Artwork is a prominent feature of the interior design.
Merchants’ mansion
Bahrain’s first five-star boutique hotel has recently opened in the heart of the capital’s suq area, echoing the vibrancy and colour of the country’s oldest shopping district.
01 November 2019
The Merchant House Bahrain, the country’s first five-star boutique hotel and a recipient of multiple awards, prides itself on owning the largest art collection in Bahrain, some of which are unique in the region.
The all-suite property – part of the upscale Campbell Gray Hotels – is situated in the heart of Manama’s old town. Its location next to the bustling Bab Al Bahrain suq, a short distance from the capital’s Diplomatic Area and financial district, makes the property ideal for both business and leisure travellers.
With its warm welcome, striking aesthetics, world-class art collection, impressive library and spectacular rooftop restaurant – Indigo – and garden, The Merchant House is the jewel in the crown of Bahrain’s hotel scene, says a spokesman for the property.
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The Merchant House ... in the heart of Manama suq. |
“The all-suite property entices travellers to try something new on their next visit to Bahrain by offering a unique, personalised stay in the heart of Manama’s old town,” he says.
“A creative expression of Campbell Gray Hotel’s founder, Gordon Campbell Gray, the property teems with the kind of personality and soul that is difficult to capture at larger properties,” he adds.
The Merchant House Bahrain is designed for business travellers looking for extra space and comfort as well as style-conscious travellers.
The hotel has 46 luxury suites, each of which has an open-plan sitting room, a kitchen and dining area, as well as a spacious bedroom. The well-designed suites offer a high level of space, comfort and convenience.
As with all Campbell Gray Hotels, artwork is a prominent feature of the interior design; Gray has put together a collection comprising well-established Bahraini artists as well as new and upcoming young talent from both Bahrain and the Gulf region.
The design is – as with all Campbell Gray Hotels – completely original and has been created specifically for The Merchant House, working within the framework of this unusual building.
It has been designed in line with the strategy of the founder, who says that the group’s hotels should feel like cousins but not brothers and sisters.
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The Merchant House library. |
The Merchant House Bahrain features vibrant colour and dramatic details of graffiti and exposed concrete columns justaposed alongside white linen sofas in the lobby, which is overlooked by the glamorous, colourful and carefully curated library.
The rooftop – another Campbell Gray speciality – features the bar and restaurant with options to eat indoors or outdoors. The design here is akin to a garden – very unexpected and green – the feel is easy and relaxed, says the spokesman.
For residents looking to relax the mind, body and soul, the hotel offers the PureGray Spa and Gym, which consists of two treatment rooms for facial and body treatments and uses naturals oils and organic products. The products are eco-friendly, and the spa is also careful to respect the environment, sourcing products from ethical and sustainable sources.
“Looking at the bigger picture, PureGray Spa focuses on the lasting impact of its therapies with the brand concept aimed at enhancing emotional and physical balance. This is in line with Campbell Gray Hotels which has always maintained a duty of care towards its guests and staff as part of its philosophy,” says Justin Kim, the hotel’s general manager.
Throwing its support behind local industries, PureGray Spa features niche Bahraini company, Green Bar, which was founded in 2006 by Bahraini Reem Al Khalifa.
The PureGray Gym offers Technogym fitness equipment, free weights, benches and stretch areas. Motorised and computer-driven equipment includes treadmills, cross trainers and bikes, as well as Kinesis multi-function system.
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A Signature Suite at The Merchant House. |
Awards
Early this year, The Merchant House Bahrain scooped the accolade for the Boutique Hotel at the Leaders in Hospitality Awards 2019 by Hotel and Catering News Middle East.
The hotel topped the category in an enviable line-up of properties, which included The Chedi Muscat, Atana Musandam Resort, Mysk Al Mouj by Shaza hotel Muscat and Shada Executive hotel Jeddah.
The Merchant House was nominated in two categories including the Leading Hotel Interior Category, with its stunning interiors courtesy of acclaimed Gray.
According to Kim, the award will helps solidify Campbell Gray Hotels’ philosophy that more and more guests these days are looking for something different when they check into a hotel.
This was the second award for The Merchant House after it won the Luxury Boutique Hotel of the Year at the LTG Africa and Middle East Awards 2019. The Luxury Travel Guide Awards celebrate the best accommodation providers in the most sought-after destinations throughout the region.
The Campbell Gray Hotels is an international hotel management company focused on creating and designing a collection of highly individual hotels around the world. Its line-up of luxury properties include those in Malta, Beirut (Lebanon) and The Isle of Islay, Scotland.
This year, Alex – Lake Zurich in Switzerland joins the portfolio of Campbell Gray Hotels. Further developments at Campbell Gray Living Amman, Jordan – Campbell Gray Hotels’ award-winning mixed-use property – will be announced soon.
With its parent company, the Audeh Group, Campbell Gray Hotels is an owner-operator and with this comes a complete and comprehensive understanding of what it takes to develop, own and operate hotels, residences, offices and retail.
