Bahrain’s first Fairmont hotel is due to open in 2018. The Fairmont Bahrain Resort will be part of the Al Jazayer mixed-use project and will have 215 guestrooms as well as beachfront access and about 22,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel will be developed by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Co., which is the country’s sovereign wealth fund.

The resort will feature the Fairmont Gold “hotel within a hotel” concept, which includes a separate check-in area and lounge and a dedicated management staff. About 35 of Fairmont’s 65 hotels include Fairmont Gold.

“Bahrain has one of the fastest growing economies in the Middle East and is a country that continues to diversify with a strong focus on residential, leisure and retail opportunities,” said Jennifer Fox, president, International Division and president, Fairmont Brand, FRHI Hotels & Resorts.

“With the government’s plans to develop the southern area into a major residential, commercial and entertainment hub, we believe it’s a very opportune time to be entering the market and look forward to being a key part of the country’s future growth.”

Fairmont has Middle East properties in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, www.fairmont.com