First Wydham grand property to open by 2013

The first Wyndham Grand property, Wyndham Grand Hotel Bahrain Bay, is expected to open by the end of 2013. The over 260 room five-star deluxe property would cover 14 floors of a 50-storey mixed use development. The project is expected to cost BD 250 million. It will cater to the business and leisure travellers – a category thus far not seen in Bahrain, said the Deputy CEO of the Bahrain Bay, Abdulla Faisal Al Dosseri. It will also comprise 500 square metres (nearly 5,400 quare feet) of meeting space and a 900-square-metre ballroom (equivalent to nearly 9,700 square feet) on the building’s top floor, offering stunning sea views. Complemented by indoor and outdoor infinity swimming pools and separate health clubs for men and women, the development will also include five food and beverage outlets catering to a variety of tastes. Each guest room would range from 46 to 120 square metres (approximately 495 to 1,290 square feet). “This is an incredibly dynamic and exciting development,” said Bani Haddad, regional vice president Middle East & Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group. “Each Wyndham Grand hotel takes in some of the flavour of its destination and this modern, cosmopolitan setting will be reflected in the hotel along with historical Bahraini influences It is a fantastic setting and a great property for this distinguished collection.” The plans follow the following the signing of an agreement with Cooperation Investment House SPC to manage its prestigious landmark building in Manama’s Bahrain Bay. Set in a unique new development, the Wyndham Grand Manama will face the World Trade Centre, just a short distance from Bahrain Financial Harbour, making it well placed to cater to business as well as leisure travellers. “By combining the Wyndham brand’s authentic hospitality and high-quality service with modern corporate office spaces in one magnificent development at this prime location, we believe we are creating the best tourist and business destination this area will offer, ” said Ahmed AlQaed, managing director, Cooperation Investment House SPC. Abdulla Al Doseri, deputy chief executive officer of Bahrain Bay, said, “Bahrain Bay Development is proud to announce itself home to the Kingdom’s only Wyndham.” Upon completion, the Manama property will join the Wyndham Grand Collection within the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand. The Manama property will be the third property. Existing hotels within the Middle East include the exclusive Wyndham Grand Regency Doha in Qatar. A second property is also being built in Riyadh. According to the management of Wyndham Hotel Group, it is part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, the world’s largest hotel company -- with over 7,170 hotels and approximately 608,300 rooms in 66 countries under the hotel brands: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Wingate by Wyndham, Baymont Inn & Suites, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, TRYP by Wyndham, Howard Johnson, Travelodge and Knights Inn. In addition, the company has licence agreements to franchise the Planet Hollywood Hotels, Drea and Night brands and provide management services globally. Bahrain Bay is a strategic location on the northern shores of Manama and close to the financial, retail and leisure hub in addition to its proximity to the Bahrain International Airport. Wyndham will compliment, J W Marriott and Four Seasons hotels in the Bay. These are expected to fill the gap in the five star properties for Bahrain. Bahrain Bay project in itself will have commercial and retail businesses and this is expected to hit with these guests. There is also the museum, the traditional malls like the souq Al Qaisariya, the Bab Al Bahrain. The Bahrain economy is recouping and by 2013 there is expected to be a jump and the GCC funding for infrastructure is expected to give the push.