Tag Archives: Phoenicia

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISS: Amethyste, Phoenicia, Beirut

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Legend has it that the tears of the Greek God Dionysus, the god of drunkenness, stained the white quartz statue of a beautiful girl purple creating the amethyste stone. The décor of the stunning Amethyste lounge and restaurant is not too far removed from the Greek gods and goddesses. The restaurant has majestic fountains and huge pillars surrounding the Phoenicia’s outdoor swimming pool, where swinging beds are draped in majestic purple throws. The setting of the restaurant is serene and overlooks the sea so it is the perfect setting for a midday retreat from the sun or a drink in the evening where you can take in the city of Beirut.

The menu at amethyst caters for all palates but the speciality has to be the mixed grill which we had to share. The meat arrived sizzling on a mini barbeque of hot coals. The lamb kafteh and lightly grilled chicken were cooked to perfection. A speciality in Lebanon is the mixed grill which is traditionally shared between two or more people.

It is the sharing of food that provides a unique dining experience in Beirut. We had a selection of side dishes including the humus (a staple of almost every meal) which was smooth and tangy blended to perfection with a drizzle of olive oil. The tabouleh was very fresh and complemented the grill perfectly. I liked the originality of the menu and the fries scattered with chilli flakes provided the perfect amount of heat to keep you wanting more.

After the nightlife in Beirut had taken a toll on us, the virgin cocktails were a welcome refresher. The original flavour of the lemon and ginger mixed with honey were reminiscent of the geek theme of the lounge.The decadence of the bar and pool area is not overwhelming and is the ideal place for a few cocktails before hitting Beirut’s intoxicating nightlife. The outdoor pool area plays black and white films in the evenings, a touch that only added to the laid back glamour of the lounge. Amethyste has breathtaking views of the nearby marina which are only amplified at night – with a cocktail it has to be the only place to spend a fabulous summer evening in Beirut.

Visit the Phoenicia website here for more information.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Miss, Alya Randell-Khan.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISS: Wok Wok, Phoenicia, Beirut

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Wok Wok is one of the restaurants within the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut that caters to the Asian palate. Should you fancy a change from the plethora of Lebanese restaurant sin in the city then Wok Wok has to be the ultimate sushi lovers choice. Wok Wok has both indoor and outdoor seating by the outdoor pool of the hotel. Being from England and taking advantage of the balmy summer evening, we sat in the outside area, the perfect place to relax with a shisha after a long day in the sun.

The menu is varied with almost too much choice and spans across Thai, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. To start we had the mouth watering spring rolls which were delicate and crispy and served to whet our appetites for the main course. The speciality of Wok Wok has to be the sushi, which I chose, was prepared from some of the freshest fish by the Japanese chef. The salmon sashimi was some of the best I have eaten (And I have eaten a lot of sushi in my time) extremely flavourful and succulent. Sushi can have a tendency to be bland but my platter of delights arrived with an interesting ginger and chilli wasabi which matched the tuna sashimi perfectly. Milly’s Thai green curry and stick rice was fragrant and sweet but without being overwhelming, the perfect alternative to the array of fish choices. Our delightful waiter served us with a concoction of fruit juice cocktails, the best being a mixture of peach, grenadine and raspberry syrup. Delicious! The ambience of wok wok is very relaxed with candle lights surrounding all of the tables at night creating a dreamy setting around the beautifully lit pool.

Visit the Phoenicia website here for more information.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Miss, Alya Randell-Khan

The Phoenicia Spa, Beirut

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The Phoenicia is a huge bustling hotel but is also home to a gorgeously relaxing Spa… for those guests who need a little help and encouragement to relax. There is an air of tranquility as you walk in, the staff’s voices are soft and music murmurs gently in the background.

Previously at the Phoenicia I had tried the indoor pool which is situated just inside the spa, now I was coming to experience an invigorating massage. There is little fuss, you are quietly greeted and offered tea or water… thankfully without having to fill out copious health packs. After changing into my Phoenicia robe and slippers, I followed my therapist upstairs to a small peaceful room and lay face down on the elevated bed. I was pleased to discover that the Phoenicia use ILA products, a prestigious British brand, perfect for spa treatments.

After discussing the various massages on offer, it was decided I would have the Kundalini Back Treatment: a gentle, nurturing massage that uses chakra and sound healing to activate and channel the Kundalini, the dormant energy at the base of the spine, realigning the body’s rhythm and restoring a balanced state. This massage is ideal for emotionally exhausted souls, the soothing treatment has a profoundly restorative effect on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

A ritualistic soundtrack (I know it well and was slightly tempted to sing along) played while the therapist worked his hands through the tension in my back using hot textured stones to remedy all knots. Moroccan Argan oil was massaged deep into the tension realigning my posture and calming my body. My therapist was very considerate checking at every stage that the heat and pressure was to my liking. I wandered out woozy, exhausted from my hour of blissful relaxing!

There is a lot on offer at the Phoenicia, is it easy to miss the unassuming spa; however for a really luxurious stay I would recommend a massage or facial, there are plenty of tempting treatments from which to choose.

Visit the website for more information here.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with bmi, British Midland International. British Midland International flies direct from London Heathrow to Beirut offering ten flights per week. Flights are twice daily on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays with a daily service on all other days.  Fares are available from £485 return including all taxes and charges. For more information and to book visit www.flybmi.com