Romantic Weekend in Lebanon: Glamping for Couples in Kobayat 🌙

Two Ways to Spend a Romantic Weekend in Lebanon’s Pines

A quick disclosure first: we run Horizon Pines, a glamping and camping site in Kobayat, Akkar. So this is an operator describing its own romantic weekend in Lebanon, not a neutral list of the country. What we can do is tell you plainly what a couples getaway here looks like, what it costs and what to know before you book.

The case for the mountains is simple. Horizon Pines was built inside existing pine forest at about 1,100 metres, just below Mar Gerges Chwita. It is about two hours from Beirut and about 30 minutes from Tripoli. Evenings are cooler than on the coast, the night sky is dark, and there is no Wi-Fi, which for a weekend away together may be the point. For two people, we have two options that work well.

The Lotus Belle, for a simple romantic getaway. Our Lotus Belle tents are $60 per tent, per night. Each one is a real round canvas tent with a centre pole and one circular room, a boutique-style furnished interior with curated decor, and a private porch facing the pines. The beds are made before you arrive, with bedding provided. A Lotus Belle can be set up with a double bed for couples; ask for it when you book. It suits a couple who want something that feels special without a large bill. Each tent has its own private bathroom next door, with a toilet, a hot shower and a sink.

The yurt, if you want the bathroom inside. Our yurts are $120 per night for stays of two nights or more, or $150 for a single night. Each is round, 24 feet across and insulated, with six large windows, a central skylight and warm LED lighting along the roof beams. Inside there is a real double bed, a private bathroom with a hot shower, a kitchenette with a fridge, and a private outdoor terrace. A yurt sleeps four adults, so for two it is roomy. If you want the bathroom inside and a kitchenette, this is the one to choose.

A Two-Night Plan for a Couples Getaway in Kobayat

Here is a realistic two-night plan. It is slow on purpose; the point of a romantic weekend in Lebanon’s mountains is to stop rushing.

Day one: arrive for sunset. Do the main food shop before the mountain road and fill up with fuel on the way, then aim to arrive for our 3:00 PM check-in (late arrivals are possible until 10:00 PM). The last stretch of road is a little rough, but an ordinary car manages it, and there is free parking inside the gated grounds. Settle in, then take a seat on your porch or terrace, or on the stone terraces, for sunset through the pines. Guests bring and cook their own food, so dinner is yours to plan: the site has BBQ stations, fire pits and a shared kitchen area. After dinner, stay outside for the stars. Bring a warm layer; you will want it after dark.

Day two: a slow morning, then the village. Make coffee and take your time. The forest paths around the site are the easiest walking and a good way to start the day. In the afternoon, drive into Kobayat for its heritage: the ruins of the Temple of the God Ban in Helsban Valley, later the monastery of Saint Artimos-Challita, and the historic convent of Mar Doumit. The village has olive groves, vineyards, apple orchards and cherry farms around it. In summer, Saydet el Ghessaleh is a religious and cultural landmark with panoramic views, and the Kobayat Festival holds music and culture nights; check dates locally. Carry cash, as smaller businesses are often cash-only. Then back for a second evening by the fire. Our guide to Kobayat’s heritage has more background.

Day three: an unhurried goodbye. Check-out is 11:00 AM. If you would like a later start, ask when you book: late check-out may be possible depending on availability, and there may be an extra charge. For timings from the capital, see our two-night weekend from Beirut.

Honest Notes for Couples, Honeymoons and Chalet-Seekers

Before you book, here is what couples should know.

Season. We are open in spring, summer and autumn, roughly April to October, and closed in winter. If you are planning a honeymoon in Lebanon, those are the months that work here.

Bathrooms. Each Lotus Belle has a private bathroom next door with a toilet, hot shower and sink. The yurts have theirs inside. Towels are provided in the yurts but not in the Lotus Belle tents, so bring your own for a Lotus Belle.

Water. There is running water, but the tap water is not drinkable, so bring drinking water with you.

Connection. There is no Wi-Fi. Mobile 4G coverage is good, and 24-hour solar electricity covers lighting and charging. Download offline maps, because signal is weaker away from the village.

Quiet time. Quiet time starts at 11:30 PM, with no music after that. Smoking and alcohol are allowed if you are considerate: smoke outdoors, away from the tents, and take care with anything lit, because this is a dry pine forest.

Special touches. Planning an anniversary, a birthday or a proposal? Tell us when you book and we can help you set something up.

Looking for a romantic chalet in Lebanon? Many of our guests first went looking for a chalet and ended up booking a yurt or a Lotus Belle instead. If you want what a chalet usually gives you, which is a private bathroom, a kitchenette, a proper double bed and somewhere to sit outside, the yurt has all of that, set inside the pine forest. We are also building chalets now. They are not open yet, so ask us on WhatsApp if you would like to know when they open.

Booking. Book directly by WhatsApp or phone. A 50% deposit reserves your stay, and cancellations are accepted at least 7 days before arrival. We take cash, OMT, Whish, PayPal and Wise, and all rates are in US dollars. Guests currently rate us 5.0 on Google.

Planning a stay? See the Lotus Belle tents and the yurts, or ask us about your dates on WhatsApp.