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The kingdom’s first boutique hotel has closed its doors indefinitely to the public. L’Hotel Bahrain promised to offer guests a ‘chic and intimate getaway’ from the bustling city when it opened its doors in January 2009, writes May Al Mousawi.
Management has refused to comment and no information was offered about future plans or the possibility of it re-opening. The building is currently ‘under sequester’ as stated in its public commercial registration record, the act of removing, separating, or seizing anything from the possession of its owner under process of law for the benefit of creditors.
The hotel’s founders and directors based in Bahrain and Lebanon have not renewed the commercial registration which ended on July 11 of this year and the reason behind the closure has not been disclosed.
A commercial registration is necessary to set up a business in the kingdom and is issued by the Ministry of Industry & Commerce with a requirement to be renewed annually.
The elegant five-star hotel’s prime location in the Seef District was in walking distance of banks, businesses and an array of shopping malls. The boutique hotel offered 90 guest rooms and suites, ranging from Boutique, Premier to the executive L’Avenue and L’Hotel Suites.
The hotel opened with three restaurants, one aimed at excelling in French cuisine called L’Avenue, L’Sultan, a Lebanese bistro and Le Relais De Venise son Entrecote (L’Entrecote), part of a popular French chain launched in Paris in 1959 which caters to meat lovers.
The hotel also proved to be a favourite haunt for weekend party-goers with its designer lounge, L’Bar attracting visitors with its range of signature beverages.
Last year’s unrest had a devastating effect on the hospitality sector in the kingdom although it is now well on the road to recovery.
