THE TEAM
Bahrain This Month September 2014
Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Email: george@bahrainthismonth.com Publishing Director David M. Robertson Editorial queries: editor@redhousemarketing.com Editorial Consultant Dr. Paul Balles Senior Assistant Editor Elma Bartholomew Assistant Editors Ankita Mamgain, Zilia Monteiro
Dear Readers,
Contributors James Claire, Simi Kamboj
In this issue, in recognition of World Tourism Day on September 27, we take a look at what ‘Destination Bahrain’ has to offer, and what we can expect from this integral sector of the economy in the months ahead. The ‘Discovering a Kingdom’ feature takes us around the island to see the rich and diverse attractions that Bahrain has to offer; whether it is a day out with the family, a weekend break or a fine dining experience, as residents, we are increasingly spoilt for choice. Serviced residences — a growing segment of the tourism market — offer an alternative to hotels for short- and long-stay periods. We experience what’s on offer by spending 24 hours at Fraser Suites Seef and include interviews with players in this market space. In our interviews with those in the hospitality sector three words are frequently mentioned — clarity, consistency and attitude. Our interviews with Dr Essa Faqih, managing director at Exceed Hospitality and advisor to Al Areen Palace & Spa, and Greg Pirkle, the general manager of the soon-to-open Four Seasons Bahrain Bay, expand on these words. The same is true when talking to Herve Peyre, the general manager at Swiss-Belhotel, and Dr Elie Flouty, the media consultant at the Ministry of Culture. Elsewhere, our happenings pages are full of events around town as people return from their summer holidays and we gear up for the last couple of months of the year. From a Cambodian ballet performance to a pop stars’ evening there is plenty to keep us entertained. We also talk to Andrew Weaver, about his new photography book, and aspiring golf professional, Daniel Owen. Our Jaguar Land Rover Backseat Chat guest this month is Akram Miknas, and we visit one of Kingdom’s newest dining venues, La Vinoteca Barcelona. There is something old and new in the personal pampering business. Dessange celebrates 10 years of operations while The Domain Hotel opens its latest outlet, Vie Lifestyle Lab. In our motoring pages, we take the new Volkswagen Beetle around town for a quick spin. Whatever you do this month, here’s to enjoying the great way of life that the Kingdom has to offer.
Bystander Editor Anil Ravi Shankar Art Director Maryam Toorani Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Romeo San Miguel, Rodolfo A. Reyes Jr. Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa, Katherine Lao Personnel Manager Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Media Sales Marise Prata Dos Santos, Hilary James Sales Manager Sanhita Kar Marya Circulation Manager Fawaz Al Balooshi Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Rafeeq Mohammed, Gopal Arul Kumar, Epegenio Tempra Jr. Distributor Al Hilal Corporation Photography Picture Arabia: andrew@picturearabia.com Printing Press Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej W.L.L., Bahrain Published monthly by
RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2014 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.
COVER Cover Picture:
Destination Bahrain: a leisure and pleasure guide to the Kingdom.
•
Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3
George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman
CAMBODIAN BALLET | NUTCRACKER SUITE | SERVICED RESIDENCES
www.bahrainthismonth.com
YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE
Connect with Bahrain This Month:
1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24
Gulf and international subscriptions available on request. Bahrain This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide
September 2014 ~ Vol. 18 ~ Issue 9
BLIPP
AND WIN SEE PG.163 Arts
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Culture
Clubs
Sports
Interviews
Lifestyle
Dining
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
www.facebook.com/bahrainthismonth www.twitter.com/BHThisMonth www.instagram/bahrainthismonth www.YouTube.com/bahrainthismonth
Nightlife
September 2014 17