The name Bahrain originates from two Arabic words “Thnain Bahr”, meaning “Two Seas”, referring to the sweet water springs under the sea that mingle with salty water. This unique geological phenomenon belies the kingdom’s historical role as a strategic seaport between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.
Hailed as the Pearl of the Gulf for its political stability and progressive mind-set, the Kingdom of Bahrain consists of an archipelago of 33 islands, covering a total area of 707 square kilometers. Steeped in ancient history, Bahrain was the center of the lost civilization of Dilmun around 3000 BC. The islands prospered so remarkably under the Babylonian Empire, they caught the attention of two of Alexander the Great’s ships in 323 BC. New trade routes were started and a new chapter of Bahrain’s history was recorded.

Hailed as the ‘Garden of Eden’ in the Babylonian’s ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’, present day Bahrain boasts a fascinating cross-section of Greek, Babylonian and Islamic cultural influences. Islam became the official religion of the kingdom when the Prophet Mohammed visited in the 7th century A.D. Today, Bahrain’s population is made up of a sizeable number of expatriates, bringing with them an intricate tapestry of faiths and cultural practices from all across the globe.
At its hotly anticipated opening in mid-2006, Banyan Tree Desert Spa and Resort, Al Areen, Bahrain will take the stage as the only all-villa private pool resort in the Arabian Gulf and one of the Middle East’s most luxurious hideaways. Situated in an intriguing landscape of well-preserved forts, edifying museums and the oldest mosque in the Gulf – Al Khamis, Banyan Tree’s spacious villas are poised to blend perfectly into their natural desert environment. Here, you will find an ‘oasis’ of sensuality in the mysterious Arabian desert. A retreat which personifies indulgent spa pampering at its best.

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