An existing hotel to be repositioned under the Rixos brand
Areen Hospitality has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Ennismore to relaunch the hotel located near Janat Dilmun Water Park in Al Areen under the Rixos brand.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum 2026, in the presence of Amin Al Arrayed, a board member of Al Areen Park Hotel.
The project involves repositioning the existing property around an offering that combines hotel accommodation, villas and Rixos-branded residences.
The development will also feature several restaurants, a spa, fitness centre, ballroom, meeting facilities and a children’s club.
At this stage, neither the investment value, the property’s final accommodation capacity nor the reopening timetable has been disclosed.
An integrated destination centred on Janat Dilmun Water Park
One of the project’s distinguishing features is its proximity to Janat Dilmun Water Park, which Areen Hospitality describes as Bahrain’s largest water park.
The objective is to create an integrated destination combining hotel stays with leisure activities, with a particular focus on families.
“Bringing Rixos and Janat Dilmun Water Park together will give families and visitors an integrated stay and leisure experience in one place,” said Dr Essa Faqeeh, CEO of Areen Hospitality.
A further step for Rixos and Ennismore in the Middle East
The agreement forms part of the regional development of Rixos, a brand within Ennismore’s portfolio whose positioning combines upscale hospitality, dining, entertainment and leisure experiences.
In Bahrain, the Al Areen project will bring this approach to a destination incorporating hotel facilities, residences and a water park.
However, the announced agreement remains a preliminary step: the statement does not yet specify the final terms of the partnership between Areen Hospitality and Ennismore.
LTH Analysis | The convergence of hospitality, residences and leisure
The Al Areen project illustrates a hotel development trend in the Middle East: integrating several real estate and tourism components within a single destination.
For investors, combining a hotel, villas, branded residences and an existing leisure attraction can help diversify revenue streams and strengthen the destination’s appeal.
The choice of Rixos also reflects a positioning strategy: offering an extended hospitality experience in which activities and services form a significant part of the value proposition.
Nevertheless, the project’s implementation will depend on the final terms of the agreement, the investment required for the repositioning and the operational timetable, all of which remain to be confirmed.
At a Glance
Partnership: Areen Hospitality and Ennismore have signed a memorandum of understanding.
Location: Al Areen, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Brand: Rixos, part of Ennismore’s portfolio.
Project: Rebranding and relaunch of an existing hotel alongside Janat Dilmun Water Park.
Facilities: Hotel rooms, villas, branded residences, restaurants, spa, fitness centre, ballroom, meeting spaces and children’s club.
Status: MoU signed; investment value, room count and reopening date not disclosed.
