Nobu Enters Bahrain for the First Time Through Infracorp Partnership to Develop Luxury Hotel, Restaurant and Residences on Reef Island

The 51,000-square-metre Marina Bay development will combine luxury hospitality, fine dining and branded residences, with an estimated development period of three years

Nobu Hospitality has announced its entry into the Bahraini market for the first time through a partnership agreement with Infracorp to develop a luxury hospitality and residential destination at Marina Bay on Reef Island in Manama. The project will feature a Nobu hotel, restaurant and branded residences.

Announced on November 12, 2026, the agreement marks another step in Nobu's expansion across the Middle East, as Bahrain seeks to attract international hospitality brands and diversify its luxury accommodation and dining offerings.

The agreement was signed at Infracorp's headquarters in Manama in the presence of Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Bahrain's Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority.

The signatories were Talal Al Mahroos, Chief Executive Officer of Infracorp, and Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer of Nobu Hospitality.

The development will comprise three main components: a Nobu hotel, a Nobu restaurant and luxury branded residences, creating an integrated waterfront destination on Reef Island.

The project will have a total gross floor area of approximately 51,000 square metres, with an estimated development period of three years.

The partners have yet to disclose the number of hotel rooms or residential units, the project's total investment value, or an official construction commencement or opening date.

Minister of Tourism Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi highlighted the importance of collaboration between government entities, developers and investors in attracting international hospitality brands to Bahrain.

She also emphasised the role of cooperation with the Bahrain Economic Development Board in promoting investment opportunities and securing projects that diversify the Kingdom's tourism offerings.

Talal Al Mahroos said the partnership with Nobu aligns with Infracorp's strategy of developing destinations that combine luxury hospitality, contemporary design and residential services in prime locations.

Trevor Horwell described Nobu's entry into Bahrain as another milestone in the group's regional expansion, noting that the project will bring together dining, design and accommodation within a single destination.

Nobu is internationally recognised for its restaurants, which blend contemporary Japanese cuisine with global influences, before expanding into luxury hotels and branded residential developments.

The Bahrain project reflects the group's continued focus on integrated destinations, allowing visitors to experience its hospitality and dining concepts alongside residences carrying the same brand.

Branded residences differ from conventional hotel accommodation, as they are generally offered for private ownership under specific arrangements. Their inclusion does not necessarily mean that the properties will be available for short-term tourist bookings.

The project's significance for Bahrain's tourism sector lies in attracting a new international hospitality brand that combines hotel accommodation and a signature restaurant in a waterfront location in Manama.

The proposed hotel could expand Bahrain's luxury accommodation options, while the Nobu restaurant could strengthen the Kingdom's dining scene and appeal to residents and visitors, particularly those travelling from neighbouring Gulf markets for short breaks.

However, the project's actual tourism impact will depend on the number of hotel rooms, pricing, services available to non-resident guests and the confirmed opening date. These details have not yet been announced.

Furthermore, the estimated three-year development period should not be interpreted as a confirmed opening in 2029, as the final construction schedule and commencement date remain undisclosed.

The agreement therefore represents a potential future addition to Bahrain's hospitality industry, rather than an immediate increase in the Kingdom's available hotel capacity.