Beirut hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the latter decades of the last Millennium, but, as David Williams found out, one Dubai business is helping the city get back onto to its feet and regain the faith of the hospitality industry once again

In its glamour days of the 1960's and 1970's, Beirut was recognised as the Paris of the Middle East. With its bustling streets lined with French style cafes and millions of tourists pouring in, Lebanon was the leading business and leisure hub of the region for 12 months of the year.

But a crippling civil war brought all that to an abrupt and bloody end, and most people's memories of the country located on the Mediterranean Sea are of television pictures showing bombed out apartment blocks and hotels reduced to rubble after years of savage fighting.

The country was brought to its knees and the once-crowded streets were reduced to ghost towns with a city of hundreds of thousands too scared to wander out into the daylight.

How things have changed though. The Beirut of today is making a brave comeback and is determined to regain its status as one of the most attractive places to visit in the Middle East. Business travel to the city is on the up, and the hospitality industry is showing its confidence in Lebanon by ploughing in billions of dollars to renovate the ruins that once housed millions of tourists drawn by sun, shopping, romance and value-for-money.

Most of the top hotel names have returned to the city in force, but very few are developing new properties, and this is where one Dubai-based family business has taken the lead.

The Metropolitan Hotel chain, run by the famous Al Habtoor Group, has just inked a deal to develop a US$30 million hotel in the east of the city, in an area which is set to undergo some serious renovation.

The announcement of the hotel, which was made over the festive period, is a ground breaking one for the chain, which has previously only developed its properties in the emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It did go international last year with the purchase of the opulent Monkey Island Hotel in the heart of England, but this is the first time the company has actually gone out to develop a hotel outside of the UAE.

"I think this deal is a very significant move by the company and it shows the confidence there is in the inner-management," said Keith Parker, Projects and Development Director for Al Habtoor Group. "It is the first time we have managed a project outside of the UAE, and I believe it shows a growing confidence in Beirut's development in the future. Other people have been nervous, and still are, but we feel there is tremendous potential in Lebanon again. This project also creates new horizons for the group."

The hotel's design is unique. Its 194 superbly appointed rooms are broken down into 180 standard, 12 executive suites, and two presidential suites, not to mention the pent house on the roof! All of the rooms contain the equipment expected by the modern day traveller, whether business or leisure.

The 16-floor property, which will be called The Metropolitan Hotel Beirut, will contain some of the best conference and meeting facilities to be found anywhere in the region, with state-of-the-art gadgetry to compliment the superb decor that runs throughout the hotel. A ball-room will be able to hold 600 and the hotel will also take the local government's plea to have adequate parking for guests by making available three basement floors for cars.Outlets will include an Irish pub, Italian coffee shop and restaurant, and another restaurant offering a variety of cuisine from across the world. For the fitness-conscious traveller, there will be a fully-equipped gymnasium, while a cozy piano bar will help guests unwind at the end of the day.

"It will be without doubt one of the leading hotels to be found across the region and will be a positive addition to the city," added Parker. The group has decided to target a fresh area for development rather than close to the city centre where most of the major chains are spending billions of dollars resurrecting their properties.

"It is more of a residential area which I think is going to undergo major expansion in the coming years," said Parker. "It is in a very good location for a business hotel because it is away from the hubbub of the city centre. It has got good conference facilities and is an easily accessible property.

"I believe the hotel is going to shine like a brilliant cut diamond when it is finished. Most of the other properties are pre-war and undergoing renovation. This is starting from scratch with a design that will be right for the 21st century. This building will really stand out against the back-drop of older properties."

The Lebanese government has been extremely active in trying to entice the big hotel chains to return to its capital, and the Habtoor development is sure to provide them with a huge boost in spreading their word once again.

"I don't think Beirut will ever return to what it once had because in the 60's and 70's it was fortunate to have a little window," explained Parker. "It was the only city in the region at that time which had major European influences. Now there are several modern cities throughout the Middle East that have become favourites for business and leisure travellers.

"But I believe Beirut can re-establish itself as one of the top cities, and I think it will certainly be a popular place for many Arab people to visit from the Gulf. Its future is bright I am sure, that is why we have made the brave decision to develop there.

The Metropolitan Hotel Beirut is expected to open in the last quarter of 2001, giving developers just 20 months to complete the job. Once opened, it will join a family of three hotels already under the Metropolitan name in Dubai. This year, the Metropolitan Hotel in Dubai celebrated its 20th anniversary by receiving ISO 9002 recognition, and presented a fresh look to guests following an extensive refurbishment programme. The 193-room property is an ideal base for both business and leisure trips to Dubai, combining a serious business appeal with the leisure facilities at the close at hand Metropolitan Resort and Beach Club, which are available for guests to take advantage of during their stay.

Located just 10 minutes from the city centre, yet far enough to be a quiet oasis, The Metropolitan Hotel spells sheer luxury, from its elegantly furnished suites and rooms to the vast variety of exclusive restaurants and bars.

Its 180 standard rooms are equipped with international direct dial telephones, radio and colour television, individually controlled air-conditioning, mini-bar, express laundry service, and 24-hour room service.

For the discerning traveller, an executive floor offers a separate check-in and check-out reception and an exclusive lounge where complimentary continental breakfast and evening cocktails are served.

Among the 13 suites are unique duplex suites, a luxurious Presidential Suite and a Royal Suite.

The hotel is also a long-established entertainment centre with a multiple screen cinema and several top quality outlets ensuring The Metropolitan Hotel is at the forefront when it comes to a night on the town.

Every taste is catered for with Indian, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Arabic and British outlets serving a variety of cuisine, while the Red Lion and the Rattle Snake bars provide perfect locations for the Dubai reveller or overseas visitors.

More conference and incentive travel organisers have become attracted to The Metropolitan Hotel following the ISO recognition, which put the property's banqueting and conference facilities under the microscope during its assessment. At the forefront of banqueting and conference facilities in the Gulf, the hotel's staff and management have kept abreast of technology, presentation, service and menu planning. The Al Andalus Ballroom, one of the largest banqueting, exhibition and conference venues in the Middle East, offers flexible facilities to accommodate a variety of needs. A conference suite and VIP suite are also available for smaller functions.

A 10-minute journey on a regular shuttle bus service links The Metropolitan Hotel to The Metropolitan Resort & Beach Club. Located on a golden strip that rivals any beach in the world for cleanliness, The Metropolitan Resort & Beach Club boasts facilities that would compliment any such hotel anywhere.

After opening 10 years ago as an exclusive club, the site developed into a hotel and international sporting venue, and is home to the annual Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge, Dubai's first venture into the world of women's professional championship tennis.

With 103 magnificently appointed rooms and suites, The Metropolitan Resort & Beach Club provides unparalleled levels of service, which have also been recognised by the International Standards Organisation. Situated within a quiet oasis of beautifully landscaped gardens and overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Arabian Gulf, the hotel invites guests to relax in the shade of swaying palm trees and "let your mind wander".

There's gastronomic delights to satisfy the most diverse of appetites, and service standards to match. The Metropolitan Resort & Beach Club offers a variety of indoor and outdoor sporting activities, with the tennis courts meeting international standards and the glass-backed squash courts providing the perfect venue for competition of all levels. Volleyball, water skiing, jet skiing and just about every water sport imaginable is available, with all facilities coming under the guidance of professional instructors.

Completing the triumvirate of Habtoor hotels is The Metropolitan Palace, which has become one of Dubai's most after hotels since opening in October 1997. The 212-room property has become an instant hit with the regular flow of stars to Dubai from Hollywood and Bollywood, and the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Amitabh Bachchan and Patrick Swayze have all enjoyed its exceptional facilities and service standards. Wesley Snipes, star of films like Drop Zone and Major League, even went as far as to call it Ômy home away from home' in the hotel's VIP Golden Book.

As mentioned earlier, the Habtoor Group acquired the Monkey Island Hotel last summer which is located on a four and a half-acre private island with the picturesque village of Bray just a stone's throw away across the River Thames. With 26 rooms and suites, the Monkey Island Hotel epitomises luxury hospitality. All the rooms have their own river and garden views while the Pavilion restaurant is situated at the top of the island overlooking the River Thames. The restaurant can cater for up to 100 guests and has been awarded two AA rosettes.

The hotel is available for private conferences and its four function rooms can cater for parties up to 130 people. The hotel provides an ideal setting for all manner of events, from business conferences to birthday or anniversary celebrations.

Monkey Island Hotel is also an ideal venue for weddings. The bride can choose to arrive by car or helicopter. The ceremony can then be conducted in one of the function rooms. The River Room is suspended over the Thames and with its panoramic windows provides natural daylight and beautiful river views for up to 130 guests. Alternatively there are the Pavilion, Garden and Temple rooms. The Island can also be reserved for exclusive use. Making use of marquees that can accommodate up to 250 guests.