This historic trading hub, converted into a boutique hotel, is where raw concrete, contemporary art, and creative design merge into one.
I’ve frequented Bahrain a lot when I lived in Saudi Arabia. My very first visit back in 1997 was what took me to downtown Manama and Bab Al Bahrain. Over the years, I’ve been to The Kingdom countless times, but not so much to old Bahrain, until I ended up staying at The Merchant House.
The Merchant House sits right in the thick of downtown Manama, at 150 Government Avenue — literally steps from Bab Al Bahrain and the chaotic Manama Souq. The name isn’t just aesthetic. Historically, the building served as a landing point for goods arriving by sea and a warehouse for sailing merchants long before Manama grew into a modern capital. Its name is a literal nod to that past, and staying there puts you in the middle of Bahrain’s trading legacy.
Outside, it’s all movement with storefronts, gold shops and the call to prayer coming from the mosque next door. The location has the kind of raw, unfiltered energy that makes old towns irresistible. But once you step inside, the contrast is almost theatrical.
Grit and gallery
You enter The Merchant House walking on a royal blue carpet, past glass walls, and into a space that feels like a creative sanctuary. The check-in area is small and intimate, opening up into a lobby that doesn’t follow any theme except one: art. The hotel embraces imperfection on purpose. Colourful, expressive pieces cover the walls, and nothing feels overly polished — in the best way. Many of the foundation wall panels are kept raw concrete, left exposed instead of being covered up. Even the hotel’s cafe, Cafe Gray, leans into this character. The rawness amplifies the artistic, urban charm.
Look up, and you’ll spot the library nook on the mezzanine, hovering above the lobby. It’s filled with books and soft chairs to relax. It’s the kind of touch that makes the hotel feel lived-in and creative rather than staged.
Canvas of comfort
The Merchant House offers just 46 suites — each designed more like a small apartment, with a kitchenette, living area, bedroom, and art woven into every corner. I checked into one of the suites and was instantly blown away by how spacious it felt and how colour ties everything together so effortlessly.
You enter through a simple white door, and suddenly you’re standing on warm wooden flooring that instantly makes the space feel homely. Right behind the door is a sleek coffee-and-tea bar with tons of storage, plus a cleverly hidden minibar. To one side, a wooden console table holds even more storage, topped with a bright piece of art and a glossy, colourful lamp that gives the whole corner a playful personality. Move further in, and you’ll spot the sink area tucked neatly along the same stretch. Directly opposite is a wooden study desk paired with a sage-green cushioned chair, a deep-blue lamp, and more artwork overhead.
The living area opens up after that, anchored by a beige couch with mustard cushions and complementary orange and green accent seats. There’s a glass coffee table, a beige rug with a soft, wave-like blue pattern, and black-and-white prints of old Bahrain lining the wall. Golden standing lamps add warmth, and the orange curtains pull back to reveal a view of the bank building ahead and the Bahrain flag waving proudly in the distance.
Across from the seating area is the TV, and from there you step into the bedroom. It’s separated by a subtle brass-framed sectional that gives it an apartment feel. The king-size bed has a polished wooden headboard, and the wardrobe mirrors this, keeping everything cohesive. The side tables bring in hints of green to keep that playful-yet-classy palette going. A patterned seat next to a small coffee table takes up space while the same orange curtains carry through.
The bathroom is practical and bright, with an open shower area, a compact vanity, and colourful wall art.
Of palettes and palates
Head up to the rooftop, and you’ll find Indigo Terrace, the hotel’s restaurant and bar. Expect Mediterranean-Asian fusion, lots of fresh ingredients, and views of downtown Manama from a leafy terrace. And of course, you’ve still got Cafe Gray in the lobby and the library area to sip on beverages or enjoy light bites.
Despite its boutique size, The Merchant House manages to pack in an impressive range of amenities. There’s a rooftop pool, a spa, and a 24-hour gym for late-night or early-morning workouts, and even a small boardroom for those who need to squeeze in a meeting. However, the hotel’s highlight remains its art, which is practically its DNA.
The Merchant House Bahrain houses one of the region’s most interesting contemporary art collections, featuring works by Bahraini, Gulf, and international artists. You’ll find over 200 works throughout the hotel, so walking through the corridors honestly feels like walking through a gallery.
The final stroke
The Merchant House is a boutique hotel with personality, located in one of Bahrain’s most historic areas. You get culture, art, comfort, great food, and a sense of place that big hotels simply can’t replicate. Whether you’re in Bahrain for work or wandering the souq for spices and trinkets, The Merchant House Bahrain is guaranteed to make your stay feel more personal, charming, and local. In short, it’s a hotel that tells a story, and staying there makes you part of it.
GO: Visit www.themerchanthouse.bh for more information.