Lonely Planet Review

Pension al-Nazih is a friendly budget place conveniently near the bus station, the Downtown area and Rue Monot nightlife. Clean and comfortable, the smallish rooms have fans and satellite TV, although not all have bathrooms.

The last time we visited this welcoming little pension, the family which runs the place were engaged in a serious game of cards in the reception area. It's that kind of place - casual 'as you like' (the usual response in Lebanon when asking the price of a negotiable item): that's Lebanon in a nutshell. What the pension's accommodation lacks in character, it makes up for in a welcoming atmosphere. Good value day trips are organised in summer, there's free Internet and an airport pick-up service (at cost). The rooms are kept reasonably clean and come in a variety of options from dorms to doubles with bathrooms and air-con. Card games with the family are an optional extra.