The Sheraton Bahrain Hotel has unveiled its newly-renovated "smart rooms".

The rooms, which general manager Karl Heinz Aumann describes as personal offices, each with their working area, are part of a multi-million dinar refurbishment programme that began two years ago.

Twenty-five smart rooms on the property's third floor have been finished, with another 50 on the fourth and fifth floors slated for completion by the end of December. This will complete the remodelling project for the hotel's 256 guest rooms.

The rooms are designed to appeal to business travellers.

"We have taken everything into consideration," said Aumann. "Consultants have been brought in at every level to ensure state-of-the-art facilities, comfortable furnishings and tasteful decor.

"Our room renovation was presented with the Outstanding Renovation Award from the Sheraton Hotel chain management company Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide for the Africa/India/Middle East division.

"The award was merited because the renovations and upgrades have kept pace with new millennium challenges facing the hospitality industry."

Each refurbished room is equipped with a multi-media bedside console, a DVD player, a facsimile machine, and television Internet access via a remote-controlled keyboard.

The bathrooms have been overhauled, utilising Italian marbles and tiles, full-length mirrors and gold and glass fixtures.

"We are already into the fourth and final phase of the hotel's refurbishment plan, which will include re-designing and expanding our health club," added Aumann.

"We plan to open the new spa during the first quarter of next year."

The first phase extension was completed last year and included the lobby, public corridors and food and beverage outlets.

Spiga Italian Restaurant closed for the summer and will reopen early next year.