Swiss-Belhotel International has launched Swiss-Belhotel Seef in Bahrain as it continues its expansion that will see it operating up to seven hotels in the Middle East by 2015.

The 149-room Swiss-Belhotel Seef officially opened on July 27 with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Bahrain's new business district and will provide a high quality four-star hotel with all the hallmarks of excellence in the areas of service and professionalism for which Swiss-Belhotel International is renowned.

A new beginning: (left to right) Swiss-Belhotel International Vice President Operations and Development, Mr. Noel Massoud; Swiss-Belhotel International Chairman and President, Mr. Gavin Faull; Miami Properties and hotel owner, Mr. Fawaz Bokhowa; and Ministry of Culture Director of Tourism Marketing and Promotion, Mr. Hesham Al Saken.

Swiss-Belhotel Seef features a rooftop bar and restaurant, lobby café (Cafeccino), an all-day dining restaurant (Swiss-Café) on the 10th floor with a terrace, outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and meeting facilities.

Swiss-Belhotel International Chairman and President Mr. Gavin M. Faull said: "We are excited to be expanding in the Middle East and Bahrain is a very important market which we are delighted to be entering. I am confident our blend of efficient service, professionalism, spacious rooms - much larger than you would normally find in a hotel in this category - and high value rates will be popular amongst business travelers in the region."

Shaking hands: (left to right) Miami Properties and hotel owner, Mr. Fawaz Bokhowa receives a plaque from Swiss-Belhotel International Chairman and President, Mr. Gavin Faull.

The Hong Kong-based firm is in the midst of a period of expansion that will see 20 hotels open this year, cementing its reputation as a leading hospitality management group in the region.

The hotel company will extend its range of two- to five-star brands in the Middle East, where Swiss-Belhotel Seef will be joined this year by Swiss-Belresort Ghantoot in Dubai adding to its existing properties Swiss-Belhotel Plaza in Kuwait and Qatar's Swiss-Belhotel Doha. In 2015, Swiss-Belinn Ghubrah Muscat in Oman, Swiss-Belhotel Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Swiss-Belhotel Erbil in Iraq will open.

Swiss-Belhotel International has more than 120 hotels, resorts and projects in its global portfolio with a presence in China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman and Saudi Arabia, and is exploring options elsewhere.