Staying in the Gulf Hotel Bahrain

For our recent trip to Bahrain which we undertook with some colleagues, we decided to stay in the Gulf Hotel Bahrain, located in Juffair in the city of Manama. Our travelling partners had stayed there before and had recommended it to us. We knew it wasn’t exactly budget accommodation, but decided that for this trip we would treat ourselves. Here is our opinion of the hotel and our stay.

 

Service

When we arrived we immediately noticed that the hotel looked upmarket. For this trip it was exactly what we wanted. We wanted to feel like we were living it up and treat ourselves. On walking in, you immediately notice the marble, the chandeliers, and the mural behind reception. The reception area was ornate and the decor was tasteful. It was clean and well maintained, and porters and a doorman were on hand when you entered.

On booking in the staff were very polite and helpful. They had no problems changing our room when we said we wanted one on a higher floor. There was enough staff on hand to make sure no one was waiting for too long. Extra staff were roaming around the reception and adjoining areas to direct people or answer any queries they may have. When contacting the service desk after getting to our room they were patient and helpful.

So top marks to the staff and the service, we had no complaints here!

 

The Room

After checking in we proceeded to our room. The room had everything we needed and more. The essentials which we expect such as a safe and tea and coffee facilities were provided. Apart from this the comfort items such as bathrobes, ironing board, and hair utensils were on hand. The bathroom was classy and more importantly clean, and the shower was extremely good! The bed was large and comfortable and we got a turn down every night with a chocolate on the pillow.

A large bottle of water was provided whenever someone was in the room, whether house keeping or the turn down service. There was a mini bar available if required also. The lights and AC were all operated from a control panel beside the bed, which it did take us a little time to figure out! This is where the service desk team came into play!

However, regarding the room? So far so good!

 

The Amenities

Our next venture was to check out the amenities. On the way in we had noticed the restaurant. We went towards this and then noticed the signboard that had all the different restaurants on it. Different options such as Chinese, Thai, Lebanese, etc., were available, and all looked good. On the Friday, we discovered that the main restaurant closest the reception runs a brunch which you could partake in.

We moved outside to one of the bars to meet our friends. Walking over a wooden structure and the surrounding landscape made us feel like we were in Thailand or similar. You didn’t feel like you were in the middle of a city in the Middle East. The bar was close to a stream filled with fish, and was a nice location for some quiet beers. Happy hour was on when we got there, so the beer was cheaper. We got the usual nibbles while having our beers, in the form of pretzels and nuts. A small touch but it makes a difference.

Another good score for this hotel with the landscaping and general feeling of relaxation in the outside areas and bars and restaurants.

Note: We didn’t visit the gym in the hotel but there is one available.

 

The Locality

That night we decided to see what the locality was like. Juffair is one of the busier parts of Manama, and has a lot of the popular bars and restaurants. The location of the hotel was perfect as it was in close proximity to these. We didn’t have to take taxis which is always a bonus in Bahrain! We felt safe walking in the area and it was easy to find our way around. On our way back to the hotel we noticed another busy pub adjoined onto the hotel which is a popular place to go.

For location the hotel yet again gets a positive score from us.

 

The Pool

So to the pool area. We decided on the Friday morning to go for a few hours to the pool. When we went it was a little busy but we still found some sunbeds. The pool itself was quite unique with a waterfall and a nice design to it which made it look different. The water was a perfect temperature and was clean.

There was a poolside bar available for anyone who felt like a beverage. This was also in the pool itself at a lower level so you could sit at the bar while in the pool and enjoy a relaxing beer. Waiters were going around constantly in case anybody wanted to order food or drinks.

Conclusion

Overall, we enjoyed our stay in the hotel. When going back to Bahrain we would definitely stay there again. We felt relaxed, safe, and comfortable during our stay. We also didn’t have to go out of our way for anything. And we didn’t have to travel too far for anything we needed. The Gulf Hotel may be a little pricey, but if you want to treat yourself it’s definitely a good place to stay if in Bahrain.

 

Our Bahrain Travel Guide

• For our Bahrain Travel Guide with information for people looking to travel to Bahrain please click here.

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