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Gulf Hotel has been on a major revamping spree in a bid to compete and outshine the very best the island has to offer.
Its holding company Bahrain Hotels Company (BHC) has reinvested more than BD 8 million into its property to bring it up-to-date with the highly competitive and innovative modern trends of the hotel industry.
This is not the first time that the hotel has undergone additional construction and refurbishment ... and it will not be the last.
'The Board of Directors of BHC is committed and far-sighted. Since its inception 40 years ago, BHC has invested in the future and believes in pumping profits back into its asset in order to continuously provide it with a competitive edge,' says Mr Aqeel Raees, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bahrain Hotels Company, a public shareholding company in Bahrain.
Mr Raees has seen the hotel through several facelifts and construction processes.
'The original building of Gulf Hotel in 1969 was designed to give a view of the sea from all sides of the property,' commented Mr Raees pointing to the original black and white print of the hotel, one of Bahrain's landmark buildings, that hangs in his office.
'In 1979, in a span of only two years, reputable hotel chains like the Hilton, Sheraton, Intercontinental and the rest entered the Bahraini hotel industry. There was a flurry of activity and to stay in competition, Gulf Hotel built its imposing tower block which opened in 1980.
'The market was saturated and if we didn't have the tower we would have been out of the picture because the international chains came with a new concept of interiors and service,' he stressed.
In 1996, Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre (GICEC) was inaugurated adjacent to the hotel with 4,780 square metres of space on offer for conferences and banquets, offering another unique selling point for the hotel, he added.
Whether it is the south wing of the hotel or the tower block, refurbishing the rooms or the exterior faade there is incessant work going on in some nook or corner of the expansive property. Ongoing development work is one of the keys to Gulf Hotel's continuing success.
The latest major revamping began on May 1 and although it has caused inconveniences like parking and an ever-changing hotel entrance, the group has its sights set on the long-term benefits.
The renovations have given a face lift to the car park, hotel's faade and the main entrance. It also included upgrading the public areas, Al Waha coffee shop and Palace Lounge and refurbishment of all the rooms and floors. 'The latest revamping allows us to face the challenges of the future and leap into the new century.
'We have the largest market share of hotel rooms on the island and we can retain our position in the market even with the entry of other chain hotels in Bahrain,' asserts Mr Raees confidently.
There has been a steady increase in hotel rooms and facilities since the hotel's launch. From a mere 130 rooms in 1969 to 370 hotel rooms and 97 executive apartments at present, Gulf Hotel prides itself in being one of the largest hotels in Bahrain. In 1980, the hotel had one coffee shop, a gourmet restaurant and a bar.
Currently the hotel boasts of some of the finest restaurants, eight international eateries to be exact, in addition to two bars and lobby lounges.
Mr Raees said: 'When we opened in 1969, people asked us as to how we were going to fill our 130 rooms. How and where will we bring visitors from, was the big question in those days.
'Now with over 1,000 rooms of 5-star rating on the island, visitors at times have difficulty in securing a room of their choice.'
'We try and pioneer new concepts on the island and cater to the growing demands of residents and visitors on the island.
'At present, a Mexican restaurant, wine bar and a cigar room are in the pipeline. We are also building a multi-storey car park and a state-of-the-art spa facility. Plans to renovate our health club are also on the cards.'
Apart from developing its property and services the hotel places great emphasis on its human resources which it calls the 'software' of its organisation.
Gulf Hotel claims to employ the largest number of Bahraini workers within its hotel management structure than any of its competitors and boasts a number of loyal employees who have been working for the company since its inception.
The human element is the 'lifeblood' of the hotel and an important factor that helps in bringing back customers for the 5-star welcome that is its trademark.
