IHG announced the signing of Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef, marking the debut of the brand in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Expected to open in January 2020, the 128-room extended stay hotel will operate under a management agreement with major developer, Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C. The signing was held with the attendance of H.E. Sheikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) in the headquarters of the Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C.

Commenting on the signing, the CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa said: “The development of Staybridge Suites comes in line with BTEA’s strategy which focuses on four pillars awareness, attraction, access, and accommodation in order to attract regional and international visitors, further increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy. Bahrain is currently witnessing the launch of several hotels and serviced apartments due to the influx of inbound tourists. We will continue to dedicate our efforts towards enhancing tourist and hospitality services in order to deliver exceptional services for visitors.”

In a statement on the signing, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “We are excited to be partnering with Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company to debut the Staybridge Suites brand in Bahrain. The tourism industry in Bahrain is gaining momentum with an increase in leisure and business travellers, especially from the GCC countries, that is resulting in a rising demand for long stay accommodation. Seef District is the commercial hub of Bahrain and boasts of some of the best shopping destinations in the city, which is why it makes perfect sense to develop the Kingdom of Bahrain’s first Staybridge Suites here.”

He added: “Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef marks our third hotel in the country, positioning us to cater to a wider-range of guest profiles, and we look forward to welcoming our guests to this newest addition to our portfolio, in 2020.”

Faisal Faqeeh, Chairman of Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C., added: “The fantastic location combined with the unique offering of Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef, make it the ideal choice for travellers looking for a home away from home experience. Designed to give both business and leisure travellers a compelling experience in the heart of the city, we are proud to partner with a global leader such as IHG, to further market growth in the country. We are confident that our partnership will be a success and look forward to welcoming guests to the hotel.”

There are currently five Staybridge Suites hotels open across the Middle East, with a further eight due to open in in the next three to five years.