Just before my trip to Lebanon, I traveled from Cairo to Port Said. As I settled into my Beirut hotel, it occurred to me that the Cairo-Beirut journey took no more time than my trip from Cairo to Port Said. The availability of inexpensive flights that take only about an hour make Beirut as attractive a destination for a short weekend jaunt as it is for a long vacation. The dizzying number of hotel options can make the task of choosing accommodation take longer than the trip. Some of the choices, however, truly distinguish themselves, and the Coral Beach, a Beirut landmark for nearly fifty years, is certainly one of them.

Oddly enough for a seaside town with no shortage of hotels, the Sheraton Coral Beach Hotel and Resort is one of only two hotels in Beirut with its own beach. Usually a venue for summertime sun worshipers, the beach and the seaside patio La Rotunda which borders it easily transforms into one of Beirut’s largest outdoor reception areas, capable of accommodating up to 1,800 people. Far from being the hotel’s main attraction, the beach is one of an immense list of amenities. From jet skis to ballrooms, Sheraton Coral Beach has it all. With only 97 rooms and 24 chalets it is, however, not a very large hotel. General Manager Talal Jundi explains their philosophy: “We are a small, boutique hotel with a lot of services.”

The taxi ride from the airport is a little anticlimactic. By the time you’ve settled in and are starting to enjoy the sights the unexpectedly short five-minute ride is over. The Sheraton Coral Beach’s prime location on the Corniche, serving as the main highway between the airport and downtown, means that hotel guests are only a brief distance from them both.

Although a trip into downtown Beirut, called Solidere, is an absolute must, a stay at Coral Beach brings some of the best dining and nightlife right to you. With five different restaurants and bars there is something for every culinary preference. Everything from a light menu at the outdoor St. Trop’s restaurant and bar overlooking the Mediterranean to the more formal MerVeille restaurant serving international cuisine right next to the piano bar is available.

The Sheraton Coral Beach is very popular with business travelers thanks to its wide array of professional services. All of the rooms have large comfortable desks with internet options ranging from high-speed data port to wireless. In-room telephones come complete with an answering service. Computers and even secretarial services are available upon request. The hotel has a wide range of conference rooms to choose from. Any business meeting from the smallest one-on-one to seminars for over a thousand can easily be accommodated. Every conference area and board room comes complete with audio-visual equipment, a state of the art sound system and even translators if required. Sheraton Coral Beach also guarantees that each member of their staff will be fully briefed on your requirements to ensure the success of your venture. And where better to schedule a business conference than at a full service resort?

Many of these conference rooms easily switch over for social gatherings. The largest indoor facility is the grand Salle des Ambassadeurs. The pillar-free construction of the ballroom expands its space; it can easily accommodate up to 1,200. If this is a little more than you need, the ballroom can be partitioned into two soundproof halls, each with its own entrance.

Like everything else here, the rooms at Sheraton Coral Beach are as suitable for pleasure as they are for business. The spacious interiors are perfect for relaxing. Every room has a large balcony overlooking the seaside patio and the sea beyond. Satellite television is in every room along with interactive TV and a DVD player (discs are available for rent from the front desk). Room service is right at your fingertips, as well as a fully stocked mini-bar with everything from a variety of drinks and snacks to different brands of cigarettes.

Overlooking one of the outdoor pools is a large gym. It is behind mirrored glass, so you can exert yourself in privacy. Everything from treadmills to free-weights is available 24 hours a day. After a workout, your relaxation options range from a simple poolside visit to a sauna and even a massage.

Sheraton Coral Beach is as popular with the locals as it is with vacationers. Five hundred local members come mainly in the summer to enjoy the two large outside pools and the beach. Babysitting services and a day camp provided by the hotel mean that every member of the family gets their vacation. The private beach has everything from quiet spots for soaking up the sun to waterskiing and jet ski rentals. Every Sunday evening the beach hosts an organized party, and during the summer there are impromptu festivities nearly every night of the week.

As tempting as it could be to spend your whole time in Lebanon inside the resort, there’s a lot more of the country to see. Guest Services organizes tours as well as arranges car rentals for do-it-yourselfers. Virtually nothing in Lebanon is much more than a day trip away from Beirut, making Sheraton Coral Beach a good base from which to tour the entire country. Ample parking facilities as well as a valet make having your own car at the hotel very convenient. Country maps and brochures for various sites provided by Guest Services help both with choosing a destination and getting there.

There are any number of reasons for a visit to Lebanon. Countless historical sites from the Phoenicians to the Crusaders to the Mamluks dot the breathtaking countryside. The shopping and nightlife of Beirut is world famous, and Lebanon is quickly regaining its position as a major regional business hub. With its proximity and easy access from Egypt, any one of these reasons is plenty to justify the trip. Whatever your reason though, the Sheraton Coral Beach will enhance your trip.  et