Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Gulf Hotel, one of Bahrain's most prestigious landmarks, is about to unveil its new look after six months of intensive reconstruction at a staggering cost of more than BD8 million.
It now boasts a new faade, grand refurbished lobby and rooms, plus an executive lounge as well as improved car parking.
The final pieces of scaffolding were coming down this week.
A giant Gulf Hotel neon sign which once acted as a homing beacon for newcomers to the capital as they attempted to master their way around has been replaced by modern signage.
The hotel sector in Bahrain is currently experiencing massive investment as a host of international chains prepare to break ground in the kingdom in the coming months. There will be 10 new five-star hotels within the next three years on the island.
For one of Gulf Hotel's longest-serving executives the investment and changes are simply a part of the long journey he has taken from attending a hotel-keeping and catering course for keen Bahrainis at a technical college in the English seaside town of Brighton to becoming chief executive officer of Bahrain Hotels Company, the hotel's holding company.
Bahraini Aqeel Raees knows that to survive and prosper the hotel has to continue to invest and take on the competition head on.
He said: 'If you are in the market before anyone else and don't update and grow with the industry then you will be out of the competition in a flash.'
The company will be commemorating its 40th anniversary with a number of huge celebrations planned for next month.
