Despite being the smallest Gulf nation, Bahrain is one of the most enticing, having long attracted travellers and ex-pats thanks to its beautiful coastline, warm and welcoming community and vibrant retail, dining and nightlife. For a weekend escape, staycation or relaxing beach break, here are the six most stylish hotels in Bahrain.

Nuzul Al Salam

Designed by renowned Bahraini interior designer Ammar Basheir, Nuzul Al Salam is a delightful boutique hotel in the old streets of Muharraq on the UNESCO-protected Bahrain Pearling trail. The property itself dates back to 1947, when it was known as Farhallah House,. and opened as a boutique property in 2019 as a collaboration between Bahrain’s Shaikh Ebrahim Center and the UAE’s Ministry of Culture and Youth. Bedrooms surround an almost dazzlingly white central courtyard dotted with lemon and orange trees, doubling as a restaurant serving contemporary bistro and Bahraini cuisine. Rooms are named after phrases from the Mesopotamian poem The Epic of Gilgamesh, and one called ‘Bahr’ (meaning sea) pays homage to Bahrain’s fishing trade with green woven textiles and with wooden floors. The design touches are subtle – bathrobes by a local weaver and fashion designer, uniforms stitched locally, and handmade glass baskets interwoven with palm leaves. Head to the secret garden on the roof for views of the winding old town streets.
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Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

If you’re looking to experience the best of luxury international hospitality in Bahrain, look no further than Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. Located on its own little island in the capital Manana, this trendy city hotel-cum-beach resort has everything you need: well-appointed rooms and suites, four swimming pools, numerous restaurants and bars and all the spa and wellness facilities. The building itself soars above the skyline, an ultra-modern construction by Skidmore, Owings & Merril, and inside is a nod to Art Deco with black Carrara marble, lacquered wood-panelling, swathes of art, high ceilings and Art Deco 1920s cornices. The grandeur behind in the lobby with eight olive trees and a live pianist or violinist dueting each afternoon, while rooms are of a similar ilk with Murano glass chandelier and the same Art Deco theme. The hotel’s jewels are its two Wolfgang Puck restaurants: Cut by Wolfgang Puck and re Asian, an exciting.
Doubles from BHD 180 a night (about AED1,750); book now

The Merchant House, Manama

The Merchant House, Manama, is one of the best-loved hotels in Bahrain. It’s a central point for socialising in the capital, on the trendy rooftop terrace and restaurant and in colourful public spaces, and its 46 suites are some of the most spacious and well-appointed, as well as eye-catching, around. The boutique property lies in bustling Downtown Manama above the colourful markets of Bab Al Bahrain Souq and is the ideal place for a base to explore the island nation. Guests reside in one of the 46 spacious suites, complete with unique contemporary kitchenettes and separate dining and sitting areas, and enjoy facilities like a garden terrace and rooftop with pool, restaurant and bar and ground floor cafe. The rooftop is the real gem here, home to popular restaurant Indigo Terrace, famed for its quirky design – think oversized busts, glittering chandeliers, and a racing green and bold pink colour scheme. A fitness suite and small spa using natural and organic products complete the offering.
Suites from BHD 95 a night (about AED920); book now

Al Areen Palace and Spa

Al Areen Palace and Spa is the ultimate destination for wellness and relaxation in Bahrain, home to 78 luxurious pool villas and 10,000 sqm of spa space, complete with a unique rainforest experience and ice igloo system. The beautiful, Arabesque-style resort is nestled in 131,000 sqm metres of grounds near the peaceful Al Areen wildlife park – a 40-minute drive from the centre of Manama – and is perfect for staycations and relaxing vacations in the Gulf nation. Each of the one-to-three private pool villas has a marble courtyard, temperature-controlled swimming pool, jacuzzi and comes with a private majlis and butler service and offers impeccable in-villa dining. The on-site restaurant, Momento serves Mediterranean cuisine in a tranquil setting overlooking the desert and nature reserve.
VIlla from BHD 175 a night (about AED1,700); book now

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

The north of Bahrain is home to some of the country’s most beautiful golden beaches, and it’s here where one of the best hotels in Bahrain, The Ritz-Carlton, calls home. The low-rise beach resort is reminiscent of an all-American golf or country club with traditional, elegant decor, five-star sports facilities and a genteel, old-world feel. The property is set against the water, nestled in verdant gardens, but is just moments from the buzzing high-ruse districts of Manama, making it one of the best hotels in Bahrain for enjoying a relaxing beach holiday and city escape in one. Rooms and suites have soaking tubs, slick black marble bathrooms and plush gold-hued living spaces, while charming, country-house-style villas have private pools and beaches. Being The Ritz-Carlton, guests can expect a world-class standard of luxury and service alongside a golf course, tennis courts, spa and dining from Italy to India.
Doubles from BHA 137 a night (about AED1,335); book now

Address Beach Resort Bahrain

Address Hotels continued its global expansion last year with the launch of Address Beach Resort Bahrain, a new beachfront property on the shores of Marassi Al Bahrain. The slick and modern new resort brings the brand’s signature hospitality and hotel experience to Bahrain, with 117 rooms and 154 residences, a private palm-strewn beach, four dining experiences and a serene spa and wellness centre with high-tech and traditional therapies, like sound healing, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese healing. Dining concepts include Address’ signature The Restaurant, The Lounge – perfect for casual coffees and afternoon tea – and The Garden, alongside a poolside eatery serving all-day fare.
Doubles from BHD 110 a night (about AED1,070); book now

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