous reviews. I checked posted images online and rooms looked nice.

After our previous bad experiences in other places I said to myself, "It can't be any worse!"

Luckily, it wasn't bad at all!

Family Staycation @Castel Mare Hotel

9/7/2017

With summer coming to an end there is little time left to enjoy those famous Beach Hotels and Resorts that are scattered across our Lebanese Mediterranean Shore!

Our latest destination was a family getaway at Castel Mare Beach Hotel & Resort

Honestly, we are not new to this place, as we've tried it for the first time almost 3 years ago!

However and unfortunately speaking, our experience this time was not the same!

Family Staycation @ Miramar Hotel Resort and Spa

8/24/2017

It's been over 7 years since I last crossed Chekka Tunnel heading up further to the North side of Lebanon!

On so many occasions we wanted to plan an outing to Tripoli the coastal metropolis and the 2nd largest city in Lebanon. However, we kept hearing on clashes and bad incidents which unfortunately kept on postponing our trip!!

Finally, last weekend we decided it was about time, and because we needed an accommodation we targeted a place I've had my eyes on for some time....Miramar Hotel Resort and Spa !

We wrote down our plan of all the places we will visit and things we will do up in the North. We packed our bags, drove the 2 hours ride, and finally reached our new family getaway .....

However, our plan drastically changed the second we stepped inside the resort!

Family Staycation at Bourj Al Fidar

8/17/2017

Last weekend we were looking for a new place to go enjoy our family weekend getaway!

Unfortunately, I was late in my research and my options of availability started narrowing down by the day!!

Friday night I came across a place on booking,com named Bourj Al Fidar Resort! I checked the posted pictures and the rooms all looked so nice and elegant! I called right away and receptionist said that YES she has 1 room available for a $120/night, however they stopped taking online or over the phone reservations for it!!

She said most of the people book and change their minds upon arriving and seeing the room!! That should have been alarming for me, but I asked her why? If the room is same as the ones posted online and what is wrong? She replied, "People have different tastes and so the management decided they will only book it after I personally see it and take it."

I live in Beirut and the place is located in Jbeil!! It didn't make sense to drive all the way if there was a possibility of not getting the room!! Nevertheless the kids really wanted a hotel stay so we said how bad can it be!!!

Staycation at Cimer Saframarine

7/19/2017

Last weekend we decided to go for another family getaway and this time our target was Cimer Saframarine

Just like all previous times, before we proceed with our booking, we first check out the hotel online.

We like to have an idea about the room, the facility, and provided services.. We always check posted pictures and read reviews from other people that will help us make up our mind. We got a GOOD result, so we called and the helpful receptionist informed me there's one room available for $120 (including access to the pool + breakfast) and kids are for free! She also said upon arriving and booking our money is NOT refundable IF WE DIDN'T Like the room!
Again I checked posted online pictures and found them nice... so I agreed!

But then reading online reviews is not always as PERSONALLY experiencing things :)

Here's our review!

Review: Staycation at Byblos Guest House

7/7/2017

Last Sunday was a very hot day, too hot to go around in the car, we couldn't hit the beach, yet We really wanted to enjoy a family getaway!!

I started checking for any same day availability and I came across Byblos Guest House!

I read reviews and pictures online (booking.com) and saw that the place got very high ratings (8.3 / 10 to be exact!)

We called and they had an available room for $50!! Of course we booked it, after all how bad can it be!!

Review: Family-stay at Deir al Oumara

1/30/2017

Do you love stepping back in time and living in our ancestors era? Back to the big stone Mansions with arcades and bricks dated 100 of years old?

Forty-five minutes drive from Beirut and nestled in the middle of the Chouf mountains in a very calm and serene area Deir al Oumara awaits you.

This charming Lebanese mountain villa, nestled in the heart of Deir al Qamar, was originally built in 1827 by Emir Beshir the Second for his first advisor before being transformed into a boarding school in 1908.

Today it's classified as a ‘Historic Boutique Hotel’ and we couldnt have chosen any other perfect mountain escape to celebrate our 10th wedding year anniversary with our little ones, than this marvellous and charming place.

Sharing my own personal experience.

Review: Family-stay at Batroun Village Club

1/24/2017

I'm the type of person that prefers checking and exploring new places/ hotels rather than going to the same place twice, however, Batroun Village Club was an exception.

Why? Because this place is more than just a resort. It's a special mountain retreat suitable for families, friends & couples. It boasts with a breathtakingly beautiful scenery, friendly hospitality, and endless fun and recreation opportunities suitable for all ages.

We visited it last winter with a group of family friends and checked in their standard rooms, however this time we've decided to end our 2016 with our family in 1 of their bungalows.

Let me just say waw what a weekend getaway it was. So refreshing and an amazing way to kick off our 2017!
Allow me to share with you our own personal experience...

Review: Family Day Out in Tannourine

10/25/2016

Couple of weeks back I had the pleasure to prepare and throw my very first Family day out for a private group! We picked a Sunday and our destination was Tannourine.

This lovely village lies in a collection of valleys and ravines and can be accessible from different roads (Either via Douma / Bcharre Road - Batroun's newly constructed highway or up from Jbeil / Mar Charbel road..we chose the latter.)

We wanted to experience Apple Picking with the kids so high altitude location was a must. Sharing with you how it all went.

Review: Family Day Out @ Bioland

10/12/2016

We have lots of interesting Family Oriented places in Lebanon and each has its own charm!

Bioland Farm nestled up in the beautiful green village of Sghar - Batroun area is one of those places.

An organic farm and home for Geese, poultry, rabbits, birds, cows, and goats among many other animals, with a very beautiful concept "From Farm to Fork".

We finally had the pleasure to visit it with a group of our friends and let me briefly tell you it was a day to remember!