Welcome to Registrationa review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best in new (and revamped) luxury hotels based on a rigorous – and sometimes ironic – 10-point system: each question answered “yes” earns one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.

In three words: Unexpected Gulf Oasis.

The basics:
Raffles Al Areen Palace is in the southern half of the island of Bahrain, which means it’s a short walk from the main shopping streets of Manama, but the F1 circuit that attracts so much attention is just next to. It’s a series of 78 self-catering villas spread across a nearly 33-acre site, each with its own swimming pool and indoor and outdoor dining areas (in summer, the mercury can regularly reach six figures). There are one, two and three. -room configurations, although they are very similar in layout. Formerly owned by Banyan Tree, it was completely renovated over three years, reinventing every element before reopening under the Raffles flag just under a year ago.

The best room:
Other than the rooms, there’s not much difference between the villas here, but opt ​​for a villa closer to the main pool and building for convenience, but still tucked away, like 106 and 107 or 404 and 406.

The summary

Greeted by name upon check-in?
Yes, and every time I met a staff member, they knew who I was – no small feat when there are almost 80 rooms and the property is operating at 70 percent occupancy, as was the case when I was in residence.

Is a welcome drink ready and waiting for you? Bonus point if it wasn’t just juice.
Yes. A mocktail with fresh pineapple, passion fruit and mint, but I was impressed when a bottle of my favorite Pinot Grigio arrived in my room after the general manager noticed I was taking always by default a glass of this white with meals.

A private butler in the room?
Yes. And Kavi was one of the best butlers I’ve met in years, a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience. He was responsive via WhatsApp and attentive too: on my last night, noticing that I had ordered Middle Eastern food at every meal, he offered to ask the chef to prepare a Bahraini dinner for me, with dishes premises which were not offered. the menu. The result: a delicious assortment of spreads and dips, plus an okra stew and a chicken biryani-style main dish. It was the best last supper I could have imagined.

Sheet thread count of 300 or more?
Double that: Mascioni Hotel Collection sheets that are 600 thread count and incredibly comfortable to boot. Kudos also to the silky monogrammed pajamas that I desperately wanted to slip into my bag to take home, as well as the faux leather slippers.

Heated floor in the bathroom or bidet? Or both.
Yes, there was a bidet; no five-star hotel in the area would design a bathroom without it.

Are the toiletries large?
Yes. These are the standards of La Bottega Ortigia Ambra. Too bad there was only one set, because there were two showers, one inside and one outside. It would have been a good idea to leave the toiletries in both and avoid having to take them out for an outdoor shower. If only I hadn’t been alone: ​​the outdoor shower had two nozzles, not close enough to be for one person.

Private swimming pool for the exclusive use of the room?
Yes. Each villa has its own swimming pool and jacuzzi in the center, as well as a daybed and towels. The main pool was more splashy, with water features and a bar, and you can swim to the indoor pool without leaving the water (another nod to the scorching temperatures of mid-summer). In reality, however, there was never any need to bathe anywhere other than in complete privacy: as the walls around each villa were over six feet high, you could bathe in complete freedom.

Is it worth spending Friday evening at the lobby bar?
Yes, although it wouldn’t be Friday here. After all, the weekend starts Thursday evening. There is a Writer’s Lounge, one of Raffles’ signatures, with a pool table and some armchairs. It’s not a scene, it’s a place where you come to hide rather than mingle, but it’s a relaxing alternative to the villa.

Caviar on the room service menu?
Yes. The special occasion menu includes Kaviari Ossetra caviar. A classic choice.

Would you buy the hotel if you could?
Yes. It’s not as well located as some of the other luxury places here, which are much closer to Manama and the old town of Muharraq, which is also the site of the airport. But that’s part of the problem: to come to this property is to lock up, hide and relax. The service, design and food were all excellent.

The verdict

Bahrain is an underrated destination in the Gulf, overlooked by its flashier neighbors like Qatar or Dubai. It also has a long association with horse racing (the royal family has been breeding thoroughbred Arabians for over 200 years) and F1, not to mention being the source of the world’s finest natural pearls, which thrive in the waters off its coasts (cultured pearls). were banned here in the 1920s, shortly after the technique was invented). It is also one of the most liberal regimes in the country, although it has its own problems, and there is a strong international vibe to daily life (as a former British protectorate, English is largely spoken by almost everyone). The main market for this hotel is undoubtedly wealthy Saudis and expats living in the Kingdom, as Bahrain is a short drive on a causeway for the weekend, but I highly recommend it as part of any long-haul travel in the region.

Average daily rate: $897

Score: 10

What our score means:
1-3: Fire your travel agent if he suggests you stay here.
4-6: Solid if you’re in a tough situation, but only if you’re in a tough situation.
7-8: Very good. We would come back here and recommend it without hesitation.
9-10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?