The Palace of Almeir Ameen is known as the “Pearl of Beit Addein.” It overlooks the hills of Beit Addein in Lebanon. Its construction began in 1838 at a point some 950 meters above sea level. Over the years, the Palace of Almeir Ameen has held a special place among Lebanese landmarks. For the information of non-Arabic speakers, Almeir is the Lebanese pronunciation of the Arabic word for ‘prince.’
In the first half of the 19th century, Al-Meir Ameen, the third son of Al-Meir Basheer Al-Shihabi II by his first wife Al-Sit (lady) Shams and the brother of Qasem and Khalil, conceived the idea of building a palace at once distinctive and unique in the area his father had made him responsible for managing in his absence.
Al-Meir Ameen chose a beautiful spot in Qadha’a Al-Shouf that is known for its vales of rich greenery. The palace overlooks the vistas of spreading green with trees framing the entire area. From the palace, one can look down all the way to Beirut and the sea.
This palace, like most others of that era, is divided into two sections: Al-Haramlek and Al-Salamlek. Al-Salamlek is the public area and Al-Haramlek the private one. The palace which took 30 years to build was inspired by Ottoman architecture which in its palaces makes distinct divisions between public and private rooms and apartments. Al-Meir Ameen palace is entered through a bronze door over which is inscribed: “A great entrance for a great and enlightened prince, a noble palace that has seen the blood of martyrs and which opens its doors to visitors. 1255 H.”
Upon entering, the visitor sees a rectangular pool. Most of the doors are made of wood and of a great height. Al-Salamlek contains a reception area that is to the left of the main entrance. Wood is the dominant material used in doors and most furnishings as well as walls. Wood is all over Al-Salamlek. Moving from there to Al-Haramlek, one finds colored stones on the grounds and walls. The courtyard of Al-Salamlek is wide and spacious with a marble pool in the center. Among the beautiful rooms of Al-Haramlek is the Diwan of Husun Jihan, which was created specially for Princess Husun, the daughter of Al-Sit (lady) Shams.
During the 1960s the Lebanese government bought the palace and began reconstruction. It was once a club but in the mid-1970s, it underwent another transformation and became a hotel. From that time, it has been one of Lebanon’s most famous hotels, one that is much sought after by tourists and locals.
The distinctive features of the palace have been incorporated into the hotel. Much of its furniture is oriental; the walls are wooden with inscriptions and the chandeliers are of beads. The restaurants and public rooms have Arabic names; one of the small reception rooms is known as the Diwan of Husun Jihan and the old royal wing is known as Haramlek and is in the section of the palace that was Al-Haramlek.
