THE HOTEL: The Gulf Hotel is an independent Bahraini-owned property with 357 rooms and 97 apartments set opposite the Grand Mosque and adjacent to the Adliya area renowned for its restaurants. It was Bahrain’s first five-star hotel.
THE CHECK-IN: Arriving somewhat jaded from a night-flight, check-in couldn’t have been easier. The welcome was warm, bags were directed straight to my room and the impressive reception with dramatic chandeliers and mammoth floral display made a great first impression.
THE ROOM: The hotel has recently spent $25million refurbishing its rooms and has two executive floors with Platinum rooms offering massive beds, luxury bathrooms, desk and seating area all stylishly designed with large picture windows and contemporary furnishings. Tea and coffee making facilities and a mini-bar are available in the rooms but Platinum rooms also have access to the Platinum lounge on the top floor where refreshments and internet access is available all day.
THE FACILITIES: Beyond the private Platinum lounge guests have access to 14 bars and restaurants and the hotel is really a mini-resort in its own right. Choose from Lebanese cuisine with belly dancing to The Sherlock Holmes bar for English pub grub. The Japanese restaurant is a favourite haunt of the Japanese Embassy so must be good but my favourite was the newest addition, a Mexican restaurant, where the atmosphere and margaritas were great and the guacamole was handmade at your table. Guests can work off the excess at the men-only or women-only gyms, or sleep it off by the pool. The hotel also has Bahrain’s largest conference and convention facilities, refurbished in 2009, with venues to meet all sizes of event from small meetings to theatre-style, seated conferences for up to 2,200 delegates and sit-down dinners for 1,400. There is also a business centre.
THE VERDICT: This is a large hotel designed in a way that ensures all the public areas have an intimate feel with their own unique character. Rooms are top-notch and the staff are incredibly friendly and always eager to interact with visitors, never expecting a tip. The property is renowned for its range of restaurants and this makes it popular with locals and gives it a great ambience. Respect is shown to Islamic custom but alcohol is available throughout most of the property.
THE DETAILS: Corporate rates start at 85 dinah for a luxury room; Platinum floor rooms are from 120 dinah plus taxes. The Royal Suite comes in at a cool 450 dinah. Reservations via Worldhotels: www.worldhotels.com Julie Baxter
