Morag from Manama

I am a stickler for customer service – perhaps it’s my background in hospitality management or my belief that when paying for a service, I expect it to be good. Surely, it’s not too much to ask for, or is it?

Bizarrely enough, I found myself patronising three different, well-known hotels on the island the other week. My first stop was a social soirée to celebrate my dear friends’ birthdays which was ruined by a stuck up maitre’d hôtel who, let’s say, favoured the male clientele, whilst ignoring a table of expat women whom she took an instant disliking to.

Cruella de Vil obviously had some sort of chip on her shoulder as big as Ayers Rock! If it hadn’t been for the wonderful waitress discreetly making amends, we would have walked directly to the exit without passing Go!

Later that week, came an overnight stay and spa package, which was supposedly a ‘value deal’ but I had no idea that meant the hotel would be cutting back on staff, pool towels would be rationed and changing rooms in need of a good clean, another lesson learned.

But, all was not lost, as my faith in good customer service was restored by a visit to the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain for a family brunch.

I read in last week’s GulfWeekly that the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain has been named Best Airport Hotel in the Middle East and I can see why. As soon as you drive up to the front of the hotel, you are greeted with a genuine friendly welcome and from start to finish the service is excellent.

I shouldn’t have been surprised as I had previously received the same wonderful service at their Rimal Spa which has been my best spa experience so far on the island.

An airport hotel maybe, but the Mövenpick offers more than being conveniently located next to Bahrain International Airport. Hats off to general manager, Daniel Kaan, who clearly values his staff and knows more than a thing or two about customer service.

I’ll be back.