29 Years Later, Beirut’s St. Georges Hotel Finally Reopens Its Doors

After nearly three decades of silence, Beirut’s iconic St. Georges Hotel has reopened, reclaiming its place as a symbol of the city’s glamour. On May 25, 2025, the legendary landmark welcomed guests once again, unveiling not just its storied halls but also “The View,” a sleek new annex just across from the original building in Ain El-Mreisseh.

Since its grand opening in 1934, the St. Georges Hotel has been synonymous with Beirut’s golden age. Designed by French visionary Auguste Perret alongside Lebanese architect Antun Tabet, the hotel quickly became a magnet for the world’s elite. Its guest list read like a who’s who of 20th-century icons, Elizabeth Taylor, Brigitte Bardot, and the Shah of Iran all basked in its glamour.

^{The St. Georges Hotel back in the 1950s | Source: Beirut Today}

Its Closure Since 1975

But in 1975, as the Lebanese Civil War erupted, the St. Georges’s lights went out. The hotel suffered heavy damage during the infamous “Battle of the Hotels,” its elegant façade scarred by conflict. For years, it stood silent, first under the shadow of war, then under Syrian military control.

Blocked Rebuilding Efforts

Efforts to restore the St. Georges were mired in legal wrangling most notably with Solidere, the company overseeing the reconstruction of Downtown Beirut. The development of Zaituna Bay and other waterfront projects hemmed in the hotel, sparking fierce disputes over land and sea access that dragged on for years.

^{Source: Beirut Today}

More Setbacks

Tragedy struck again in 2005 when the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri—whose convoy was bombed near the hotel, inflicted fresh damage and heartbreak. Restoration plans stalled yet again, and the St. Georges seemed destined to remain a ghost of its former self.

A New Dawn

In 2020, after decades of bureaucratic red tape, the St. Georges finally received the green light to rebuild. While the main hotel remained shuttered, the beloved St. Georges Yacht Club and its sun-drenched pool continued to draw loyal patrons each summer, keeping the spirit of the place alive.

Now, with its doors wide open and a new chapter beginning, the St. Georges Hotel is a place where history, luxury, and glamour meet on the shores of the Mediterranean.

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