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!!!
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!!!
We woke up early on Saturday morning. Our plan was simple....
Pack our beach bag, put on our swimsuits, get dressed, take an extra bag and keep it in the trunk.
If the room is that bad we can simply spend a beach day and come back home.
I called once again to double check if the room is still available and it was. Unfortunately with kids plans are never simple, and we ended up leaving home way too late!
We got stuck in the usual saturday noon traffic and by the time we made it to the hotel it was already 2:00 p.m. We were all so tired, hungry, and just want to swim and have fun!
I asked if the room is still available to see it and she said yes. I think once she figured out I am the same person who spoke with her twice and ended up showing up then it means I am desperate!!
First of all, It is a very old building, that was never remodeled! Furniture in the lobby is also old but reception looked clean.
Pack our beach bag, put on our swimsuits, get dressed, take an extra bag and keep it in the trunk.
If the room is that bad we can simply spend a beach day and come back home.
I called once again to double check if the room is still available and it was. Unfortunately with kids plans are never simple, and we ended up leaving home way too late!
We got stuck in the usual saturday noon traffic and by the time we made it to the hotel it was already 2:00 p.m. We were all so tired, hungry, and just want to swim and have fun!
I asked if the room is still available to see it and she said yes. I think once she figured out I am the same person who spoke with her twice and ended up showing up then it means I am desperate!!
First of all, It is a very old building, that was never remodeled! Furniture in the lobby is also old but reception looked clean.
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We went 5 floors down in a very old and smelly elevator.
The Second I stepped out I could easily smell the humidity and odd odor in the corridor!
It all looked so old and outdated! So did the room she showed me!!
I was so shocked!!!, It was nothing like the pictures posted online or on their website!!
I mean not even close!!
Yes it was spacious, super spacious. It consisted of a bedroom, with a very old style outdated bathroom, a separate living room with a small kitchenette and a direct access to the pool which was her selling point!!
Room price was $200 and she offered it for a $150!!
Old outdated furniture, unequipped kitchenette, no utensils or kettle or microwave or gas top. Nothing!
Bathroom didn't even had any amenities. And there was no T.V available in the room, no complimentary water bottles, breakfast not included, not even a FREE WiFi!! There's NO ROOM Service and YOU Have to CLEAN the room by yourself!!
Funny party was that the lady was so arrogant and very confident of her offer. She bluntly told me if you don't want it then fine with me, I can easily sell it due to the easy access to the pool!!
If I wasn't tired, worn out from the 2 hours stuck in traffic, and my swim suit stuck on me I would have definitely said a BIG NO!!!
This is a RIP OFF, a direct false advertising!!
What they have stated on booking.com had nothing to do with what they are showing me!!
But my little ones couldn't wait, it was too late in the afternoon to go look for a beach resort, and so I unwillingly agreed to get the room :(
The Second I stepped out I could easily smell the humidity and odd odor in the corridor!
It all looked so old and outdated! So did the room she showed me!!
I was so shocked!!!, It was nothing like the pictures posted online or on their website!!
I mean not even close!!
Yes it was spacious, super spacious. It consisted of a bedroom, with a very old style outdated bathroom, a separate living room with a small kitchenette and a direct access to the pool which was her selling point!!
Room price was $200 and she offered it for a $150!!
Old outdated furniture, unequipped kitchenette, no utensils or kettle or microwave or gas top. Nothing!
Bathroom didn't even had any amenities. And there was no T.V available in the room, no complimentary water bottles, breakfast not included, not even a FREE WiFi!! There's NO ROOM Service and YOU Have to CLEAN the room by yourself!!
Funny party was that the lady was so arrogant and very confident of her offer. She bluntly told me if you don't want it then fine with me, I can easily sell it due to the easy access to the pool!!
If I wasn't tired, worn out from the 2 hours stuck in traffic, and my swim suit stuck on me I would have definitely said a BIG NO!!!
This is a RIP OFF, a direct false advertising!!
What they have stated on booking.com had nothing to do with what they are showing me!!
But my little ones couldn't wait, it was too late in the afternoon to go look for a beach resort, and so I unwillingly agreed to get the room :(
The Room
The Resort
On another note, our experience outside the room was very nice and pleasant.
Medium size pool was cold and clean. Hair net / putting hair up was a must! Surrounding view was breathtakingly beautiful.
We enjoyed a very lavishing and lovely Seafood dinner with a sunset view at the famous Bourj AL Fidar Restaurant you can click here to read my full review on Zomato.
We had direct access to a Sandy beach (first day it was very clean however second day it was full of garbage and we cleaned it ourselves)
There's a small market available at the building entrance and a nearby bakery from which we got our breakfast.
Medium size pool was cold and clean. Hair net / putting hair up was a must! Surrounding view was breathtakingly beautiful.
We enjoyed a very lavishing and lovely Seafood dinner with a sunset view at the famous Bourj AL Fidar Restaurant you can click here to read my full review on Zomato.
We had direct access to a Sandy beach (first day it was very clean however second day it was full of garbage and we cleaned it ourselves)
There's a small market available at the building entrance and a nearby bakery from which we got our breakfast.
We enjoyed creating new fun and fond memories with our little ones.
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Are you interested to stay posted? Subscribe now and make sure you stay connected with us!
JOIN US NOW AND BE PART OF OUR EVER GROWING ONLINE FAMILY COMMUNITY IN LEBANON.
PUBLIC GROUP: FEM.Lebanon
PRIVATE GROUP: FEM-Family Events & More
