New Renaissance Hotel under construction at Amwaj Islands, Bahrain

The new Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Islands Hotel will be located on the series of man-made islands, reclaimed off the north coast of Muharraq Island, approximately five kilometers from the Bahrain International Airport, with easy access to central Manama. It will be part of a 3 million square meter, mixed use development consisting of residential apartments and villas, offices, a large waterfront shopping mall, an entertainment island, additional hotels, serviced apartment buildings and a 140-berth, 240 meter diameter circular marina.

The Renaissance hotel will open in 2008 as part of the project's second phase. The marina, shopping mall, entertainment and commercial centers and schools are also scheduled to be open by then. When completed, the hotel will boast 323 sea-facing rooms on seven floors, five restaurants and lounges and a 1,500 square meter conference center.

The architect and interior designer of the project is the international firm of M/s Davenport Campbell. With established offices in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Davenport Campbell has designed and integrated the hotel to maximize its waterfront and marina location and enabled the dramatic views that will be captured throughout the hotel interiors. Louis Taurian, managing director of Davenport Campbell, said, "Working closely with the developer and owner, Ossis Property Developers, and the manager, Marriott International, "we have designed a distinctive signature hotel property for both the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Renaissance Hotel brand."

"We are thrilled to be a part of this impressive development," said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging at Marriott International.

"The Amwaj Islands project is magnificent in scope and scale and we fully expect our Renaissance hotel there to become our flagship Renaissance property in the Middle East."

Saud Kanoo, chairman of the owning company, was equally enthusiastic about the association. "The Amwaj Islands project is a pioneering development in the region. With some 10km of prime waterfront property, fully service with newly installed roads and utility networks, and a host of residential, commercial and leisure projects already well into their construction phase, Marriott's Renaissance brand will be the perfect complement to our beachside hotels and leisure area at Amwaj, collectively known as Fanar Resort."

He added that Amwaj Islands would be a SMART environmentm utilizing a fibre optic telecommuni8cations and IT network that will deliver IP telephony, video services and high-speed internet to each home, office and hotel room in Amwaj. "Ossis are delighted to welcome Marriott International to Amwaj Islands, and are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with this world renowned hotel operator."

For dining and recreation, the Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Islands Hotel will have a casual restaurant serving three meals daily, a specialty destination restaurant serving lunch and dinner, a beach restaurant, a lobby lounge and a poolside grill and bar. Recreational amenities will include a health club with separate male and female steam and sauna, fitness/aerobic room, an outdoor pool, and private beach.

Business related amenities will include an executive floor and lounge and a business center. Other amenities include 24-hour room service, in-room mini-bars, laundry/valet service, lobby gift shop, and on-site parking.

For conferences and social events, the Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Islands Hotel will have 1,500 square meters of flexible meeting space. The space will comprise a 1,000 square meter ballroom that is divisible into three sections and 10 meeting rooms in varying configurations, including four boardrooms, each of which are 40 square meters.

In the Middle East, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts are represented in Alexandria and Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The brand is targeted toward perceptive travelers who enjoy mixing business with pleasure and appreciate the destination.