Hilton Bahrain, the Kingdom’s first new five-star hotel since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, opened in August in the heart of the country’s entertainment district – Juffair.
The architecture and luxurious feel of the hotel aside, what caught our eye was the strong emphasis the hotel and group placed on being environment and pet friendly – two things that are very close to our hearts. Tamer Farouk, General Manager, Hilton Juffair told us more about Hilton’s environment-first philosophy
We are in a time crunch with the environment & actions matter more than words, and we have heard that the Hilton, Juffair has committed to a 0% single-use plastic and renewable energy, even your staff uniforms and footwear are made of recycled materials! Tell us more about your sustainability efforts.
Hilton Bahrain is a proud supporter of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose—our economic, social and governance strategy to drive responsible travel and tourism. It is our goal to be a champion for sustainability and environmental activism in the hospitality industry in Bahrain. To that end, we have removed all single-use plastics from the hotel. And yes, you are right about the recycled uniforms and footwear, in fact, another project I am very excited to tell you about is called ‘the Water Plant Project’, which aims to save 1,496,750 plastic bottles, equivalent to 50,890kg of plastic and 122,734 carbon footprint in a span of 5 years.
Hilton is a pet-friendly hotel! What are the unique amenities available for our furry friends?
Hilton Bahrain is the first ever 5-star pet-friendly hotel in the country. We continue to improve travel experiences and we understand the need for pet lovers, such as me, to have a trusted destination where we can share memorable experiences with our pets. We have several ‘paw-fect’ services like an exclusive VIP pet membership, grooming services, treats and their own in-room pet dining menu!
You have over 26 years of experience with Hilton across the GCC. How does the hospitality sector in Bahrain differ from the others?
26 wonderful years and counting! And yes, after being in the Kingdom of Bahrain for two years, I can easily say this is one of the best countries to work and live in, as an expatriate. The people are some of the friendliest and most welcoming I’ve met and the government has been nothing but supportive. The hospitality here is thriving due to the many amazing qualities of the country. The Kingdom is a perfect example of the co-existence of culture and modernism, which I love.
A certain feature, amenity or service is distinct to the Hilton?
We have taken great care to ensure that the property lives up to how we have envisioned. The property features modern and stylish studios – as well as one and two-bedroom apartments with breathtakingly beautiful sea views from the balcony. All our fabulous amenities aside I think what really sets us apart is our team members. Their dedication and hospitality are the heart of Hilton Bahrain. They are what makes us who we are and the most distinct feature that keeps our guests coming back.
ARCHITECTURAL SUBSTANCE MEETS INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE
The brainchild of real estate magnate, Salim Ahmed Mannai, the Hilton Juffair was conceived to give Juffair its tallest tower with one of the biggest hospitality brands in the world.
Award-winning Singaporean design consultants, Silverfox Design developed the concept which was executed by Mannai in-house with Mtc Décor and an engineering team led by Aparnaa Parab, a seasoned architect.
The design was developed to mimic the endless sand dunes in the desert of Bahrain in the form of sculptural modernism. Multi-faceted surfaces throughout the building complement the shimmering glass exterior.
The rich cultural heritage of Bahrain is reflected in the aesthetically placed accessories reflecting elements of black gold & aquamarine for the surrounding seas and rich hues of pearls and gold give a classy luxurious edge to the décor. Local art consultant Rasha Al Mannai developed vibrant art pieces that complemented the bold architectural design features. The artwork of the hotel was inspired by Bahraini gold, characterised by its intricate craftsmanship and the Bahraini natural pearls.
