A first Nobu address in the Kingdom
Nobu Hospitality, the brand co-founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, is entering Bahrain for the first time. The group has partnered with Infracorp to create a new Nobu destination at Marina Bay, on Reef Island.
The agreement was formalised at Infracorp’s headquarters in Manama in the presence of Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chair of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). It was signed by Talal Al Mahroos, Chief Executive Officer of Infracorp, and Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer of Nobu Hospitality.
Several other senior figures attended the ceremony. For Infracorp, Hisham Alrayes, Chairman of the Board and also Chief Executive Officer of GFH Financial Group, was present alongside A. Aziz Tawfeeqi, Executive Director, Project Development. Struan McKenzie, COO of Nobu Hospitality, and Nasser Qaedi, Adviser to the Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), were also in attendance.
A 51,000 sqm waterfront mixed-use scheme
The future waterfront development will bring together a Nobu Hotel, a Nobu Restaurant and Nobu-branded residences. It will cover a gross floor area of approximately 51,000 sqm, with a planned development period of three years.
The announcement does not specify the number of keys, the number of residences or the investment amount. No opening date has been given either.
The project is intended to bring the brand’s fundamentals to Bahrain: Japanese-inspired interior architecture, signature cuisine and personalised service. According to the partners, it should also help to broaden the Kingdom’s luxury tourism and hotel offer.
A project backed by the Bahraini state
For Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, the deal illustrates the public-private partnership strategy pursued by the Kingdom. She welcomed Nobu Hospitality’s decision to enter the Bahraini market through its partnership with Infracorp, stressing that cooperation between government and the private sector lies at the heart of Bahrain’s tourism strategy.
The minister explained that her teams are working with the EDB and local developers to identify opportunities for major international brands to establish themselves in the country. She added that this would broaden Bahrain’s luxury hotel and dining offer and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a regional tourism hub.
The EDB played a direct role in bringing Nobu Hospitality and Infracorp together. It connected investors with opportunities and is set to continue supporting the project throughout its development.
Infracorp and Nobu: converging ambitions
For Infracorp, the agreement forms part of a strategy to create destinations at Marina Bay. Talal Al Mahroos said the partnership reflects the company’s ambition to create unique destinations combining exceptional hospitality, refined design and a privileged waterfront lifestyle. In his view, Nobu’s global reputation makes it a natural choice for Marina Bay.
Trevor Horwell presents the Kingdom as a new stage in the brand’s development in the Middle East. He described Bahrain as an exciting new chapter for Nobu as it continues to expand its presence across the region. He added that working with Infracorp gives the group the opportunity to bring its approach to a new market while respecting local character and culture, and said he believes Bahrain has enormous potential.
LTH Analysis | Bahrain, a market international brands are moving into
Analysis – Nobu’s arrival adds to a string of recent signings in the Kingdom. A few days ago, Ennismore and Areen Hospitality signed an agreement to bring Rixos to Al Areen. Minor Hotels has also scheduled its first two Bahraini resorts for 2027, at Bilaj Al Jazayer.
The model chosen at Marina Bay, combining hotel, food and beverage and branded residences, follows a pattern now widespread across the Gulf. It was already adopted by Meliá for its first project in Bahrain, on Amwaj Island. For Nobu, this three-part formula has also become a development standard, as shown by its recent projects in the Maldives and in Kraków.
Several key parameters remain to be clarified: the split of floor area between hotel and residences, the delivery timetable and the amount invested. These will make it possible to gauge the real weight of the project within Manama’s luxury offer.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Nobu Hospitality x Infracorp: Nobu’s debut in Bahrain
Nobu Hotel, Nobu Restaurant and Nobu-branded residences at Marina Bay, Reef Island
Approx. 51,000 sqm GFA, to be developed over three years
Agreement signed in Manama by Talal Al Mahroos (Infracorp) and Trevor Horwell (Nobu Hospitality)
Deal facilitated by Bahrain EDB, welcomed by the Minister of Tourism
Key count, investment and opening date not disclosed
