Summer Reset

Amna Syed and Shaymaa Elgayar enjoyed a girls’ staycation at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa Bahrain, and shared their thoughts.

Summer has a way of making us crave an escape. While holidays abroad are always tempting, sometimes the best getaway does not involve a passport, airport queues or trying to squeeze a week’s worth of outfits into hand luggage. Sometimes, all you need is one overnight bag, your favourite travel companion and a hotel that makes switching off feel effortless.

With Bahrain’s summer sunshine in full force, we swapped our to-do lists for sea views, spa robes and leisurely lunches at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa Bahrain. What followed was a weekend filled with good food, proper catch-ups, a little pampering and plenty of moments where we looked at each other and said: “Why don’t we do this more often?”

From spacious accommodation overlooking the sea to vibrant dining experiences, indulgent spa treatments and lazy poolside moments, this staycation reminded us that luxury is not always about travelling further. Sometimes, it is about making time to slow down.

Checking In: Holiday Mode Activated

First impressions matter and ours could not have been better.

After a warm welcome at reception, we made our way to our sea-view residence and immediately agreed on one thing: we could happily stay longer than one night.

The residence felt more like a stylish apartment than a hotel room, complete with a spacious living room, a beautifully furnished bedroom with a king-size bed, two bathrooms, a practical kitchenette and even a washing machine for longer stays.

Of course, before we had unpacked a single thing, we had wandered straight over to the windows. There is something about a sea view that instantly convinces your brain you are on holiday, even when you are only a short drive from home.

The living room quickly became our unofficial headquarters for coffee, conversation and the occasional debate over who had packed more ‘just in case’ outfits.

Coffee First: Catching Up at Royal Café

Every girls’ getaway starts with one essential ingredient: coffee.

Royal Café became our first stop, where iced coffees arrived just as Bahrain’s summer temperatures reminded us why indoor seating is a gift.
Within minutes, conversation took over. There were stories we had forgotten to tell each other, plans to make, memories to laugh about and, naturally, the obligatory discussion about booking another girls’ trip before we had even finished this one.

Without phones constantly buzzing or calendars dictating the day, we remembered how refreshing uninterrupted conversation can be. Sometimes, slowing down really is the greatest luxury.

Friday Fun Brunch at BO.SABI and a Caribbean Twist at SOL

If one experience captured the spirit of our staycation, it was Friday Brunch at BO.SABI. Bringing together bold Caribbean flavours, lively entertainment and an infectious party atmosphere, it was the perfect way to ease into the weekend.

From the moment we arrived, the upbeat music and vibrant energy set the tone. The buffet was a feast for both the eyes and the appetite, with an impressive spread that catered to every craving. Fresh sushi and colourful salads sat alongside stone-baked pizzas, succulent ribs and comforting Southern fried chicken, while Caribbean favourites such as jerk chicken, fried plantains and creamy macaroni cheese added a delicious island twist.
Live cooking stations kept the experience interactive, with chefs preparing dishes to order and making every visit to the buffet feel like a new discovery. Of course, we began with every intention of being sensible. That plan quickly disappeared somewhere between our second trip to the buffet and the dessert station.

Speaking of dessert, it was impossible to resist. From beautifully presented cakes and pastries to bite-sized sweet treats, every corner offered another temptation. The Baskin-Robbins ice cream cart was the final flourish, proving that no Friday celebration is complete without a scoop or two. Paired with refreshing mocktails and expertly crafted cocktails, the SOL Friday Fun Brunch was more than just a meal. It was a vibrant afternoon of fantastic food, live entertainment and feel-good energy that left us smiling long after the last bite.

Poolside Therapy

After brunch, a swim sounded ambitious. Instead, we opted for what we are now calling poolside therapy.

Feet dipped into the cool water, sunglasses firmly on and absolutely nowhere to be.

Sometimes the best conversations happen when you are sitting on the edge of a pool laughing about absolutely nothing in particular.
With palm trees swaying gently and the afternoon sun sparkling across the water, it became one of those unexpectedly perfect moments that no itinerary could ever plan.

Spa Time: Because We Deserved It

No girls’ staycation is complete without at least one sentence beginning with: “I could definitely get used to this.”

The spa delivered exactly that feeling.

One of us chose the 60-minute Perfect Balance Massage, designed to melt away tension and leave both body and mind feeling lighter. Mission accomplished.

The other opted for the Marine Moisture Recharge Facial, a particularly wise decision after Bahrain’s combination of blazing sunshine outside and enthusiastic air conditioning indoors had done its best to confuse our skin.

Both treatments left us looking noticeably more refreshed than when we had arrived and, according to us at least, five years younger.

The spa also offers an extensive range of massages, facials, body scrubs and wellness rituals, making it wonderfully easy to justify coming back, purely for research purposes, of course.

Fitness, Fun and Something for Everyone

One thing we loved about the hotel was that it caters to every type of guest.

If you like starting the day with a workout, you will appreciate the fully equipped mixed gym, ladies-only fitness area, padel courts, squash, basketball and table tennis.

If, on the other hand, your version of cardio is walking enthusiastically towards brunch, you will feel equally welcome.

The outdoor swimming pool and children’s area also make the hotel an excellent option for families looking for a summer escape.

A Bright Start at Olivos

The following morning began the best way possible, with breakfast at Olivos, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant. Bright, welcoming and overlooking the pool, it offered the kind of relaxed atmosphere that encourages you to linger over one more cup of coffee.

The breakfast buffet was generous, catering to every kind of morning appetite. Freshly baked pastries, seasonal fruits, cereals and yoghurt were complemented by an extensive selection of hot dishes, while eggs were cooked to order just the way you like them. Local favourites sat comfortably alongside international classics, creating a menu that appealed to every palate.
We were particularly impressed by the thoughtful gluten-free options, making it easy for guests with dietary requirements to enjoy breakfast without compromising on choice.

Naturally, we approached breakfast with the best intentions. A healthy plate of fruit quickly made room for warm pastries and somehow an extra coffee felt entirely justified. After all, staycations come with one unwritten rule: you do not count calories before checkout.

With morning sunlight streaming through the windows and no reason to rush anywhere, breakfast at Olivos became another reminder that it is often the simplest moments that make a getaway feel truly special.

An Italian Finale at Mondo

Every good staycation needs a proper send-off and ours came at Mondo, the hotel’s Italian restaurant. After a full day of eating, relaxing and vaguely promising ourselves we would hit the gym tomorrow, it was exactly the slower pace we needed.

Beautifully made pasta, handcrafted pizzas, fresh seafood and classic Italian dishes built for sharing set the tone. Conversation flowed easily and somehow, despite everything we had already eaten, dessert still felt like a great idea. Some traditions should not be questioned.

Our Verdict
Our stay at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa Bahrain was a reminder that the best weekends are not always the busiest ones. Sometimes they are the ones where you wake up to sea views, talk for hours over coffee, accidentally eat three desserts, lose track of time by the pool and leave the spa wondering why everyday life does not come with complimentary fluffy robes.

The hotel strikes a lovely balance between luxury and comfort, with enough going on to fill a whole weekend while still encouraging you to slow down and enjoy it. Whether it is a girls’ getaway, a romantic break, a family staycation or simply an excuse to switch off, this is a place that makes it easy.

We arrived looking for a short break from routine. We left already planning the next one.

Book Your Summer Staycation
Craving a proper reset without the passport stamps? The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa Bahrain has everything you need for a slow, indulgent city escape, with sea views, standout dining and spa treatments included.

Book your staycation today and discover that sometimes the best holiday is the one waiting right on your doorstep.

Digital Edition

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July 2026

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