Flights of fancy

Despite the meagre 75-minute flight time, your Bahrain escape actually begins when you reach the Falcon Gold Lounge at Dubai International Airport. Spacious and welcoming, Gulf Air’s haven of hospitality is available up to four hours ahead of your flight, giving you ample time to catch up on phone calls news, life admin – or to simply tackle the buffet before you take to the skies.

The Bahrain flag carrier has several non-stop options throughout the day, with a plush Business Class service for VIP treatment, but with 15+ direct flights daily, Manama has never been more of a doorstep destination.

If you’ve booked a Club Level suite, or splashed out on a special package, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain offers 
a meet-and-great chauffeur service, with a range of luxurious sedans and even a Roll-Royce for esteemed guests. It’s not a long ride to the hotel – in the realm of 20 minutes – but you might wish it was longer, as you dab your face with a warm towel and admire the views over the scenic causeway, all the while connected to the world via the car’s own WiFi hotspot.

Seventh heaven

Take what you know about The Ritz-Carlton brand, add your utmost expectations of Arabian hospitality, and then place that fusion on an impossibly pristine stretch of beachfront that could rival a Maldivian getaway. That might start to represent this particular five-star offering, located in Manama’s Al Seef District, not far from the city’s bustling souks, chic shopping malls and Instagram-worthy heritage sites.

My particular beachfront vantage point was located on the hotel’s seventh floor. In fact, the views swept across the rear grounds of the hotel, encompassing the expansive pool, La Plage (the best al fresco Mediterranean offering in Manama) and, to the right, the hotel’s sea-inspired spa and cutting-edge fitness facilities. Aside from being one of the country’s most successful hotel’s, with a stellar year-round occupancy, 
the leisure facilities are highly coveted. The perennial waiting list is evidence that this Ritzy retreat is still the place for Bahrain’s scenesters to be seen.

Just out of sight, flamingos cock their legs and appear to pose for Instagram clips in the resort’s shallow lagoon, with a Trader Vic’s serving up colourful libations in the background. Just next door, things are equally exotic, with the hotel’s signature Mexican venue, Cantina Kahlo, proving to be one of the country’s finest eateries. It helps having a Mexican exec chef, authentic dishes and a decent stock of mescal to help it all go down. But I digress – and it’s all too easy to do so – because there’s an endless array of distractions at the hotel; at least 11 restaurants at first glance, world-class leisure facilities and a range of aquatic excursions.

A fine abode

At 65 square metres, the Club Suites offer ample room for you to lay down a set of luggage, fling your essentials about the place and still have room left to park your derriere and plan the day ahead. On your right, as you enter, the expansive bathroom offers a soaking tub, his-and-hers sink units and a spacious rain shower. The immense bed, smothered under 600-thread, gleaming cotton linens, sits opposite a cosy armchair and the desk (usually redundant on fun-filled weekend escapes) is actually the go-to spot to gaze out and enjoy the totally tropical vista.

Always an endearing touch, the Club Level staff had arranged a personalised greeting in the form of something sweet and edible. That, paired, with the fructose-infused fruit selection led me to wander what was on offer in the lounge – with its bountiful spread available around the clock. Check-in, for those on this level, actually takes place at the Club Lounge, and it’s your go-to venue for breakfast, lunch, happy hour cocktails, or anything you fancy at all. And with broad, wall-to-wall windows, it easily affords the best views in the building.

Elevate your stay

With a range of offers and promotions, be they spa or fine dining-related, the hotel always finds ways to entice luxury lovers. One of the best deals right now is for families. The Land To Sea Family Explorer package puts travelling tribes in one of the 20-acre resort’s Club Room or Suite with lounge access and includes a Ritz Kids ‘Land to Sea’ little explorer’s amenity, featuring junior sailor’s hat, binoculars and bath time ‘sea rubber toys’ and treasure hunt map.

There’s also a two-hour dolphin spotting excursion, daily access to the Ritz Kids club with bespoke activities like crab hunting and sand castle building, and a Little Ritz Kids VIP Captain’s ‘look out’ chair and activity seating on the hotel’s very own Private Island. You thought you knew Bahrain? This corner of the Middle East is a true tropical treasure.