Minor Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of 527 hotels and resorts in 54 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, announced its strategic entrance into Bahrain with the upcoming debut of its Avani and Tivoli brands.
Scheduled to open in 2024, Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort and Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort will be part of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront leisure mixed-use masterplan owned by Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat. The new development will offer resorts, residential villas and apartments, food and beverage outlets, retail, offices and entertainment.
Bilaj Al Jazayer is located on the south-west coast of Bahrain and encompasses 1.3 million square metres of land with a three-kilometre beachfront. Manama, the capital and main city of Bahrain, is a 25-minute drive and Bahrain International F1 Circuit and Dilmun Waterpark are in close proximity.
The new Avani and Tivoli hotels, each with 110 keys, will be located along the main boulevard of Bilaj Al Jazayer on the waterfront. Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer will offer a selection of guest rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, an Avani Pantry and a pool bar, in addition to an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and meeting space. Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer’s facilities will include guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars and a café, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, plus spa and wellness facilities. In addition, the hotels will share a beach club within the Bilaj Al Jazayer development.
William E. Heinecke, Chairman and Founder, Minor International, commented, “Minor Hotels’ entry into Bahrain is of key importance strategically for the group, strengthening our portfolio in the region and continuing to grow the footprint of the Avani and Tivoli brands. The country is well positioned with high quality infrastructure and services, and an engaged and highly energetic leadership. I have visited a few times over the years and have especially enjoyed my time as an F1 fan. I’m very happy to have visited once again, this time touring Bilaj Al Jazayer and the site of our future Avani and Tivoli hotels.”
Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels, commented, “We are delighted to announce these two new hotels which will represent Minor Hotels’ debut in Bahrain and will grow our presence in the GCC. The addition of the Avani and Tivoli hotels in Bahrain demonstrates our continued commitment to operating in the Middle East and to growing these two brands in the region. It is an honour to be partnering with Edamah, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain, to bring these first hotels in the Bilaj Al Jazayer masterplan development to fruition and we look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership in the years ahead.”
HE Khalid Al Rumaihi, Edamah Chairman, said: “We welcome this partnership with Minor Group to develop the two new hotels. This is a key milestone that complements our broader developmental goals for the Bilaj Al Jazayer masterplan. The new hotels will play a key role in attracting tourism to the south west coast of the Kingdom and will offer a unique experience for both the community and its visitors.”
Amin Alarrayed, Edamah CEO, commented: “Bilaj Al Jazayer is one of the most exciting projects in our portfolio, which will transform Bahrain’s much-loved beach into a world-class waterfront destination Having the right partner is crucial to achieving these goals and we are pleased to work alongside Minor Hotels on this project.”
Minor Hotels currently has 29 hotels and resorts in operation and in the pipeline in the Middle East region across its Anantara, Avani, Tivoli and Oaks brands, with the pipeline including the launch of two new brands to the region – NH Collection and NH Hotels.
