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THE NEW-LOOK InterContinental Regency Hotel in Manama will open its doors in good time for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix rush.
Guests will walk through the doors for the first time in almost 12 months on February 28 following its multi-million dollar renovation and remodelling.
Delighted general manager James McDonald said: "This is a new hotel ... with history! It has been renovated and redesigned with the savvy business traveller in mind, particularly those seeking style, comfort, luxury and personalised service.
"The reopening of InterContinental Regency will set a new benchmark for hotels in Bahrain to aspire to. During the year-long renovation we have invested heavily in different areas to go beyond our guests' expectations.
"Today's guests are sophisticated with many running their lives through their iPad, laptop or Blackberry. We have made sure that while staying with us their lives will continue seamlessly."
Built in 1980, InterContinental Regency was Bahrain's first five-star international chain hotel aimed at serving Bahrain's growing financial and trading sector.
In the decades that followed, guests have included some of the world's royal families, movie stars, politicians and dignitaries travelling both in an official and unofficial capacity.
In recent years, however, management felt that as technology had advanced and tourism demands changed a renovation was overdue. As a result the upgraded hotel will benefit from the latest systems to minimise wasted energy and water in line with the owners, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and the government of Bahrain's recommendations.
Reopening just in time to welcome Formula One fans from across the globe, the hotel has been busy taking reservations for the season-opener on March 13. Mr McDonald said: "We already have one key F1 team staying with us, VIP delegations and a couple of groups and have only a few rooms remaining."
The work on the 30,828 sq m property has been carried out by Bahrain-based contractors GP Zachariades in association with designer's dwp (design worldwide partnership) and project managers DG Jones & Partners.
The hotel boats 321 rooms including three club floors and 31 suites. Each room features the latest technology including interactive LCD TV with satellite channels, Wi-Fi and high speed internet connection, working area, electronic safe, individually-controlled air conditioning, direct dial phone with voice mail, tea and coffee making facilities, mini bar and hair dryer, standout reading lights and bedside room control.
A total of 16 meeting rooms, ranging from spacious inter-connected ballrooms, capable of hosting up to 600 people, to smaller venues that can be configured for more intimate sessions.
Guests can also experience a variety of new food and beverage outlets including Selections featuring European, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, Medzo, a contemporary Italian restaurant, Legendz Steak House and chic Downtown offering a wide range of international dishes and live contemporary entertainment, as well as the Noor Lounge in the lo bby.
A health club featuring a temperature-controlled swimming pool, fully-equipped gymnasium, squash court, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, group fitness studio and spa treatment rooms will also be open for business.
