Spending the hotter months in the Kingdom means only a few things: sun, sand and staycations. FACT’s Sara Waddah grabbed her furry friend and headed out to experience a one-of-a-kind, pet-friendly hotel.

Having explored most of our beaches and trendy hotspots during the year, it was pretty exciting to hear that the newest Hilton Hotel had opened up!

Overlooking Bahrain’s sparkling waters and only about 4km from Bahrain National Museum, Hilton Bahrain finally opened up its doors in Juffair offering 348 beautifully designed guest rooms, six onsite restaurants and a well-rounded urban experience that we could not get enough of.

I got a little too excited about this particular staycation though as I packed my bag – I made sure to include some food and treats for my best friend, since he was coming along! As the aggressively excited wagging of the tail began, me and my furry friend, Blackberry, jumped in the car and headed out on our latest adventure.

As we reached the lobby of the Hilton Hotel, the ever-sokind concierge team helped with our luggage and welcomed me inside. Not even moments later, the Director of Food & Beverage was already kneeling on the ground welcoming Blackberry into the hotel with cuddles. He was loving the attention so far.

The check-in process was extremely smooth – I had to answer some questions about my four-legged friend (his weight and age) and received a well-put-together letter with useful insights for our stay! These included where we could take a walk, pet grooming facilities, pet-sitting services, inroom pet massages as well as pet in-room dining.

Honestly, at this point, I was already beyond elated with all the interactions Berry and I were getting before we had even entered our room. The lovely team at the Hilton had put us up on one of their highest floors in a 775sq/ft King Deluxe Studio with phenomenal views of the sea from every corner.

Equipped with a 55-inch smart TV (that rotates so you can comfortably watch from the bed, or even from the plush sofa bed in the living area), a full kitchenette, a dining table, a designated wardrobe area and a stunningly long balcony to enjoy the views from, I put our things down and soaked in the luxury. There’s something quite refreshing about feeling at home, even when you’re not at home.

Berry ran around the room in circles as he got acquainted with the new location – luckily the hotel had prepared for him his very own special bed with a toy and set up feeding bowls for him to use! We both made ourselves at home very quickly, got comfy and ready to enjoy the sunset from our 27th-floor view.

Having taken the day off to spend some quality time with my best friend, we both sat down to explore the hotel’s 24-hour in-room dining menu for a late afternoon treat – I enjoyed some deliciously crispy fish fingers whilst he munched away on his dry food.

The urban-styled studio made for just the perfect getaway in the city. With chic paintings decorating the walls, a modern finishing to the rest of the room, and a mixture of blue, beige and neutral coloured furniture, this was just the right vibe I was looking for to unwind. Opening the balcony door to step out and overlook skyscrapers and the beautiful ocean of blue, I sighed with contentment as I watched the day turn into dusk and the city lights start to light up the skies.

I also thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in that magnificent king-sized bed and lucky enough for my furry friend, he even found himself up there with me as we snoozed several alarms before finally waking up the next morning. I opened the blinds to let in some sunlight through the large windows, got in a few stretches and quickly got dressed to catch the breakfast buffet on the sixth floor.

Entering the all-day dining restaurant, Origin Kitchen & Culture, you could just feel (and definitely smell) the good energy and high vibrations of the morning. With breakfast options laid out strategically all around the venue, I picked the corner table with some of the best scenic views and set out on a mission.

From a live egg station to hot and cold foods, to fruits and desserts and even a gluten-free stand, I made sure that I sincerely indulged for the most important meal of the day. They also had tons of coffee machines available – I like mine cold during the summer, so they were sweet enough to put in the extra work and make sure that was delivered to me! After breakfast, I took a quick stroll to explore the rest of the hotel. Right outside there’s a fantastic pool equipped with a bar that serves refreshments, closely followed by Cocoluna Lounge that was radiating all the chill vibes, Cocoon Wellness Spa boasts all the luxury of its Bali birthplace. And the new Hilton boasts some of the most urban-chic looking meeting rooms I’ve seen around town. The 45-storey hotel and residences is the first of its kind in Juffair. Aside from the fact that they are currently the ONLY pet-friendly hotel on the island, Hilton Bahrain also boasts an incredible portfolio of food and beverage venues, recreational facilities and a well-rounded experience for all those that visit.

With up to 25% discounts on their best available rates during the summer, rest assured that I’ll be going back for another relaxing getaway at this perfect city-break destination. ✤

GO: CALL: 7701 0100 OR VISIT @HILTONBAHRAIN OR WWW. BAHRAIN.HILTON.COM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.