L'Hotel Bahrain in Bahrain's Seef District, considered as the Middle East's first boutique hotel when it opened in January 2009, has closed its doors.

Management has refused to comment about future plans for the hotel, originally promoted as a 'chic and intimate retreat from the urban metropolis'.

The elegant five-star hotel's prime location was in walking distance to the city's businesses and an array of shopping malls. The boutique hotel offered 90 guest rooms and suites, ranging from Boutique, Premier to the executive L'Avenue and L'Hotel Suites.

The hotel opened with three restaurants; L'Avenue, conceptualized by renowned chef - Philippe Marc, of the Plaza Athenee in Paris, France L'Sultan, a Lebanese restaurant and Le Relais De Venise son Entrecote (L'Entrecote), part of a popular French chain launched in Paris in 1959 which caters to meat lovers.

The hotel also tried to attract weekend party-goers with its designer lounge, L'Bar appealing to the kingdom's fashionable and professional society with a wide range of signature beverages. 

Last year's unrest had a devastating effect on the majority of the luxury hospitality sector in the MENA region, although it is now well on the road to recovery. The forthcoming Luxury Hospitality Summit in Dubai will bring together leaders and innovators from across the industry to share knowledge and experiences  in a sector which is evolving fast to keep pace with the needs and demands of the discerning high net worth traveller.