The Gulf Hotel is a Bahraini institution. It opened in October 1969 and calls itself the original five-star hotel of the kingdom, and with 361 rooms it is also the country's largest hotel. It stands in Adliya, a lively district known for restaurants, cafes and galleries, about five minutes from central Manama and some fifteen minutes from Bahrain International Airport. Its great strength is variety. The hotel has about nineteen restaurants and bars, among them Al Waha, Typhoon Terrace, China Garden, Fusions, La Pergola, Rasoi, Sato, Margarita Mexicana and Takht Jamsheed, plus cafes and lounges such as Al Andalus and Cafe Delices and bars including Sherlock Holmes, Typhoon Bar and Spin Bar. The newly opened Gulf Spa offers treatments, and there is a health and fitness area. The hotel has long been a social centre for residents as well as guests, so the public spaces are busy and convivial rather than hushed. It is a classic for visitors who like to eat well without leaving the building.
Location and getting around
Adliya is one of the most walkable parts of Manama for dining, with streets of independent restaurants and cafes close by, and the hotel is a short drive from the souq, Bab Al Bahrain and the National Museum. Taxis and ride-hailing are easy to find at the entrance, and the hotel's size means a concierge desk that can book tours and cars. The airport transfer is straightforward, which makes it a good choice for early or late flights.
Rooms
With so many rooms, there is a wide choice of categories, including higher floors and the Platinum Floor, which provides a more exclusive, lounge-style experience. The hotel mentions newly renovated bedrooms, but older rooms in a hotel of this age vary in style, so check the category and photos when booking and ask for a recently renovated room if that matters. Marriott Bonvoy members can book through the Marriott listing and earn points on eligible stays.
Who it suits
Food lovers, business travellers and groups who like a big hotel with lots going on. Families will appreciate the range of restaurants and the on-site facilities, though it feels more like a grand city hotel than a beach resort. Good to know: weekends are busy with local events and weddings, and some venues serve alcohol, so check which restaurants and bars suit your plans. It sits in the mid-to-upper price band and often offers better value than the island's newest luxury towers. If you want old-world Bahraini hospitality, this is the place.
Why stay here
- ✓Nineteen restaurants and bars
- ✓Newly opened Gulf Spa
- ✓Health and fitness area
- ✓Platinum Floor lounge access
- ✓361 rooms
- ✓Meeting and banquet venues
- ✓Marriott Bonvoy member rates
- ✓Five minutes from central Manama
Good questions
Where is the Gulf Hotel?+
It is in Adliya, Manama, about five minutes from central Manama and roughly fifteen minutes from Bahrain International Airport.
How many restaurants does it have?+
The hotel lists about nineteen restaurants and bars, covering Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Italian and Persian cuisines, plus cafes and pubs.
Is it a good value hotel?+
It is a large, established five-star property that often costs less than the newest towers, with a big choice of dining on site.
