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The first-of-its-kind property hopes to open its doors to the public later this year but limited facilities, like the restaurant and beach are currently available and memberships are open for Bahrain’s beau monde.
The Reef Clubhouse & Lagoon Beach offers guests a full range of great facilities including the kingdom’s first floating restaurant, the Lagoon Moon as well as three gorgeous floating lounges each with their own facilities. The lounges can be rented to host private functions for 10-15 people.
Walking through the facility feels like a cross between a tour through a tropical palatial estate and an expedition through the Middle Eastern version of Hogwarts.
Our tour started off with a visit to the rooftop lounge, from where we got a top-notch view of the entire property as well as Bahrain’s evolving skyline. We then took the intricately designed elevator down to the playroom, which has billiard tables, a couple of bowling lanes, table tennis tables and my favourite, the well-polished and artistically designed foosball table.
There is also a separate area of the playroom that will play host to Zumba and dance classes once the hotel has its grand opening. After a short stop at the juice bar, we prepared to get enveloped by the sensational luxuries of the spa.
The expansive spa is its own world of wellness with dedicated sections for men and for women. From the moment I entered, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, transporting me from the outside world to a domain of luxurious calm.
Cynthia Narvaez-Delena, marketing manager of the property, said: “Every detail has been thought out to ensure that this space fulfils the needs of its guests and its staff. The Spa is the place to enjoy a Jacuzzi with an incredible view. Traditional hammam rituals are offered in the Spa’s Turkish Bath. And for the ladies who want a day out with their girlfriends, the spa’s services can be enjoyed together in the double treatment room.
“From its outstanding facilities, such as its steam room, to its sophisticated artistic touches, such as water features and art works, and from its restrooms to staff facilities, the Spa has been designed to exist as its own space, where wellness flourishes in every sense.”
And for those families in need of a break from the humdrum of daily routine but anxious to ensure the best care is taken of your child, don’t worry. The Kids Club will offer your little one a range of activities, including art and creative play, while you take a few minutes to yourself and relax by the beach or in the spa.
We then proceeded to the fitness centre, headed up by the chief trainer Bryan Jude Millares, a certified RIP 60 and TRX personal trainer, who will be leading the personal trainers and designing activities for the Clubhouse’s exclusive clientele, including bodybuilding and sports conditioning.
The fitness centre conveniently leads to a gorgeous, massive pool, with its own pool bar and café. The indoor pool is surrounded by comfortable sofas, three jacuzzis and the roof can be retracted so one can get a fresh dose of Vitamin D, after a quick swim and a drink at the pool bar.
Heading up this entire operation is operations manager Antoine Assad, a British-Lebanese hospitality professional with around 26 years of experience between UK, GCC, Panama and Lebanon in hotel operations, restaurants and concept creation. With a reputation as a skilled strategist who transforms strategic plans into workable solutions and benchmarks performance against key operational target goals, Antoine will be overseeing a crew of more than 240 employees. He said, during our tour: “Customer service is a company’s opportunity to connect with guests, solve problems, and show they care. And when it is executed well, it can resonate with customers for years to come.
“That’s why we are focused on training our guest support team at the Reef Clubhouse. Service experiences are what stick with your customers and inspire reviews and word-of-mouth advertising. Customer support shouldn’t be an afterthought. Happy customers come from excellent service and are your best advocates.”
We then got a quick sneak peek into some of the restaurants which will be overseen by Executive Chef Michel Karam, an experienced chef with a flair for creativity and a comprehensive knowledge of international and Lebanese Cuisine as well as an innovative approach in setting the stage for a customised dining experience.
As we walked out back to the beach, I had to pause and revel in the view. With a kilometre long shoreline, umbrellas dotting the sunny sands, a special VIP section with imported Egyptian sand and a dock that just makes you want to set sail for the great unknown, this is the crown jewel of the property.
With mild sadness, we ended the tour, hoping to be back very soon once the property is completely open. But in the meantime, the management have decided to open up membership as well as the restaurants and spa to the public. Sign up for a membership today and enjoy the facilities for yourself, with the added benefit that your official membership term won’t start until the clubhouse is open to the public.
For more details, visit www.reefclubhouse.com
