Anyone who has led a pilgrimage group knows the hotel is where a good trip is won or lost. The sites take care of themselves. What you need is a hotel near Harissa that feeds fifty tired people on time, has rooms ready when the coach arrives and does not charge for every small request. This guide is for parish leaders, tour organisers and anyone planning a group stay in Jounieh.
Why stay in Jounieh for Harissa
Harissa sits on the hill above Jounieh, and the sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon is a short drive from the hotel and from the cable car station. If your programme includes Harissa, staying in Jounieh saves a long transfer at both ends of the day. Read our Harissa guide for the practical details, and the Wikipedia page on Our Lady of Lebanon for the history of the shrine.
What to settle early with the hotel
Rooms and sharing. Decide how many singles, doubles and twins you need. Priests and group leaders often prefer single rooms. Send us the split and we will tell you what we can hold.
Meals. Breakfast is the baseline for a group. For a full programme, ask about dinner as well. Tell us about fasting days, dietary needs and any meals you need packed for a day out.
Timing. Groups often arrive early after a flight. Tell us your landing time and we will say whether rooms can be ready, or where your group can wait.
Coach access. Check that the coach can reach the entrance and park, and where it will wait.
A space to gather. A talk, a prayer or a briefing on the first evening is easier with a proper room. We have a hall that seats up to 250 and a smaller meeting room, which you can see on our banquet hall page.
Payment and deposit. Agree the deposit, the final payment date and how rooming list changes are handled.
A simple four-day outline
- Day 1: arrival, dinner together, early night.
- Day 2: Harissa in the morning, rest in the afternoon.
- Day 3: Annaya and Byblos, a longer day by coach.
- Day 4: a slower morning, then departure.
If you want a fuller plan, we will publish a detailed four-day pilgrimage itinerary shortly, and our guide to religious tourism in Lebanon covers the main sites. For the places beyond Jounieh, see the Wikipedia page on Saint Charbel, whose monastery at Annaya draws pilgrims from many countries.
Checklist for the group leader
- Final number of guests and rooms.
- Rooming list with names, sent at least a week ahead.
- Arrival time, coach details and driver contact.
- Meal plan and dietary needs.
- A contact person on site who speaks for the group.
- Programme times so the hotel can time breakfast and dinner.
- Payment terms agreed in writing.
Practical notes for Lebanon
- Roads can be slow. Add buffer time to any drive.
- Dress modestly at religious sites, and bring something warm for the mountains in winter.
- Check opening times for sites on feast days, as they change.
- Allow time for rest. Groups that over-schedule arrive tired at every stop.
Asking for a group quote
Send the dates, the number of guests, the number of rooms and any meals you want. The earlier the better, as group dates fill first in spring and autumn. We reply with a written proposal. Write to info@murjanpalace.com or message +961 71 284 112 on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Al Murjan Palace from Harissa?
It is a short drive from the hotel to the cable car station and the road up to Our Lady of Lebanon. Ask for the current driving time at your travel hour.
Can the hotel host a group of fifty or more?
Send us your numbers and dates, and we will tell you what we can hold. We have 34 rooms, so large groups need early notice.
Can you provide group meals?
Yes. Tell us the meal plan, dietary needs and any fasting days, and we will propose a menu.
Is there space for a prayer or talk?
We have a hall for up to 250 guests and a smaller meeting room. Tell us the size of your group and the time.
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