Comments on: The fading charms of the Palmyra hotel in Baalbek – Lebanon http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/ Travel inspiration and destination information with travel tales, photos, videos and podcasts from around the world Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:39:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: Selina http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-38900 Selina Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:02:51 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-38900 Uh i found you looking for charms but nice reading never the less :) Uh i found you looking for charms but nice reading never the less :)
Selina´s last [type] ..Christmas Charms

]]> By: Alex fr. Luxury Kuala Lumpur Hotel http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-27122 Alex fr. Luxury Kuala Lumpur Hotel Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:58:30 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-27122 Hi Heather, I agree to you. That kind of service wasn't bad at all. They are quite friendly and sincere in my opinion. The place is pretty nice in my opinion (probably I never been to this kind of hotel). If I were there, I'll probably take a shot to spend some time there instead of those normal hotel I stayed most of the time during my travel. Hi Heather,

I agree to you. That kind of service wasn’t bad at all. They are quite friendly and sincere in my opinion. The place is pretty nice in my opinion (probably I never been to this kind of hotel). If I were there, I’ll probably take a shot to spend some time there instead of those normal hotel I stayed most of the time during my travel.

]]> By: admin http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-13911 admin Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:09:33 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-13911 @ Rima Although I did think the Palmyra was a little past it's prime, I don't think I intended to imply that the service was poor - I felt that all the staff were most charming and eager to help, and were particularly accommodating in finding us parking nearby. My friend booked for us and I don't think that either of us realised that there was a newer annexe which might have suited us better, but I would certainly seek it out if I return to Lebanon. I can quite understand your dilemma in whether to invest in an old hotel, as tourism has taken a knock in Lebanon in recent years with political instability. Now that the situation is much more calm, I hope that more people will visit and enjoy the beauties of Lebanon and the amazing ruins at Baalbek. Then perhaps the old hotel will be restored to it's former glory. Please do contact me by the e-mail you can find on my contacts page and send me any pictures of your new hotel annexe. Heather @ Rima

Although I did think the Palmyra was a little past it’s prime, I don’t think I intended to imply that the service was poor – I felt that all the staff were most charming and eager to help, and were particularly accommodating in finding us parking nearby.

My friend booked for us and I don’t think that either of us realised that there was a newer annexe which might have suited us better, but I would certainly seek it out if I return to Lebanon.

I can quite understand your dilemma in whether to invest in an old hotel, as tourism has taken a knock in Lebanon in recent years with political instability. Now that the situation is much more calm, I hope that more people will visit and enjoy the beauties of Lebanon and the amazing ruins at Baalbek. Then perhaps the old hotel will be restored to it’s former glory.

Please do contact me by the e-mail you can find on my contacts page and send me any pictures of your new hotel annexe.

Heather

]]> By: Rima Al-Husseini http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-13909 Rima Al-Husseini Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:46:14 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-13909 Dear Heather, I was saddened to read your review about your stay at the Palmyra Hotel in Baalbek. Sadly, I agree with your opinion and impressions about the hotel. But I am also disappointed that you were not shown the annex--which is actually the “boutique hotel “ of which you speak in your speak. The Palmyra Hotel has been in my family for 20 years and I have been overseeing it’s upgrade and upkeep for that long against all odds. It has been my aim to maintain it as a destination for cultural tourism which has been non-existent , at best, in Lebanon for decades--especially in comparison with the glitzy glitter of Beirut hotels. All of this, obviously, does not excuse the bad service you experienced during your stay. This is especially frustrating to me since there is a boutique hotel, fully equipped; an integration of traditional Lebanese architecture and artifacts with the service and comforts of a modern hotel--only two doors down the road from the old hotel where you stayed. Deficient service does not only effect clientele. For me, and especially with the lack of sufficient tourism in Baalbek, it is a difficult choice between keeping an old, though relatively sub-standard staff, or a new professional, but unknown staff. I would like to take the liberty to send you, and your readers, some pictures of the new hotel--the annex--and I hope that you will be able to make the trip once again to Baalbek. Regards, Rima Husseini Dear Heather,
I was saddened to read your review about your stay at the Palmyra Hotel in Baalbek. Sadly, I agree with your opinion and impressions about the hotel. But I am also disappointed that you were not shown the annex–which is actually the “boutique hotel “ of which you speak in your speak.

The Palmyra Hotel has been in my family for 20 years and I have been overseeing it’s upgrade and upkeep for that long against all odds. It has been my aim to maintain it as a destination for cultural tourism which has been non-existent , at best, in Lebanon for decades–especially in comparison with the glitzy glitter of Beirut hotels.

All of this, obviously, does not excuse the bad service you experienced during your stay. This is especially frustrating to me since there is a boutique hotel, fully equipped; an integration of traditional Lebanese architecture and artifacts with the service and comforts of a modern hotel–only two doors down the road from the old hotel where you stayed.

Deficient service does not only effect clientele. For me, and especially with the lack of sufficient tourism in Baalbek, it is a difficult choice between keeping an old, though relatively sub-standard staff, or a new professional, but unknown staff.

I would like to take the liberty to send you, and your readers, some pictures of the new hotel–the annex–and I hope that you will be able to make the trip once again to Baalbek.

Regards,
Rima Husseini

]]> By: Wine tasting at Chateau Ksara in Lebanon | Heather on her travels http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-11708 Wine tasting at Chateau Ksara in Lebanon | Heather on her travels Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:09:38 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-11708 [...] are grown, and one of the most commercial wineries in this area is the Chateau Ksara. After our stay in Baalbek, we drove south through the Bekaa valley and stopped there for a spot of wine tasting. The Ksara [...] [...] are grown, and one of the most commercial wineries in this area is the Chateau Ksara. After our stay in Baalbek, we drove south through the Bekaa valley and stopped there for a spot of wine tasting. The Ksara [...]

]]> By: Anil http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-7781 Anil Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:37:18 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-7781 That photo above looks familiar!! It's the non-cheesy version of course :) That photo above looks familiar!! It’s the non-cheesy version of course :)

]]> By: Barbara @ Hole In The Donut Travels http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-7621 Barbara @ Hole In The Donut Travels Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:19:43 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-7621 Hmm. Lebanon. Now there's a place that I've never considered visiting. But I do really like ruins, and I kind of like faded old hotels, to. I might just have to add this place to my list. Hmm. Lebanon. Now there’s a place that I’ve never considered visiting. But I do really like ruins, and I kind of like faded old hotels, to. I might just have to add this place to my list.

]]> By: Shannon http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-7572 Shannon Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:04:00 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-7572 As much as I like luxury, these types of places seem to make more of a story that sticks. Love your description and I have to admit, I probably would've liked the experience too. As much as I like luxury, these types of places seem to make more of a story that sticks. Love your description and I have to admit, I probably would’ve liked the experience too.

]]> By: admin http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-7514 admin Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:38:54 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-7514 @ Gourmantic Thanks it was living on it's past a bit - if anyone who has a Flickr account wants to do a badge like this you can find the badge here. http://www.flickr.com/badge.gne Thanks to Caitlin on http://www.roamingtales.com/ for that tip @ Gourmantic
Thanks it was living on it’s past a bit – if anyone who has a Flickr account wants to do a badge like this you can find the badge here.
http://www.flickr.com/badge.gne

Thanks to Caitlin on http://www.roamingtales.com/ for that tip

]]> By: Gourmantic http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/the-fading-charms-of-the-palmyra-hotel-in-baalbek-lebanon/comment-page-1/#comment-7506 Gourmantic Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:06:45 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=4113#comment-7506 Beautiful post, Heather, with a lovely touch of nostalgia. Although I like my comforts, I have a soft spot for these kinds of places that once held their special place in time. Nice photoset you have on Flickr, especially the evening shots. Beautiful post, Heather, with a lovely touch of nostalgia. Although I like my comforts, I have a soft spot for these kinds of places that once held their special place in time.

Nice photoset you have on Flickr, especially the evening shots.

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