Bahrain's Gulf Hotel is to complete a BD2.5 million ($6.9 million) facelift by the end of next year, it was revealed.
The work will include a total refurbishing of the south wing, said Bahrain Hotels Company chief executive Mohammed Buzizi. "All the 130 rooms in the south wing, which are currently rated at four-star, will be upgraded to five-star standard," he said. "There are 240 rooms in the tower, and with the revamping of the south wing the Gulf Hotel will become the largest five-star hotel in Bahrain, with a total of 370 deluxe rooms. "It will also be the largest in terms of food and beverage outlets and conference space." The renovation of the south wing, expected to cost BD1.3 million, will be completed in September next year, said Buzizi. Repair work on the exterior has already started. The hotel was built in 1967, and two wings were added in 1973. Buzizi said a BD200,000 renovation of the Awal Ballroom would be completed next month. Another project, as part of the facelift, is the construction of a new swimming pool and a Thai seafood restaurant, overlooking the pool. The two projects will cost between BD800,000 and BD1 million. Meanwhile, BHC has reported a 9.2 per cent growth in gross profit in the first six months of this year. The company which operates the Gulf Hotel, Gulf Cellar and Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre said the profits were achieved on a sales growth of 3.9 per cent and an improvement in gross margins, local media reported. Announcing the half-a-million Bahraini dinars ($1.3 million) profit for the first six months, BHC said the results show year-on-year earnings growth of 45.5 per cent. Operating profit was up 28.6 per cent for the first half and total expenses dropped by 11 per cent.