Review: Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain

Why book?

To be one of the first to experience Bahrain’s first and only all-villa property, and get a taste of Bahraini culture through the hotel’s Arabic architecture and collection of local artworks. Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain is part of the Kingdom’s ambitious Areen development, an up-and-coming project that is already home to landmarks like the Bahrain International Formula One Circuit, Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve, and Lost Paradise of Dilmun, the largest water park in the kingdom.

Set the scene

Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain is a 50-minute drive from Bahrain Airport, which, in a country this small, makes for a secluded getaway. Upon arrival, I’m greeted by a 750-year-old olive tree in front of the entrance, followed by a doorman dressed in a crisp tailored uniform with a beaming smile. A tapestry of flora waits in the conservatory-like lobby, which includes an entrance hall adorned with cascading hanging plants, water fountains and loungers in emerald green. That’s where I meet my personal butler, Margaret, a cheerful Kenyan who has called Bahrain home for seven years. With great enthusiasm, she tells me the story behind each and every artwork on the walls, including an acrylic painting that resembles pearls on Bahrain’s seabed, an ode to the kingdom’s thriving pearl diving industry. In the Writer’s Lounge – the hotel’s iteration of Raffles’ signature Writer’s Bar – an impressive library occupies a space that evokes the ambience of a private members’ club. The ceiling features lines from a famous poem by Bahrain poet Ahmed Mohammed Al Khalifa, praising Bahrain’s rich culture and legendary tales.

The backstory

Founded in 1887, the first Raffles was a modest 10-room hotel in a colonial-style building in Singapore. Today, Raffles operates landmark properties around the world, and Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain is the brand’s latest flagship in the Middle East, in partnership with GFH Financial Group.

The rooms

This property offers one, two or three-bedroom villas, with the aptly named Royal Villas sized from a sprawling 400 square metres and up. Each villa is cocooned by lush gardens, a spacious courtyard with a temperature-controlled private pool and jacuzzi, sun loungers, a long dining table and poolside cabana. In my one-bedroom villa, the bathroom and living room are at either end, with the master bedroom in the middle. The interior is adorned in pure white color, elevated with Arabic motifs and pale woods. The Stearns & Foster mattress on my super king bed is made exclusively for Raffles, while a pillow menu with seven options (including a pillow filled with dried lavender) covers all manner of personal preferences. Every detail has been carefully considered, including a bedside diffuser by Paris-based brand Compoz, which has composed customised scents to suit different moods and times of the day. Connected to the bedroom via a dressing room, which comes with a full-length mirror and Dyson hair dryer, the marbled bathroom comes with an oversized deep soak bathtub, and both indoor and open-air showers.

Food and drink

Set to become a culinary destination in its own right, Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain currently has two restaurants open: Palma, an all-day dining restaurant helmed by executive chef Ruchi Shueng Li, and Ycone Paris, a Parisian patisserie by celebrity chef Yasid Ichemrahen. Breakfast at Palma is curated with sustainability in mind, mostly using ingredients sourced from hydroponic farms and eggs from Saudi and Bahraini producers. The in-villa floating breakfast serves up a selection of local goats cheese, honeycomb from Bahraini bee farms and a homemade bread basket. Surrounded by exotic plants and tastefully embellished with white marbles and gold accents, Ycone Paris is home to an artful display of viennoiserie, pastries and desserts, including chef Ichemrahen’s signature Tahitian vanilla crème brûlée, homemade banana bread and chocolate fondant, and serves seriously good coffee made with the world’s first Victoria Arduino machine made in collaboration with Rolls-Royce. A Moroccan restaurant and lounge overseeing the Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve is set to open during the hotel’s next phase, alongside Mimi Kakushi, an award-winning restaurant and bar concept from Dubai.

The spa

The Raffles Spa is under construction at the moment, but when it opens, it's set to be a holistic wellness destination. In the meantime, a three-bedroom villa has been transformed into a wellness haven featuring both single and couple’s treatment rooms, decked out in a soothing palette of white and cream. Highlighting rituals inspired by the wellness philosophies of Asia, my signature massage was performed by Intira, a skilful Thai masseuse who managed to knead away the knots in my back using Thai and Balinese massage techniques.

Service

Is personal and attentive; every whim is anticipated and taken care of, be it a shawl to keep you warm, remembering your coffee preference or online check-in before your flight.

Anything left to mention

A Royal Penthouse is well underway, which will sit atop the hotel's main building with 360-degree views of Al Areen.