Hospitality major Minor to make Bahrain debut after Edamah deal

The real estate arm of the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, said the hotels are scheduled to open in 2024.

Avani Hotel and Tivoli Hotel at Bilaj Al Jazayer will be the first hospitality offerings in the area, which is undergoing a comprehensive redevelopment, a statement said.

It added that the deal marks Minor Hotels’ entry into the Bahrain market and supports the growth of the kingdom’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

Located on Bahrain’s south-west coast, Bilaj Al Jazayer encompasses 1.3 million square metres of land with a 3km beachfront and is a 25-minute drive from Manama.

Edamah chairman, Khalid Al Rumaihi, said: “We welcome this partnership with Minor Hotels 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.”

Minor International chairman and founder, William E Heinecke, said: “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.”

Edamah CEO, Amin Al Arrayed, added: “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.”

The new Avani and Tivoli hotels, each with 110 keys, will be located along the main boulevard of Bilaj Al Jazayer.

Minor Hotels has a portfolio of 527 hotels and resorts in 54 countries across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa, and the Indian Ocean.