Committed to promoting the destination Bahrain as well its own deluxe hotel facilities, Le Royal Meridien Bahrain will be represented on both the Le Meridien (620) and Bahrain (1520) stands at Arabian Travel Market.
The hotel offers superior leisure facilities including a unique private beach, lagoon and private island - as well as one of the region's premier spas and general manager Francesco Borrello is keen to work with tourism authorities to upgrade perception of Bahrain as both a regional resort and a potential MICE option. "Bahrain has a promising future in the development of meetings and incentives, as well as conventional inbound tourism," said Borrello. "But in order to underpin the tourism infrastructure, the country needs to look more closely at the development of beaches, plus more direct flights to major European cities." At ATM, Le Royal Meriden will be promoting its discount Summer Passport room rates to both regional and overseas travel trade, and will also take the opportunity to develop awareness of the hotel as a 'one solution' hotel with deals on suite rates, room and spa treatments and a new offer for women travelling alone. In addition, the hotel aims to expand on its MICE business by bringing in even more conferences, seminars and workshops in the months to come. Host of the Gulf Co-operation Council summits and heads of state, celebrities, chief executive officers and royalty, the hotel undertook recent refurbishment and room renovation, expanding the ballroom foyer by 75 per cent to permit grand receptions. Another feature being promoted at ATM is the planned chalet village, construction of which has started adjacent to the hotel for launch in mid-2003. "Very often, hotels are built and remain stagnant in growth and development over the next 20 years", said Borrello. "However, since its inception eight years ago, investment has continued at Le Royal Meridien Bahrain, with improvements on its lush grounds and business and leisure facilities, making the hotel a jewel in the Gulf." Meanwhile, enhanced dining opportunities are an additional attraction of the hotel, which has 11 food-and-beverage outlets and has begun a programme to fly in guest chefs as a means to draw greater attention to its restaurant offer. Besides a stand-alone Trader Vic's located on the banks of a lagoon populated with ducks and flamingoes, the hotel has an elegant tent-style restaurant for Arabian specialities on seasonal occasions as well as fish and seafood, Italian, Tex-Mex and Indian dining rooms. Other popular venues include the lobby Tea Lounge and Boulevard CafŽ, a club lounge with late-night jazz-and-blues, lively tropical bar, plus a beachside cafŽ with views of the private isle and Manama skyline. Leisure options also include tennis and badminton courts, a beach, gymnasium, indoor and outdoor pools, squash court, Le Royal Spa and a 22-berth marina.