Summer in the Mountains: Your Cool Escape at Quartier Suisse Hotel in Broummana, Lebanon

When July and August settle over Lebanon and the coast shimmers with heat, those who know the country best do the same thing every year: they head for the mountains. Just above Beirut, where the pine forests begin and the air turns cool and clean, sits Broummana — the elegant summer town that has welcomed travellers for more than a century. And in the heart of it stands Quartier Suisse Hotel, a boutique retreat built for exactly this season.

This is our guide to a Lebanese mountain summer — the festivals, the flavours and the quiet mornings — and why Quartier Suisse is the perfect place to enjoy every moment of it.

Why Broummana is the place to be in summer

At around 800 metres above sea level, Broummana enjoys something the coast can only dream of in high summer: fresh mountain air, cool evenings and long, golden afternoons under the pines. While Beirut swelters, the terraces here fill with families, friends and returning diaspora, and the town's famous main street comes alive after sunset.

July and August are the very peak of the season. The weather is warm by day and pleasantly cool by night — ideal for exploring, dining outdoors, and sleeping with the window open to the sound of the wind in the trees. If you want to understand why generations have chosen these hills, our Lebanon page is a lovely place to start.

Your home in the hills: Quartier Suisse Hotel

A great summer begins with where you wake up. At Quartier Suisse, our rooms open onto private balconies framing the valley below — the kind of view best enjoyed slowly, with a morning coffee or an evening glass of Lebanese wine. It is a genuine boutique hotel: warm, personal, full of character, and cared for like a family home rather than run like a chain.

Take a moment to explore the hotel and browse our gallery to feel the atmosphere — the timber, the light, the terraces made for long conversations. Whether you are here for a weekend away from the city or a full mountain summer, we make it effortless.

A summer of festivals

Lebanon comes alive in summer, and the calendar is extraordinary. In the nearby Chouf mountains, the Beiteddine Art Festival fills a magnificent 19th-century palace with world-class music, opera and dance across July and August. On the coast, the Byblos International Festival brings global headliners to one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth.

Closer to home, Broummana hosts its own beloved summer street festivals — nights of food, music and crafts along the main road — while smaller village celebrations light up the hills all season. For up-to-date listings while you stay, we keep our events page current, and Lebtivity is a reliable guide to what's on across the country.

Tasting the mountains

No Lebanese summer is complete without long, generous meals. Broummana and the surrounding hills are a food-lover's playground, from grand traditional restaurants to relaxed terraces. Mounir, perched above Broummana with sweeping views, is a legend for its fine Lebanese cuisine and mezze, while family favourites like Roadster Diner are perfect for a casual lunch between adventures.

Back at the hotel, our team is always happy to point you toward the season's best tables and reserve on your behalf — just ask.

Beyond Broummana: exploring Lebanon

One of Broummana's great gifts is how much it puts within reach. Beirut and its iconic Pigeon Rocks at Raouché are a short drive down the mountain, while the wonders of the country fan out in every direction: the underground cathedrals of the Jeita Grotto, the hilltop shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, the ancient harbour of Byblos, and the palace of Beiteddine.

Right next door, the Roman temples and mosaics at Beit Mery make a perfect half-day outing. For inspiration and route ideas, our touristic attractions and useful links pages gather our favourites in one place.

Plan your mountain summer

The best weeks of the Lebanese summer fill up fast, and July and August at Quartier Suisse are the highlight of our year. Whether you dream of festival nights, mountain hikes, or simply a cool balcony and a good book, we would love to host you.

Discover more about us, get in touch to check availability, and let us help you plan the summer escape you will remember for years.

Your cool mountain summer is waiting. Visit quartiersuisse.com and come home to Broummana.