Bahrain will soon be home to an island dedicated exclusively to promoting and enhancing the kingdom's health and well-being.

The manmade island, Dilmunia at Bahrain, is being created by Ithmaar Development Company (IDC) - developer and manager of Ithmaar Bank's major development projects including real estate, infrastructure projects, resorts, hotels, medical facilities and commercial buildings.

Reclamation work on the $1.6 billion island was formally completed last May - and a new island was added to the shores of Bahrain.

"Dilmunia at Bahrain is a master-planned development positioning itself as a global leader in the promotion and enhancement of health and well-being," said IDC chief executive officer and member of the board, Mohamed Khalil Alsayed.

"Dilmunia aims to enrich Bahrain's tourism offerings, bringing varied facilities and experiences to people living in or visiting the kingdom," he added.

The island is set to include three five-star hotels offering alternative therapeutic services, a four-star hotel with a commercial component, residential housing of different categories, in addition to the island's anchor theme; the central health and wellness cluster in Dilmunia Health District.

It will be a mix of residential, hospitality, leisure and commercial developments, surrounding a core of comprehensive health and wellness amenities, which will together offer an alternative 'balanced' perspective towards life and living.

"Dilmunia will be the destination for harried citizens of the Middle East and the world, in search of an environment that strives to prevent illness and promote healthy and active living," said Mr Alsayed. "The project is being developed over an area of 125 hectares of land reclaimed off the northeast seashore of Muharraq Island only a few minutes away from the Bahrain International Airport."

With the project quickly taking shape, IDC has already concluded deals for the sale of additional plots on the island, signed agreements with a prestigious international hotel chain and is now finalising negotiations with Dilmunia Health District partner.

"The island is located on the north east coast of Muharraq, close to Amwaj Island, 500 metres south of it, and 500 metres away from the Muharraq ring road," said Mr Alsayed. "It will be accessible by a bridge taking off from the ring road, some 500 metres before reaching the Amwaj Island access road," he said.

"One of the unique characteristics of Dilmunia is the shield-shaped profile of the island," said Mr Alsayed. "As a result, the island is seven metres higher in the centre, where the medical cluster is located, than it is at the shoreline. This will mean improved views for everyone as well as the ability to build underground parking facilities," he said.

Inspired by ancient Dilmun, widely believed to be the Garden of Eden, the Dilmunia at Bahrain Island will be a lush green oasis. The peace and tranquility offered by the myriad shades of green and clear blue water, will serve to complement the comfort and security of the dwellings. With expert healthcare and medical facilities just a stone's throw away, the dream of achieving physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium will no longer be so elusive.

"Dilmunia at Bahrain will promote a healthy and active living through a combination of beautifully landscaped serene surroundings, health-oriented leisure amenities and world-class conventional, aesthetic and alternative medical facilities," said Mr Alsayed. "Residents will enjoy a lifestyle where the seamless integration of nature and architecture provides the ideal ambience for complete relaxation and interaction with nature; paramount to achieving a healthy work-life balance. Extensive and creative landscaping will inspire residents to spend time outdoors, whether exercising or strolling along the tree-lined avenues and waterfront paths. The intelligent integration of amenities with residential living will maximise opportunities to share quality time with friends and family."

In addition to specialist clinics, hospitals, spas and other wellness facilities,the development will also include boutique hotels, residential areas, leisure amenities and shopping centers.

There will also be a wide choice of housing options from one-of-a-kind and unconventional secluded villas to luxury condominiums, waterside, pier side and quayside living options.

Meanwhile, life enriching hospitality will be offered at the various themed hotels, developed to cater to your every mood and craving; with practices from traditional Chinese concepts to Thai herbalist beliefs; French-inspired hydro remedies to traditional hammam rituals. Woven into the texture of life at Dilmunia will also be a multitude of lifestyle experiences for you to indulge in such as the lifestyle oasis, strips or pods that would be available for shopping, feasting, eating, relaxing or just chilling out.

Specialised retail and designer outlets, hi-tech cineplex's or gourmet food and beverage outlets will jostle for your attention.

Managed and operated by a core group of medical professionals and world-renowned specialists, the Wellness Centre will provide treatment options through alternative medicine, physical therapy, as well as through diagnostic tests, dietary control and conditioning for the body, mind and soul.

Envisioned as an oasis of secrecy and delight, the Wellness Garden of Dilmunia will co-exist in complete harmony with the concrete structures that form its landscape.

A milieu of themed gardens, waterways, wetlands and parks provide the much needed contrast for creating that feeling of vibrant yet languid, the feeling of being one with nature.

Life in Dilmunia, amidst the lush landscape, insightful designs, professionally run amenities and lifestyle attractions, will motivate an awareness of wellness. It will inspire a view of life that emphasises the state of the entire being and its ongoing development. It affirms this simple truth of life: 'an active mind in an active body', in an environment that is both spirited and dynamic.

For more information, please visit www.dilmuniaatbahrain.com, email IDC at info@dilmuniaatbahrain.com call +973 17584600.