Luxury Poolside Apartment in Adma, Lebanon: Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Okay, Buckle Up, Buttercup! My Chaotic Review of Luxury Poolside Apartment in Adma: Your Dream Getaway…Maybe? (Admit It, We All Need a Break!)
Alright, folks, let's be real. We've all been there. Flicking through travel sites, dreaming of sun-drenched escapes, and mentally calculating how many instant ramen dinners we can stomach to afford a decent holiday. Well, I've just emerged, blinking and slightly sunburned, from the Luxury Poolside Apartment in Adma, Lebanon, and lemme tell you, it's an experience. And like any good experience, it's a glorious, messy, slightly-off-kilter rollercoaster.
First Impressions (and a Mild Panic Attack):
Okay, so Adma. Never heard of it. Turns out, it's beautiful. Like, jaw-droppingly, Instagram-filter-doesn't-do-it-justice beautiful. And the apartment itself? Sigh. The "luxury" tag? Spot on. The lobby? Gleaming marble, smiling doormen (they were really good at smiling, I swear), and a whiff of expensive perfume that instantly made me feel underdressed in my travel sweats. Accessibility seemed pretty good, with an elevator that whizzed you up to your room faster than you could google "Adma, Lebanon." They've got an elevator – a HUGE plus for someone who's lugged suitcases up five flights of stairs too many times.
Rooms – My Own Private Oasis (with a Few Quirks):
The rooms themselves are… well, they're ridiculously luxurious. Think giant air conditioning, a coffee/tea maker (essential!), a ridiculously comfy sofa, and a mini bar that begged me to blow my budget. The bed? Oh sweet heavens, that extra long bed was like sleeping on a cloud. I swear, I could’ve stayed in that bed all day (and often did). You got your standard issue complimentary tea, free bottled water, and a safe box big enough to possibly hide from your responsibilities (tempting, but I had a review to write!). They absolutely provide linens, bathrobes, and slippers too, so you're covered there!
Now, the quirks. First of all, the bathroom. It was gorgeous – a bathtub, a separate shower/bathtub, and a hair dryer that actually dried my hair (a rare miracle). But the bathroom phone? Seriously? Does anyone actually use those anymore? And the alarm clock! I actually didn't want to get out of bed! I was almost late for my Spa appointment!
Internet Shenanigans and The Joy of (Mostly) Reliable Wi-Fi:
Let's talk internet. Because, let's face it, in 2024, a stable Wi-Fi connection is basically a human right. They've got Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! THANK GOD! I needed that for work! I was able to post my vacation pics without a hiccup! There's also Internet [LAN], but, honestly, who uses a wired connection anymore? I saw the WiFi signal was strong everywhere, even at the pool. They even had Wi-Fi for special events, so I guess they're ready for a convention or something. There's Internet services too, but I can't tell you exactly what those are.
Dining, Drinking, and Stuffing My Face (the best kind of research):
Okay, this is where things get really interesting. The restaurants? A mixed bag, honestly. They have the usual suspects: Restaurants, Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Snack bar, and room service. They even offer options with Asian cuisine in the restaurant! And if things go haywire with your order, you can request Alternative meal arrangement.
I started with the Breakfast [buffet]. It was fine. Standard Western breakfast. The Coffee/tea in the restaurant was decent, but nothing to write home about.
Then came the A la carte in restaurant experience. I got a pasta dish that was… well, let's just say it wasn't the highlight of my life.
But the Poolside bar? Now that was a winner. Sipping cocktails, basking in the sun, and watching the world go by… pure bliss!
Things to Do (and Ways to Avoid Doing Things):
The Apartment is like a miniature resort, so you won't run out of things to do.
- Relaxation, Spa, and Wellness:
- Body scrub - Didn't try it because, well, self-consciousness. But sounds good!
- Body wrap - Nope. See above.
- Fitness center - I saw it. I looked at it. I walked away.
- Foot bath - Actually, I wish I'd tried it! Sounds like a good way to recover.
- Gym/fitness - I didn't use it. I preferred the view from the balcony.
- Massage - Oh, the massage. It was heavenly. I'm still dreaming about it.
- Pool with view
- Sauna - I did the sauna!
- Spa - 10/10. Would recommend. Get the massage.
- Spa/sauna - I had to be there!
- Steamroom - Nope. But again, sounds amazing.
- Swimming pool - Loved it!
- Swimming pool [outdoor] - You've got options.
- For the kids:
- Babysitting service - Good to know in case.
- Family/child friendly - Definitely.
- Kids facilities - They had a kids' area.
- Kids meal - I didn't try one, but I heard they were good.
- Services and Conveniences:
- Concierge - Really helpful.
- Daily housekeeping - Immaculate.
- Doorman - Always smiling.
- Dry cleaning - Nice touch.
- Elevator - Thank goodness!
- Facilities for disabled guests - I've seen some options, but I cannot fully assess.
- Food delivery - Excellent.
- Laundry service - Convenient.
- Luggage storage - Helpful.
- Safety deposit boxes - Peace of mind.
- Terrace - Great view!
- Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Meetings, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Valet parking, Xerox/fax in business center, and Safe dining setup - All there, if you need it.
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and Window that opens. All the stuff.
Cleanliness and Safety (because, you know, the world):
I'm gonna be honest, I was slightly paranoid about hygiene, particularly in light of the recent… events. But I was impressed. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were all masked and seemed genuinely committed to safety. They even had Individually-wrapped food options and Room sanitization opt-out available. I could see them doing Daily disinfection in common areas, too. They also had a Doctor/nurse on call if I'd been ill. And they kept me safe - CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms. I felt safe.
Getting Around (the fun part):
They offer Airport transfer, which is a lifesaver. There's Car park [free of charge], so you can hit the road. Though, I'd hire a taxi. They've got Taxi service, so you can just leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the view.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hotel Tiek Superior Germany - Your Dream Getaway!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a week of chaos, chlorinated fun, and questionable culinary choices in a furnished apartment in Adma, Lebanon. This isn't your perfectly polished, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is the real, slightly-sweaty, definitely-hangry version.
Adma Apartment Adventure: A Week of Slightly Unhinged Bliss
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Balcony Debacle (aka, My First Lebanese Sunset, Almost)
- Morning (aka, the "Travel is a Joke" Stretch): Arrive at Beirut Airport. The drive to Adma? Let's just say "Lebanese road etiquette" is a thing. Found myself gripping the armrests, muttering apologies to the gods of traffic. Driver, bless his heart, seemed to think the speed limit was a suggestion.
- Afternoon (aka, the "Apartment Hunt" Part): Finally, Adma. Apartment is… well, it's a furnished apartment. The pool looks inviting, a beacon of hope. Key situation got a little lost – classic me. Eventually wrestled it from the lockbox, feeling like a seasoned spy (who also nearly broke a fingernail).
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening (aka, The Sunset That Wasn't): Balcony. Gorgeous view promised, right? Wrong. Balcony door stuck. Badly. Spent a solid hour wrestling with it. Managed to pry it open… just as the sun dipped below the horizon. Saw nothing. Vowed revenge on the balcony door. (Spoiler alert: it won.) Order Shawarma at the local takeaway to calm myself down. Best Shawarma I've ever tried.
- Evening (aka, the "Jet Lag is My Nemesis" Hour): Collapsed. Bed. Sleep. (Or so I thought. Ended up waking up at 2 am, staring at the ceiling, wondering if I'd accidentally summoned a djinn. Probably just the jet lag.)
Day 2: Pool Party (and the Trauma of the Sunscreen)
- Morning (aka, the "Pool's Calling" phase, the anticipation of the water): Coffee on the balcony… finally. Managed to open it this time! (Victory!) Then, the pool. Oh. My. God. It's glorious. Crystal clear, shimmering, the whole shebang.
- Mid-Morning (aka, the "Sunscreen Wars"): Okay, so, I’m pale. Like, really pale. Slathered on sunscreen like a maniac. Thought I was invincible. Wrong. So. Wrong.
- Afternoon (aka, the "Lobster Red" phase): Spent a grand total of 30 minutes in the sun before my skin started screaming. Found myself resembling a boiled lobster. Learned a brutal lesson: Always, always reapply sunscreen. Regret. So much regret. Hid inside.
- Evening (aka, the "Google Maps is a Lie" Adventure): Decided to be adventurous and find a restaurant. Google Maps, bless its soul, directed me… somewhere. Ended up wandering through a maze of tiny streets, feeling utterly lost. Found a tiny restaurant, ate something I couldn't pronounce and the food was great, actually. Ate way too much. Walked back to the apartment under the stars, feeling utterly content.
Day 3: Byblos & The Quest for the Perfect Souvenir (Plus, a Near-Death Experience with a Taxi)
- Morning (aka, the "Byblos Bound" phase): Headed to Byblos! Ancient city, history oozing from every cobblestone… The drive there was, let's just say, intense. The taxi driver took turns like he was auditioning for Fast & Furious. I spent the entire ride white-knuckling it, whispering prayers. Survived.
- Mid-Morning/Afternoon (aka, the "Stone Cold Awesome" moment): Byblos itself? Stunning. The citadel, the Roman ruins, the Phoenician port… Wow. Spent hours just wandering around, trying to absorb all the history. Tried haggling for a souvenir. Failed spectacularly. (I'm terrible at bartering.) Ended up with a slightly overpriced, but undeniably beautiful, hand-carved wooden bowl. Worth it.
- Late Afternoon (aka, the "Traffic Hell" chapter): The ride back. Again. Thought the driver was trying to shave off a few minutes. Absolutely terrifying. Prayed louder this time.
- Evening (aka, the "Dinner Disaster"): Ordered something online. It was supposed to be a grilled fish, but it wasn't, really. So I ended up eating a huge bread - a total waste of a good meal.
Day 4: Adma Exploration (and the Great Lebanese Coffee Crisis)
- Morning (aka, the "Local Life" phase): Decided to stay local. Wandered around Adma. The people are incredibly friendly. Tried to buy a coffee. Failed. Miserably. Apparently, Lebanese coffee is an art form. My attempts at ordering resulted in a confused vendor and a lot of pointing. Eventually, success.
- Mid-Morning/Afternoon (aka, the "Pool Redemption" chapter): Sunscreen. Applied religiously. Spent the afternoon by the pool, trying to undo the damage. Success! Sun-kissed instead of lobster-red.
- Evening (aka, the "Local Cuisine Quest"): Found a tiny local restaurant. Ate the most amazing kibbeh nayyeh. (Raw lamb, for those who are curious. Don't judge me, it was delicious!) Washed it down with some local beer. Found a new appreciation for this place.
Day 5: Beach Day (and the Sand in Every Place)
- Morning (aka, the "Sea Breeze" phase): Headed to the beach. Another taxi ride (less terrifying this time, thankfully). The Mediterranean is breathtaking. Sand, sun, and the sound of waves… pure bliss.
- Mid-Morning/Afternoon (aka, the "Sun, Sand, and Sunburn" moment): Spent hours swimming, sunbathing, and generally enjoying myself. But, uh, got a little too enthusiastic. Another dose of sunburn. Sigh.
- Late Afternoon (aka, the "Post-Beach Shower" phase): Showered. Sand. Everywhere. Found sand in places I didn't even know existed.
- Evening (aka, the "Seafood Feast"): Went to a restaurant by the sea. Ate a whole grilled fish. Incredible. Watched the sunset, feeling incredibly grateful.
Day 6: The Cedars of God (and the Mountain Madness)
- Morning (aka, the "Up the Mountain" phase): Day trip to the Cedars of God! The drive was… mountainous. Winding roads, crazy drops. The driver had a certain energy. Clutching the sides of the car.
- Mid-Morning/Afternoon (aka, the "Ancient Beauty" moment): The Cedars themselves? Jaw-dropping. Ancient, majestic, and a testament to the resilience of nature. Wandered among the trees, feeling a sense of peace and awe. The air was crisp and clean. Truly special. Took approximately a million photos.
- Late Afternoon (aka, the "Mountain Descent" phase): The drive down. More winding roads, more edge-of-the-seat moments. Thank God. Got back to the apartment safe.
- Evening (aka, the "Farewell Feast"): Cooked a meal. (Something simple, I’m not a chef.) Drank a local wine, sat on the balcony, watched the stars. Reflecting.
Day 7: Departure (and the Final Balcony Farewell)
- Morning (aka, the "Packing Panic" phase): Packed. Attempted to remember where I put my passport. Found it. Phew.
- Mid-Morning (aka, the "Last Dip" moment): One last swim in the pool. One last glorious moment of weightless bliss. Said goodbye to the apartment, the view, and the chlorine.
- Afternoon (aka, the "Goodbye Lebanon"): Drive to the airport. The drive? Not as bad as the first one. Maybe I had become acclimatized. Maybe I was just tired. Whatever.
- Evening (aka, the "Homeward Bound" chapter): Goodbye, Lebanon. You were messy, you were chaotic, you gave me sunburn (and a near heart attack), but you were also utterly beautiful, delicious, and unforgettable. I'll be dreaming of those sunsets, that food, and maybe, just maybe, that balcony door. Until next time!
Okay, Okay, Let's Talk About This Adma Pool Party (I Mean, Apartment)
Before you start packing your imaginary Louis Vuitton pool bag, let's get real. Because, trust me, even luxury has its... moments. 😉
So, What *Exactly* Makes This Poolside Apartment "Luxury?" Is it like, actual gold faucets level luxury?
Okay, gold faucets? Maybe not. (Although, wouldn't *that* be something? Imagine the cleaning!). "Luxury" here means a bunch of things. Think spacious, think views that make your jaw drop (seriously, the Mediterranean will get ya), and think… let's say, "well-appointed." It's got good quality finishes, usually a decent kitchen (important!), and a balcony that screams "cocktail time!" The *real* luxury, in my book, is the pool. I'm talking sparkling, inviting… a place where you can pretend you're James Bond, at least until you realize you forgot your tiny pool-side umbrella for that piña colada. And yeah, there's a gym too. I swear I've used it... once. Mostly I just stared at the equipment longingly. 😅
Alright, View Lover: What's the view *really* like? Is it all Instagram-worthy or is the neighbor's laundry hanging out?
Okay, the view. This is where things get VERY interesting. I stayed in one place... UGH. The view was stunning. Absolutely, breathtakingly stunning. Until, the wind caught the neighbor's laundry. Picture this: a sea view, interrupted by some questionable undergarments flapping in the breeze. It ruined the whole "sunset contemplation" vibe. Thankfully, from what I hear, the Adma apartments *generally* boast better views. Usually you're looking at the gorgeous Mediterranean. Some apartments are better than others, so make sure to ask specific questions about the exact unit, to avoid "laundry-gate." Also, ask about construction. Sometimes, and I'm being perfectly transparent here, you get a construction site adding to the 'ambiance'.
Pool Time! Should I expect poolside DJs and Champagne fountains? My standards are high.
Champagne fountains? Okay, slow your roll, Gatsby. 😜 The pool is definitely a *major* selling point. It's probably gorgeous. It's probably clean. It's probably lovely for a swim. DJ's and fountains? Unlikely (unless you happened to book a private party on a very generous day). But here’s a tip: Bring your own playlist. And maybe some inflatable flamingos. That works every time. Or, you know, just relax, swim, and try to avoid bumping into anyone else who’s also trying to pretend they’re the only one there. It can get a little competitive for coveted sun loungers, I'm not going to lie. I once saw a whole family practically launch a chair-based assault on a prime spot. It was… dramatic.
Okay, Logistics. How easy is it to actually *get* to this place? I drive a tiny car.
Ah, the Beirut traffic. The joy! Look, Adma's not exactly in the middle of nowhere. But let's be honest, depending on the time of day and your tolerance for honking horns, getting anywhere in Lebanon can be an adventure. Parking is generally a thing you have to ask about specifically. Some places have ample parking, others... not so much. And don’t forget the fuel situation. Always, *always* fill up your tank before you leave. And, maybe, bring a good audiobook. Because, trust me again, you're going to need it. If you're depending on taxis, be prepared to negotiate the price. You will be overcharged. But you're on vacation. Choose your battles.
Food, glorious food! Can I get groceries? What about a killer restaurant?
Food is a big deal, right? *Especially* when you're on vacation. Adma is close enough to shops and restaurants that you won't starve, thank goodness. Big supermarkets are easy to find. Depending on which 'luxury' apartment you choose, there will be suggestions from the apartment owner. As for restaurants? Get ready for some seriously delicious Lebanese food. You will *not* be disappointed. Try the seafood. Fresh, incredible. One time, I had the most amazing grilled octopus… it was a religious experience. I’m still dreaming about it. Another time, I burnt the toast. Perfection is possible, until it isn't. Make sure to ask the apartment owner for recommendations, they will know the best spots!
Speaking of Things That Matter: What About the Wi-Fi? Because, you know... gotta post those poolside pics. And also, work.
Wi-Fi. My enemy, my friend, my constant companion. In most of these places, you *should* have decent Wi-Fi. But don't bank on it being super fast. Sometimes, it's glorious. Sometimes, it's… well, let's just say it's "Lebanese Wi-Fi." Which means you can expect a few dropped connections, a little buffering, and a lot of staring at loading screens. Pack your patience. And maybe download some movies beforehand, just in case. Also, be prepared for occasional power outages. This is Lebanon. Embrace the adventure!
Cleaning. Is it like a hotel? Or am I scrubbing toilets?
Cleaning. One of life’s great mysteries, right? Some places are more like a hotel, meaning cleaning service is included (or can be added). Others, it’s up to you. Inquire *before* booking. Because nobody wants to spend their vacation scrubbing toilets. I've been that person. I was not pleased. Ask about linen changes, too. Because a fresh towel is definitely a luxury.
Safety Concerns? Is the area generally safe?
Safety is a valid concern, and let me be upfront: it's up to you to check which sources and verify for the most up-to-date recommendations before you travel. The Adma area, compared to… other parts of Beirut… is generally considered to be safe. That said, use common sense. Don’t flash wads of cash, be aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts. Lebanon has had its share of difficulties; do some research on current event. And, like anywhere, lock your doors, and don't leave valuables unattended. It's better to be cautious than sorry, right?
