Private retreat – The Banyan Tree Al Areen – Bahrain

GM Identity Card
Full Name: Mr. SAMI AYARI
Appointed General Manager of Banyan Tree Desert Spa and Resort, Al Areen, in December 2006. Joined the chain in July 2005 as the Hotel Manager of Banyan Tree Bangkok. Thereafter appointed Group Manager of the Rooms Division, followed by Group Director of Business Development for the African Continent and Europe
Hobbies, favorite music, books: enjoys playing golf, not so much for the sport but for the discipline and concentration it requires. Reads mainly financial publications and listen to classical and jazz music

Mr. Sami Ayari welcome to the interview.

Q: Any reason to call resort Al Areen
Sami Ayari: The full resort name is Banyan Tree Desert and Spa Resort, Al Areen and it is a part of the Al Areen development in Bahrain, which represents a highly innovative development with the aim of bolstering the flow of family and health-oriented tourism in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Q: Tell us something about the retreat, its location and how to get there
Sami Ayari: Banyan Tree Al Areen opened its doors in April 2007 boasting the only-all-villa, private swimming and jet-pool resort in the Middle East, the world’s most extensive and luxurious spa and hydrothermal garden, three international restaurants, a complete body wellness centre and the award-winning Banyan Tree Gallery.

The resort is only 35 minutes drive from Bahrain International Airport, and five minutes away from the world-famous Bahrain International Circuit.

Q: Who are your guests from which countries
Sami Ayari: We target the leisure travelers, group travelers, newly-weds and business travelers looking for a new and relatively unexplored holiday and retreat destination and spa destination travelers. The key markets are domestic travelers from GCC, neighboring markets –such as Saudi Arabia, Europe – UK, France and Germany

Q: What one can hope to find different at Al Areen
Sami Ayari: A self-contained environment with an excellent selection of facilities. The most exciting feature is undoubtedly the spa and hydrotherapy area (10 000 sqm), a world’s first in terms of size, design and treatments. It includes an indoor Hydrotherapy Circuit, Vitality Pool, Rain Mist Shower, Grotto sauna, ice Igloo, and the largest modern day built Hammam in a visual feast of several million hand-laid glass mosaic tiles.

Banyan Tree Spa Hydrothermal Garden is arguably one of the greatest fusions of spa cultures ever offered at a single destination as one of the world’s most extensive hydrothermal facilities. One can experience many new and innovative spa concept designs and hydrotherapy experiences.

A wide range of holistic spa treatments are available, each one developed by fusing the extensive aromatherapy know- how of Arabia with centuries-old wellness therapies of the Far East. We combine regional aromatic essential oils with fruits and herbs such as dates, mints and cardamom.

The Spa has 12 luxurious spa pavilions each nestled within its own private garden.

Q: What kind of amusement facilities are you offering
Sami Ayari: Our Health Club organises on daily bases a wide range of professionally run fitness, wellness and recreational activities which include aerobox, aquacise, body stretch, circuit training, early Bird Jog, low impact and step aerobics, meditation, pilates, yoga , Waff® , Muay Thai.

The Health Club boasts a 2000 square feet gymnasium, fitness and wellness studio, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a squash and two tennis courts, Kid’s Club and meditation Garden. Our trainers design customized fitness and wellness programs to meet guest’s personal needs and objectives.

Q: Can you reflect upon the experience so far
Sami Ayari: Fulfilling and challenging. Fulfilling, being part of the creation of a new resort and seeing it built from earth up is a very rewarding experience. Challenging as this is Banyan Tree first property in the Middle East and we have to establish the name for the resort and company.

We seemed to be on the right track, with the recent award by Elite Traveler one of the 101 best villas in the world for 2007, after only 4 months.

Q: If I myself was to book into Al Areen, what is the range of services I can choose from
Sami Ayari:
•Award-winning villa with a private swimming and jet pool
•A personal chef and private butler
•Spa facilities with Hydrothermal Garden, Vitality pools, Garden Hammam, Eight Deluxe Spa Pavilions, Four Royal Spa Pavilions, Beauty Garden with four beauty salons and Gentleman’s’ Saloon with two grooming suites
•Extensive Meeting and Conference facilities
•Fitness and wellness studio
•Gymnasium
•A Library
•Banyan Tree Gallery where guests can bring home a part of their experience - indigenous arts and local handicrafts, Banyan Tree massage oils etc
•In Villa Dining (Local and international cuisine) and specialized BBQ cooking)
•Three gastronomic restaurants, lounge and pool bar:

- Saffron, the resorts signature restaurant serves a combination of both contemporary Thai and Asian cuisine. Escape everything on one of our three private dining islands, ideal for special occasions
-Tamarind combines seafood and well balanced dishes.
-Rimal is offering a selection of gastronomic delights from an international buffet or a la carte menu
- Enjoy afternoon tea and a selection of fresh pastries in the Lobby Lounge
-The Pool Bar offers international snack menu

Q: And what philosophy are you following
Sami Ayari: Our philosophy is based on providing a place for rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul - a Sanctuary for the Senses. The aim is to offer our guests an intimate retreat experience featuring a blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality.

Q: Hydrothermal garden, hydrotherapy pool what they stand for
Sami Ayari: It is a sanctuary for wellness and rejuvenation. It has been developed with inspiration from the great spa cultures of the world and Banyan Tree Spa Hydrothermal Garden is arguably the greatest fusion of spa cultures offered at a single destination.

As one of the world’s most extensive hydrothermal facilities, one will experience many new and innovative spa concept designs and hydrotherapy experiences. Consisting of fifteen different hydrothermal treatments guest can enjoy the unique therapeutic properties of the Spas carefully designed hydrothermal therapy program.

Some of the Hydrothermal Garden Facilities: Rainmist Shower, Monsoon and tropical Shower Experience, Grotto Steam, Affusion Shower, Ice Igloo, Pelotherapy Chamber, Sole Therapy, cool and warm Rainmist Corridors, Brine Cavern, Herbal Ceramic Sauna

Enhancing the rejuvenation process, the Hydrothermal Garden boasts a vitality pool, consisting of nine different hydrotherapy stations, each designed to soothe and revitalize different parts of the body, ensuring a truly holistic spa experience.

Q: Any other facility, services which makes Al Areen special
Sami Ayari: The resort boasts 1,100 square meter Conference Facilities all with ceiling height of 8 meters. The Grand Ballroom fits 220 seating. We have 6 breakout rooms, indoor and al Fresco pre-function areas, state-of-the art audio and visual facilities and video-conferencing facilities.

Our professional conference and banqueting service associates assists to plan a memorable event from theme parties and weddings to stress management and corporate retreat.

Q: Selection of rooms, villas and how they are decorated
Sami Ayari: There are a total of 78 villas: 56 Desert Pool Villas (1 bedroom) – 400 square meters and 22 Royal Villas (2 bedroom) - 740 square meters. The one bedroom Desert Pool Villas are suitable for couples while the two-bedroom Royal villas are suitable for families or a group of four. Seventy-one villas are interconnected, ideal for large families or groups to experience total exclusivity.

Every villa has been designed following the traditional Arabian architectural one-storey structure. Each of the luxuriously appointed Villas also follows the recent design trend in opulent Arabian interiors dressed in rich russet gold and orange tones. A temperature controlled plunge pool offers the indulgence of swimming outdoors in all weathers.

Q: Few words about Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, where else are you located
Sami Ayari: Banyan Tree offers an intimate retreat experience featuring its own signature blend of romance and Asian sensuality. The philosophy behind the hotels, resorts, spas and galleries is based on providing a place for rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul – a Sanctuary for the Senses.

Banyan Tree resorts are found in Phuket, Thailand (1994), Maldives Vabbinfaru (1995), Bintan, Indonesia (1995), Bangkok, Thailand (2002), Seychelles (2002), Ringha, China (2005), Lijiang, China (2006), Bahrain (2007) and Maldives Madivaru (2007). Flagship Banyan Tree Phuket was the first to introduce a tropical garden spa

Q: Any last words, recommendations
Sami Ayari: Banyan Tree is all about experiences and is a sanctuary for the senses. We invite our guests to rejuvenate, relax and enjoy a stay with us which we assure will be memorable.

Mr. Sami Ayari it has been pleasure talking to you.

For reservations contact Banyan Tree Al Areen +973 17845000
or Banyan Tree reservations on + 65 68495800
or log onto www.banyantree.com/bahrain

Picturing Banyan Tree AlAreen, Bahrain`s most luxurious and extensive spa resort