Sitting at the head of an enchanting archipelago in the Persian Gulf is Manama, the fascinating capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The coastal city’s charm lies in the fact that it doesn’t feature gauche commercialism as seen in other Gulf capitals. At the same time, Manama bears all hallmarks of modern Middle Eastern affluence. Additionally, there are museums and historic relics scattered all around town. This is perhaps most evident in its ancient souq, which is Manama’s star attraction. On the other hand, hotels in Manama are all about luxury and strive to offer visitors to Bahrain nothing but the very best. All-in-all, its sights, and accommodations blend beautifully to form a bustling port city proud of its heritage.
Overall, Manama strikes a balance between the old and new which is a rare sight in the Middle East. So, here are the 11 best hotels in Manama, Bahrain.
Where to Stay in Manama
In spite of its relatively small size, Manama has lots of amazing neighborhoods to choose from when it comes to choosing hotels. Firstly, the Central Business District (CBD) on the northeastern coast has restaurants, shops, and hotels. It’s also home to the Manama souq and is the best area to shop in the city. The multicultural and Bohemian Adliya has bourgeois restaurants and galleries. It’s one of the four centers of Manama’s nightlife, along with the glittering Hoora, Juffair, and the CBD. Juffair has lots of villas, restaurants, and hotels, while Hoora has most of Bahrain’s tourist and cultural attractions. Finally, the bustling area of Seef on Manama’s far north coast lies away from the bustle of the city.
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
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The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay is one of the best contemporary and indulgent hotels in the entire country. With two Wolfgang Puck restaurants, the hotel’s culinary offerings are perhaps what it’s known for best. Located on its own private island in Bahrain Bay, the hotel is a mere 10-minute ride to CBD Manama.
On the inside, the hotel is like an ocean liner; think paintings everywhere, lots of fresh flowers, and black Carrara marble. As you step into the lobby, eight gorgeous olive trees will be the first thing to catch your eye. This is also where a live violin-and-piano duet takes place every afternoon. Choosing from four swimming pools with daybeds and umbrellas will be a difficult choice to make indeed. Likewise, three bars and four restaurants make digging into food a celebration. If you’re a fitness fanatic, you’ll like the gym offerings here. Finally, indulge in a true-blue Middle Eastern treatment at the hotel’s fabulous spa.
Since it has an all-glass exterior, rooms at the Four Seasons do not have balconies. However, they are spacious and have floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of the city and the Persian Gulf. Apart from Murano glass chandeliers and thick carpets, the bathrooms are also lavish with lots of mirrors and marble.
Asdal Gulf Inn Boutique Hotel Seef
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If you’re looking for an excellent value-for-money boutique hotel in Seef, you’d do well to choose the Asdal Gulf Inn Boutique Hotel. The superb hotel is also a mere 10-minute ride to Manama’s CBD, Jubair, and Hoora neighborhoods as well.
A starkly contemporary lobby in greys and black marble and futuristic lighting accents sets the tone for the rest of the place. A grand piano with an interesting globe placed on top looks like in the right place. Notwithstanding the fact that it’s a boutique hotel, Asdal Gulf Inn has a rather fetching rooftop pool. Unwinding here after a day of exploring Manama is the best thing you can do. Two restaurants and a bar offer everything from buffet breakfast to international fare to beverages. If you want to work off those calories, there’s even a mini-gym onsite.
Rooms at the hotel are minimalistic with ethnic motif runners and throw pillows sitting against white, plush beds. Apart from all standard mod-cons, they feature minibars and spacious bathrooms, while some also have seating areas.
Movenpick Hotel Bahrain
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The contemporary Movenpick Hotel Bahrain effortlessly melds European style with Middle Eastern hospitality. The five-star hotel lies across the road from Bahrain International Airport in Manama’s Muharraq area. Sitting against the sprawling Arad Bay Lagoon, Movenpick is no less than a luxurious desert oasis.
It’s easy to see why. The sprawling and freeform infinity-edge pool fringed with foliage and daybeds feels like it’s out of a dream. Also, where else in Manama would you find a Turkish bath and Moroccan hammam within a heavenly spa? Besides, it has award-winning restaurants and bars with live cooking and themed nights. Additionally, there are two floodlit tennis courts as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center to keep gym rats happy.
When it comes to the accommodations, Movenpick doesn’t surprise, or disappoint, for that matter. All rooms are spacious to boot with a smattering of high-tech mod-cons, neutral hues, and white-clad marble bathrooms.
The Palace Boutique Hotel
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The Palace Boutique Hotel is something of a surprise, much like discovering Manama, Bahrain. The Boho-beautiful four-star hotel lies in the heart of buzzing Adliya. Apart from daytime haunts, the neighborhood is equally fantastic at night with lots of hip restaurants and bars. So, this hotel is perfect for young travelers looking to explore fascinating Manama.
Despite its grandness, it’s a tranquil lobby that welcomes you into the hotel. If you’re thinking about taking a day off from exploration, then you really won’t have to even leave the hotel. For one, the hotel restaurants serve everything from buffet breakfasts and afternoon tea. If you’re in Manama for the weekend, then don’t miss dining at Masso’s, one of the most fabulous restaurants in the city. However, it’s the pool, which is a shot of blue in a sea of white, that is the most striking aspect here. Lounging by the pool on your day off is one of the best ways to spend a morning here.
Last but not least, rooms here are intimate and cozy with comfy beds, fancy bathrooms, and a host of mod-cons.
The Domain Hotel & Spa
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The luxurious exploration retreat that is the Domain Hotel & Spa lies smack dab in the heart of CBD in Manama, Bahrain. The urban sanctuary is also the best base for you to explore the Top 5 Things To Do in Manama.
The vibrant 36-floor hotel impresses from its 16th-floor checkerboard-like lobby. Design pieces, bold accents, art-deco elements, and splendid artwork set the place apart. Naturally, the hotel boasts a laundry list of amenities. The 36th-floor rooftop indoor infinity pool perhaps offers the best views in the city. The lounging-around public will love the spa with a plethora of treatments. Fitness enthusiasts aren’t forgotten either, what with the huge, well-equipped fitness center. Also, its many restaurants offer buffet breakfasts, Mediterannean brunches, and even sundown cocktails.
Accommodations at the Domain Hotel are equally lavish with a regal color palette of jade, amethyst, gold, and rich russet. Gilded installations above each bed inspired by Islamic calligraphy is a signature touch. King beds, white bathrooms with deep-soaking tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows complete them.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain
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The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is a tropical escape of a hotel right in the very heart of Manama. The place boasts a spectacular location right on the Persian Gulf with an unending white-sand beach right out front. Located in Seef, Ritz-Carlton is easily the high-end party palace in the city.
An inviting lobby with a central colossal sunburst on its gleaming marble floors is designed to impress. On weekend afternoons, one can hear the dulcet, faint strains of classical music floating through the corridors. There’s no place in Manama as pampering as this hotel’s ocean-inspired spa with flour plunge pools and a hammam. What’s more, foodies will have a whale of a time at Ritz’s seven restaurants and bars. Cooler months see the grassy lawns of the hotel transform into a pop-up farmer’s market that is one to look out for. Plus, there’s even a Flamingo Lagoon on the lushly landscaped grounds, complete with Chilean Flamingoes. Additionally, the turquoise waters of the outdoor pools beckon you to lounge around, day or night. If that wasn’t enough, the hotel puts on the ritz by even offering private airport pickups in a chauffer-driven Maserati or BMW 7!
If you were impressed by the outdoors, wait till you see its rooms. Even entry-level rooms feature the most luxurious of furnishings, right from spacious bathrooms to king beds. For some true indulgence, book one of the 15 seafront villas with their own private pools.
The Grove Resort Bahrain
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Yet another hotel that is set on its very own private island in Manama is the Grove Resort Bahrain. The resort lies on the elite tourist destination of Amwaj islands that overlook the Arabian Gulf, around 20 minutes from Manama’s CBD.
What makes the Grove Resort special is that it offers spaciously luxurious and private apartments and villas. These also include beachfront villas in a stunning setting with their own pools and even a private beach. From the sea, they resemble high-end luxurious homes sitting beside each other. Moreover, every apartment/villa has mod-cons, seating areas, fully-equipped kitchens, and plush bathrooms. The elegant decor features sea-inspired paintings, lovely lighting accents, and vibrant accents.
That’s not all; the resort offers a bevy of activities and amenities. These include a cafe and restaurant serving local and international fare and a well-equipped fitness center. Furthermore, there’s a lot of water-based fun in the form of a children’s playground, water sports at the beach, and a striking infinity pool.
Le Meridien Bahrain City Centre
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Families with children traveling to Manama will find the five-star Le Meridien Bahrain City Center perfect. The contemporary hotel is directly connected to the largest mall in the country, City Centre Bahrain. It has high-end department stores, a cineplex, a theme park, and even a waterpark. What’s more, those staying here can also use the complimentary facilities of the Westin Bahrain City Center, its sister hotel.
The hotel features a timeless decor that is an ode to the country’s culture and the brand’s Parisian heritage. Apart from a fitness center and a pool, the spa with its range of treatments is perhaps the most indulgent place on the property.
However, the best aspect of the hotel is its modern and luxurious rooms. A special touch is an artwork above the bed that is inspired by Islamic calligraphy. If you want to splurge, go for the Club Rooms that have special access to the Club Lounge. The upgrade is well worth the money since it comes with a hearty, in-room breakfast as well as happy hours in the evenings.
Wyndham Grand Manama
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Bahrain is quickly becoming popular for its modern take on hospitality, of which the pioneer is the Wyndham Grand Manama hotel. The huge 19-floor ‘Twisting-Tower’ hotel is an instant head-turner and is one of the most striking structures in the city. Plus, it has a coveted location that has breathtaking views of Bahrain Bay and the Persian Gulf.
One of the best ways to cool down in Bahrain’s summer is by splashing around in one of the three large outdoor swimming pools. The 11th-floor poolside hub also serves light snacks and is the perfect place to lounge on a hot summer’s day. Apart from a host of gourmet dining opportunities, the hotel’s spa is famous for its range of aromatic experiences. Every inch of the hotel is Instagram-worthy, including the 10th-floor gym with jaw-dropping views of Manana to go with your workout.
Its unique, twisting style ensures fabulous views from every room through floor-to-ceiling windows. For more space, book one of the bedroom suites which have lavish bathrooms with stunning backdrops.
The Merchant House
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Bask in traditional indulgence at The Merchant House, one of the best luxury boutique hotels in Manama, Bahrain. The hotel is housed in a 1949-built structure, which was formerly a government office and even a commercial building. What’s more, it’s perfectly located right near Bab Al Bahrain, which is the main entrance to the enchanting ancient Manama souq.
The authentic experience begins right from the lobby, which boasts grey columns that were part of the original structure. Moreover, the hotel exhibits a strong sense of history with black-and-white photographs and artwork. However, the best aspect is the warm, cozy library sitting right above the lobby. There are literally thousands of books to choose from that range from fiction to folklore to Bahranian history. If that wasn’t enough, you can even order food and drinks here while engrossed in your own world. Dig into exquisite local fare at the rooftop restaurant that has stunning floral decor and excellent views of Bahrain’s skyline. Also, right next to it sits the lovely swimming pool, where a lazy day is a must-do.
With just 46 suites, the boutique hotel is as intimate as it gets. All suites feature plush bedrooms, sitting and dining areas, and kitchenettes, apart from modern art.
Marriott Executive Apartments
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Long-term travelers to Manama will enjoy staying at the Marriott Executive Apartments. The deluxe apart-hotel lies in the dazzling Juffair neighborhood of Manama and is a great base for exploring the city.
You can choose from tons of options, which include both spacious rooms and one/two/three-bedroom apartments too. They all feature a flourish of amenities along with a dedicated office area, a full, modern kitchen, and sleep-inducing bedding in the rooms.
Even though it’s an apart-hotel, the place doesn’t skimp on communal amenities. Apart from in-room service and housekeeping, the hotel even has a fitness center that has panoramic views of the city. The best feature is unquestionably the rooftop pool with red sunbeds that look out to both the Bahrain Bay and the shimmering city lights.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Manama:
- Veranda Restaurant and Cafe: Do you want to dig into authentic Middle Eastern cuisine? There’s no place better than homely Veranda, which is a foodie favorite of sorts.
- Zoe: This restaurant is famous for its Mediterranean gastronomy. It’s popular with both locals and tourists.
Recommended Activities In Manama:
- Catch the Essence of Manama – Half Day City Tour: If you have less time to spend in Manama, discover its highlights on this half-day tour.
- Manama Skyline Sea Tour: There’s nothing like seeing Manama’s glittering skyline from the Persian Gulf. Indulge in that fantasy on this exciting tour.
