Manama, Bahrain - The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and Bahrain-based Kingdom Projects plan three developments in the Kingdom with a combined investment of $100 million, bringing the Taj hotel brand into the country for the first time.
Besides the Taj hotel, the package covers Bombay Brasserie, the Indian restaurant concept Taj Hotels runs as its flagship, and a store for Hamleys, the international toy retailer owned by Reliance Retail.
The two companies made the announcement during the fourth Gateway Gulf, which ran from 1 to 2 November 2026, with the three schemes split between a hotel, a restaurant and a shop.
Kingdom Projects is to act as the Taj Group’s exclusive partner in Bahrain. It is also preparing a broader pipeline of projects with IHCL, and more developments are expected to follow.
Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), and Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, attended the announcement.
Bahrain EDB hosted the investment forum at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where this year’s theme was “Reimagining Global Partnerships, Powering Sustainable Growth”. Four projects, among them a Meliá hotel and branded residences in Amwaj, were granted Golden Licences at the same event.
Taj Hotel Downtown Seef is the lead project and will be IHCL’s first property in Bahrain. Kingdom Projects is developing the 200-key hotel together with IHCL, and work on site is expected to start shortly.
Alongside the hotel rooms, the scheme will hold 80 branded residences that pair hotel services with premium homes.
IHCL first announced the Downtown Seef hotel in July 2024, when it signed it with a 251-room Taj resort in Hamala and named Kingdom Projects as its partner.
Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB, said: “Kingdom Projects’ investments reflect the continued confidence investors place in Bahrain as a trusted destination for high-quality, long-term investment.”
She added: “By bringing leading international brands across hospitality, dining and retail to Bahrain, these projects will further diversify the Kingdom’s offering while supporting the continued growth of key sectors. At Bahrain EDB, we remain focused on working with strategic investors to identify opportunities, facilitate investment, and support their long-term growth in Bahrain.”
According to the announcement, the three projects are expected to create jobs in hospitality, food and beverage, and retail, and to widen the tourism and lifestyle offer open to Bahrain’s residents and to visitors from abroad.
Bahrain EDB has backed Kingdom Projects across its development portfolio, supporting its investment plans and arranging contact with key stakeholders. The announcement presented the partnership as part of the Kingdom’s drive to draw strategic investors and encourage long-term investment throughout its economy.
Over in Bahrain Bay, fit-out of the interiors is in progress at Bombay Brasserie, which is due to open in the first quarter of 2027.
Hamleys, the third project, will enlarge its Bahrain footprint with a flagship showroom at The Avenues Bahrain. The store will stock the retailer’s toys and entertainment products and offer interactive shopping for families and visitors.
Interior work there is advancing, and the showroom is also targeting an opening in the first quarter of 2027.
