Bahrain Review In the lap of luxury at the Ritz-Carlton November 2003 839 Share The lobby at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Resort & Spa. Apart from recently hosting the Craig David concert in Bahrain, the Ritz-Carlton is strongly reinforcing its presence as one of the islands premier hotels. “Bahrain as a country is definitely booming and the expectation of number of visitors that will come here has increased greatly,” says Pascal Duchauffour, general manager. “The are several times in the calendar year that the demand is still exceeding the supply. The development of quality hotel establishments such as ours can only add to the profile of the city, and reinstalls the belief that Bahrain is the destination of tomorrow. “Bahrain is a very safe destination with no crime and sunshine is almost guaranteed 365 days of the year. The stunning blue waters of the Arabian Gulf can be explored on a traditional Arabian Dhow and the most beautiful desert is accessible by 4-wheel drive and is always a great attraction. The European market does have the potential to represent a sizeable portion of our market and the Bahrain Tourism Authority is moving forward to this end,” he says.Duchauffour added: “From a Ritz-Carlton perspective, there are no properties of the same standard as ours so we cater to a category of travellers that is unique to us. We have a superior physical product and unparalleled standards of service, which our guests appreciate the value of. “All guests of Ritz-Carlton hotels worldwide have come to expect the same level of service in all of our hotels, no matter which destination. It will be this level of service and commitment to quality from our ladies and gentlemen that will assure the introduction of leisure and business travellers alike.Speaking on the Formula 1, Duchauffour said: “This is undoubtedly going to be one of the best events that the Middle East has ever seen, and we are delighted to be playing a key part in the success of such an achievement in Bahrain. “Associations with high profile events and personalities are not unusual for any Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa is no exception and we shall be applying the same principles of quality service that we do every day.“We have the added benefit of sister properties who are very closely located to us in Doha and Dubai, and from whom we will be receiving additional support from the Ritz-Carlton ladies and gentlemen of those hotels.“It is one thing to have a beautiful hotel building but another thing to animate it during such an event when the eyes of the world are in you. We will focus 101 per cent on creating an experience and making sure that our guests leave the property with nothing less then wonderful memories. That’s easily said but not easily done and really requires rock solid systems and procedures. “I believe that your platform has to be solid, you cannot have your team lacking equipment or knowledge, and you need them to feel confident in the support and the resources they have in the hotel. As a team, our ladies and gentlemen shall be working together to ensure all appropriate preparations are made and that our service is consistent with the quality our guests have come to expect worldwide.“In regard to packages; the Bahrain Racing Circuit are coordinating all of the accommodation requirements for that period, all bookings are placed through their office. We will be working closely with them to prepare for the guests who request our hotel. I believe that tickets to the Formula One event will be packaged in this way.”The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain also has something for the kids.“The resort has been hailed for its outstanding facilities for young children and pre-teens alike,” says Duchauffour. “These range from a POLO kit (an acronym for Protect our Little Ones) given to all parents including first aid it, electric socket protectors, emergency safety card, bath tub spout cover and a safety night light), to entertainment exclusively created for younger guests. “Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, a sumptuous Iftar Buffet will be served and all nationalities are invited to savour the traditional Arabic Fayre. “From 9pm to 2am, the beautifully lit Arabian tent - Al Khayma will come alive with live cooking stations and the sweet aromas of Shisha. Today, shishas have gained a tremendous amount of popularity amongst all nationalities. “An enormous Eid Buffet will adorn the tabletops at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, Hotel & Spa. Guests are invited to taste and enjoy as many of the traditional dishes and beverages as they wish“Packages for rooms are from BD75 on a weekday and BD79 at the weekends. Ramadan packages are available to GCC residents only until 23rd November 2003 and are inclusive of Iftar or Sohour,” says the general manager.The hotel will also be taking part in the upcoming WTM.“We most certainly will be there. Not only to reinforce the message of our presence in Bahrain, but also to showcase our new, exclusive villas. As the latest addition to the luxury hotel company portfolio, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Villas & Spa exude relaxed elegance throughout. Low lying, surrounded by azure waters, each has a distinctive identity and allure and nestle against idyllic stretches of sand that slope gently into warm waters of magnificent turquoise blue. “Already furnished with some of the region’s most stylish accommodation, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain now has a villa complex that introduces an Asian contemporary flavor to the island’s aesthetic range.