Best quote from The War of Hotels: Luxury Suites in the Crossfire
In a 'war of hotels,' the building itself becomes a character—and sometimes, the biggest victim. It is a reminder that even in a combat zone, hospitality can be an act of defiance.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
The war of hotels
Frequently Asked Questions
The Holiday Inn became a strategic stronghold primarily due to its architectural design and height. As a twenty-six-story concrete tower, it offered panoramic 360-degree views of the city and the Mediterranean, making it the ultimate tactical prize. During the "Battle of the Hotels," militias realized that controlling the roof of such a tall building allowed them to dominate the streets below, turning luxury features like rooftop restaurants into "kill zones" for snipers and heavy machinery.
The Commodore Hotel served as the "brain" of the war and the unofficial headquarters for the foreign press. It was famous for being one of the few places where infrastructure, specifically telecommunications, actually worked. The manager, Yusuf Nazzal, intentionally catered to journalists by providing working telex machines, a street-wise staff, and even financial assistance. It became a vital "haven of serenity" where spies, diplomats, and reporters could exchange information in a relatively safe environment.
The Phoenicia is considered the "Grande Dame" of Beirut because it has repeatedly been destroyed and rebuilt. After being a major battleground in the 1970s, it underwent a massive restoration in the late nineties, only to be damaged again by the Syrian occupation and later the 2020 port explosion. Its ability to meticulously restore its classic sophistication and reopen after each catastrophe makes it a symbol of the Lebanese spirit and the refusal to let hospitality be conquered by war.
The Battle of the Hotels was a period of intense urban warfare between 1975 and 1976 where over twenty-five thousand fighters clashed in Beirut's hotel district. This conflict transformed symbols of "the good life" into military zones, resulting in over a thousand deaths in that district alone. Beyond the physical destruction, it caused a slow death of "normal" life, as cultural landmarks like the Carlton Hotel eventually became obsolete or were replaced by luxury residential products, erasing the vibrant social hubs where intellectuals and diverse communities once gathered.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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