Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that it has signed a management agreement with Diyar Al Bahrain, to open the first Conrad hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2011. The Conrad Bahrain, will be located in one of Bahrain’s most luxurious developments, the newly-built Reef Island off Bahrain’s capital city Manama and will feature 250 guest rooms and 50 apartments.

Ross Klein, Global Head, Hilton Family of Hotels, Luxury & Lifestyle Brands said, “This announcement emphasises our goal to really strengthen our luxury offering on a global scale. The Conrad Bahrain epitomises the Conrad lifestyle with its high-tech offerings, distinct modern design, best-in-class service and customised experiences. The hotel will build on the successes of the Conrad Cairo and will also complement our hotels under development; Conrad Dubai and Conrad Abu Dhabi.”

Mr Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Jasmi, Chairman of Diyar Al Bahrain said, “We are delighted to have signed this landmark management agreement with Hilton Hotels Corporation for the launch of the first Conrad hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This alliance is the result of extensive due diligence and hospitality industry analysis. The Conrad brand supported by the strong Hilton engine really epitomises luxury, and is in perfect synergy with Diyar Al Bahrain’s business strategy of developing value- added alliances in all areas of operations.”

Bahrain is the Gulf region’s financial hub and offers zero corporate tax policy for businesses and a transparent regulatory system. Located a short distance from Manama’s Central Business District and the Bahrain Financial Harbour, the Conrad Bahrain will be a key destination for business travellers.

The hotel will offer easy accessibility to the international airport, to the new sea port and to the causeway to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A new causeway, set to be the longest bridge connection in the world, and scheduled to complete in 2013, will provide an additional link between Bahrain and Qatar.

Jean-Paul Herzog, President, Hilton Hotels, Middle East & Africa said, “Bahrain’s tourism industry is gaining significant momentum with a 15% increase in visitors last year. High-profile international events such as the Formula One Grand Prix have established Bahrain on the tourism map. The signing of Conrad Bahrain is yet another step forward in achieving a Hilton Family hotel in every major city. We will target the strong corporate market, and GCC leisure and business segment, thanks to the hotel’s close proximity to downtown Manama, the financial district as well as its accessibility to Saudi Arabia.”

The Conrad will also offer its business guests unparalleled meeting facilities, including a business centre incorporating the latest technology, six sizeable meeting rooms, two banquet rooms and an impressive ballroom. To wind down, guests will be able to enjoy the hotel’s shopping arcade or utilise the fitness facilities, including a tennis court, squash court, swimming pool and health club. Reef Island’s features will also include, among other attractions, open parks, an Aquarium, a luxury shopping mall, a marina and a Yacht club.

 

The Conrad Bahrain will boast impressive dining facilities, including a stylish all-day dining outlet, and three speciality restaurants featuring international cuisine. The hotel will also offer two bars, a coffee shop and a shisha cafe for a unique flavour of the region.

 

“We have also established Diyafa Holding, a Bahrain-based closed shareholding company catering to the Kingdom’s increasing demand for tourism and hospitality facilities. We are therefore focused on growing this alliance with Hilton Hotels Corporation,” continued Mr Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Jasmi.

 

Atieh Hamarneh, CEO of Diyafa said, “Diyafa’s objective is to be a leading developer of hospitality facilities including hotels, resorts, spas and real estate residential communities in the region with a global footprint. We have a strong commitment to the communities in which we operate in, and we will be guided by an unwavering pursuit of excellence to build great properties for our clientele.”

 

Today’s news reflects Conrad Hotels & Resorts fast moving expansion in the Middle East and globally, with the Conrad Dubai and the Conrad Abu Dhabi set to open in Q4 2010 and Q2 2011 respectively, alongside plans to introduce new Conrad hotels in Shanghai, the Bahamas, Thailand, Beijing and Portugal.

 

Hilton Hotels has a signed development pipeline of an additional 16 properties across Middle East & Africa in the U.A.E, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde. Furthermore, the company has recently announced a strategic development agreement to develop 13 Hilton Garden Inn properties across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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