What can you tell us about Dar Zefta?
Dar Zefta is our family house, and I am the fourth generation to take care of it. It was built during the Ottoman era, between 1906-1911, by Hussein Beik el Darwiche, who was my great grandfather. He was a visionary avant-gardist from the south of Lebanon. Passionate about architecture and art, my grandfather decided to enlist the help of Italian and Oriental architects to build the only house on the hill, thus anchoring the presence of the family there. Dar Zefta stood alone on the hill before the village started to form around it in the 1940s.
In 2014, a fire ravaged the house, jeopardizing over 100 years of heritage and culture. However, thanks to the efforts of Simone Kosremelli, an architect and urban planner, the house was restored using durable, natural materials, bringing the garden inside the house and prioritizing natural light. This effectively turned the guesthouse into a sustainable, relaxing and inspiring place.
Dar Zefta comprises six Ottoman House and nine Olive House rooms. The guesthouse can accommodate up to 30 people. It is surrounded by 6,000 square meters of gardens containing pine trees and a lower garden of olive trees with white Mediterranean soil that emits a Tuscan feel. While relaxing in the pool, guests can enjoy the scent of flowers, including jasmine and gardenia.
Ultimately, Dar Zefta is the story of my heritage. It is here that time stands still, gravity disappears and daydreaming begins. We believe in offering homegrown produce, which we serve our guests with love.
How has your professional experience helped you succeed in this project?
I am a Polytechnicien who studied in France and specialized in telecommunications. While consultancy is my career, my passion is architecture and interior design.
Every item in the house was carefully selected by me and influenced by my trips around the world.
When I travel abroad to interesting places and stay in exquisite hotels, I am greatly inspired. Anyone who visits Dar Zefta will notice that the house contains 100 years of design.
Why did you decide to launch this venture despite the pandemic and the crippling situation in Lebanon?
This is not a short-term project; the whole idea started before the pandemic, so we are thinking long term. Dar Zefta has existed for 100 years and will be here for many more. It is a symbol of resilience and perpetuity; it’s a place a whole region has called home since 1911; it’s the dar of arts, culture and heritage; and it’s the home of hospitality, generosity, and well-being. The idea of turning the house into a guesthouse during such times was our way to contribute positively to the social and economic development of the region by employing locals and boosting tourism.
In your opinion, how do you foresee the future of alternative lodging in Lebanon?
I think that a sharing economy might be the solution, especially for those wanting to own a mountain house without having to go through the hassle of maintaining it and taking care of it. This trend has been growing in Lebanon for the past 10 years, with many guesthouses opening and ecotourism booming. I believe the alternative trend will continue, particularly in light of the economic situation in Lebanon and the role of technology, which has helped such properties gain exposure.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
