The Port View is one of the smaller but more refined budget hotels in Beirut, and the only one located in the trendy Gemayzeh area close to the port and the fashionable local bars and restaurants. One of the cheapest hotels, its location is its primary selling point – it’s quiet, and also reveals a side of the city that guests in the larger hotels do not get to see. The rooms are simple with basic double beds and private bathrooms, with none of the facilities and extravagances of the downtown hotels. There’s no pool and just a basic brasserie restaurant, but Port View’s beauty lies in its intimacy and the personality of manager, Mike Najm, whose knowledge of the city past and present is outstanding. It is an interesting choice for those not concerned with luxury and who would rather spend their cash on eating and drinking than a bed for the night.