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I love traveling, I love planes, I love staying at hotels... and my favorite part is indulging in a hefty hotel breakfast the next morning. But since I have been stuck in Lebanon for some time now, I have decided to go have breakfast at a hotel in Lebanon, a place where I can reminisce about my travels and the things I enjoy doing while am away. On my quest to find the best five stars hotel breakfast in Lebanon, Le Royal was the second stop after Le Vendome Beirut. As you reach the hotel's entrance, walk into their huge lobby, take a quick right towards the elevator and press on the fifth floor.
PS: I know that the title I have chosen to describe my experience at this five star hotel is harsh. But what I encountered this morning at this supposedly five stars hotel reflects a minimal level of professionalism. It was simply unacceptable.
As we walked out of the elevator into the dinning hall, an overwhelming stuffy smell of food haunts you. I chose to ignore it as we walked through the dinning area to sit outdoors. I spotted the island buffet on my way out... My stomach started growling, hoping that the choices available would be rich and appetizing. I chose a table by the poolside to enjoy a sunny spring day next to the water rhythms. An outdoor setup, wood chairs and tables, in a serene atmosphere...And that was it... This was where the positive ends, and the negative starts. If you're looking for some early morning workout, try pulling out the chair. It's so heavy.
I ordered a cup of American coffee to help me start my day. I then walked towards the buffet and that was when the experience started going downhill.
The breakfast is less than being mediocre. It is simply unacceptable for a five stars hotel. I was really shocked to witness what was on display to the extent I really wanted to leave... Empty plates, minimum choice of food, an extremely messy display, and the worst part were the small flies that swarming around the plates like bees on the loose. Wow! I wish they appeared in the pictures. Mind you, it was only 9 am. It's too early to slack on the details...
The buffet:
- Cheese plates are almost empty - more than 3/4s empty
- Hot buffet: Grilled sausages, grilled mushrooms, kechek, veal chipolata, mozzarella quiche sticks, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, foul. Dirty spoons placed on dirty small plates right in front of each hot dish
- The nuts tower looks like an erupted volcano with bits and pieces of flying nuts and dried fruits all over the table
- The bread station has a little to offer - the choice includes brown and white square slice bread. A couple of mini baguettes are still laying in that empty basket on the other side of the room
- Cold cuts and cheese plates are not appetizing and half empty
- Two pieces of oily doughnuts on each plate
- Blue cheese filled with little disgusting flying insects
- The Danish pastry bites section
- Limited cut fruits
- One single piece of Halawa. Yes one single piece of 5cm Halawa
- I loved (ironically) the long empty buffet section that looks so appetizing. Couldn't they have decorated it with some fresh flowers? I really cannot believe my eyes!
- Transparent juice jars reveal empty containers. Yes, not enough juice for everyone
I remind you its 9 am.
Should I continue or is it enough said?
It is really unacceptable. Le Royal Hotel serves breakfast any three stars hotels in Paris won't even allow themselves to present their guests with.
Ordering some eggs, - even though no one even suggested eggs or pancakes - the floor manager answers: "Yes we have eggs, you can order them yourself directly from the kitchen". I kindly asked him to get it for me as I don't want to walk to the kitchen. I received a couple of scrambled inedible eggs soaked in oil; Revolting!
While making the effort to eat my breakfast, I enjoyed the little details of this place:
- Under my table was a total mess. Dirty floors, food crumbs everywhere, pieces of paper...
- Dirty and sticky salt and pepper shakers
- Home style low quality plates
- Dimmed dark ambiance since they decided to turn the lights off
- A general feel of dirtiness and messiness haunts you
The needed improvements:
- Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene. Focus on the cleanliness and take care of the messy look all over the place
- Use smaller plates and dishes at the buffet so they look filled up
- Clean the place thoroughly. Double and triple check all the tables before guests sit down
- The plates are very cheap looking. Even if you use simple white, it should look classier
- One of the waiters should be responsible for the cleanliness of buffet and make sure that all dishes are continuously refilled. The island buffet should look super clean, appetizing and fully loaded. No one wants to feel like they are eating leftovers, especially not at a five stars hotel
- All the serving spoons and forks should be hidden somewhere and not just placed in front of each heated pans. It's a turn off to see the messy utensils used and placed where everyone can see - who would want to reuse them
- Put on the lights. It won't cost you much
- Lebanese bread can be presented in a classier way. Use a basket or maybe use special scissors to cut its borders
I don't recommend breakfast at Le Royal Hotel unless they improve 180 degrees. I'm going to say it in Lebanese: "3aybe 3aleykon" (You should be ashamed of yourself)
