RISING amidst the traditional backdrops of the Manama ‘souq' and the modern skyline of Bahrain's central business and financial district, Downtown Rotana is the newest five-star hotel to open in the heart of the kingdom's capital. Standing high above ground, at 105-meters tall, the 26-storey stylish luxury property is the third in the Rotana Group Bahrain-based portfolio, and offers stylish, luxury accommodation and a host of facilities catering to the growing needs of the modern business community and leisure travelers looking to be at the center of commerce, culture and entertainment. Reflective of its name, this newest addition to Bahrain's flourishing hospitality sector, is ideally situated in downtown Manama, less than two minutes' walking distance from the historical Bab Al Bahrain and traditional local market, only steps away from key corporate hubs such as Bahrain Financial Harbor and the World Trade Centre and a short drive from the country's largest retail and entertainment outlets. Downtown Rotana is well-placed as a central pivot of movement with convenient access to and from Bahrain's main entry points — Bahrain International Airport and the Saudi Causeway. "This new experience in the heart of Manama is bound to transform customer engagement", explains Downtown Rotana General Manager Lilian Roger. "The concept for Downtown Rotana Hotel is simple; we wanted to fuse style and convenience at the center of Bahrain's bustling capital. We are the newest hotel in the heart of Manama, it can't get more central than this, and we appeal to both business and tourist visitors looking to be at the centre of it all". Downtown Rotana is a perfect blend of contemporary minimalism, urban vivacity and understated luxury, designed to complement the quality and sophistication of Bahrain's hospitality scene. According to Lilian, "Bahrain has a flourishing hospitality scene, tourism is thriving and the island remains a magnet for intra-regional tourism. Saudi Arabia especially is a key market for us and we are always keen to attract guests from across the border and cater to their needs". "We recently hosted a group of esteemed media representatives from the KSA's most influential publications, on an all-inclusive familiarization visit to the property; they were flown into Bahrain courtesy of our national carrier Gulf Air which operates one of the largest networks in the Middle East and is famed for its Arab hospitality and service. The media were treated to a two-nights' stay with a host of activities planned for them to give them a first-hand experience of the hotel's facilities and restaurant offerings. "The trip was also an opportunity to give a glimpse of the exciting entertainment options that Bahrain has to offer; such as skydiving, boat trips, the traditional souqs and popular restaurants such as Rosso, a rustic Italian Restaurant, part of our sister property resort ART Rotana Amwaj Islands offering a wide selection of authentic pizzas and Italian dishes served in a warm friendly atmosphere," he added. "It is our responsibility to support the growth of Bahrain's tourism and hospitality sectors and we feel Downtown Rotana is well-placed to act as a prime example of the country's quality hospitality offerings." Boasting refined elegance across its premises, Downtown Rotana offers 249 luxurious rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, panoramic city views and vibrant interiors, all fully equipped with ample in-room amenities and conveniences including complimentary Wi-Fi, high-speed internet connection, 48inch flat screen TVs with multi-channel satellite, and Club Rotana Executive Rooms and Lounge, to name a few. Downtown Rotana brings four new dining concepts to Bahrain's bustling culinary scene with award-winning ‘Teatro Downtown' taking center stage as the hotel's signature restaurant offering an East-meets-West concept cuisine, embraced by warm design motifs and ultra-chic interiors. Designed with a contemporary flair, Teatro Downtown boasts an exquisite array of authentic dishes inspired by five of the most well-known and popular cuisines — Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Southeast Asian, with a melting pot of flavors that promise to take guests on a gastronomic journey across the globe. Distinctive in both taste and setting, ‘Teatro Downtown' is an epicurean masterpiece; an extensive menu selection of 130 dishes has been carefully crafted to suit even the most demanding of palates, leaving guests with the lingering memory of tantalizing flavors. "The overall emphasis is on the quality of ingredients being served and the attention to detail, evident in both the food and interiors", explains Lilian. Spread across three interconnected areas, Rotana's new prized gem is a cozy, elegant blend of opulent mauves complemented with splashes of turquoise tones and wooden fixtures that give the restaurant an air of understated luxury amidst comfortable surroundings; and the open-façade concept of the kitchens with full view of the Chefs in action makes for the main attraction. The all-day dining venue - ‘Flavours on 2' – is a relaxed setting amidst bursts of color with a variety of succulent delights and international flavors and "the Friday Brunch has become an all-time favorite with the crowds, both local and regional", explains Lilian. The ‘City Lobby Lounge' is a true testament of the hotel's elegance; featuring striking contrasts of solid wood meshed with subtle palette undertones, accented by the flood of natural sunlight, the lobby is a striking venue and serves a selection of light snacks and home-made pastries and desserts throughout the day. Lastly, the Sundeck Pool Bar, has a variety of snacks and beverages on the menu to keep guests cool and revitalized. The choice of leisure facilities at Downtown Rotana helps guests relax, rejuvenate and detach. The hotel has a rooftop swimming pool, a Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club with professional instructors and a fully-equipped gym, as well as a sauna, steam-room, Jacuzzi and treatment rooms, all comforts of five-star living. Downtown Rotana truly embraces the needs of the corporate world with its seven state-of-the-art meeting rooms and a spacious, elegantly-designed ballroom with over 300+ capacity and ample car parking facilities for over 200 cars.
