Trip Reports - Gulf Air Business Class, DOH-BAH-DOH & Radisson Blu Bahrain

I travelled from Doha to Bahrain for a weekend break. It had been a while since I last went on account of the troubles last year. But I was always quite fond of the place so thought that I would go back for a ‘trial run’ to see if it was just as good as I remembered.

The short answer was that it was just as good as always! But for more details, read on…

The story is largely told by photos rather than words.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7426325304_b391c18d95.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426325304/)

GF 531, DOH-BAH
Price: GBP 321.80 (QAR 1,810) – about a GBP 100 premium each way over Economy
Date: 21st June 2012
Cabin: Business Class
Aircraft model: A320
Tail registration: A9C-AJ
Scheduled time of departure: 16:15
Seat: 3A
Seat Factor: Close to 100%

GF offers nice comfy leather business class seats on these aircraft that are equipped with PTVs. There are some older ones around though so you can be unlucky. This one was in great condition though so I was happy.

Seat in front and legroom shot:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/7426325072_afef68c0b0.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426325072/)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7426324832_1729fe1549.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426324832/)

The panelling on the cabin walls is rather nice. On the one hand it is reminiscent of dunes in the harsh, dry desert of the Gulf. On the other, it also looks like birds:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7426324526_b880d4beac.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426324526/)

GF delivers catering on the ground at DOH because the flight to BAH is rather short.

The orange juice is always good and is quite sweet:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7426324360_b6272ca349.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426324360/)

The salmon sandwich on the right was tasty but I did not have the kebab because it was cheese, which I do not eat:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7426324228_2a8a9c9914.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426324228/)

There was also a rather nice roll with aubergine, tomato and a hint of garlic:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/7426324014_1e574cc65c.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426324014/)

Unfortunately there was a 20 minute delay pushing back. Some people were having an argument about seating in Economy and this had to be resolved. Unfortunately nobody left the aircraft so we were not delayed any further whilst baggage was offloaded. The ground agent and a police Sergeant came on board to help resolve the matter.

But nevertheless we pushed back and ended up on stand at BAH only 10 minutes late. The engines powered us there quickly:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/7426323734_ae80cce2b9.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426323734/)

Diplomat Hotel
Room type: Maritime theme, king bed
Room number: 614
Rate: BHD 49 per night + 20.75% tax and service charge, about GBP 100

The Diplomat is a Radisson property which at one point claims to feature the biggest rooms in BAH. Whether or not this remains true I have no idea. But the rooms are quite decent. There are three themes, Maritime, Italian and Classic. Maritime comes with a nice white, blue and brown theme. Italian has some dots around the place and Classic is your standard neutral colours.

The hotel is a solid Business Class property with a great pool and outstanding restaurants. There is also a ‘residence’ wing with one, two and three bedroom suites with accompanying living rooms available. I was ‘upgraded’ to one of these once but to be honest I preferred the regular rooms. They would be great if you are a group or family though.

Here is the outside of the hotel:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/7426323574_cb4b99f245.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426323574/)

The room:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5075/7426323330_502bb6a8d7.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426323330/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7426323126_da62f35639.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426323126/)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7426322832_760643d519.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426322832/)

There was a nice plate of fruit awaiting me:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5079/7426322662_8a4d3bd584.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426322662/)

And although I do not use them the amenities are colourful:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7426322402_b4ceb17f99.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426322402/)

The pool is my favourite pool in the world and is based on a ‘lagoon’ concept with plants and trees around it. There are three pools. A special small pool for kids is shallow and features the floor raising up to the edge at one end so that younger swimmers can just walk in.

The other small pool seems to be for sitting in, and then the main pool has a deep end and a shallow end. But was is really nice is that the tiles at the deep end are darker blue whilst at the shallow end they are light blue. This gives the pool a real personality and it is interesting to swim in.

Sitting by the pool this time I was reading ‘Pelagia and the Red Rooster’ by Boris Akunin, a witty and imaginative author, and AJP Taylor’s controversial ‘The Origins of the Second World War’.

Spa and pool:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7426322212_a38786fe22.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426322212/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7426321990_5199320308.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426321990/)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/7426321732_2371977f6a.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426321732/)

Inside the spa some towels had been positioned to appear as swans. This made me smile and I believe goes to show the attention to detail which is paid at this hotel. Another example is the flowers beneath head holes on massage beds (not pictured):
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7426321382_97a71e25b4.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426321382/)

The Asian restaurant, Kontiki, is really superb. It is one of my favourite restaurants in the world. Something about it is just right. The food uses good ingredients, is nicely spiced and accompanied with good sauces. The garnishes complement the food and the presentation is thoughtful. The atmosphere is understated but with a few quirks…

…such as the ‘Stone’ Heads:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7426321056_e26f905bc1.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426321056/)

The tables are decorated with flowers and blue lights:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5459/7426320822_087249dbf1.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426320822/)

The prawn crackers are particularly moreish:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5320/7426320682_e251aef906.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426320682/)

They come with some dips, such as this spicy one:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7426320050_74ef634fe0.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426320050/)

There are also sweet chilli and vinegar dips.

Korean spicy pork ribs:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7426319780_9857af8697.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426319780/)

Beef stir fry with broccoli and baby corn:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7426319404_c5573f887b.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426319404/)

Crispy roast duck in hoi sin sauce with spring onions:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7426319050_afe6c6fa4d.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426319050/)

Banana leaf garnishes are used:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/7426318798_3a732f21cd.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426318798/)

Ice cream:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5194/7426318596_da480f6c97.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426318596/)

GF 526, BAH-DOH
Date: 23rd June 2012
Cabin: Business Class in GF’s old First Class seat
Aircraft model: A330
Tail registration: A9C-KD
Scheduled time of departure: 16:45
Seat: 1K
Seat Factor: Old First Class: 100%, rest of plane: nearly empty

I arrived at Muharraq airport about two and a half hours prior to departure. Before travel I was not eligible to select a seat in the old First Class, but I asked for row 1 or 2 at check in and was given 1K.

The lounge has a nice A340 model at the entrance:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/7426318372_730848833f.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426318372/)

Here are some shots of the space:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8002/7426318200_fd44ea48c0.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426318200/)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7426317904_1865369729.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426317904/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/7426317628_262496ef0b.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426317628/)

Kids’ space with low tables:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/7426317418_a6fdc03a06.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426317418/)

I like the idea that kids can colour in a picture and post it on a wall. There was a Sky Nanny in the lounge on the day but no kids around.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7426316986_2a083b3898.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426316986/)

Toys for the kids:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7426316774_d739497583.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426316774/)

And toys for the adults!:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7426316584_4bd8347a94.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426316584/)

GF have decorated their lounge with pictures from the archives. All in all, it is really quite tastefully done.

Totty from the days of black and white:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7426316262_9060e7deab.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426316262/)

Totty ‘In Color’:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5280/7426316030_6af10bc424.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426316030/)

Totty of today:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7426315822_39b504e468.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426315822/)

Old plane:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7426315498_e3f0e14473.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426315498/)

Later plane:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7426315262_2e238d5474.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426315262/)

Current plane:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7426315048_556f015fff.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426315048/)

The food selection looked quite good. There was a salad bar, sandwich selection, hot selection and sweet selection. I was not so hungry so I only had a few cookies:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7426314854_246b81114d.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426314854/)
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http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7426313934_c20312ebdd.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426313934/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8023/7426313640_f8d4761977.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426313640/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7426313288_973675e7fb.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426313288/)
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http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7426312544_f3889089af.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426312544/)

I liked the GF branded cans:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/7426312344_00301cd085.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426312344/)

And cutlery:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7426312136_43896cf563.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426312136/)

Onboard, the First Class seat was jolly comfortable but, being honest, noticeably out of date:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5319/7426311820_30114443cc.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426311820/)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7426311584_fbf5214370.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426311584/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/7426311402_9414cf90e7.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426311402/)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5238/7426311194_991b510d5a.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426311194/)

The tray table is stowed under this side table:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/7426311036_0dc3746f3b.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426311036/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/7426310888_02a7d63f11.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426310888/)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5120/7426310656_f83b6697bf.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426310656/)

Rich purple carpet with gold motif:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/7426310386_5f44148986.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426310386/)

The flight arrived more or less on time and I was through immigration and back home in no time at all:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7426309800_1764b05aff.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/65506746@N02/7426309800/)

Verdict

It was a great holiday and the flights were good too. It was well worth travelling in Business Class due to the extra comfort offered on the busy outbound sector, especially since this sector was slightly delayed. The chance to sample a First Class seat on the inbound also added value for money.

The hotel was just as good as it always was and I will look forward to going back again.

Very nice report there.

Thanks for the memories of Gulf Air from the old days; GF's Five Star TriStars were fantastic at the time. A lot of the hosties were Brits and good looking too; I think the Emir was fond of them too :p

No Blazer? ;)

Regardless of the age of the old F seats, I am sure they beat out the J ones. The seem similar to WY's J seats, at least to my eye. Thanks for a report on a lesser-flown carrier!

Thanks for your TR. Your photos were really good quality.

Thanks for the TR, not too many from GF premium cabins out there. For a short flight seems excellent.

nice photos. thanks for posting.

Great report 6F! I don't think that I have seen Gulf Air since watching 'Airport' on TV.

The food at the hotel looks excellent.

Did you know that you end up in old First Class on the way back at the time of booking?

nice report, thanks for sharing.

where do u get this flyertalk baggage tag? i wanna have one as well

lx343

Thanks for the comments everyone! :)

Regardless of the age of the old F seats, I am sure they beat out the J ones. The seem similar to WY's J seats, at least to my eye. Thanks for a report on a lesser-flown carrier!

I have sat in GF's J seats before, which are ski-slopes. The F seats are better and it is worth sitting in the forward cabin if you can.

However more modern J seats such as QR's 777 product and even BA's Club World seat are more comfortable as seats, despite having slightly less personal space.

However I would rate both BA New First and BA Old First as superior to GF.

Thanks for the TR, not too many from GF premium cabins out there. For a short flight seems excellent.

The catering is a bit superfluous to be honest and I would not have wanted anything if it had not been available. The seats were very comfy and there was plenty of space. That is top priority for me.

The food at the hotel looks excellent.

Did you know that you end up in old First Class on the way back at the time of booking?

The food at the hotel was very good indeed.

I did not know about the First Class accommodation at the time of booking.

First because when I booked the flight was scheduled to operate using narrowbody equipment. And second because after the equipment change my ticket type (fare bucket C) was not eligible for these seats as according to GF's published rules only passengers booking tickets under fares booking into bucket J are entitled to them.

I asked and received at airport check in.

where do u get this flyertalk baggage tag? i wanna have one as well

You can e-mail sandiego1k@flyertalk.com and ask for them to be sent to you.

Inside the spa some towels had been positioned to appear as swans.

Look like one of them is very aggressive :p

Your TR brought back alot of great memories for me on my almost tri annual SYD-SIN-BAH-LHR trips in F. GF had the best value F product out there with prices les than EK's J!
best food in the skies thanks to F Class Chef, nanny keeping kids quiet, 8 seats fully flat, 2 lavs, PJ's and great transit lounge in BAH or Movenpick Hotel if needed. Ahhhh the memories.

Many thanks for this SF:)

CJ

SYD-SIN-BAH-LHR trips in F. GF had the best value F product out there with prices les than EK's J!

Of course that is why GF do not operate to SYD any more! :D

A shame really. GF for me is one of the great classic airline brands, like BA, CX and LH. If they got sorted out on the pricing/commercial/scheduling front they could really, for want of a better word, take-off to become a great carrier again.

They are understated, tasteful and dependable. Something about them just feels right.