Interviews

One-Stop Destination

by BTM

Thu, 06 July 2017

Whether recreation or business, this suburban locality has everything you need with new options opening all the time.

With a vivacious urban culture and cosmopolitan vibe, Juffair is brimming with hip restaurants, a handful of history, shopping and chic nightlife spots.

One of Bahrain’s most iconic landmarks, the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, is located in the area. Being the largest of its kind, it is best known for its intricate Islamic architecture and serves as a centre for religious studies. For non-Muslims the mosque is open for visits daily, except Fridays, with the option to take a guided tour and learn about the history of the building and the religion.

In recent years, Juffair’s development has expanded to provide every possible amenity, making it a top choice to stay, work and play. It is a prime real estate location, home to towering skyscrapers, hotels, residential complexes, business centres and shopping malls. Being one of the few freehold zones in the Kingdom, anyone can own property here, ranging from flats to lavish villas.

A myriad of hotels and serviced apartments can be found at every corner, giving a great selection for every taste and budget. 

Facing the main road is Al Safir Hotel and Tower, with 196 accommodations including an imperial suite with a private swimming pool and stunning views of the city. A block away is the Atiram Premier Hotel, which has a host of dining and entertainment options along with excellent banquet and conference facilities. The weekend brunch at Wembley is very popular and often a full-house affair. Ramee Rose, a fairly new addition to the scene, has gained status for great deals on corporate and leisure stays. The K Hotel is well known for its lively Friday brunch at Kolors as well as excellent service and premium rooms. Across the road from it is the Ramee International Hotel. The Marriott Executive Apartments boasts stunning sea views from its one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The Arman Hotel is part of a larger complex attached to Juffair Mall, providing guests with the ultimate retail therapy when they choose to stay there. 

The ‘party capital’ also has a multitude of nightclubs to keep you dancing till the wee hours including the latest addition, Coda Jazz Lounge, which offers live music and great food. Other notable venues include Cavallo at Atiram Premier Hotel, Klub 360 at Elite Crystal, Club XS at Ramee Rose, Wrangler at the Juffair Grand Hotel and Sky Lounge at the Diva Hotel. Many of them host promotions throughout the week to entice clubbers to keep coming back for more.

Since its opening last year, the Juffair Mall has become a popular destination for shoppers. It encompasses Lulu Hypermarket for your round of groceries, electronics and garments; a food court; shopping outlets such as Splash and Lifestyle,;Fitness First, and Mukta A2 Cinemas. Mukta gives moviegoers an unparalleled film experience with revolutionary sound technology, modern projection systems and comfortable seating.

The glass-panelled Al Raya Mall is a bustling venue with local grocer Alosra, restaurants including Mumbai Spices and Bluefield Burger and premium chocolaterie Troufa. If you crave an out-of-the-box experience, on the first floor sits Challenge Chambers, a real-life escape game where players are locked in a small room under mysterious circumstances and have to get out within an hour using a series of clues. 

The district’s oldest shopping mall, Al Murjan Centre, harbours Al Jazeera supermarket and popular eatery TGIF, a favourite place for friends and family to congregate while enjoying hearty eats. Krispy Kreme and shops selling antiques and carpets can also be found here.

However, the most fashionable spot within the area is the ‘American Alley’, dubbed so because of its popularity with and proximity to the US Naval base. This animated area is merely a long lane flanked by restaurants and culinary offerings serving a myriad of cuisines. Here, you can find fast food joints like McDonald’s and Burger King along with casual and fine-dining eateries like Romano’s Macaroni Grill, serving traditional Italian trattoria-style food. Lanterns in Juffair serves Mughal Indian and Chinese fare, while Nu Asia dishes up four different Far East and South Asian cuisines. For Japanese, try Sumo Sushi and Bento, Kabuki or Hakisushi. Isfahani and Al Abraaj serve authentic Middle Eastern preparations, and there are many other cuisines on offer throughout the street. Nestled at the end of American Alley is Megamart, a one-stop for all your daily essentials.

Nearby is Cucina Italiana at Al Safir, a fine dining Italian restaurant, which has an enormous menu comprising pasta, risotto, pizza and meat dishes. Its neighbour, Bennigan’s, serves up colossal portions of American favourites like burgers, onion rings and chicken wings.

Planning to straighten out your fitness routine and shed some pounds? Head to Juffair Fitness Centre or Reps and get in shape under the guidance of expert trainers. However, if you are struggling to eat healthy, enroll with Health Watchers. The Juffair-based delivery company provides customised meals that are low in calories, fat and sodium. For a head-to-toe beauty fix, head to Joz Salon and Spa or Sherry Spa to pamper yourself. Whether it is a manicure, pedicure, haircut or facial.

The Bahrain Specialist Hospital provides world-class health facilities and qualified doctors to take care of any maladies or emergencies. Bayoga and Kotakkal Ayurvedic Centre provide alternative treatments for various ailments.

Juffair has schools such as The Bahrain School, Modern Knowledge School as well as New Generation International School. And, as well as a football team and extensive fitness facilities, motoring enthusiasts can get their speed thrills at Al Najma Club’s karting track.

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