Bahrain’s oldest five star hotel continues to weave its charm
Experts say luxury cannot be defined in black and white terms. It is more than the ambience, the grand interiors or the indulgence. More like the many shades of gray that can change its colours from one location to another.
What everyone agrees though is that luxurious living is a conundrum of experiences that could be created by wowing guests by presenting the best of the local flavour in a unique setting.
Bahrain’s Gulf Hotel and Gulf Convention Centre, the oldest and most historical five-star hotel in a kingdom that is famed for its hospitality, delights its guests and residents with exactly that. With an enchanting ambience and an array of food outlets, the staff and management believe in delighting their visitors with convenience, exclusive services and a delightful selection of restaurants serving the most exotic dishes in style.
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The historical Gulf Hotel, Bahrain, Where Service Counts |
First impressions are sometimes the last, and more than one travel blog raves about the mesmerising views of the spectacular lobby with its large chandeliers suspended from the ceiling creating a truly dramatic entrance. Its lagoon-style swimming pool surrounded by landscaped tropical grounds is a major attraction for guests seeking a spot of Bahrain’s sun.
A whirlpool spa, children’s pool and play area, fully-equipped health and fitness club, Jacuzzi and sauna and expansive squash and tennis courts, makes it a perfect getaway for a tourist or a family.
Business travellers enjoy the hotel’s proximity to centre of the city as well as to the airport. It overlooks one of the country’s most viewed attractions, the Grand Mosque and is adjacent to the bohemian neighbourhood and heart of Bahrain’s nightlife, Adliya.
The hotel takes great pride in its 14 restaurants and bars that have a reputation for its unique character and style and offer everything from Thai Cuisine to modern fusion, from Sherlock Holmes Pub to sophistication in Vintage Wine Bar.
However, the hotel management believe that what attracts guests to the busiest five-star hotel in Bahrain is more than its infrastructure. Ian McKie, area general manager, said: “Our motto that we take to heart is ‘Where Service Counts’.
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“We recognise that we sit on a spectacular physical product. Unless we support it with efficient and personalised service, it will count for nothing. We place great emphasis on training our people to ensure that we deliver accordingly.
“We differentiate ourselves from the branded properties through our history and our heritage of over 40 years. We believe that we reflect the true nature and character of the country.” The hotel boasts a staff to guest ratio of 1:1.
For two years in a row, the hotel with 357 rooms, onsite Convention Centre that can accommodate 2,000 people, 97 deluxe apartment suites and executive offices, has been receiving the award for ‘Bahrain’s Leading Business Hotel’ at World Travel Awards.
The original hotel was a beach property built in 1969 and offered views of the sea from all sides. A landmark development it introduced the concept of luxury living to the kingdom’s residents. As competition entered Bahrain’s fledgling hospitality industry in the form of reputed hotel chains such as Hilton, Sheraton and Intercontinental, the hotel had to redefine its looks and offers.
An imposing tower block was built to counter fancy interiors and the new standards of service. Later the convention centre that provided a space for conferences and banquets was built and that re-emphasised the hotel’s unique features.
Over the years, the expansive hotel has continued to change, add and refurbish its rooms, public areas, exterior facade, parking facilities and hotel entrance to meet the growing demands and standards sought for by its international clientele.
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Posh interiors of the Luxury Suite, where guests are given a five-star service |
Speaking of the latest in the hotels makeover spree, McKie said: “We are constantly evolving our hotel. Each year we introduce something new to the property. This year we opened our new Delicatessen outlet, Café Delice.
“We set out to ensure that we present a mix of classical design with contemporary touches. We retain in our Lobby for example the classic chandeliers, wall light fixtures and marble pillars while adding more modern seating and furniture.”
From a mere 130 rooms, one coffee shop, a gourmet restaurant and a bar, the hotel has grown several folds in size, capacity, offers, restaurants and delivery. It has had the privilege of hosting some of the most celebrated of men, Neil Armstrong and more recently Robin Sharma and Diego Maradonna, who chose to stay at Gulf Hotel when he coached UAE’s football team.
McKie said: “We take special care of our special guests. When Diego Maradonna arrived, he was welcomed by hotel’s management at the door and escorted directly to his suite through the VVIP elevator. Housekeeping had prepared his room with flowers and special VVIP amenities.
“But, what he liked best was the chef’s special preparation of his favorite meals, just the he likes it. Maradonna left us saying he would certainly be returning with his family. We like to make our guests feel very special.”
The hotel’s dedicated Platinum Floor boasts 38 luxuriously-appointed rooms and a complimentary Platinum Lounge offering some of the best views over the city and Gulf. Guests staying on this floor enjoy a range of additional services designed to provide the busy business traveller with a unique five-star experience.
Complimentary services include use of a private meeting room that can accommodate eight guests, private check-in and check-out, packing and unpacking services, VIP in-room amenities, deluxe breakfast, private bar, butler service, high speed internet and much more.
The cost for a pampered night out to stay in their most luxurious suites for one night would be about $700.
Well established as a home to some of Bahrain’s leading restaurants, visitors throng the hotel for a delightful gastronomic experience. At Gulf Hotel and Convention Centre’s speciality restaurants, bars and cafés, guests can choose to dine on a wide range of top quality and authentic cuisine, including Iranian, Thai, Lebanese, Chinese, Western-Asian fusion, Japanese, Italian and Mexican.
McKie added: “Fusions is our premier outlet offering a refined dining experience with unparalleled views over the city. With a creative, modern and imaginative take, the cuisine has been raved about by regular guests and by Time Out is the pride of Gulf Hotel.”
Fusion’s chefs are known for their expertise in blending Asian and Mediterranean techniques with traditional European ingredients to create unique dishes that are unusual, delicious and are packed with flavour and texture. Lobster and mango spring rolls and green tea tiramisu are some of their popular dishes.
‘Slow Roasted Harissa Spiced Lamb Rump’ is one of their signature dishes that this stylish, contemporary, roof top restaurant with spectacular views of the lovely garden and Manama skyline, boasts. It is described as a marriage of the flavours between the lamb rump, date chutney, mashed potatoes, rocket leaves and preserved lemons.