Exploring Beirut from The Smallville Hotel What’s Around You in Badaro
Beirut is not a city that sits still. It has energy, texture, and a personality that reveals itself differently depending on which neighborhood you’re standing in and Badaro, where The Smallville Hotel is located, is one of the most rewarding corners of the city to explore.
Whether you’re here for a weekend escape, a business trip, or an extended stay, this guide covers the best of what’s around you.
Culture & History Right Outside Your Door
The National Museum of Beirut
The National Museum of Beirut is one of the most important archaeological museums in the Middle East, and it sits within easy walking distance of The Smallville Hotel. Its collection spans thousands of years of Lebanese and Phoenician history. Key highlights include:
- Phoenician sarcophagi and bronze age artifacts
- Ancient mosaics from across Lebanon
- Objects that trace civilization from prehistoric times to the medieval era
Plan for a couple of hours the collection rewards patience and puts the entire city in context in a way that transforms how you experience everything else during your stay.
Badaro Neighborhood Walks
Badaro is a neighborhood built for walking. Its streets are lined with old Lebanese townhouses, independent cafés, small galleries, and the kind of low-key restaurants that locals return to week after week. From The Smallville Hotel, the neighborhood unfolds in every direction:
- Morning coffee at a local café
- Afternoon walks through residential streets and old architecture
- Early evening drinks at a rooftop bar
It has the character of a neighborhood that genuinely lives without performing for anyone.
Dining In The Smallville’s Own Restaurants
Before heading out, it’s worth knowing that some of the best dining in Badaro doesn’t require leaving the hotel. The Smallville’s restaurant collection covers serious ground:
- Da Sophia One of the strongest Italian restaurants in Lebanon, focused on ingredients and technique
- Marvellous Diner Great burgers, easy company, no pretension
- Meet Me Bar The Lounge and Piano Bar, where a well-made drink deserves your full attention
- Penthouse Club Private lounge elegance with views most Beirut restaurants can’t match
- Poolhouse Poolside dining above the city with a backdrop that earns its reputation
- Space Club The hotel’s premier nightlife destination for out-of-this-world entertainment
On a longer stay, rotating through these across different meals is genuinely a good strategy. Each has a distinct personality.
Nightlife in and Around Badaro
At the Hotel
Beirut’s nightlife reputation is well earned, and The Smallville Hotel is positioned to make the most of it. Space Club delivers high-energy entertainment without requiring you to navigate the city at the end of a long evening. Before making plans, check what’s happening at The Smallville the hotel regularly hosts rooftop events and themed evenings worth knowing about.
Beyond the Hotel
For those who want to explore further, the surrounding neighborhoods offer everything from intimate jazz bars to high-energy clubs. Mar Mikhael and Gemmayze a short ride away are the epicenters of Beirut’s bar scene, with enough variety to fill multiple nights without repeating yourself.
Day Trips from Badaro
Beirut’s central location makes it an excellent base for exploring Lebanon beyond the city. Some of the best day trips within easy reach:
- Baalbek Roman ruins and Bekaa Valley wineries, roughly 90 minutes by car
- Byblos One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, less than an hour north
- Chouf Mountains Cedar forests and Druze villages under an hour from the city
- Metn Villages A completely different pace and landscape from urban Beirut
For guests who want to combine city comfort with broader Lebanese exploration, The Smallville Hotel’s location makes logistics genuinely simple.
Making the Most of The Smallville Itself
Facilities Worth Planning Around
It would be a mistake to treat the hotel purely as a base. The Smallville’s own facilities are worth building time into your itinerary for:
- Rooftop Pool City views that justify an afternoon specifically around them
- Spa & Wellness Treatments worth scheduling in advance
- Gym & EMS For guests who don’t let travel interrupt their routine
- Hair & Beauty Salon Operated to a standard that attracts Beirut residents as well as hotel guests
Rooms Built for Comfort
Explore The Smallville’s rooms and suites before booking the Premium King Room, One Bedroom Suite, and Two Bedroom Suite each offer a different configuration. Choosing the right room for how you actually plan to use it makes a real difference in the quality of your stay.
Book Direct for the Best Rates
The Smallville Hotel consistently offers the best available rates and exclusive perks to guests who book directly. Booking through the hotel also gives you access to loyalty program benefits worth considering if you visit Beirut regularly or plan to stay across The Smallville family of properties.
For reservations or questions, contact The Smallville Hotel at +961 1 619999 or email info@thesmallville.com. The hotel is located on Damascus Road, Museum District, Badaro, Beirut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Smallville Hotel close to the National Museum?
Yes the National Museum of Beirut is within easy walking distance of the hotel and is the most significant cultural attraction in the immediate area.
What restaurants are available at The Smallville Hotel?
The hotel is home to Da Sophia, Marvellous Diner, Meet Me Bar, Penthouse Club, the Poolhouse, and Space Club covering everything from fine Italian dining to casual burgers to late-night entertainment.
Does The Smallville Hotel have a pool?
Yes the rooftop pool offers panoramic city views and is one of the hotel’s most popular features, particularly during the warmer months.
Is Badaro a good neighborhood for first-time visitors to Beirut?
Absolutely. Badaro is walkable, authentic, and well-positioned for exploring the rest of the city giving first-time visitors a genuine sense of how Beirut actually lives.
How do I get the best rate at The Smallville Hotel?
Book directly through the hotel’s website. Direct bookings consistently offer the best available rates along with access to loyalty program perks.
