“Secluded island oasis located in the heart of Amwaj Islands.” ART Rotana
The five-star ART Rotana, with its ocean view rooms and suites, is the perfect spot for a beach based stay in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This large award-winning resort is located on the man-made Amwaj Islands offering guests modern and luxurious accommodation with influences of Bahraini design and seven different dining options.
The unmistakable architectural statement exterior is mirrored in the lobby with a striking illuminated arch that intermittently scrolls through a rainbow of bright colours. Art adorns the lobby walls adding to the upmarket ambiance but the much talked about musical dancing fountain on the outside terrace was actually out of action when we visited.
With over three hundred rooms and suites, each benefiting from a stunning Arabian Gulf vista, guests have plenty of accommodation choice for all budgets. We stayed in a massive sixth floor classic suite that benefitted from an enormous private terrace with marina views and our own swanky hot tub. Decorated in neutral tones the open plan living, dining and study areas have a homely feel. The large bedroom had a comfortable king-sized bed, the adjacent sizable ensuite bathroom had an impressive circular whirlpool bath, shower and his and her sinks.
The dining options are plentiful from all-day dining to high-end steak and seafood and everything inbetween. Breakfast is served in Choices, the all-day dining restaurant that offers plenty of international options and hosts themed cuisine nights and Friday Brunch. The upmarket Flames Steak and Seafood Restaurant has a stylish interior with booth seating, an outdoor terrace and chic bar area. While it serves succulent steaks, seafood and fabulous cocktails it also has options for vegetarians like myself who are accompanying meat eating companions.
Attentive service and well presented food was the order of the evening, while the carnivores tucked into steak tartare, crab cake and juicy Angus grain-fed tenderloins from the grill I enjoyed a creamy burrata cheese with heirloom tomatoes and a delicious dark chocolate tart.
A delightful and seemingly very popular Saturday Brunch is served in the hotel’s rustic Italian restaurant, Rosso. The authentic styled interior transports you to Italy with plenty of patriotic coloured details and live entertainment including a balloon modeling jester to keep younger guests entertained. Freshly made pasta and pizzas cooked in the traditional oven are offered alongside a wide selection of anti-pasti, soups, salads, cheese and cured meats including a variety of pork options.
In true Italian fashion desserts included a signature tiramisu, pannacotta, gelato and authentic hot and cold coffees. The service was friendly and efficient and diners can choose to dine either inside or alfresco on the terrace. Other dining options include WU serving Asian cuisine, Cellar 59 bar and lounge on the mezzanine level, the open plan Gallery Lobby Lounge, Patisserie Art and Bakery and the Sunset Pool Bar.
The hotel’s beach club is set across various areas with a long strip of private beach, a lagoon and three swimming pools, including an adult’s only pool and children’s waterpark. There’s a fully equipped gym free for all in-house guests and adrenaline junkies can enjoy water sports at an additional charge; boat trips, jet-skiing, banana boat rides and kayaking amongst other activities are available.
The Bodylines Fitness and Wellness offers a menu of massages, scrubs and facials from its seven treatment rooms including two couple’s suites, I can thoroughly recommend the fabulous Elemis facials with therapist Jocelyn. I had the sixty minute intense Exotic Moisture Dew facial that gave my face a much needed revitalisation and moisture boost, my skin was left silky soft and the accompanying massage was relaxing.
Aside from its scenic oceanfront location the ART Rotana resort is conveniently located just 15 minutes from Bahrain Airport and a mere 20 minutes from the city centre where you can find sister hotel, Downtown Rotana. The hotel is geared up for families with a family pool, children’s water park and Flipper’s kids club but equally welcomes adults looking to indulge and relax. The adult’s only pool, selection of spa treatments and fine-dining options appeal to both the childfree leisure traveller and those visiting Bahrain on business.
The Nitty Gritty
ART Rotana, PO Box 50949 , Amwaj Islands, Bahrain
Telephone: +973 16000 111
E-mail: art.hotel@rotana.com
Website: www.rotana.com/artrotana
Check-in: 3:00 pm
Check-out: 12 noon
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The Good……..
Fantastic beachfront location
Beach Club with three pools and watersports
Private hot tub in suites
Fine Dining at Flames Steak and Seafood Restaurant
Free wifi
The Not so Good…..
Slow check out procedure
I was invited to review ART Rotana. All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2017. All rights reserved. Additional photos used with courtesy of www.rotana.com/artrotana
Read more about Bahrain in previous post Discover Bahrain | The Independent Dining Scene and Downtown Rotana | Manama, Bahrain
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