If you don’t know where to place Bahrain on a map, now is the time to get your atlas and search. Especially, if you’re the type of traveler who’s always on the hunt for a luxury and wellness-focused vacation. And the reason is, that the island in the Persian Gulf (off the coast of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in case you need help) is on a mission to open a slew of hotels equipped with exceptional spas. Needless to say, we’re here for it.
Bahrain On A Mission
At the Gateway Gulf 2024 forum, Bahraini Minister of Tourism, Fatima Al Sairafi, announced that the country was planning to open 16 new four-star and five-star hotels in two years. And those are the kinds of plans we look forward to seeing come to fruition.
One year ago, in January 2025, the Hawar Resort by Mantis opened its doors. The only hotel on the remote and pristine Hawar Island, it is home to over-water villas and beach villas complete with pools. Of course, it has top-of-the-line wellness facilities, including a hair salon, a fitness club, and a spa. The property is in the Michelin Guide as one of the best hotels in Bahrain.
One of the latest properties to open in the country is the Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences, located in Manama’s Al Seef District. In December 2025, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa inaugurated the new hotel that features several pools, and a spa with seven treatment rooms, hammams, and saunas.
A Meliá Hotels & Resorts is set to open in 2027 in Bahrain. This property will have five swimming pools, wellness areas, lush gardens, and a wealth of dining options, of course.
Waldorf Astoria Bahrain Bay is scheduled to open in 2028.
The Best Hotel in Bahrain
Despite the abundance of new luxury properties in the Kingdom of Bahrain, there’s one that clearly stands out from the rest: Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain. Opened in 2023, the all-villa luxury property is the only hotel in the country with two Michelin keys. Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, with its traditional Middle-Eastern design, lush tropical gardens, and neutral color palette aims to work as a refuge from the glass-and-steel city that is Manama, the capital of the country. The property consists of 78 villas, each with a private pool. The focus of the hotel is on wellness, providing a relaxing atmosphere and a spa offering a multitude of Western and Eastern treatments, as well as fitness practices. Think moonlight yoga classes, bath rituals, and tailored-to-your-needs massages and facials using the latest technology and top-shelf products.
Sinyar Medical Village
One of the big wellness projects in the works in Bahrain is Sinyar Medical Village. The huge wellness complex currently underway in the city of Muharraq, will have hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, fitness centers, a wellness resort & spa, as well as hotels, apartments, and educational institutions, all in a calming, green environment. The plan is for Sinyar Medical Village to make Bahrain a top health and wellness tourist destination — but we’ll have to wait a few years until the project is completed to enjoy it.
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FAQs
Q: Where is Bahrain?
A: The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia.
Q: What is the best hotel in Bahrain?
A: Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain is the best hotel in the country. It has two Michelin keys.
Q: What is the Sinyar Medical Village?
A: Sinyar Medical Village is a very large wellness complex currently in the works in Bahrain.
