Tag Archives: Beirut

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

Cherry on the Rooftop Bar, Le Gray, Beirut

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Le Gray is positioned perfectly overlooking beautiful Beirut, so you can admire the thrill of the city whilst enjoying the luxuries of this boutique hotel. On my last visit I had noticed this hotel when finishing our Walk Beirut tour nearby… I was intrigued to see inside. Dressing up for the occasion, we strutted in and immediately felt at home in our dresses and heels. It felt like the type of hotel where young hip trendsetters and entrepreneurs stay, just the kind of place you’d like to be spotted.

The hotel is defined by its ultra-cool, modern interiors all designed by Gordon Campbell Gray.The décor is dynamic and stylish, with a real emphasis on innovative and creative artworks from across the globe. I was amazed by the diverse selection of pieces chosen to enhance the mood and ambience of the room… many artists created specially commissioned work for the hotel’s walls. The facilities on offer all looked delectable especially the wow-factor 360 bar… however this visit we were at Le Gray to review the hip Cherry on the Rooftop, a seasonal bar open every summer.

I love bars with a tangible theme… Cherry bar was originally named after the impressive fruity artwork that hangs by the entrance though evidence of this special inspiration can be observed throughout the bar’s design and menu. They offer simple delicious platters and original cocktails. We had already eaten supper so opted for a ‘sweet things’ plate, a generous serving of lollipops, cheesecakes and mousses all created with the utmost care and flair. I particularly enjoyed the soft and creamy cheesecake with a crumbly buttery biscuit base flavoured with plump berries. Keeping with the Cherry focus, we ordered a ‘Backwards Cherry Mojito’ and the bar’s favourite ‘Cherry on Top’. They took a while to arrive, but were worth it when they did, ravishing pink cocktails presented beautifully. The mojito was not unlike the classic rum based drink, but had a delicious hint of fruitiness that complemented the mint. I loved my cocktail, particularly because of its distinctive, unique taste – it was unlike anything I have ever tried before. Cherry is a fleshy fruit ideal for adding flavour to a drink and in this concoction the essence was really accentuated, the unusual combination of Jack Daniel’s, Cherry Heering, lemon juice and sugar syrup would typically not appeal to me but I could happily have drunk Cherry on Tops all night!

Receiving rave reviews worldwide, there is no doubt about Le Gray’s prestigious and stylish appeal. The Cherry on the Rooftop bar is a younger, cooler part of the hotel, with plenty of personality and allure, it is a great place to hang out and have fun while enjoying the classy cocktail list and envious views of Beirut.

Visit the Le Gray website here for more information.

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