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 Besides a labyrinthine souk, Manama (pop.150,000) has several shopping centers , the modern, spacious National Museum, Quran House, a heritage center and the Grand Mosque ( generally open mornings to visitors ) Night- owls will rejoice at the wide choice of discos, nightclubs and other late-night spots .
Outside of Manama, guided tours take visitors to village where basket and textile weaving , pottery and dhow building are still practised . In the heart of the main island is the Gulf s first oil well adjacent to an oil museum, a remarkable Tree of Life in the desert and a sprawling wildlife reserve .Over four millenniums old are the imposing Bahrain Fort, burial mounds, the Barbar temple and the Saar village while visits can also be made to patrician homes, a thousand-year-old mosque, old forts, a camel farm and the Amir s private beach. A craft center boasts, among tow dozen types of handi-work , workshops for producting papyrus- like paper from palm fronds and stained glass .
A trip to the nidpoint of the 25-kilometre-long Saudi causeway permits visitors to view the coast of both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia . Several enormous and elegant shopping malls provide ample opportunity to browse for international brands and local merchandise
Al Bander Hotel and Resort
Situated 20 minutes from the airport , Al Bandar has 6 deluxe chalets with private pool and jacuzzi, 43 duplex chalets (1-3 bedrooms) all facing the sea , centrally air conditioned , living-dining room, fully furnished, kitchenette, TV, a spacious balcony and individual covered car-park area. Moreover, 36 seaview cabanas are ideally suited for honeymooners and first- class holidaymakers . Temperature-controlled swimming pools, sunken bar, 16-seat open air jacuzzi , flood-lit tennis courts, beach volleyball , a multipurpose court, junior club with playground. Water sports facilities include waterskiing , windsurfing, sailing, catamarans and Hobbie cats , canoes and pedalose . A fully equipped gymnasium, 2 air-conditioned squash courts , aerobics and step exercise room, 6-lane bowling alley, Fish market restaurant, coffee shop and fast-food outlet .
Diplomat
A 5-star hotel 10 minutes from the airport , 3 restaurants , Arabic, Western , international entertainment health club, nightclub , disco, awimming pool , gym, tennis and squash courts.
Gulf
Five minutes from city center , the Gulf overlooks the sea , has 366 rooms which include 3 luxury suites, 9 standard suites , 30 deluxe rooms and 1 Amiri suite . Chinese, Italian , Japanese , Lebanese restaurants , 24-hours coffee shop, piano lounge, pub, night club , sports lounge . Health club (separate gyms for men and women ) , steam room , jacuzzi, sauna and massage service .2 floodlit tennis courts, 2 air conditioned squashcourts, childrens pool and play area and temperature-controlled swimming pool .
Hiltom
250 rooms and suites, rooms for disabled and non-smoking rooms, 3 restaurants(international, Arabic, Japanese ) , 24 hours coffee shop, night club, poolside club (snacks, darts , anooker ), swimming pool, sauna, gym, tennis courts, steam bath , table tennis .
Holiday Inn
A five -star hotel with 246 rooms, just 5 minutes from the souk , 10 minutes from the airport . 3 restaurant, entertainment, health club, bar , disco , gym, swimming pool , tennis and squash courts .
Regency Inter-Continental
In the heart of the commercial district of Manama , the Regency Inter-Continental is just minutes away on foot from the popular souk and main shopping centers . The airport is a ten-minute drive . There are 327 air-conditioned dedrooms and suites, all overlooking the Arabian Gulf . French and Lebanese restaurants, 24-hour coffee shop, bar, lobby restaurant lounge. Ladies and gentlemen s gyms include sauna , jacuzzi, step and aerobic classes , tennis and squash courts, swimming pool and massage service .
Le Royal Meridien
Located five minutes from Manama on a private beach amidst tropical gardens, Le Royal Meridien is a five-star deluxe hotel with 264 rooms and suites . Five restaurants include French , Indian , Italian and Mexican cooking. The hotel ha both inside and outdoor pools, steam bath , sauna, gymnasium, squash and tennis courts, parasailing is available from the hotel s beach .
Sheraton
Just 7 minutes from airport , a few minutes walk to the heart of city center . 5 restaurants, health club , bar , disco , swimming pool , nightclub , gym.
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