BOUTIQUE CANVAS

Having seen it all when it comes to hospitality – the luxurious, the budget, the extravagant villas, the clean and practical city accommodation, it now takes something really special to hold our attention. Wowing us from the first moment we stepped into its quaint and colourful lobby, The Merchant House is one of Bahrain’s hidden gems, and Ohlals is ready to let you in on this little secret…

There is an old-world charm steeped in the very walls of The Merchant House; you only need to admire the exposed pillars kept from the original building’s framework to notice that a lot of thought has gone into preserving the past and bringing it into an urban, sophisticated space so flawlessly. Colour is the name of the game here as edgy, pretty and statement-making artworks adorn the walls of the boutique hotel. In fact, there are 196 pieces in total, with many created by well-established and upcoming Bahraini and Gulf artists. Alongside these, you’ll find international talents including the likes of Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst, who have also taken up residence through their art at The Merchant House (it’s a treasure hunt in itself to walk around the hotel in search of the coolest art, and definitely something worthy of the ‘gram).

The brainchild of luxury hotel giant Campbell Gray, much like the brand’s many other hotels, The Merchant House’s unique design and dedication to its location, really epitomise the Campbell Gray philosophy. Here, the lobby alone is enough to blow you away – there’s nothing else like it in Bahrain – even the plush furnishings are an invite to sink into a comfy chair or sofa and take a minute to breathe and appreciate your surroundings. This is the beauty of The Merchant House; located right next door to the bustle of lively Bab al Bahrain, the gateway to Manama souk, the hotel is one of the most unique spots to remind you of how prominent this area is to Bahrain’s history, heritage and tourism. We can’t think of a better place to coop up this summer…

Suite Living

With only 46 beautifully appointed suites, The Merchant House features a unique collection of contemporary decor and bursts with exciting details. We walk into a Corner Suite only to be met with a generous dining and sitting area, kitchen counter equipped with bean-to-cup coffee machine, tea making facilities, minibar, freezer and ice dispenser, living and bedroom flat screen TVs, work desk and multi-plug charging station, a safe, bedside lighting and A/C controls,