Gulf Hotel Bahrain has been around for 40 years as the first and only independent five star hotel, and is still taking the Bahrain hotel industry by storm according to its management.
‘Being first has been tough and it is important to always keep reinventing yourself, especially when you are competing against the major worldwide hotel brands from Accor to Ritz Carlton. Over the last 40 years the hotel has been acknowledged as a leader and founding father for the hospitality industry of Bahrain, with numerous awards from Bahrainisation and the development and training of local people,’ stated Aqeel Raees, chief executive officer, Gulf Hotels Group.
The award as Bahrain’s Leading Hotel in 2006 was an important accomplishment for Gulf Hotel, as it propelled it firmly onto the international radar as a leader and a world class property as a hotel, a resort, a convention centre and residential accommodation provider.
It has 357 newly rejuvenated rooms, a large open and spacious lobby and it has been a recognisable symbol of Bahrain hospitality for over four decades. It offers a self contain world class convention centre, the Gulf Convention Centre, with the capacity to host events from two to 2,500 delegates, across the 21 meeting rooms and 4000 sq m of convention and exhibition space.
Its resort leisure facilities include tropical landscape gardens, a waterfall and chilled swimming pool with a special children’s waterfront and wading pool, and separate men and women health club and gyms.
It also offers a selection of 14 different eating and drinking experiences, from the eight specially designed themed restaurants to the luxuriously modern lounges and concept orientated bars.
Thirty years ago this month, the first Arabian Nights events were started at the Gulf Hotel, allowing visitors and locals alike to enjoy an evening under the stars with a barbeque dinner, entertainment and traditional activities like camel rides and henna painting. Today this event, ‘Gulf Night Out’ is still as popular as ever and as the hotel has developed, so too has the concept and the ability of the hotel to be able to handle diners of up to 1,500 people for outdoor events.
The Gulf Hotel is also the first to offer five star luxury within the residential apartment industry with the development and opening of the Gulf Executive Residence. Offering 97 luxurious one, two and three bedroom apartment suites for the newly arrived resident of Bahrain, these are ideal for the executive staying on a short term contract or a family requiring space as well as luxury on their vacation.