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.
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.
Deir al Oumara - The Hotel
We reached Deir el Kamar and followed the signs down the road before the Saraya till we parked infront of a big Ottoman-style with sand-stone colored building. Entire ambiance boasted of warmth and coziness way before we stepped in..
A very friendly staff member rushed to our car to help us with our bags, he directed us to a small door which was the hotel's entrance door! The simplicity of this place automatically captivates you; the vintage decor, oriental lanterns, and items carefully selected and placed all around. The lobby with it's high ceiling and stone arcades, is made from the same stone materials as the rest of the interior. We learned later it was converted from an old storage space.
I have to say that the rustic mixture of decorations added more charm and ambiance to the place.
We were welcomed by the very friendly receptionist and later the manager "Fayez" and we were so overwhelmed by the "family" feeling this place sparked.
She gave us a brief history about this place: "Born from the simplest idea to take the traditional Lebanese culture of hospitality, so deeply rooted in the Chouf people’s customs, and merge it with today’s most professional hospitality standards, Deir al Oumara was created as a one of its kind refreshing leisure escapade, away from the hustle and bustle of our beloved yet busy cities."
At that moment we were more than eager to finally check our rooms.
I have to say that the rustic mixture of decorations added more charm and ambiance to the place.
We were welcomed by the very friendly receptionist and later the manager "Fayez" and we were so overwhelmed by the "family" feeling this place sparked.
She gave us a brief history about this place: "Born from the simplest idea to take the traditional Lebanese culture of hospitality, so deeply rooted in the Chouf people’s customs, and merge it with today’s most professional hospitality standards, Deir al Oumara was created as a one of its kind refreshing leisure escapade, away from the hustle and bustle of our beloved yet busy cities."
At that moment we were more than eager to finally check our rooms.
Lobby and Rooms
The building was structured around a central courtyard with a traditional ottoman style water fountain in the center lined by two floors of arched corridors leading to the private 16 spacious rooms. The background view was more than mesmerizing overlooking Barouk mountains that were topped with snow.
5 of these 16 rooms are converted to luxurious duplex family suites, each with it's own charm and style. We fell in love with our room the moment we walked in.
A spacious living room with a very comfortable L-shaped sofa, an LCD T.V unit with cable channel, a mini fridge with 2 small complimentary water bottles, master bedroom, closet cabinets and a modern bathroom with all its amenities located on the 1st floor, whereas, another spacious bedroom with 2 beds and a big cabinet was located on the 2nd floor.
Our children loved the room to the extent they thought we are moving in!!
A spacious living room with a very comfortable L-shaped sofa, an LCD T.V unit with cable channel, a mini fridge with 2 small complimentary water bottles, master bedroom, closet cabinets and a modern bathroom with all its amenities located on the 1st floor, whereas, another spacious bedroom with 2 beds and a big cabinet was located on the 2nd floor.
Our children loved the room to the extent they thought we are moving in!!
Going around -
After we finished taking in the amazing beauty of the hotel and our room we decided to go around and re-discover DEIR EL-QAMAR with our little ones.
Our 1st stop was Moussa castleقلعة موسى
Entrance fees: 15,000 L.L / adults and kids for free
Moussa Castle is a castle between Deir el Qamar and Beit ed-Dine in Lebanon. It was built single-handedly by Moussa Abdel Karim Al-Maamari, a Lebanese visionary. It's the work of his life. He needed 60 years to finish his dream. Wikipedia
Our kids were fascinated going from 1 floor to another and checking details of all the sculptures, starting with the entire typical lebanese village life back to the ottoman lives, the guns, the jewellery, the animals etc...
Entire visit took us around 45 minutes.
Our 1st stop was Moussa castleقلعة موسى
Entrance fees: 15,000 L.L / adults and kids for free
Moussa Castle is a castle between Deir el Qamar and Beit ed-Dine in Lebanon. It was built single-handedly by Moussa Abdel Karim Al-Maamari, a Lebanese visionary. It's the work of his life. He needed 60 years to finish his dream. Wikipedia
Our kids were fascinated going from 1 floor to another and checking details of all the sculptures, starting with the entire typical lebanese village life back to the ottoman lives, the guns, the jewellery, the animals etc...
Entire visit took us around 45 minutes.
Our 2nd stop was a late lunch at Funky Monkey cafe in Deir el Kamar.
A very affordable and clean place with a variety of sandwiches, plates, salads all freshly cooked and great value for your money!
A very affordable and clean place with a variety of sandwiches, plates, salads all freshly cooked and great value for your money!
Lunch portion exceeded our predictions and what better way to burn it down than a refreshing walk around!
Dany Chamoun Square, to Fakhreddine's Mosque, and Marie Baz Wax Museum and Palace of Emir Younes Maan all in 1 spot among many other options which we have decided to keep for our next time visit.
For now the weather was getting colder and we decided to head back to our room.
Dany Chamoun Square, to Fakhreddine's Mosque, and Marie Baz Wax Museum and Palace of Emir Younes Maan all in 1 spot among many other options which we have decided to keep for our next time visit.
For now the weather was getting colder and we decided to head back to our room.
Soufrat al Oumara
Soufrat El Oumara welcomes you all day until 11pm, serving a large selection of local dishes. Restaurant is accessible from the lobby and it was previously the school chapel which was turned into a cavernous, two-level winter dining area.
We opted for the Oud night with it's fixed set Lebanese menu for a $35 per adult and kids under 6 years old for free. The manager seated as close to the entrance door so the smoke won't ditribute our little ones. We loved watching the setting, the interior decor, the details but it was a bit frustrating that the waiter took 1 hour before he checked if they can proceed with the formula, and they didn't even asked us what we like to drink!!
However, the enchanting music and songs from the Oud player made it all up, not to mention the amazing taste of the food. From the Fattouch and Tabbouleh, Wark Enab, Bourghol bi banadoura, Hoummous to the cheese rkakat...
The chef managed to find the perfect equilibrium of flavors creating a sumptuous plate.
We opted for the Oud night with it's fixed set Lebanese menu for a $35 per adult and kids under 6 years old for free. The manager seated as close to the entrance door so the smoke won't ditribute our little ones. We loved watching the setting, the interior decor, the details but it was a bit frustrating that the waiter took 1 hour before he checked if they can proceed with the formula, and they didn't even asked us what we like to drink!!
However, the enchanting music and songs from the Oud player made it all up, not to mention the amazing taste of the food. From the Fattouch and Tabbouleh, Wark Enab, Bourghol bi banadoura, Hoummous to the cheese rkakat...
The chef managed to find the perfect equilibrium of flavors creating a sumptuous plate.
We finally called it off for the night, it was 11:30 p.m and our little ones were super tired. We retrieved to our rooms and minutes later we had our complimentary Wine bottle and fruit plate delivered to our chamber along to the Othmaliye with strawberries plate!!
It was the cherry on top and the perfect ending for our long celebration day.
It was the cherry on top and the perfect ending for our long celebration day.
Our night was quick and we were up at 7:00 a.m only to realize what a beautiful day it was! Storm was over, sun was up, and everything was shining and clear!
We stayed in a lazy mode for an hour relaxing on the comfy sofa before we finally took a warm shower, got dressed, and headed to the breakfast buffet. A selection of traditional lebanese food all neatly displayed and spreaded over the counter. Eggs, labneh, cheese, Foul, fresh vegetables, toasts and jams all from the local products of the village.
We stayed in a lazy mode for an hour relaxing on the comfy sofa before we finally took a warm shower, got dressed, and headed to the breakfast buffet. A selection of traditional lebanese food all neatly displayed and spreaded over the counter. Eggs, labneh, cheese, Foul, fresh vegetables, toasts and jams all from the local products of the village.
Taking advantage of the lovely warm weather, we enjoyed both our coffee and a delicious sahlab plate in the open courtyard, overlooking the hotel's wide terrace and the magnificent serene view.
|
|
We hesitantly packed our bags, and decided to walk around and enjoy the beauty of this village by foot!
What a refreshing and enjoyable experience...Let me tell you it is a must!
The friendly courteous people, the old house and pavements, the churches, the small green spots, water streams running by!
Alas!
What a refreshing and enjoyable experience...Let me tell you it is a must!
The friendly courteous people, the old house and pavements, the churches, the small green spots, water streams running by!
Alas!
We loved this place in winter and we can't wait to revisit it again in spring or even summer for the Chouf area offers a wealth of summer activities, from hiking in the Barouk cedar reserve to horse riding and catching performances at Beiteddine.
We had a wonderful, adventurous, historical and educational family getaway in one of Lebanon's beautiful areas.
Highly recommended.
We had a wonderful, adventurous, historical and educational family getaway in one of Lebanon's beautiful areas.
Highly recommended.
Interested in more Reviews?
Join our FAMILY Community : FEM Lebanon
Stay Updated with all the latest Events / News / Activities happening around You!
Join our FAMILY Community : FEM Lebanon
Stay Updated with all the latest Events / News / Activities happening around You!