S P OT L I G H T BEIRUT
THE SILK VALLEY AARBÂNÎYÉ, LEBANON PUNCTUATED BY GROVES OF OLIVE TREES AND TOWERING
The passion project of Albert Aoun and his family, The Silk Valley is a unique
pines as far as the eye can see, the peaceful and unspoilt
resort located some twenty kilometres’ drive from central Beirut in an
surroundings of Lebanon’s scenic Aarbânîyé region are in stark contrast to
area of intense natural beauty. Dominated by a towering, brick chimney
Beirut’s bustling metropolis yet are just forty minutes’ drive from the capital.
stack, over a period of some years, Aoun has lovingly overseen the gradual
Indeed, after a hectic weekend in Beirut, there is almost certainly nowhere
transformation of the dilapidated old works into a warm and welcoming
better to relax and unwind than Lebanon's Mont-Liban range, which crosses
retreat-like hotel, restaurant, conference and leisure complex, all nestled
the country from north to south, parallel to the Mediterranean and The
within the bones of a variety of old structures, set-out something like a self-
Silk Valley resort is set in the very heart of it all, completely surrounded by
contained mini village.
nature.
Facing the beautiful Aarbânîyé-Broumana Valley on one side of which the resort is perched, modern guest rooms and duplex lofts offer spectacular,
Opening its doors in the mid 1800s, the Hamada Silk works in Aarbânîyé
expansive vistas of pristine forests. The morning air in this part of Lebanon
were one of many such works in Lebanon which afforded widespread social
is perhaps the freshest in the country. A spacious two-bedroomed villa
and economic change, as silk production became one of the country’s
known as the ‘Blue House’ sits in an upper, secluded part of the resort,
staple industries. Teams of skilled spinners were brought from France to
offering discerning guests private designer lodgings for an intimate break.
train young Lebanese women who, for the first time, left their homes to work and produce silk. The Hamada Silk works closed sometime during WWI and lay deteriorating and derelict for decades, until one man, who was born in the nearby village of Baabdat, bought the property and took on the massive
Within the vast, main characterful building, chef Eddi Eid prepares unfussy and hearty fare made from the freshest local produce, with almost all of the fruit and vegetables used in his cooking hand-picked from The Silk Valley’s own gardens and orchards. Excellent local hiking and a host of onsite leisure facilities – including a
task of breathing new life into the historic site. Today the works are known as
gorgeous infinity pool, boasting panoramic views from the water – make The
The Silk Valley.
Silk Valley a one-stop must-stay Lebanese destination in its own right. https://thesilkvalley.com
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