This 1940s Bahraini Home Finds New Life as a Stylish Boutique Hotel

In a 1940s traditional Bahraini home, you may be able to find arched doorways that frame views of ceramic tiles in soft blues and greens. At its heart, a courtyard would open to the sky, where the lush scent of orange and lemon trees lingers, their heavy branches bowed with fruit. Wrapped in the serenity and warmth around you, you would be transported to another time, taken on a nostalgic journey that makes you wonder that, perhaps, you should stay here forever. 

This is Nuzul Al Salam, a traditional home previously known as the Fathallah House, renovated and turned into an eclectic individual boutique hotel by Sudanese-born Bahraini designer Ammar Basheir. 

Initiated by the UAE’s Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Bahrain’s Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research, this transformation is part of the ‘Year of Zayed’ in 2018, marking the centenary of the birth of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.

Nestled on the Old City of Muharraq island, one of Bahrain’s oldest towns, Nuzul Al Salam marks the first hotel to form on the Pearling Path, a UNESCO World Heritage trail. Considering the cultural and historical significance of its location, Basheir adopted a minimalist and innovative design approach that intentionally defies conventional  clichés and expectations. 

“Nuzul Al Salam was reworked to counter expectations – there are no typically Arabesque patterns or Mashrabiya architectural elements,” Interior Designer Ammar Basheir tells SceneHome. 

Set within a minimalist white façade, the hotel is crowned by an upper terrace framed with light blue wooden shutters and a suspended wooden cornice, reminiscent of the delicate lattice work of a mashrabiya. From top to bottom, these soft blue accents echo throughout the surface, adorning the doors and windows, and infusing the space with a sense of tranquillity. 

Hidden behind this reductionist elevation is a glass covered courtyard that unfolds into dazzling whitewashed orangery, furnished with contemporary wood and woven cane chairs from the German Wiener GT Design. The floor, inspired by old colonial ceramics, is draped with custom-made tiles weaving those aqua streaks from the exterior with pastel greens into bird motifs. 

Guiding you to the atrium's upper walkway is a complex parametric staircase crafted from 700 carved oak pieces. Each piece is meticulously placed, allowing the sculpture to emerge from the ground with an avant-garde flair, transporting  the space in a rhythmic symphony while preserving the essence of true craftsmanship. 

The majlis of the house, transformed into a chic reception sitting area, now exudes a delightful contrast between vintage accessories, such as old radios and musical instruments, and contemporary Italian furniture from Bellavista Collection, complemented by Portuguese upholstery. 

The walls, draped in sheer curtains from Dedar Milano, radiate glamour and elegance, while the bespoke tapestry from Bokja Design with the Gilgamesh motif evokes old Babylon. 

Painted in deep teal, the dining room walls exhibit custom kinetic lights by Belgian designer Kinetura. Resembling a lunar eclipse, these motion-activated lights shift the space's atmosphere, transforming the wall into a portrayal of the midnight sky. 

This 'futuristic' lighting design harmoniously integrates with traditional tapestry work by Bokja, a Beirut-based design collective, embodying the minimalist spirit of Japandi style. Meanwhile, the rich green wooden chairs breathe life into the space, evoking the serene calm of babbling brooks. 

Whispering the ancient verses of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Nuzul Al Salam draws inspiration from the legendary poem etched into Babylonian tablets around 1800 BC. Hosting six distinct suites, each one is a chapter, a space imbued with the spirit of the timeless story. 

The ‘Light’ room, styled with pale lavender tones, purple velvets, and sage green drapes, like vine leaves basking in the sun. In the corner, a saffron-upholstered fauteuil with hanging tassels adds an art deco flair, further elevating the entire space. 

Coated in coral paint and graced with golden upholstery, the ‘Flower of Eternity’ suite, inspired by the poem from which it takes its name, balances simplicity with hidden details. Used coral tones imbue warmth, while the golden accents shimmer like treasures from the sea. 

Stepping into the largest suite on the premises, the ‘Sun’, feels like a burst of sunlight meeting a lush, serene jungle. True to its name, the walls are painted in deep yellow, with velvet upholstery in lime-yellow. Complemented by a secret garden terrace, the room feels like a vibrant oasis where warmth and nature seamlessly intertwine. 

“My work is colourful, poetic and theatrical. One key element that has always been a part of my projects is the detail in the ceilings. Whenever you encounter one of my projects, don’t forget to look up!” Ammar Basheir, founder of Ammar Beshir Creative Studio, says. 

Behind the light blue door of Nuzul Al Salam lies an intricate mosaic floor, cast on-site as a testament to the designer’s meticulous attention to detail. Crafted by Ammar Basheir, the mosaic serves as an example of the artistry embedded throughout the space, inviting you to embark on a different journey with every turn and discover the thoughtful elements that bring the interior to life. 

Photography Credit: Nour El Refai