7 of the best places to stay in Bahrain

1. Vida Beach Resort

Can’t choose between the city and the beach? You don’t have to at Vida Beach Resort which is located directly on Marassi Beach on the island of Marassi. You may feel away from it all, but you’re only a 25-minute drive from downtown Manama and less than a 15-minute drive from Bahrain International airport, meaning you can pretty much start your holiday as soon as you get off the plane.

Chic and modern – think stone and brass tones throughout – its stylish 299 rooms and serviced residences have either city or sea views and range from king rooms to three-bedroom apartments for up to six guests.

The highlight may be its quirky dining options. Alongside fine French Mediterranean dining, there’s a rooftop bar, jazz club, floating pontoon bar on the ocean and even beachside food trucks serving snacks.

But if you don’t want to dine in the resort, its buzzing neighbourhood has plenty of options, including the nearby Marassi Galleria mall.

2. Raffles Al Areen Palace

Walking into the Raffles Al Areen feels like stepping into a Bahraini palace. This oasis of 78 private pool villas is centred around privacy and Middle Eastern luxury with palm courts, pointed arches, domes and butler service.

Located slightly inland near Zallaq, you’re 45 minutes from the capital Manama, away from both the city and the beach. This property is about switching off and basking in the surrounds of the hotel – although the Bahrain International F1 Circuit is next door if you fancy an easy excursion.

It’s not a budget option but with all-villa accommodation, from one to three bedrooms, with free breakfast and butler service, the higher price feels justified.

There’s a communal pool to relax beside too, as well as acres of landscaped gardens, plus tours of the property’s art collection, produced entirely by local artists.

3. Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

This family-friendly beachfront resort on the west coast is also close to Zallaq, and is a 30-minute drive from the airport, but feels like a world in itself.

With beach access, a large central pool and kids’ pool area, as well as a free kids’ club running from 9am to 7pm, and a teens’ club from 11am to 7pm, it’s a favourite with local and Saudi families, especially at weekends. So, book in the week if you’re looking for a quieter stay.

Adults will appreciate its Thalassa Sea & Spa – the only thalassotherapy spa in the region – and choice of food which includes separate Lebanese, Mediterranean, Italian, Indian and Japanese restaurants, plus a Grand Friday Brunch with live cooking stations and music from a Cuban band.

There’s local touches, too; its 262 all-sea-view rooms feature Arabic décor with geometric fretwork, dark wood, golds and reds. And nearby attractions include the Bahrain International F1 Circuit and Al Areen Wildlife Park.

4. The Art Hotel & Resort

Located on the Amwaj Islands, on the northern tip of Bahrain, the 14-storey Art Hotel & Resort shimmers with its all-glass, modern exterior on its own private beach. Inside, all 311 rooms and suites face the ocean and have warm wood hues and a restful gold and cream colour scheme.

You’re just a 15-minute drive from the airport and 20 minutes from Manama city centre, but the hotel feels self-contained and set apart. There’s a restaurant for each day of the week including a steakhouse with seafood, Italian, Asian, tapas, Mediterranean and more so there’s no need to venture off-site unless you want to. For drinks, there’s a sunset bar with DJs and a lounge bar for late nights.

Families will love the hotel’s own water park as well as three temperature-controlled pools. If you’re child-free, head to the pool reserved for adults only, with a cocktail bar and jacuzzi. Cheers!

5. Crowne Plaza Bahrain

Sometimes you just want a great value hotel in the heart of the action. While it’s undoubtedly a business-focused hotel, the Crowne Plaza makes a convenient base in central Manama, ideal for those wanting a few days amid the hustle and bustle. It caters to families, too, with interconnecting rooms and a children’s room beside the lawn-wrapped heated pool.

On site, you can choose from three restaurants, a cafe and two bars. But with Manama on your doorstep, you’ll likely want to explore local hot spots too. These include Manama Souq and Manama's seafront, where you’ll find the Bahrain National Theatre and Bahrain National Museum.

As a bonus, it’s also just 15 minutes from the airport, making it an easy first or last stop for those heading south to a beach resort.

6. InterContinental Bahrain

Another city centre option, but this time with a more luxury focus, the InterContinental is close to prime spots such as the souq. It enjoys views over the Bahrain Financial Harbour.

Its 304 rooms and suites have patterned carpets, simple dark wood furniture and a cream colour palette – so far, so business-like – but it’s the amenities and top-class service you’re here for.

Its rooftop pool has cabanas to relax in while there’s a spa for treatments. Plus, there’s 24-hour room service so you can eat whenever hunger strikes. During the day, the poolside international restaurant Selections is open from 6am to 10.30pm and from midday there’s an Italian restaurant, an evening steakhouse and even a basement bar serving Tex Mex until 3am. Travelling with kids? You’ll be delighted to know that children eat for free.

7. Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain

It’s all about water at the beachfront Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain, with this west coast hotel in Zallaq surrounded by a network of oceanwater canals.

It’s one of the most modern resorts in Bahrain, having opened in 2022, with spacious bedrooms featuring pared back beachy hues, bamboo and rattan furniture, and mid-century wooden panelling.

Rooms are spread across numerous towers and blocks on the site, with higher categories directly by the beach, including the top-end summer houses with private pools. But you don’t have to be right by the water for an ocean view. Most rooms have them plus outdoor spaces or balconies.

When it comes to food, there are seven restaurants, all using local ingredients, including beachside dining at Ousoul for comfort food and cocktails, Al Sama for shisha overlooking the Gulf and Italian cuisine at Due Mari. For relaxation, choose between five pools including kids and adult-only options. Or take a cruise around the resort’s canal then watch a film in its 36-seater cinema.

For more information on Bahrain visit www.bahrain.com