Helnan Palestine

Description:

• An unattractive cement building from the outside, the Helnan Palestine nevertheless has a lovely location on the sweep of the beach in the Montaza Gardens at the eastern end of the Corniche. Sea-view rooms have a great, unobstructed view (no eight-lane thoroughfare here, thanks to the garden location) out over the Mediterranean, and both the pool and the restaurants look over the cove and the beach. Inside, the public areas and restaurants are a lot more attractive than you might expect from outside, with clean modern lines and nice light. The rooms are medium-size and nothing special, especially considering the price. The main asset here is the view. The hotel is at least 15 minutes by taxi from restaurants (except for a single Chili's outlet just outside the gardens, and the Salamlek's two restaurants 5 minutes' walk across the park) and the nearest sights. That said, it is a quiet location and the service is professional.

• © Frommer's 2013