New visa policy boost for hotel

MANAMA: A new hotel and serviced apartment project is banking big on Bahrain's new visa policy that will allow nationals of nearly 100 countries easier access from next year.
"This has the potential to affect over 2.5 billion people who will be able to get a one-month visa on arrival, with the ability to renew the visa for another three months," Tulip Inn Bahrain Suites and Residences general manager Nicolas Anghelopoulos told the GDN.
"This is a huge step from the government and an indicator of how keen the authorities are to promote the country as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions," Mr Anghelopoulos added.
The multi-million dollar project in Sanabis opens its 33-room hotel component from Eid offering "more value" when compared with competitors.
"The uniqueness is that we offer big sized, spacious, fully equipped apartments for a competitive price whereas you pay the same amount per night in other hotels for a space that is half of what we offer," Mr Anghelopoulos said.
Spread over 20 floors, it consists of 83 fully-furnished one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment-style suites, all outfitted with a guest bathroom, living room, and full service kitchen along with three floors of parking.
The 50 long-term stay rooms are all occupied, he said.
Amenities include a fully equipped health club with sauna and steam and a rooftop swimming pool.
Onsite dining options like a coffee shop in the lobby and an all-day dining restaurant are set to open by the end of the year, the general manager added.
According to Mr Anghelopoulos, other key advantages for the property were the location and being a part of the Golden Tulip Hospitality group.
"We will look to work closely with the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre which is a just a short walk away.
"Also, the area is regaining its position as a centre for business and commerce, with many companies who abandoned the area in 2011 now making a return," he said.
He said the team would work closely with the Golden Tulip Hotel, a sister concern, to create attractive packages to satisfy all guests' needs.
As a part of the opening promotional offer for the Eid holidays, he said a one-bedroom suite was being made available for BD45 a night and a two-bedroom suite for BD80.
avinash@gdn.com.bh

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