12 minute read
Legends / LEGENDARY RITZ-CARLTON, BAHRAIN
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© Nelson Cena/Shutterstock
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THE NEXT TOP DESTINATION
Situated on the Persian Gulf, Bahrain is an island kingdom comprising around 50 natural islands and a further 33 artificial ones, steeped in both history and the amazing attractions its exceptionally modern capital, Manama, has to offer.
Not many people know how far back the history of Bahrain actually stretches, and are surprised to hear that it’s home to one of the oldest civilisations on the planet. And by old I mean biblically!
As far back as 3000 BC the region was home to the Dilmun civilisation and served as a trade centre between the Indus Valley in India and ancient mesapotamia for over a thousand years. Dilmun appears in some of the earliest written documents in the world, and was considered a pure and sacred place by the ancient Sumerians, and is even mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh as a virtual Garden of Eden, a heavenly land, and place of everlasting youth. This is probably due to the existence of numerous fresh water springs, some of which even bubbled up from under the sea, a phenomenon that certainly added to the magic of the place and nurtured legends of the fountain of youth.
Conservative estimates put the population of Dilmun during this golden era as being around twenty thousand, with the majority concentrated in the harbour city of Qal'at al-Bahrain, today an exceptional example of archaeology demonstrating the virtually unbroken of occupation of the island of Bahrain over a period of almost 4500 years, from around 2300 BC to the present day. Archeologists are still uncovering more of that once-fabled land, revealing a prosperous trading society that had such abundant supplies of water that palm trees grew heavy with dates almost without effort. The site itself, one of the largest and most important of the entire region, is unique for being one of the most complete examples currently known of a deep and intact stratigraphic sequence covering most of the time periods of Bahrain and the Persian Gulf, including ancient remains from the Early Dilmun (c. 2500 BC), Middle Dilmun (c. 1400), Late Dilmun (c. 800) cultures, as well as evidence of the Tylos (classical) and Islamic periods.
After this golden era, Bahrain was taken over by the Assyrians and later by the Persian Empire. Next came Alexander the Great and the Greeks who renamed the island Tylos. It was governed over for the next several hundreds of years by various Arab and Mediterranean countries and rulers. In 1783 the Al Khalifa family, from the Bani Utbah tribe, captured Bahrain from Persia and have ruled the island ever since. In the 1830s Bahrain became a British Protectorate. This meant they had British protection, but where also considered a British ally, the main reason for which being to protect Bahrain from Ottoman Turkey.
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SURPRISING BAHRAIN
by Manuela Schinaia
In 1968, the British government decided to end its treaties in the Persian Gulf and in 1971 Bahrain became a fully independent country.
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, and has long been and important trading centre in the Gulf. It has been famed since antiquity for its pearls, with pearl fishers reporting that the most beautiful and valuable pearls were to be found around the submarine springs we mentioned earlier on. In the early 20th the city still relied heavily on this industry, estimated to employ over 18,000 people and around 917 boats, but the industry collapsed in the years leading up to the Great Depression due to the introduction of Japanese cultured pearls. With the onset of the Great Depression, the collapse of the pearling industry and the discovery of oil in 1932, the country's economy naturally began to shift towards oil extraction and refining.
However, for decades now, the Gulf Cooperation Council (or GCC) member-states have been concerned about the sustainability of their hydrocarbon revenues. Oil and gas reserves will eventually run out in the long term, and Bahrain (along with Oman) is in a fairly precarious position, with reserves expected to run out within the next decade, and medium term revenues from oil expected to decline in the face of reductions in global demand starting around 2040, if not sooner. This will be driven by higher demand for renewable energy and improvements in energy efficiency and storage. In the short term, GCC countries are already beginning to use the almost $2 trillion in financial assets accumulated over the decades and invested in sovereign wealth funds for future generations.
With this in mind, given the Kingdom’s legacy of warmth and openness, it is hardly surprising that tourism is rapidly becoming an important part of the Bahrain economy. The Kingdom has been strategically focusing on developing a strong tourism sector, based on a diverse range of hospitality possibilities and an increasing variety of restaurant, retail, and entertainment options, given that every year more than 12 million tourists from all over the world come to experience the best Bahrain has to offer – a unique island setting, a cosmopolitan society, relaxed way of life, rich history and culture, exciting events, delicious food and great shopping experiences.
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PARADISE IN MANAMA RITZ-CARLTON
by Keith Francis
Set in Manama's seef district, a secluded paradise offers a private beach, luxury villas, and award-winning dining.
For many, luxury means having a space all to yourself, while having everything the world has to offer at your fingertips. Set in 20 acres of luxuriant gardens surrounded by the golden sandy beaches of the Gulf of Arabia, this 245-room five-star city resort is one of those places, and one of the most elegant destinations in Bahrain. This spectacular hotel offers an idyllic location where guests can relax and unwind in unprecedented, serene surroundings. In an absolutely privileged position with respect to the Kingdom’s capital, Manama, the Ritz-Carlton offers a truly secluded slice of paradise right in the centre of the City’s bustling Seef district, itself the result of active land reclamation works that began back in the 1980s and dramatically changed the coastline of Bahrain into what it is now, dominated by glittering skyscrapers, luxury apartments and a veritable host of shopping malls.
Conveniently located close to the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, and just 7 km from Bahrain International Airport, this cosmopolitan style resort offers guests the promise of unparalleled elegance, inviting them into a world of luxury and opulence with a timeless, classical feel; an intimate hideaway with a boundless array of leisure and
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dining facilities, each the last word in enjoyment and relaxation, and above all an oasis from which they can immerse themselves in the local culture, enjoy extraordinary cuisine and explore the dazzling capital city of Manama, itself adding yet another level of indulgence to already extensive range of extraordinary experiences.
In addition to its deluxe category rooms, the resort has 31 suites and 42 Club Level rooms, as well as 23 beautifully furnished, seafront villas, each with threebedrooms, its own private infinity pool, private beach access and 24-hour butler service. The possibilities for dining at the Ritz-Carlton truly span the globe, with 14 different venues each with own absolutely individual character, from Cantina Kahlo (Mexican) to Nirvana (Indian), Plums (a steakhouse), La Plage and Bar de Plage (Beach cafes), Thai (Asian Fusion and Sushi), La Med (Mediterranean), Primavera (Italian), not to mention the first Krug Ambassade in the middle-east: a sixteen-person experience by award-winning Executive Chef Yann Bernard Lejard. With the feeling of dining in a 19th century manor home in the French countryside, La Table Krug by Y takes the most discerning of palates on an epicurean 8-course voyage of the senses.
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For leisurely dining moments or for afternoon tea, there’s the Lobby Lounge and Ritz Gourmet Lounge offering guests à la carte café and desserts, while the Burlington Club is a more sophisticated ambiance, perfect for appreciating vintage spirits, premium cigars, cocktails, mocktails and even light bites.
For the healthy, active lifestyle, there’s the latest juice bar concept, La Vie or the new beach bar, La Dolce Vita, and a pop-up restaurant, called Nikmati, offering different themes throughout the year. Or you could just decide to stay in your secluded oasis and go for the incredible 24-hour in-room dining service instead, but that’s up to you.
At the Ritz-Carlton you design your own Gulf resort retreat, whether it's an ocean-inspired Spa experience with hammam, plunge pools, a couple’s suite and exclusive treatments drawing on traditional Arabic rituals, or a round of golf at the Royal Golf Club, a full 18-hole course, par 72 and a sporting afternoon at the resort’s Royal Beach Club with tennis and squash courts, fitness centre and temperature-controlled indoor and outdoor pools.
Or you could just relax on the private beach that sweeps around one of the Kingdom’s most beautiful lagoons that even has its own island, being served a few mocktails before venturing out to experience what sparkling Manama has to offer, from its malls to its nightlife, reputedly the best in the Middle East.
Despite being a small country, it has an abundance of clubs and pubs, all located within walking distance of each other, delivering everything you could possibly want, from top DJs to some quite interesting music venues by all accounts.
Getting to the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain from the French Riviera has never been easier, with the introduction of a direct Gulf Air flight from June 2022.
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ABOUT THE MANAGER
The man behind everyday operations, leading the incredible team of Ladies and Gentlemen at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is Bernard de Villèle, who joined the hotel as the general manager in june 2018. A veteran of the luxury hospitality industry, Bernard joined the hotel from the St. Regis Mexico City.
Bernard de Villèle, who was raised most of his life abroad, being a son of a French diplomat, is widely acknowledged as one of the region’s most successful hoteliers, and someone who leads with a creative and entrepreneurial mindset.
His career in hospitality began 40 years ago after graduating from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland with a degree in hotel management. Just to get an idea of what that actually means, it’s certainly worth mentioning that the EHL is not only the world’s first hotel school, founded in 1893, but is internationally recognized as the world’s best hotel management school, having been awarded this accolade for the fourth consecutive year in 2022 by the QS Quacquarelli Symonds world university rankings organization. Bernard had the opportunity to immediately commence work in the hospitality industry, and started his journey. Since then, his career has crossed every continent having worked in Europe, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Central America, and the Middle East.
He has worked in senior management and executive roles in many of the world’s most illustrious hotel groups, from Hilton, Intercontinental, Four Seasons, Rosewood, Savoy, Orient Express where he became the general manager of La Samanna, and as Vice President of Business Development and Operations in Europe at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, after which he did a stint in Lebanon as Area General Manager of Habtoor City, followed by joining Marriott International 12 years ago and opening St. Regis Mauritius and St. Regis Mexico, before joining the legendary Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.
Bernard is a true Ritz-Carlton Gentleman, leading with passion and empathy. He has a keen eye for details and an impeccable record for elevating the guest experience through continuous innovation and creativity, maximizing every inch of the property. With his fervent leadership, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain continues to lead and sustain its position as Bahrain’s leading luxury resort. Bernard is also very passionate about the RitzCarlton culture and ensures that this is imparted to all the Ladies and Gentlemen and ultimately to guests.
“Recognizing that luxury is in the guest’s emotions, the level of personalized service has never been more important, and that is what empowers the team to create “a la grande” moments that guests have come to expect, leaving them with indelible marks which makes them Ritz-Carlton guests for life.” says Bernard.
© Glen Dulay
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THE ART OF PLATING
A master of art and an icon in the food scene, Yann Bernard Lejard heralds the role of Director of Culinary, and Food and Beverage at the luxury five-star property.
Born in Paris, France, Yann Lejard began expressing himself through art, taking inspiration from the likes of modern art legends like Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), and Jackson Pollock (1912-1956). Eventually becoming a chef by the age of 16, it was then where he found food to be a catalyst for artistic expression and where his signature, abstract style was born.
His artistic creation and expression realize the surreal and unexpected beauty of the contemporary vision of cooking, involving all senses. He designs the aesthetic symbiosis between elements, colors and emotions, pushing the limits of culinary creation and taste.
With passion and pride, Yann Lejard will continue to keep the property’s 14 outlets and banqueting facilities on prime positions within the local market, while redefining the vision of excellence, together with his passionate team of Ladies and Gentlemen.
“I consider cooking to be a creative act, and has the intention to elevate the discipline of our legendary service to compliment food to the level of art. I love to challenge uniformity and therefore create the food of tomorrow.”, says Yann.
