New addition to the skyline

Millions of dinars of investment are still being pumped into the hospitality industry despite a slump in the sector caused by the current tensions on the island.

The four-star luxury Hotel Diva is the latest attraction in Juffair aiming to add to the friendly and hospitable ambience of the kingdom when it opens its doors to guests next month.

Shankar Bharadwaj, general manager, said: “We hope the problems will soon settle down because it has been affecting the economy, the country and its people. We are confident that the market will pick up.

“With the possibility of Formula One being put back until October or November, at least we will have had plenty of time to get ready.

“By then our hotel will be up-and-running and even the roadworks will have been completed.”

Mr Bharadwaj explained that the hotel plans had met with unexpected delays partly due to a travel ban imposed by foreign countries where staff members had been expected to fly in from, namely, the Philippines and Nepal.

Despite the challenges, he is confident things are starting to take shape, adding: “Currently four of our heads of departments have joined the team – the chief engineer, HR manager, front office manager and housekeeping executive.

“We will soon be staging a soft opening of the hotel and will offer 70 rooms. One of the dining venues called Kicks and the coffee shop will also be ready to receive guests at that time.”

The hotel is owned by businessman Baher N Audah and managed by Gama Hospitality Management, who also successfully launched the popular Dragon Hotel & Resort in Amwaj Islands and the F&B outlets in the Best Western Hotel in Juffair.

On completion, the Hotel Diva will boast a staggering 20 floors with five reserved  just for parking. There will be 167 rooms in total and, on the 19th floor, there will be seven exclusive suites under the categories of Pearl, Presidential and Royal. Guests staying on this floor will be able to enjoy the club lounge which boasts a stunning view of the Grand Mosque with the backdrop of Adliya, Hoora and Gudaibya as well as the kingdom’s iconic World Trade Centre and the Bahrain Financial Harbour.

The 20th floor will feature a unique Sky Bar which the company claims will be the first of its kind to open on the island. The floor will also lead to the swimming pool area.

The seventh floor will host the all-day dining coffee shop, Le Café, in the backdrop of the Marina Corniche and the Muharraq Bridge.

The hotel will also eventually feature three restaurants – DC, a grill house which is inspired by the American war hero, David Crockett, Aura a Japanese/sushi restaurant alongside Kicks, and an English-style pub which will feature a sports arena as well as a live band.

The eighth floor will have the Oasis Banquet Hall which will provide three meeting rooms, a stage, a pantry and a buffet area.

The hotel will also feature a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art recreational centre with a gym, sauna and a swimming pool.

Mr Bharadwaj, 51, has 32 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He began his career in 1979 when he joined the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai as a front desk employee. He has also worked at the Leela Hotel Mumbai, Sheraton Deira Dubai and with the Abu Dhabi National Hotel Company in Abu Dhabi.

He has also been involved at a senior level in several major projects, including once carrying out a feasibility study for a team looking to open a seven star hotel close to the Pearl roundabout in 1999. He currently lives in Juffair with his wife Vidya and son, Avinash, an Indian School student.