Guesthouses are mushrooming all over the country and their business is growing as an increasing number of local and foreign tourists are looking for personalized services and for more authentic and richer experience than that provided by hotels. According to the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), they totaled 117 guesthouses last July, but their real number is likely to be larger as some of them may not be registered. About two thirds of guesthouse businesses that were operating in 2014 are still in operation, according to a study by InfoPro Research. A guesthouse is characterized by its small size and by being privately owned with the landlords living in the premises of the guesthouse itself or within its precincts. According to local regulation, it is preferable that guesthouses have traditional Lebanese architecture. They are described by a decree issued in 2011, as furnished Lebanese houses that are suitable to accommodate people interested in ecotourism, cultural tourism, or in athletic activities in natural surroundings. Their role also involves acquainting their guests with the country’s traditions and cuisine.
Personal touch
The number of bedrooms of a guesthouse, according to the decree, should be up to ten, without counting those of the owners. In reality, some exceed the legal limit. A recent survey of guesthouses by InfoPro Research shows that the average number of rooms is nine. The small size of a guesthouse offers a cozy family-like environment to guests and allows them to interact on a personal level with each other and with the owners who are directly involved in running the business. “In a hotel, once they give you the room’s key, they forget about you while in a guesthouse people talk to each other, spend the evening together and eat together and they become friends,” said Saiid Gitani, Manager of Karaz Guesthouse which is located in Ehden. The added value of a guesthouse is that it gives personalized service, according to Edouard Noun, one of the shareholders of Beit Mechmech S.A.L, which owns the Beit Noun guesthouse located in the caza of Jbeil. “The food service is that of a five-star hotel while you feel at home,” he said. Dar Zefta, a luxurious guesthouse with historical architecture launched in the summer of 2021 in the town of Zefta (Nabatieh caza), provides personalized services to enable guests to enjoy a rich experience. “We offer real experience not just a room for rent. We discuss with guests the program of their stay in detail and in advance to ensure they have the best experience,” said Ghada El Darwiche, Manager of Dar Zefta. The discussed matters include such minutiae as what are the guest’s favorite dishes and when and where they want to take their meals.
Providing authentic experience
Besides the personal touch, guesthouses are often actively involved in enabling their customers to experience nature, rural life, traditional food, historical sites,, Head of Operations. Guests at Dar Zefta can enjoy an art collection of mostly Southern Lebanese painters in display there. El Darwiche said they plan to organize cultural events in their guesthouse such as exhibitions to promote the works of Lebanese painters. Music and dancing are also among the artistic activities of some guesthouses. Bkerzay sometimes engages in cultural activities such as bringing an oud player or providing training on dabke dancing.
