St Paul Resort

St Paul Resort is made for days divided between salt water, a swim and a meal that does not require another taxi ride. The private beach area and direct beachfront access put the coast at the centre of the stay, while the pool, sun terrace and garden give you somewhere else to park yourself when the sea has had enough of you.

The feel is practical and easy-going rather than formal. Couples can choose a sea-view room with a balcony, while families have family and interconnecting accommodation, a children's playground, a kids' pool and a games room to keep younger travellers occupied. You also have a bar, coffee house and snack bar on site, which matters when you come back hungry, damp and unwilling to dress for a grand evening out.

You are in Safra, Lebanon, on the coast with the resort directly on the beachfront and its own private beach area. That gives you the rare hotel feature that needs no interpretation: from your accommodation, the sea is already part of the address.

The wider area is useful for a few outings. Casino du Liban is about 2 miles away, while Byblos Castle and the Byblos Archaeological Site are roughly 6 miles away. Byblos Fossil Museum is also around 6 miles from the resort. Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport is about 19 miles away by road, so the airport transfer is manageable, but not something to improvise after a long flight.

The accommodation is arranged for different kinds of travelling. Couples can keep things simple with a double room or a sea-view studio, while the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony and Sea View adds the balcony that makes a difference when you want to sit outside without joining the pool crowd. For more room to spread out, the Suite with Terrace gives you a proper outdoor space; the Two-Bedroom Apartment with Pool View suits a small group and comes with two bathrooms.

Sea views, balconies, air conditioning and soundproofed rooms cover the basics that matter after a day in the water. The air conditioning helps with the heat; the soundproofing helps when your body wants an early night and the rest of the world has other plans. Rooms also have free WiFi, a flat-screen television, wardrobe space and a private bathroom in the listed accommodation that includes one.

The apartment-style options add a kitchen or kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, kettle and kitchenware. That is useful for keeping drinks cold, making a quick coffee or dealing with the sort of post-dive appetite that does not respect restaurant timings. Some accommodation also has a washing machine, and a drying rack is available for clothing.

The restaurant covers Middle Eastern, pizza and local cooking, with lunch and dinner alongside high tea and cocktails. In other words, you can go for a proper meal or keep the evening less ceremonial when the day's exertion has reduced your ambitions to food, a drink and a chair.

Breakfast is continental, and breakfast in your room is available. The snack bar is useful between meals, while the bar and on-site coffee house handle the shorter stops: coffee before heading out, something cold on the way back, or a drink while the sun gives up for the day. A minimarket and grocery deliveries add a little flexibility for rooms with kitchen facilities.

The private beach and swimming pool make the main decision pleasantly uncomplicated: sea or pool. Sun loungers, beach chairs, umbrellas, a sun terrace, a solarium and the garden give you several places to dry off and do absolutely nothing, which is a legitimate holiday activity when your legs have spent the morning finning.

If you need a little more movement, the resort offers snorkelling, fishing, canoeing, table tennis and billiards. Some water sports and games carry an additional charge. There is also an outdoor play area, children's playground, kids' pool and games room, so families have options beyond asking everyone to sit quietly and admire the view.

For an outing away from the resort, Byblos provides a change of scenery, with its castle, archaeological site and fossil museum all within about 6 miles. The nearby Windmill Playground is around 3 miles away. Back at the resort, the shared lounge and TV area are there for the evening when you have reached your daily limit of culture, conversation and sunshine.

Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport is about 19 miles away by road. An airport shuttle is available, and a separate shuttle service can also be arranged. Private parking is available on site without reservation, with a parking garage, which is useful if you are hiring a car for the coast and Byblos.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 18:00 and check-out from 11:30 to 12:00. You need government-issued identification before check-in, and photo identification plus a credit card at arrival. Check-in is for guests aged 18 or over; younger guests need a parent or official guardian. The resort accepts cash payments only, and a refundable cash damage deposit is collected on arrival, subject to a property inspection at check-out.

A 24-hour front desk, private check-in and check-out, concierge service and luggage storage keep the practical side straightforward. Daily housekeeping, laundry, room service, currency exchange and free WiFi are also available. The accommodation is accessible by lift, and upper floors can be reached by elevator.