A Bahrain hotels group is part way through a major refurbishment programme to upgrade all four of its hotels.

The Baisan Hotels and Resorts Group has allocated over BD1 million ($2.65 million) to spend on its Baisan International Hotel, Elite Hotel, Baisan Tower Hotel and Hawar Hotel and Resort.

It is currently carrying out the second phase of work which is expected to be completed in early December. "This is part of a three-year plan," said group director Hatim Dadabhai. "We have to maintain our facilities because we are in a very competitive market."

The Baisan International Hotel opened in 1991 and will be the main beneficiary, with BD1m earmarked for its renovation.

During the first phase of work carried out last year, BD300,000 was spent on refurbishing the public areas including the lobby and reception.

Another BD500,000 will be spent on upgrading the rooms during the second phase, while next year will see a BD200,000 project, including a new restaurant and possibly an additional executive floor.

The company's three remaining hotels will benefit from a refurbishment, totalling BD30,000 each, including a new business centre at the Elite Hotel, upgrading of room facilities and a new lobby area for the Hawar Hotel and Resort.

Much of the chain's business comes from corporate guests, as well as visitors from neighbouring Saudi Arabia, and Dadabhai said the last two months had been one of its busiest periods.

"We are getting a lot of corporate guests," he said. "On the weekends, we see a lot of people from Saudi Arabia, which is a big advantage for Bahrain. The last two months have been one of the most successful periods for the Hawar resort due to interest from Saudi Arabia."