Just off the Bab-el Bahrain roundabout, nestled in the heart of Manama, is The Merchant House, a small luxury hotel that you would miss if you were not really looking out for it. And listen, if you have lived in Bahrain as long as I have, you think that you probably know Manama, the Standard Chartered building, Golf Souq, Delmon hotel etc like the back of your hand... but you would be wrong, this is one establishment that ups the stock of this street (in terms of hotels and restaurants) single-handedly. If you think I am exaggerating - take a look at the pics!
The hotel is only about a year or so old, and it has opened its doors at an exciting time as the surrounding area is currently part of a regeneration project to re-establish the prominence of the old Souk and original heart of Manama. This could simply be seen as one of the first moves towards that resurgence.
I spent a day with the family at this award-winning boutique hotel for a small staycation to mark our 12th anniversary and got an opportunity to explore it at length.
When I stayed at The Merchant House, I felt like I was not in Manama but perhaps in Seef or Zallaq. You can feel the marked difference from the moment you walk off the streets into the hotel. The lobby is was open, bright, and airy, with soaring high ceilings and a colourful mural-esque column that adds that touch of sophistication.
The rooms are incredibly chic, with amazing artwork and old photographs that add the distinct Bahraini touch. There is a large living room, open-air kitchenette (microwave, plates, cutlery, wine glasses, champagne flutes - the works!), bedroom, and a bathroom.
The beds and pillows were one of the best part of my stay... so soft, comfortable and have that fresh linen smell. The only hotel where I have had a better night's sleep is the Bvlgari Hotel and Resort in Dubai.
The headboards open to reveal a view of Manama - my insta-obsessed daughter insisted on.
It was more than enough space for me and my husband, and the two kids ( we got a cot for one of them) would certainly make a great stay for any couple seeking a romantic and luxurious getaway, though I don't recommend taking the kids - there isn't much for them to do, in terms of activities.
There were two large flat-screen TVs, one in the living room and one in the bedroom, though I was surprised they were not equipped to stream Netflix or other apps, an amenity I've observed increasingly in high-end hotels.
My favourite place was the stunning rooftop oasis - the Indigo bar and restaurant seems to be quite popular with Bahrainis and Saudis. It has an incredible ambience and good food. For breakfast( which is served here), I would recommend the Salmon Avacoado toast - you can thank me later!
The pool is right next to the seating area at the Indigo. Adjacent to this is the small but fully functional gym - which I saw but didn't conquer. What I did do - cause- staycation and all that was try the spa. Because why not!
PureGray Spa is fairly new and is currently running a multitude of offers which I took advantage of. The brands they use for the relaxing massage are completely natural and organic.. one is a completely Bahrain-grown brand - Greenbar. I was intrigued by a soap called the 'Aleppo Soap' with Middle East Resins. This had me thoroughly intrigued and I shall be investigating further. At the time though, Kitty excellent massage skills and the calming pot of Green Tea just made me want to lounge around in bed.
The Merchant House has almost all the trimmings of much larger hotel but without any of the hectic energy. It is an all-suites hotel - featuring 46 suites, each slightly different than the other - in terms of floor plan and decor. It is perfect for the sophisticated traveller and the odd staycation-crazy person like me.
