01 January 2024

A ground-breaking masterplan has been unveiled for Areen that will position the development in Bahrain’s southern region as a premier, high-end destination for living, hospitality, entertainment and commerce over a 2-million-sq-m area near Al Areen Wildlife Park.

Areen also marked the opening of a new hotel operated by the internationally acclaimed Raffles Hotels & Resorts brand, with a capacity of 120 keys, on an area exceeding 131,000 sq m, according to GFH Financial Group (GFH), one of the premier financial groups in the Gulf region, which owns the property.

Bahrain’s newest five-star hotel, Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, is located at the heart of Areen’s masterplan. Designed according to Raffles’ exacting standards, the hotel is earmarked to be one of the kingdom’s most opulent hospitality offerings, exuding Arabian charm and world-class sophistication and elegance.

The signature hotel hosts 78 villas, which include one- to three-bedroom units, each boasting private pools and gardens. The hotel also features five food and beverage (F&B) outlets, a rooftop restaurant and an award-winning spa. 

The masterplan was launched under the patronage of Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of His Majesty King of Bahrain and the President of the Supreme Council for Environment.

 

New township

Located in close proximity to Bahrain International Circuit and Al Dana Amphitheatre, the development will create a new township involving a built-up area of 1.5 million sq m capable of accommodating about 25,000 people.

It will comprise 16 major clusters, including commercial offices, retail units, restaurants and hotels, health and education facilities, and a range of residential communities. The masterplan has been updated and enhanced to accommodate new health and wellness trends in addition to walkable shopping streets, according to GFH.

At the launch ceremony of the masterplan and the hotel, Hisham Alrayes, Chairman of Al Areen and CEO of GFH, said: “We are delighted to unveil plans for Areen, our unique, high-end, mixed-use development that embodies the finest of Bahraini ingenuity, natural beauty and drive. We are also proud to announce the establishment of Bahrain’s newest five-star hotel to be operated by the world-renowned Raffles, who are set to offer visitors from the region and around the world a new standard of excellence and luxury at Areen. Working closely with an outstanding group of partners, we look forward to turning our vision and groundbreaking plan into reality.”

Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles Hotels & Resorts, commented: “We are delighted to bring the Raffles brand to the Kingdom of Bahrain through the debut of Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain. This captivating resort will feature Raffles’ legendary service, culinary excellence, and exceptional amenities, offering guests an inspiring retreat from which they can explore and connect with the country’s rich culture.”

Areen will continue to develop other projects within the masterplan which will be announced in the near future. 

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