Advantages: Undiscovered by most!
Disadvantages: Soon will be!

...As cabin crew i visit Bahrain on average once a month and I never fail to enjoy my trip. I can stay from anywhere between 12 hours and 10 days and love it everytime. Where do I start? Well, we usually stay in the Diplomat Hotel in Manama which is sheer luxury and caters for all your needs. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the tv keeps you up to date with news from around the world. When you drive up to the hotel really takes your breath away. The lights are magical and the heat as you step out of the air conditioned bus just makes the whole experience out of this world. So, what do we do? well, shopping usually features on the itinerary at least once a day and a good time to wander around the souk is after 5 when it is cool and the streets come alive. I can honestly say, hand on heart, i have never seen any women... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good for short breaks
Disadvantages:

...Bahrain is a rare pearl in the Arabian Gulf. More relaxed than it's strictly Islamic neighbours - it combines the rich Arab culture with a more relaxed, somewhat Western, outlook. This small island, connected to the Saudi Arabian mainland by an enormous freeway, is oft a weekend escape for expats who can sample a pint of beer (alcohol is forbidden in most Muslim countries and anyone caught with it is severely reprimanded). It is also a place for great bargains. Wandering round the souk, you can find a range of goods at very competitive prices. From huge displays of 21 carat gold to sumptuous fabrics or hi tech devices, a visitor can take advantage of the competitive prices. Be warned though that you should be prepared to bargain!! For the historically minded, a visit to the ancient fortress is a must. Alternatively you could... Read review

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Advantages: Warm, hot, fascinating place to visit
Disadvantages: Very humid ! 9 hour flight !

...Look what I found when I was clearing some files from my work database .... a review I wrote after I had been to Bahrain in June 2001. As part of my job, working within a global conference and events organiser, I used to do so much more International (and somewhat more exotic) travel than I currently do ;-( but I still can't grumble and I went to Barcelona on business last weekend and go to the South of France on business (of sorts!) next weekend. This particular trip was organised by a hotel group and was over 5-days including a trip to Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 9 UK based event organisers were invited and all expenses were paid, as we all met for the first time at Heathrow airport and flew over to Bahrain (9 hour flight) with Gulf Air (very comfortable airline). The oddity of being in such a foreign & alien destination... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Luxurious accommedations, friendly honost staff
Disadvantages: Relatively high price compared to local area hotels

...Advanced notice- This review is lengthy but this hotel is worth every word. On my second visit to Bahrain I was lucky enough to get a room booked at the Bahrain Hilton. This had to be the most luxurious hotel I have ever stayed at. From check in until check out my expectations just keep getting surpassed. I say lucky enough because I was travelling with a group from my ship in the Middle East, back to the USA upon my departure from the US Navy. This means that I would be re-imbursed for my stay, otherwise it would have been a bit out of my price range. The Hilton is located in downtown Manama, Bahrain in the heart of the commercial and business district. It houses 250 luxury rooms, (with a choice of smoking or non-smoking) ranging from your standard rooms to suites to executive accomodations (entire 5th floor dedicated... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Beautiful style, good food
Disadvantages: Dull rooms, can be a bit slow

...There is a bit of a rivalry between Bahrain and Dubai. The history of trade and friendship between Bahrain and the West, particularly UK, goes back decades, and until maybe fifteen years ago, Bahrain was considered the jewel of the Gulf, people would go there from around the Middle East for weekends for shopping or R&R and to get thing that weren't readily available in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait or even the UAE - basic foodstuffs, clothes, a drink... Now of course, all eyes are on Dubai and what the next massive project will be - the biggest this, the biggest that.... Bahrain can't compete on that scale but is building, is updating, and is already ahead in many ways - it is a democracy, alcohol can be bought in shops and the people are hospitable and friendly. For an island, Bahrain has remarkably few decent beaches. Most... Read review

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Advantages: Good nightlife and pearl shopping
Disadvantages: Not much there for tourists

...I may well be horribly biased but I think this is a fantastic place. After all I was born in Bahrain, but I hadn’t been back for at least 15 years when I visited family friends for a week last summer. It strikes me that Bahrain is far from an up and coming tourist destination. I had great time, but I was with a resident. As far as background goes Bahrain is a tiny island in the Persian Gulf. It’s not particularly famous for anything other than it’s new and relatively liberal monarch, it’s spats with Qatar and it’s pearl fishing. It’s mainly desert or city, there’s not much else. But for me the place has character. Again this may be being among friends and to tell the truth I’m having difficulties thinking of things for tourists to do. The best sight I can think of is the royal palace... Read review

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