Meliá To Debut In Bahrain With Hotel And Residences On Amwaj Island In 2027

Published on Nov 2, 2025, 2:36 pm CST

4 min read

Key points

Meliá Hotels International will open its first Bahrain property on Amwaj Island in 2027
The project combines 150 hotel rooms and 106 branded residences for a total of 256 units
Planned amenities include five pools, wellness areas, dining and retail, landscaped gardens, and meetings space
Beso Beach is slated as the signature beach club concept for the waterfront setting
Bahrain's tourism strategy targets more than 14 million visitors by 2026, with 12.4 million recorded in 2023

Impact

Who Is Affected: Leisure and business travelers to Bahrain, long stay guests, and luxury residential buyers on Amwaj Island
Why It Matters: Adds a new upper upscale option and branded residences in a fast growing Gulf market with improving connectivity and infrastructure
Location Advantage: Amwaj Island offers private beaches and quick access to Bahrain International Airport and Manama
Planning Window: Opening targeted for 2027, so advisors can track sales, pre-opening rates, and residence inventory over the next 18-24 months
What To Do Next: Monitor construction milestones and pre-opening offers, and compare service stack and pricing against existing island resorts

Meliá Hotels International will enter Bahrain with a new Meliá Hotels & Resorts property on Amwaj Island, an exclusive master-planned enclave about 15 minutes from Bahrain International Airport. Scheduled to open in 2027, the project blends premium hospitality and branded residential living, underscoring the company's strategy to grow in high-value Middle Eastern destinations that favor lifestyle-led stays and long-term ownership. The move increases optionality for travelers and advisors booking the island hub as visitor volumes climb.

The development will total 256 keys, comprising 150 hotel rooms and 106 branded residences managed by Meliá. The hybrid program fits a broader regional trend, where operators leverage brand standards and resort-style services to attract both nightly guests and deeded owners. For on-property experience, plans call for five swimming pools, wellness areas, landscaped gardens, diverse dining and retail, and flexible meeting and event spaces. A signature anchor will be Beso Beach, the Mediterranean beach-club concept known for relaxed cuisine, private cabanas, and members-only zones that extend the resort's day-to-night use.

For destination fit, Amwaj Island emphasizes waterfront living, privacy, and direct access to beaches and marinas while remaining close to Manama's commercial districts. That combination, plus short airport transfers, positions the site for both weekend leisure and corporate retreats. The island's association oversees common areas and standards, which supports consistent placemaking and guest experience.

Investor logic for a Bahrain entry is straightforward. The kingdom has elevated tourism as a pillar of economic diversification, pairing infrastructure upgrades with targeted promotion. Bahrain recorded 12,406,810 tourist arrivals in 2023, up sharply from 2022, and government targets anticipate more than 14 million visitors annually by 2026. Those figures, along with rising average spend and length of stay, indicate strengthening demand across short breaks, family travel, and events, all of which support new upper-upscale capacity.

For airlines and access, Bahrain International Airport continues to function as a compact, efficient hub for the island state, with regional links feeding weekend and business traffic. While the Meliá project's announcement does not change schedules, the brand's arrival signals confidence in the market's mid-term growth and in Amwaj Island's ability to attract premium travelers seeking beach access without long resort transfers. Advisors planning Bahrain itineraries can expect another full-service beachfront option to place alongside existing island and city properties once sales and reservations open.

Background

A branded residence is a deeded home operated by a hotel brand that provides owners with services such as housekeeping, concierge, maintenance, and access to resort amenities. Many projects allow owners to participate in a managed rental program, which can offset carrying costs. For travelers, co-located branded residences often translate into larger unit types, kitchens, and extended-stay comfort next to full resort facilities.

Latest developments

Meliá confirmed the Bahrain debut and unit counts in late October 2025, aligning with a previously announced partnership to operate hotel and private beach facilities at the Amwaj Beachfront project on Amwaj Island. The 2027 opening timeline reflects standard lead times for Gulf waterfront builds and brand fit-out. More detailed design, F&B, and residence sales information typically follows in phased releases; advisors should watch for model-room reveals and pre-opening sales packets through 2026.

Analysis

For guests, the hybrid format should increase availability of suite-style layouts and connected rooms, useful for families and small groups. For meetings and incentives, Amwaj's controlled environment, beach frontage, and proximity to Manama can reduce ground-transport friction compared with further-flung resort zones. Beso Beach, if delivered in its recognizable form, adds a distinct daytime and sunset venue that broadens on-site dining and entertainment. On pricing, early-cycle properties in similar Gulf markets have launched at a premium over city hotels but below flagship island mega-resorts, then adjusted after the first full season. Advisors should compare Meliá's service stack, lounge access, and loyalty benefits against competitors as details emerge.

Final thoughts

Meliá's Bahrain debut on Amwaj Island brings another international brand to a compact, convenience-first beach market that is trending upward. With a 2027 opening target, the property's hotel-and-residence mix, airport adjacency, and beach-club positioning indicate solid utility for leisure, groups, and extended stays, and it gives travelers a new way to tap Bahrain's growing tourism offer.