A taste of things to come
By Mai Al Khatib-Camille
Posted On » July 23 – 29, 2014 (Volume:12 / Issue 82)

One of the world’s leading hotel brands will be opening its doors in Bahrain this week, claiming to boast everything guests would expect from a luxury hotel, except for the price tag.

The Swiss-Belhotel Seef Bahrain will host a soft opening on Sunday unveiling the first phase of the project, giving guests a taste of things to come.

Herve Peyre, Swiss-Belhotel’s general manager, is no stranger to the region, having recently worked with Flora Group Hotels in Dubai. He moved to Bahrain in September to take the helm of the international chain and believes that the venue will ‘set the standard’ that all upscale 4-star hotels should strive for.

He said: “The kingdom already has a number of quality 5-star hotels but we aim to set the standard for the 4-star segment in Bahrain.

“There is a niche in the market for high-quality services at better value and we feel that we can offer that.”
The 47-year-old Frenchman has an extensive background in the hospitality industry, having worked for major chains such as Hilton Hotels and Resorts.

His wife Annabel and daughters Chloe, 12, and Anais, 11, are currently living in France and will be joining him next month.

Mr Peyre said: “Bahrain is a beautiful city. You connect with people here which is important and there are many activities for the children. You can make friends from different nationalities and backgrounds. Bahrain is down-to-earth and practical. It’s a friendly place to live. We are very enthusiastic to open the hotel here.”

The hotel management chain has 48 properties worldwide and several more are set to open over the next two years.

Mr Peyre said: “We are now focusing on the Middle East. We are taking some properties in Dubai as we speak as well as Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We already have two existing properties – one in Kuwait and the other in Qatar.

“We are extremely excited to be opening the first Swiss-Belhotel in Bahrain. We believe it really suits the market here and that it will shine in the region.”

The hotel, located close to the bustling Seef area’s top shopping destinations, will unveil 100 of its 149 rooms including Superior, Deluxe and Premium rooms and suites.

The remaining rooms and suites as well as facilities such as the meeting rooms, board rooms, banquet halls and panoramic restaurant will be unveiled in Phase Two in the coming months.

At 28-storeys tall, the hotel aims to offer spacious accommodation for business and leisure travellers as well as a wide range of facilities, including a fitness centre, spa and swimming pool.

The rooms also feature state-of-the-art technology with digital notifications outside each door to let hotel staff know whether the room is occupied, needs to be cleaned or if guests don’t want to be disturbed.

Mr Peyre said: “We have a lot of amenities in our rooms which guests would expect to find in a 5-star hotel such as big-screen TVs with a wide range of satellite channels and complimentary Wi-Fi with high-speed broadband internet access.

“Our rooms are ideal for both business and leisure travellers and we consider the needs of all our guests. Saudi Arabian guests, for example, like spacious rooms and we are able to accommodate them with rooms up to 50sq/m. We also have beautiful views of both the sea and city.”

Mr Peyre says the brand will also open a panoramic rooftop restaurant and lounge during Phase Two.

He said: “The idea is to create a trendy venue with music for the younger crowd to enjoy but kept at a volume that still allows older guests to have a conversation.

“This will be a great place for those wanting to unwind after a long day’s work, since we have tons of offices nearby. It can also be a good meeting point for friends and families to socialise as the lounge-style music will not be loud, the food will be divine and the view is breathtaking.

“There are places in Bahrain that have these outlets, but I think the music is loud and aimed at a younger demographic. We want to be a bit different. When you reach your 40’s and 50’s you want to relax and be able to have a conversation while still enjoying a contemporary atmosphere.

“It’s also great for young people that want to savour Hispanic cuisine and the contemporary design.”

The hotel will boast a limited number of other eateries, Mr Peyre says, to ensure each outlet has a chance to shine.

He said: “We don’t have as many outlets as other hotels do, but that’s not what we want. We make sure our trained professionals provide the best services to ensure guests have a wonderful stay with us.
 
“We believe that we can provide something new to the market even with our limited outlets.”

Two of the hotel’s cafes are aiming to take a bite out of the market with their range of quick bites, international fare and speedy service.

“Cafeccino is a new concept where you can have a coffee to go or a quick bite”, said Mr Peyre. “Our aim is to make it simple, energetic, fresh and contemporary and we do that by teaming up with a local organic farm to provide the best quality ingredients for our guests. We will have sandwiches, salads, and French and Dutch pastries to delight.
“One of our innovative features for guests that don’t have time to have breakfast is a guarantee that it will be ready within five minutes. If it’s not ready at that time then it’s free of charge.

“Swiss-Café, which is a branded Swiss-Belhotel outlet, offers customers a mix of European cuisine, Asian flavours and local dishes. There will be a buffet, show kitchen and also diners can sit outside on the terrace. It’s relaxing, casual dining at its finest.”

The hotel will also have a business centre and a gift shop. The ballroom and meeting rooms are set to open during Phase Two.

Swiss-Belhotel International was founded in 1987 by Peter Gautschi, a Swiss hotelier and philanthropist who was in the hotel business for five decades.

The first Swiss-Belhotel to make its mark in the world was located in China in 1987. Soon after, venues were established in Indonesia and Malaysia, followed by properties in Vietnam and The Philippines. The first Australian property was then developed and in 2006 Swiss-Belhotel International began operating in the Middle East.