This year, Beirut’s yachting action is in the heart of the city at the newly opened Zaitunay Bay, an eclectic development of retail stores, restaurants and cafes lining the waterfront from the old St. Georges Hotel to the still not open Le Club Náutico Beirut.
An updated incarnation of Avenue des Francais, once the palm-lined promenade in the center of fashionable Beirut, offers the chance to fully embrace the yachting lifestyle with private and charter yachts docked in gleaming rows in front. to Riviera-style cafes and restaurants. restaurants A haven from the pressures of everyday life, the marina is ideally located for Beirutiers and visitors staying in the downtown area. Stroll along the sprawling boardwalk that wraps around the edge of the marina to get a better feel for this vibrant project, or better yet, drop in for an early cappuccino at one of the waterside cafes before a day on the water.
Chartering from the marina allows visitors the benefits of an easy taxi ride or convenient covered parking, just steps away from a selection of yachts ranging in size from 30 to 100 feet. Plan a break from city life or a demanding touring schedule and make the most of being right by the sea with a surprise afternoon for a loved one, a family day out or a party on board – there’s a yacht for all. chance. The marina is just a short cruise away from the Raouche Rocks, the wide expanse of Jounieh Bay and a number of driver’s beach clubs that offer a pick-up service for guests from anchored yachts who want to disembark for enjoy the chillout. beachfront environment. Back on board, there’s no better vantage point from which to take in the full panorama of Beirut’s coastline against its spectacular mountainous backdrop.
Returning to the marina as the sun sets over the Mediterranean, there are plenty of reasons not to rush home. The restaurants and cafes serve everything from traditional Lebanese food to unpretentious French cuisine, and a glass of ice-cold Chateau Musar while you enjoy the end of the night is a must.
The new Zaitunay is going to be a big hit: it’s accessible, it’s stylish and it manages to capture the fun-loving international flavor of pre-war Beirut while remaining strictly contemporary. You really can’t miss it!
