Capo Boutique Hotel | Carl Gerges Architects

The idea with Capo was to create an amphitheater surrounding the sea, with the Mediterranean putting on a show and visitors of the resort watching from every corner. Sunsets in Batroun are always spectacular, and the water looks different every single day, so I wanted the views to be unobstructed all throughout. The building material is a mix of beach sand and cement, which gives the impression that it’s emerging from the coast. The rooms and restaurants are built at different levels that follow the natural topography of the land, to really echo the environment. Batroun’s port is one of the oldest in the world, and its sea was expertly sailed by Phoenicians – so I wanted to connect to the land’s history by making the project look like a sailboat from afar; I had this romanticized vision of stargazers sailing across our seas with stars as their guides.

Carl Gerges

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Nestled between the mountains of Batroun and its sea, Carl Gerges Architects’ latest hospitality project is a haven of sandy tones, rich textures, and lush greenery, inspired by Mediterranean landscapes and tales. “Capo” is a boutique hotel and resort, architecturally reminiscent of a Roman amphitheater, using classical symmetry and intricate detailing to deliver a sense of balance across the property, whilst paying homage to the land’s history.
Laid out in five descending levels, ultimately leading up to the shore of Batroun’s sparkling sea, the main protagonist is omnipresent, glorious at every turn.

Floor-to-ceiling wood-framed windows allow expansive views from the top level’s neo-Mediterranean restaurant, which features an outdoor terrace perfect for dining and star-gazing. Adjacent to the restaurant, columnar cacti line the resort’s dramatic entrance, while swaying white canopies lead the way into the main outdoor space where a cushioned majlis surrounds a central firepit; a longitudinal pool filled with water lilies creates a sense of tranquility and frames the glimmering view.
The dialogue with the sea and the sky is intentionally kept unhindered throughout the property as a means to connect with Phoenicians who were master sailors and expert celestial navigators on this very shore.

Capo is constructed almost entirely using a unique mix of beach sand and cement, reflecting warm golden hues off the shoreline, from which the resort seems to emerge.

The hotel suites feature sleek monochromatic interiors, understated décor, and impeccable finishing. Each room has its private pool and terrace, allowing guests to relax in their oasis, while colossal sliding glass doors invite the expansive sea views inside. The light floods through the bathroom’s carefully planted private courtyard, giving the shower an immersive open-air experience.

The vegetation across the property animates the scenery: delicate plants such as reeds, grasses, and evergreen cabbage palms sway and chime with the wind – while sculptural cacti, agave, and olive trees stand suspended in a moment of stillness. The meticulously tended gardens visually connect the different spaces, transforming the place into a botanical sanctuary.

Reminiscent of a glamorous Lebanon of the ’70s, the multi-level pools are a meeting point for an eclectic local scene: their unusual shapes follow the land's natural topography, creating unique outlines that summon the coastline. The pool's rough sandy finish cleverly mimics the sea's color at any point of the day, creating an infinity feel.
From afar, the architecture resembles a sailing boat: the symbolism is not lost on Capo, aptly named “Captain”- invoking ancient Lebanese civilizations in one of the world’s oldest ports – and creating an open dialogue between our ancestors, the stars, the sea, and the present moment.

AN ODE TO THE SUN

“Butler’s Table” is a Mediterranean restaurant conceived by Carl Gerges Architects, paying tribute to the sun, overlooking one of the world’s most beloved coasts.
Set on Batroun’s historic waterfront, the restaurant is imbued with warm tints and yellow accents that simulate natural sunlight. Classic white tablecloths give off a Brasserie feel, while elegant Iroko wood dominates the space from wall to ceiling, blending seamlessly with the terrace’s paneling and the Jordanian Travertino floor.
The textured yellow bar takes center stage: its design is an interpretation of solar rays, handmade with a mix of sand and resin. Towering over the bar, a hand-crafted chandelier made from 200 pieces of individually-mounted glass, cascades at 4 descending levels. Sconces made from the same speckled material decorate the walls, allowing moody lighting to bathe the venue in golden hues. All executed by Lebanese artist Nelsy Massoud, the glass fixtures reflect natural sunlight during the day, and emanate ochre light at night.
Developed by Jamil Saab & Co, the restaurant extends into an outdoor shaded terrace, which invites a fresh breeze past sunset. With a menu by award-winning chef Youssef Akiki, guests can feast on Levantine-inspired meals, and sip intricate cocktails by the “Butler’s Bar”, whilst soaking in the sunny landscape. Embracing the hotel’s hedonistic slow-living approach, “Butler’s Table” is the epitome of tasteful Lebanese exuberance: a place where culture and luxury meet, under the sun’s complete cycle, am to pm.