The Hawar Islands have been described by Unesco as "Bahrain's last remaining true wilderness", but they are set to become a new eco-tourism hot spot. A luxury resort is to open its doors in September.
Mantis Bahrain Hawar Island is a boutique-sized hotel that can be reached by a 20-minute boat ride from the mainland. It has 102 keys, including 24 overwater villas that look as if they've been transported to Bahrain from the Maldives.
The resort was first announced in 2021 as part of the Mantis Group, founded by conservationist Adrian Gardiner. The brand is owned by hospitality group Accor, which is bringing Mantis to the Middle East for the first time.
Its properties are known for blending luxury with eco-tourism. At Hawar Resort by Mantis, the designs have been inspired by the ancient Bahrain custom of al korar, a collective act of weaving gold thread.
The islands are off the southernmost tip of Bahrain's mainland and are separated from Qatar by a narrow strait. Lauded by Unesco for its migratory waders and multicoloured coral reefs, the natural attractions of the islands will offer conservation-focused experiences for travellers, including birdwatching and snorkelling.
Hawar Resort, built in partnership with Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, will also give visitors the opportunity to see diverse wildlife, including Arabian oryx, sand gazelles and Arabian horses, all of which have made the area their home.
The surrounding waters are home to marine life and blooming corals, as well as the region's largest herd of dugongs. A study in 2022 found a herd of nearly 700 dugongs near the islands. Guests at the eco resort will also be able to go paddleboarding and kayaking, or enjoy a waterside picnic.
Activities such as cookery classes, photography sessions and a safari under the stars will also be on offer. And children can learn more about nature while having fun at the Little Dugongs Kids Conservation Club.
Adventure seekers who plan to head to the islands can test their skills at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, established by the UK television presenter and survival expert. Activities will push travellers to their limits and sharpen their outdoor skills. There will also be a water park and an adventure park as part of the resort.
For those seeking a slower pace, a luxury spa and wellness centre spanning 1,500 square metres will be available to guests. It's design is inspired by the natural elements and rich culture of Bahrain's islands. Treatment rooms at the spa will have views of the Arabian Gulf and travellers will be able to enjoy thermal experiences, fitness classes and an outdoor fitness studio.
There will be plenty of dining options, with five concepts for guests to choose from, including a sprawling all-day restaurant and a pool bar and grill.
“This project is of immense strategic importance to the kingdom, reflecting our vision to promote sustainable tourism while showcasing Bahrain’s natural beauty and preserving it for future generations," said Christopher Calvert, chief executive of Edamah. "The world-class offerings of Hawar Resort by Mantis will be a major addition to the kingdom’s tourism landscape."
Sustainable practices, including an initiative for sorting and reusing waste, and the use of water and energy conservation technology will help to minimise the resort's impact on the environment.
The resort should be able to receive bookings in the next few months, said Anil Ilhan, director of sales and marketing at Hawar Resort by Mantis. And while room rates have not yet been announced, the resort is positioning itself as "affordable luxury", he said at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
RESULT
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
MORE ON IRAN'S PROXY WARS
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
