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Bahrain is a small island kingdom where ancient traditions meet modern skyscrapers. The combination of bustling souks and gleaming skyscrapers is bound to leave you speechless, and the scorching heat and desert landscape will have you dreaming of Arabian Nights. Exploring this small but lively kingdom in the Gulf of Persia is a bit of a glimpse into the past and the future at the same time.
Choosing where to stay in Bahrain is crucial for experiencing this diverse destination. That said, the country, which is also an island, is relatively small, with most of the accommodation concentrated around the capital of Manama.
Join me as I navigate the sweltering desert, gorgeous beaches, and modern neighbourhoods of Bahrain, sharing personal favourites and insider tips along the way:
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- Where is the Best Place to Stay in Bahrain?
- Bahrain Neighbourhood Guide – Best Places to Stay in Bahrain
- Bahrain’s Three Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in
- FAQs About Where to Stay in Bahrain
- What To Pack For Bahrain
- Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Bahrain
- Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Bahrain
- Buy Us a Coffee!
Where is the Best Place to Stay in Bahrain?
These are my top three picks for places to stay when you visit this Middle Eastern island country. Forget visiting Dubai, everyone goes there, visit somewhere different in Bahrain!
Onyx Rotana, Manama
The Onyx Rotana is a treat in all senses of the word. It’s pure luxury, with sleek interiors, five-star service, and just the right amount of glitz and glamour. The building alone is a true standout in the Manama skyline.
Whether lounging in the wellness centre or watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand, surrounded by the cool water of the rooftop pool, every aspect of this hotel goes above and beyond to ensure your stay is as memorable as possible.
Springfield Suites, Seef / Bahrain Bay
Springfield Suites is the kind of place that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to stay somewhere clean, comfortable, and well-located.
It’s one of the most affordable places to stay in Bahrain’s otherwise priciest neighbourhood, and is designed to offer a combination of the privacy of an apartment and the facilities of a hotel. And by facilities, it’s got a coffee shop, rooftop pool, spa, and fitness centre with city views, and offers services like room service and housekeeping.
Stylish Seaview Studio, Amwaj Islands
There is something so refreshing about staying in a place that feels bright and homey in the middle of a metropolitan centre like Bahrain.
Set on the stunning Amwaj Islands, this sea-view studio is decorated with delicate touches that make it hard to leave. It’s a dreamy spot for solo travellers and couples looking to experience the seaside of the islands.
Bahrain Neighbourhood Guide – Best Places to Stay in Bahrain
Manama
Manama is the cultural centre of Bahrain, and I recommend staying there during your first visit to the country. It’s a busy city, sometimes so busy, it feels like you’re walking through a tornado of souks, skyscrapers, singing mosques, museums, and modern malls.
Amwaj Islands
The Amwaj Islands offer a calm and coastal escape from the busy city centre. It’s built on a man-made island, and feels like one cohesive luxurious resort village. It’s perfect for families looking for a safe and secure spot with pretty beaches and plenty of accommodation options.
Seef / Bahrain Bay
Seef and the Bahrain Bay area are where modern skyscrapers meet five-star resorts and luxurious spa treatments. It’s a neighbourhood home to the most lavish hotels and residential towers, where you’ll find most of the city’s diplomats and high-level business travellers staying
Bahrain may be small in size, but don’t let that fool you – this island nation is packed with personality. Tucked between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, I like to call it the Middle East’s best-kept secret. What might surprise you is how different each neighbourhood feels, even within the capital city.
Manama, the capital, is the best place to stay in Bahrain for a first-time visit. It will likely be your first port of entry, and it is the perfect intro to Bahrain. It’s a lively mix of old and new, with traditional souks lined with spices, pearls, and gold jewellery. This modern metropolis is where you’ll find the high-rise hotels with rooftop pools, waterfront restaurants, and that classic glow of lights above the city at night. It’s also a hub for museums, shopping, and even nightlife.
Then there are the Amwaj Islands, which might look like an extension of the capital city, but feel worlds away. These man-made islands off the north coast of Muharraq Island give the same feel you get when you visit the Palm Dubai – a totally relaxed, family-friendly vibe that is all about the beach, water sports, and beachside dining. It’s quieter than the capital and one of the best places for families or couples looking for a luxurious stay.
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For you broke backpackers this might be one of the worst countries but for you boujee backpackers, Seef and Bahrain Bay are full of modern luxury spots, where you’ll find plenty of high-end malls, five-star hotels, and views of the bay that are so good, you’ll leave with a full camera roll and an empty wallet. This is the kind of place you go to spend a day at a spa on the 30th floor of a skyscraper or experience Bahrain’s fine dining scene.
Whether you’re after a slice of history, a beach scene, or to get your hands on some of the beautiful decorative gold jewellery the region is famous for, you’ll find your niche in one of these three places in Bahrain.
Bahrain is an ideal place to start as you can easily reach a lot of the region by road. In theory, you can hitchhike, cycle or walk to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and backpack throughout Oman from Bahrain. And, you can also find flights to India at a reasonable price.
Bahrain’s Three Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in
Follow on for a more detailed breakdown of these three best places to stay in Bahrain:
1. Manama – Where to Stay in Bahrain for Your First Time
Manama is the cultural centre of Bahrain, and I recommend staying there during your first visit to the country. It’s a busy city, sometimes so busy, it feels like you’re walking through a tornado of souks, skyscrapers, singing mosques, museums, and modern malls.
Manama has got it all, and not just in terms of facilities. It’s also a melting pot of cultures, with a mix of locals, expats, business travellers, and tourists. The city is buzzing 24/7 and is perfect if you like the convenience of attractions and a mix of day and night energy at your doorstep. Accommodations here range from hotels to apartments.
Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair | Best Hotel in Manama
If you love the buzz of city life but still want to feel pampered and looked after, the Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair ticks all the boxes.
The vibe is sleek and clean, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the city skyline and the Persian Gulf. It’s an easy transit into the heart of the city, but it feels like an intimate retreat from the rooftop pool and wellness centre.
Onyx Rotana | Most Luxurious Resort in Manama
Set in one of those impressive skyscrapers that form an integral part of the seaside skyline, Onyx Rotana is one of the most lavish places to stay in Bahrain.
It’s sleek, modern, and infinitely stylish, featuring an extravagant indoor pool and wellness centre, a lobby with a living tree growing inside of it, and a rooftop pool with sea views so good, they will make you feel like you’re floating above the world.
Add to that a kids’ play zone with slides, trampolines, and ball pits, as well as an adult games room, and this place will keep the entire family satisfied.
Modern Family-Friendly 2-Bed Apartment | Best Family-Friendly Apartment in Manama
There is something magical about sipping your coffee on a balcony overlooking the skyline of a modern city. Not only does this apartment deliver on city and sea views, but it also feels airy, light, and refreshingly homey.
It’s the kind of place where you can feel like a local even on a short trip. Plus, you can rent the apartment for long-term stays, if a digital-nomad adventure in Bahrain is on the cards.
Things to See and Do in Manama
- Indulge in a food tour through the bustling Manama Souq
- Admire the massive Al Fateh Grand Mosque, built in 1988, on a day tour through Manama
- Visit the Bahrain National Museum for a slice of local history
- Tour the famous Pearling Path, a World Heritage Site
- Stroll through the Beit Al Quran, a museum complex housing a collection of rare Qurans
- Take a nature flora and fauna trip through the desert
- Take a day trip to the Bahrain International Circuit, the location for the annual Bahrain Grand Prix, on a full day tour of Bahrain from north to south
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View on Osprey2. Amwaj Islands – Best Place to Stay in Bahrain for a Family Vacation
Just a few miles off the coast of Manama, the Amwaj Islands offer a calm and coastal escape from the busy city centre. It’s built on a man-made island, and feels like one cohesive luxurious resort village. It’s perfect for families looking for a safe and secure spot with pretty beaches and plenty of accommodation options.
Locals who live here are mainly expats, especially young families and professionals, who enjoy living right on the water’s edge. There are serviced apartments, hotels with direct beach access, and plenty of things to do for kids.
The Art Hotel & Resort | Best Hotel in Amwaj Islands
The Art Resort & Hotel is one of the most quintessentially luxurious places to stay in Bahrain. It’s modern, enormous, and the building itself looks like a wave crashing into the Persian Gulf (which ironically, has very few waves to speak of).
The resort is massive, with facilities to suit the whole family, including a kids’ water park (in total, the hotel has four different pools), a private beach, a fitness and wellness club offering divine massage treatments, and a range of dining options.
Stylish Seaview Studio | Best Apartment in Amwaj Islands
When it comes to atmosphere, this little studio packs a lot into a small space. It’s set on the pristine islands of Amwaj, with the glittering sea just beyond the entrance.
The space feels modern and fresh, but also homey and lived-in. It’s ideal if you’re travelling as a couple or solo travelling and looking for a home-away-from-home without sacrificing on style. Plus, being right on the islands means you’ll be steps away from paddleboarding, beach cafes, and some beautiful waterfront strolls.
1-Bed Apartment with Pool Access | Beautiful Apartment in Amwaj Islands
This one-bedroom apartment is built for easy living. It’s got bright interiors, a comfy living space, and a tiny balcony with some of the best views over the sparkling blue sea as well as the building’s pool (which you’ll have access to, of course).
The apartment also includes access to a gym and an indoor children’s playroom, an outdoor kids playground, an adult games room, and a sauna and hot tub.
Things to See and Do in Amwaj Islands
- Explore Muharraq, a traditional village with Bahraini houses, passing the Siyadi House along the way
- Visit the Qala’t Bu Mahir at sunset, a historic fort
- Visit Arad Fort, a 15th-century fortress overlooking the sea passages
- Dance the day away at Solymar Beach Club
- Indulge in some retail therapy at The Lagoon Park shopping mall
- Spend a day on one of the island’s top beaches
- Take your kids to the Waha Splashclub waterpark
3. Seef / Bahrain Bay – Best Area in Bahrain For a Luxury Stay
Seef and the Bahrain Bay area are where modern skyscrapers meet five-star resorts and luxurious spa treatments. It’s a neighbourhood home to the most lavish hotels and residential towers, where you’ll find most of the city’s diplomats and high-level business travellers staying (plus, a lucky few tourists on a high budget). It’s also just a few miles from central Manama – so close that some would consider it an extended neighbourhood of the capital.
In this Bahrain neighbourhood, the main activities are beach, food, and accommodation-related. For instance, a typical day might include a slow breakfast at a resort, a day at a spa, and an afternoon on a private resort beach. Not too bad, if you ask me.
Royal Saray Resort | Best Beach Resort in Seef / Bahrain Bay
If you close your eyes and picture the most luxurious beach resort you can imagine, the Royal Saray Resort might spring to mind. It’s got that surreal balance between being a dreamy beach escape, while still feeling polished and five-star.
You can spend the day barefoot on the beach or lounging by the infinity pool, and dress up in your chic formals for dinner at one of the hotel restaurants. The hotel has plenty of different suites, houses, and mansions, some new and modern, others inspired by traditional Arabian architecture. It’s fresh and different, but consistently lavish and exquisite.
Springfield Suites | Best Hostel Equivalent in Seef / Bahrain Bay
While you won’t find any dingy dorm rooms or shared kitchens here, Springfield Suites is about the closest you’ll get to a budget accommodation in this neighbourhood.
It’s basically a selection of boutique apartments with high-end shared facilities, making it the perfect combo between renting an apartment and staying in a hotel. I rate it as a top option for digital nomads, with an all-day coffee shop, fitness centre, and room service.
Boho Style 1-Bed Condo Overlooking the Harbour | Apartment with the Best Views in Seef / Bahrain Bay
The views from this one-bedroom condo are hard to beat, even at the most luxurious hotels in this Bahrain neighbourhood. Floor-to-ceiling windows make it feel like you’re floating above the bay.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to settle in and get comfortable. Think woven textures, wooden details, and cosy corners that balance the sweeping harbour views with homey interiors. It feels like the perfect balance between laid-back and stylish.
Things to See and Do in Seef / Bahrain Bay
- Get your retail therapy in at the Dana Mall, Seef Mall, and City Centre Bahrain Mall
- Play a round of padel at Beach Padel
- Learn to make your own mosaic at the Mosaic House Bahrain
- Watch the sunrise from Bahrain Bay Beach
- Kayak in the Bahrain Bay
- Live the luxurious life with a spa day at one of the neighbourhood’s top hotels
- Visit the ruins of the Bahrain Fort, a Portuguese fort built in the 16th century
- Visit the first oil well ever found in Bahrain, the source of the country’s wealth
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Hide Yo’ Money!FAQs About Where to Stay in Bahrain
If you’re not sure where to start booking or planning, I always find it useful to begin with a few frequently asked questions about a destination:
What To Pack For Bahrain
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Bahrain
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Bahrain.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Bahrain
Hopefully, this article has clarified a bit more about where to stay in Bahrain. Whether you’re interested in the cultural core of Manama, would prefer to lounge on the beaches of your private hotel in the Amwaj Islands, or are keen to soak up the five-star experience in Seef and the Bahrain Bay, each area here offers a distinct flavour of this Middle Eastern island country.
Although pricey, I can’t recommend the Royal Saray Resort enough. With its massive pool that leads directly onto a private beach, there are few places to stay in Bahrain that are this stunning.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
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