Lawson Misquitta experiences a mid-week retreat at the well-appointed Address Beach Resort Bahrain.

After a busy morning attending a press conference, I found myself back on the road on a late weekday afternoon. This work appointment had me quite excited as it involved a stay at the Address Beach Resort Bahrain.

Located around 10km from Bahrain International Airport, Address Beach Resort Bahrain is a spectacular seaside property comprising a 117-room hotel and 154-room luxury apartment complex along the beautiful coastline of Marassi Al Bahrain.

On arriving, I noticed the hotel’s lobby was spacious and elegantly designed with ample natural light coming through, further enhancing the contemporary and chic interior. The check-in process was handled efficiently and I was also provided with a refreshing welcome drink and a cool towel by the absolutely amazing concierge team that proved to be courteous, friendly and attentive throughout my stay.

I was booked at the hotel’s topmost floor in the Deluxe Sea View Suite. On entering the spacious 95sq/m room, coloured predominantly in shades of blue, cream and white and featuring tasteful furniture with silver and gold trimmings, it was apparent much attention had been paid to the details, achieving a well-considered minimalist finish. But my eyes were fixed on the private balcony that allowed for breath-taking views of the sea and Marassi Beach – I was truly impressed!

On the living room dining table was a platter of fruit, chocolates and an envelope with a personalised handwritten note wishing me an enjoyable stay, a touching gesture indeed. The living room also came with a 55-inch TV, one of the most elaborate tea, coffee and minibar selections, a Nespresso machine and much more.

The suite further featured a master bedroom with an immensely comfortable king-size bed and an en-suite bathroom equipped with twin vanity counters, a bathtub and separate shower and toilet cubicles. Just as I thought it couldn’t get any better, I noticed the bedroom also included its own 55-inch TV and, most importantly, another amazing balcony with the same stunning view. Now this is true luxury !

As I settled in, I realised that sunset was soon approaching, so I decided to make my way to the hotel’s private beach. With the weather being pleasant this time of the year, walking along the beach was a truly relaxing experience. As the sun made its descent for the day, I sat on one of the loungers taking in the calm sunset. The beach area has more than 70 shaded sun loungers, 18 gazebos, a swing set and a counter with fresh towels, making it an ideal place for the entire family to unwind. On speaking to the staff later, I learned that the beach area could also be used for organising luxurious wedding ceremonies – wouldn’t that be something!

As it started getting a bit chilly, I decided to walk back to the hotel and further explore the property. I spent some time admiring the massive 28-metre pool that also overlooks the beach. The pool area had numerous sun loungers and gazebos too and included an adjoining section that came equipped with a bar serving refreshments. In the main pool’s vicinity was the children’s splash pad area, and close to that was QIX Club, a kids’ club that provides many fun activities for children.

On entering the building, I spotted the gym and decided to have a look. It included several treadmills, a wellstacked weights section and three comprehensive cable machines, making it an ideal place for guests looking to get a quick workout. Beside the gym was the hotel’s highly acclaimed wellness section, called The Spa at Address. After spending some time enquiring about the spa and all the various treatments, I was shown around the six cuttingedge treatment rooms. The spa boasted some unique offerings such as Vibra Healing – an extensive touchless sound healing treatment using the vibrational effects of Tibetan singing bowls – and the Emaar Signature Sleep Ritual – a treatment designed to guide guests into a state of ultimate relaxation and help them get better sleep, among many others.

Walking around the property, I had built up quite an appetite and made my way to the hotel’s premier dining destination – The Restaurant. The place had a remarkable ambiance and decor. The menu was inspired by global cuisines and featured organic ingredients. As I took my seat and explored the menu, it wasn’t long before I was paid a visit by Chef Chetan. We had a good chat and he recommended some dishes. I kicked off the meal with the Canadian Lobster Kobe Salad. The lobster was perfectly cooked, its meat sweet and supple, and each bite was topped with a thin slice of truffle along with a select few greens and a special Japanese dressing, which gave a rich and satisfying flavour. The next appetiser was the Salmon Ceviche that was dressed in a preparation of mango, avocado, chilli and lime. The dish was light, refreshing and bursting with citrusy flavours and was accompanied with thin, crisp salty nachos, which gave every combined bite this wonderfully opposing taste profile and texture. I went with Chef Chetan’s recommendation for the main course and was glad I did. The Black Seabass was cooked to perfection and had a mild but delicate flavour profile and a tender yet firm texture. It was served on a bed of Oriental pasta that was flavoured in a tomato and olive oil base and was accompanied with a velvety green pea mash and a black lemon sauce that was deep and flavourful. I wiped the plate clean for this one! All good things must come to an end and I finished with a plate of Saffron Baba for dessert. The dish came with a circular soft brioche served along with a delectable preparation of saffron custard and a careful amount of whipped cream and vanilla ice cream that only enhanced the dish as a whole – absolutely delicious!

After this feast, I retired for the night and made my way back to my suite where after watching some TV, the comfortable bed and pillows soon had me in a deep relaxing sleep. As I woke up the following morning, I had the option to visit the hotel’s wonderful breakfast buffet that they serve daily. Instead, I opted for room service and ordered in a hearty American breakfast that included all the works, along with a fresh juice and coffee. I wanted to spend the final few hours of my stay making the most of the amazing balcony view as I enjoyed the calm sunny morning and savoured my breakfast there.

Before checking out I took a final walk around the property taking in all the sights one more time. The hotel truly has something for the entire family making it the ideal new staycation and holiday destination in the Kingdom, and I, for one, look forward to returning in the near future along with my loved ones. ✤

GO: CALL 7799 8888 OR VISIT ADDRESSHOTELS.COM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.