The best hotels in Salmiya
Salmiya packs a lot into one coastal strip, and with 8,000+ places to stay across Kuwait, picking wrong means you're stuck far from the sea with bad traffic and no walkable food scene. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Salmiya
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Sultan Inn Hotel
Al-Salmiya Center, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
Crown Plaza Hotel Salmiya
Salem Al-Mubarak Street, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
Safir Hotel Kuwait
Gulf Road, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
City Tower Hotel Salmiya
Block 7, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
Ramada Hotel and Suites Salmiya
Al-Jabriya border, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
Holiday Inn Kuwait Salmiya
Salem Al-Mubarak Street, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait
Arabian Gulf Street, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hilton Kuwait Resort
Rumaithiya Coastal Strip, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel
Messilah, Salmiya
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sultan Inn Hotel | Al-Salmiya Center, Salmiya | $45–70/night | 6.8/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Al Manshar Hotel | Block 12, Salmiya | $65–95/night | 7.2/10 | Best Value |
| 3 | Crown Plaza Hotel Salmiya | Salem Al-Mubarak Street, Salmiya | $105–160/night | 7.9/10 | Most Popular |
| 4 | Safir Hotel Kuwait | Gulf Road, Salmiya | $120–180/night | 8.1/10 | Best Location |
| 5 | City Tower Hotel Salmiya | Block 7, Salmiya | $130–185/night | 7.7/10 | Business Pick |
| 6 | Ramada Hotel and Suites Salmiya | Al-Jabriya border, Salmiya | $145–210/night | 8/10 | Family Friendly |
| 7 | Holiday Inn Kuwait Salmiya | Salem Al-Mubarak Street, Salmiya | $160–220/night | 8.3/10 | Top Rated |
| 8 | Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait | Arabian Gulf Street, Salmiya | $195–260/night | 8.5/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 9 | Hilton Kuwait Resort | Rumaithiya Coastal Strip, Salmiya | $270–390/night | 8.8/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel | Messilah, Salmiya | $340–520/night | 9.1/10 | Romantic Stay |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Sultan Inn Hotel
This is a basic, no-frills option a few blocks from the Arabian Gulf Street waterfront. Rooms are small but clean, with functional air conditioning and decent Wi-Fi. The front desk staff is helpful and can arrange taxis to Kuwait City center easily. Do not expect luxury amenities here, but for the price it gets the job done. Best suited for solo travelers or those just needing a place to sleep.
Check Availability
Al Manshar Hotel
Al Manshar sits in the middle of Block 12, walking distance from Salem Al-Mubarak Street and the local shopping strip. Rooms are dated but spacious for the price, and most have a small sitting area. Breakfast is included and covers the basics well. The building is older so noise from the street can filter in on lower floors. Request an upper floor room if you are a light sleeper.
Check Availability
Crown Plaza Hotel Salmiya
This mid-range property sits directly on Salem Al-Mubarak Street, putting you in the heart of Salmiya's busiest commercial corridor. Rooms are consistently well-maintained with comfortable beds and modern bathrooms. The hotel restaurant serves decent international food and is convenient after a long day of shopping at Marina Mall nearby. Service can be slow during busy periods but staff are generally polite. Good pick for first-timers exploring Salmiya.
Check Availability
Safir Hotel Kuwait
The Safir sits right on Arabian Gulf Road with direct views across the water toward Kuwait City skyline. It is an established property with a loyal repeat clientele, particularly among business travelers. Rooms on the upper sea-facing floors are worth the small premium. The pool area is a genuine highlight, clean and well-maintained with Gulf views. Dining options inside the hotel are solid, though Salem Al-Mubarak Street restaurants are just a short walk away.
Check Availability
City Tower Hotel Salmiya
City Tower is a practical mid-rise hotel in Block 7 catering mostly to corporate guests on extended stays. Rooms are larger than average and include proper work desks and fast Wi-Fi. The location keeps you close to Salmiya's commercial offices without being stuck in the noisiest part of town. The gym is small but functional. Not a property with much personality, but it delivers reliably on the essentials.
Check Availability
Ramada Hotel and Suites Salmiya
This Ramada property sits near the Al-Jabriya border, slightly away from the main Salmiya bustle, which makes it quieter and better for families. Suite-style rooms give you proper separation between sleeping and living areas, useful for families or longer stays. The outdoor pool area is well-maintained and popular in the evenings. Staff are attentive and genuinely helpful with local recommendations. Marina Mall is about a five-minute drive away.
Check Availability
Holiday Inn Kuwait Salmiya
The Holiday Inn on Salem Al-Mubarak Street consistently gets strong reviews for cleanliness and service reliability. Rooms are well-furnished with good blackout curtains, important given the bright Gulf sun. The breakfast spread is one of the better ones in this price range in Salmiya. Location is excellent with restaurants, cafes, and shops all within walking distance. The brand consistency makes it a safe choice if you travel often and know what to expect from Holiday Inn.
Check Availability
Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait
The Radisson Blu sits on Arabian Gulf Street and is often overlooked in favor of flashier properties, which is a mistake. Rooms are polished and modern with genuinely good mattresses and well-equipped bathrooms. The rooftop pool offers an unobstructed view of the Gulf, especially beautiful at dusk. Service is a notch above most competitors in this price range. Dining at the hotel's main restaurant is worth doing at least once during your stay.
Check Availability
Hilton Kuwait Resort
The Hilton Kuwait Resort sits on the Rumaithiya coastal strip north of central Salmiya and operates more like a beach resort than a city hotel. The private beach access alone justifies the price for many guests. Rooms are spacious with high-quality finishes and panoramic Gulf views from the upper floors. Multiple dining venues are strong across the board, with the seafood restaurant being a clear standout. It is one of the few true resort experiences available this close to Kuwait City.
Check Availability
Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel
The Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel is the top-tier option in the greater Salmiya area, located on a private stretch of beach in the Messilah district. The property has an enormous pool complex, multiple fine dining outlets, and a spa that rivals anything in the Gulf region. Rooms are immaculately designed with every detail considered, and the butler service for upper-floor suites is genuinely impressive. Couples especially benefit from the calm beach setting away from Salmiya's commercial core. Prices are high but the experience matches the cost.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Salmiya
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Gulf Road vs. Salem Al-Mubarak Street: Which should you pick?
Gulf Road (officially Arabian Gulf Street) is Salmiya's seafront spine. Hotels here like the Radisson Blu and Safir Hotel sit directly on the water, and the views are real. You're paying for that, though. Expect $120-260/night even for mid-range.
Salem Al-Mubarak Street is 3-5 minutes walk from the sea and half the price in spots. Crown Plaza and Holiday Inn sit here, and you've got the best restaurant density in Salmiya right outside. For most travelers, this street is the smarter call.
Salmiya on a budget: How to make $45-95/night work
Sultan Inn near Al-Salmiya Center is the floor. At $45-70/night, you're not getting a spa, but you're 15 minutes walk from Salem Al-Mubarak Street and there's a shawarma spot 2 minutes from the lobby that's better than half the hotel restaurants in the area. Al Manshar on Block 12 is the upgrade, around $65-95/night with a real reception desk and better beds.
The honest budget move in Salmiya: spend less on the room and more on food. The juice bars and grills around Block 10-12 cost almost nothing and are genuinely excellent. Save the hotel budget for November-February when prices spike and value matters more.
Luxury in Salmiya: When it's worth spending $270-520/night
The Hilton Kuwait Resort on the Rumaithiya Coastal Strip is the best luxury hotel in the area that most visitors don't consider. It's slightly removed from central Salmiya, but that's the point. Private beach, landscaped pools, and staff-to-guest ratios you'll actually notice. At $270-390/night, it's priced fairly for what it delivers.
Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel in Messilah is the peak option at $340-520/night. It's 15 minutes drive from Salem Al-Mubarak Street, but Messilah's beach is cleaner and quieter than anything central Salmiya offers. If you're celebrating something or just want the best Kuwait can give, this is it. Don't waste time looking further.
Traveling with family? Here's the honest breakdown
Ramada Hotel and Suites Salmiya near the Al-Jabriya border is the family anchor. Suite-style rooms mean you're not all in a single box, and the kitchen access matters for early morning kids' breakfasts. It's about 12 minutes drive to Gulf Road, which is the main downside. Budget $145-210/night.
The Scientific Center on Gulf Road is Kuwait's best family attraction and worth an entire day. Book a hotel within 10 minutes walk, like the Safir Hotel on Gulf Road, and you'll use it twice. Marina Mall is another easy win, 8 minutes drive from most central Salmiya hotels, with a cinema and food options that don't require advance planning.
Business travel in Salmiya: Skip the airport hotels
City Tower Hotel Salmiya on Block 7 is the local business favorite. It's not the flashiest option, but the meeting facilities are solid, the Wi-Fi is reliable, and it's 20 minutes from Kuwait International Airport without bad traffic. Rates run $130-185/night, which is reasonable for what corporate Kuwait charges.
The bigger mid-range business hotels on Salem Al-Mubarak Street like Holiday Inn are fine but can get noisy on weekends. Thursday and Friday nights in Salmiya are genuinely busy. If you have early meetings, request a room on the upper floors away from the street, or stay a block inland on Block 7 where City Tower sits.
When to visit Salmiya: A real seasonal guide
November through February is simply the best. Temperatures hold at 15-24°C, the corniche is walkable, and Gulf Road comes alive in the evenings. The catch: hotel prices reflect this. Gulf Road and Salem Al-Mubarak Street properties hit $160-390/night in peak winter, especially around Kuwait National Day on February 25.
March and April offer a genuine sweet spot. Temps are 22-32°C, crowds thin out, and you'll find the same hotels at 20-30% lower rates. Summer (June-August) is the cheapest window at $45-150/night across the board, but 44-48°C means you're essentially booking a very expensive air-conditioned room. Not for everyone.
Salmiya's best neighborhoods
Salem Al-Mubarak Street and Gulf Road are where you want to be. Everything else is a compromise unless you specifically need the Al-Jabriya side for business.
Gulf Road & Arabian Gulf Street 2 vetted hotels Seafront address, genuine sea views, highest prices in Salmiya.
Seafront address, genuine sea views, highest prices in Salmiya.
This is the premium strip. Safir Hotel and Radisson Blu both sit directly on Arabian Gulf Street, and the difference between these and everywhere else is immediate. You open the curtains and you see the Gulf. No parking lots, no other buildings between you and the water.
The Radisson Blu is the stronger of the two on points and amenities. It earns its 'Best Location' billing because the Scientific Center is 5 minutes walk north and Kuwait Towers are 15 minutes drive. At $195-260/night it's the most expensive non-resort option in Salmiya, but it holds up.
Safir Hotel is slightly more affordable at $120-180/night and still on Gulf Road proper. If you want the address without the Radisson price tag, Safir is the honest call. Both hotels get busy Thursday-Friday nights, when Kuwaiti families and expats fill the corniche.
Salem Al-Mubarak Street 2 vetted hotels The social core of Salmiya. Best food scene, best walkability.
The social core of Salmiya. Best food scene, best walkability.
Salem Al-Mubarak Street is where Salmiya actually lives. Cafés, restaurants, juice bars, and shisha spots line both sides, and the sea is 4-5 minutes walk east. Crown Plaza and Holiday Inn both anchor this strip, and neither feels like a compromise pick.
Holiday Inn is the top-rated hotel on this street at $160-220/night and earns it. The rooms are well-maintained, the pool works, and the location means you can walk to dinner in any direction. Crown Plaza at $105-160/night is the more popular pick for first-timers, largely because the price is easier to justify.
One heads-up: Salem Al-Mubarak Street gets genuinely loud Thursday and Friday nights. Light sleepers should ask for a room above the 8th floor or facing away from the street. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Block 7 & Al-Salmiya Center 3 vetted hotels Budget and business base. Less glamour, more value.
Budget and business base. Less glamour, more value.
This inland pocket is where the budget and business options cluster. Sultan Inn near Al-Salmiya Center is the cheapest vetted option in Salmiya at $45-70/night. Al Manshar Hotel on Block 12 sits in the same zone at $65-95/night. City Tower on Block 7 is the business-grade pick at $130-185/night.
You're not on the seafront here. Gulf Road is 10-15 minutes walk, which is fine in winter and unpleasant in summer. The upside is price and quietness. Block 7 and the Al-Salmiya Center area are mostly residential with local cafés and grocery stores, and it shows in the room rates.
City Tower Hotel is the best of the three for anyone with a reason to be here. Business facilities, consistent Wi-Fi, and a location that's 20 minutes from Kuwait International Airport without traffic. Sultan Inn and Al Manshar are solid budget picks but don't oversell yourself on them.
Messilah & Rumaithiya Coast 3 vetted hotels Where Kuwait's best beaches are. Worth the drive.
Where Kuwait's best beaches are. Worth the drive.
This coastal stretch south of central Salmiya is where the serious beach hotels live. Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel in Messilah and Hilton Kuwait Resort on the Rumaithiya Coastal Strip both sit here. You're 15-20 minutes drive from Salem Al-Mubarak Street, but the tradeoff is private beach access and a calmer environment that central Salmiya simply can't offer.
Jumeirah Messilah is the top-rated hotel in our entire Salmiya list at a 9.1. At $340-520/night it commands the price, and the beach alone justifies a lot of it. Messilah's shoreline is notably cleaner than the central Salmiya stretch of Gulf Road, and the hotel's beach club is one of the few genuinely good ones in Kuwait.
Ramada Hotel and Suites Salmiya sits near the Al-Jabriya border on this side of town at $145-210/night. It bridges the gap between central Salmiya and the Messilah luxury zone. Family travelers in particular get good value here given the suite formats and the slightly removed setting.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Salmiya.
Romantic
Messilah Beach at sunset from the Jumeirah terrace is the call. Private beach, no crowd noise, and $340-520/night buys you an experience that actually delivers.
Culture
Stay on Salem Al-Mubarak Street, 15 minutes drive from Souk Mubarakiya and the National Museum. The Scientific Center on Gulf Road is a 5-minute walk from Crown Plaza.
Family
Ramada Hotel and Suites near Al-Jabriya gives you suite-style space and 12 minutes to Gulf Road's Scientific Center. Marina Mall is 8 minutes by car with a cinema and kids' zone.
Budget
Al-Salmiya Center is your base. Sultan Inn at $45-70/night is 15 minutes walk to Salem Al-Mubarak Street. Summer rates make even mid-range hotels affordable.
Beach
The Rumaithiya Coastal Strip is the honest beach answer. Hilton Kuwait Resort at $270-390/night has direct access to one of the cleaner stretches of Gulf coastline near Salmiya.
Foodie
Salem Al-Mubarak Street is the food hub, with juice bars, grills, and Lebanese restaurants open past midnight. Holiday Inn puts you right in the middle of it.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Salmiya
When to visit Salmiya and what to pay.
Winter (November-February)
This is the window everyone wants. Temperatures sit at 12-24°C and the Gulf Road corniche is genuinely pleasant for evening walks. Kuwait National Day (February 25) and Liberation Day (February 26) drive a serious spike in bookings. Gulf Road hotels hit $160-390/night in the final week of February. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for that period.
Spring (March-May)
March and April are the underrated months. Crowds thin after Liberation Day, temperatures are warm but walkable at 22-32°C, and hotels on Salem Al-Mubarak Street drop 20-30% from peak rates. May pushes toward 38°C and starts to feel like a preview of summer. If you're flexible, March is arguably the best single month to visit Salmiya.
Summer (June-August)
Summer in Kuwait is genuinely extreme. Daytime temperatures hit 44-48°C and outdoor activity is essentially impossible between 10am and 6pm. Hotels slash rates hard: Sultan Inn drops to $45-55/night and even Gulf Road properties come down to $120-150/night. If you can live air-conditioned, the savings are real and the service attentiveness is noticeable when hotels are at 30% occupancy.
Autumn (September-October)
September is still hot at 35-40°C but nowhere near summer's peak. October is the transition month where Salmiya starts coming back to life. Hotel prices are in middle territory at $75-210/night depending on the property. It's not the best or worst time. October specifically can be a quiet sweet spot before winter peak pricing kicks in.
Booking Tips for Salmiya
Insider tips for booking hotels in Salmiya.
Book Gulf Road hotels 6-8 weeks before Kuwait National Day
Kuwait National Day (February 25) and Liberation Day (February 26) are the two biggest domestic travel dates. Gulf Road and Salem Al-Mubarak Street hotels sell out weeks ahead, and prices jump 40-60% from standard winter rates. If your trip overlaps, book no later than early January. The Radisson Blu and Holiday Inn in particular go first.
Always specify floor and view when booking in Salmiya
Gulf Road hotels advertise sea views, but the Gulf is only visible from floor 5 and above on most properties. Below that you're looking at the road and other buildings. When booking the Safir Hotel or Radisson Blu, specifically request a high floor sea-view room. It's the difference between the hotel being worth it and not.
Ramadan changes everything. plan for it
Ramadan dates shift annually. During Ramadan, restaurants close during daylight hours, music is restricted in public areas, and hotel pools may have reduced hours. Most hotels serve food in-room or in sectioned dining areas, but you'll feel the difference. Budget travelers staying at Sultan Inn or Al Manshar will feel it more than guests at full-service hotels like the Hilton or Jumeirah.
Use Careem over street taxis in Salmiya
Street taxis in Kuwait don't always run meters. A ride from Salem Al-Mubarak Street to the airport that should cost $10-12 can get quoted at $20-25 at the curb. Careem gives you fixed pricing and a driver record. Airport trips from Salmiya typically run $8-14 on the app, saving you an argument at 6am.
Mid-range hotels on Block 12 aren't as central as they sound
Block 12 near Al Manshar Hotel is marketed as central Salmiya, and technically it is. But 'central' in Salmiya still means 15 minutes walk from the actual Gulf Road seafront. In summer, that walk is brutal. In winter, it's fine. If you're booking Al Manshar or similar Block 12 options for a beach-focused trip, factor in a $3-4 Careem per trip to the waterfront.
Avoid the Al-Jabriya border area if you're visiting solo for the first time
Ramada Hotel and Suites Salmiya near Al-Jabriya is excellent for families but isolating for solo travelers or couples on a city trip. You're 15-20 minutes drive from the Salem Al-Mubarak Street food scene and the Gulf Road waterfront. The Ramada charges $145-210/night, which is mid-range money. For that budget, Holiday Inn on Salem Al-Mubarak Street is the far better value pick if you don't need the suite format.
Hotels in Salmiya — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Salmiya.
What's the best area to stay in Salmiya?
Salem Al-Mubarak Street is the sweet spot. You're walkable to the sea, surrounded by restaurants, and Starbucks and The Coffee Cup are literally outside your door. Hotels here run $105-220/night, which is fair for what you get. Gulf Road is the premium alternative if you want uninterrupted sea views and don't mind paying $120-260/night.
How far is Salmiya from Kuwait City center?
It's about 10-15 minutes by car along Arabian Gulf Street with light traffic. During rush hour (7-9am and 4-7pm), budget 25-35 minutes. There's no metro in Kuwait, so taxis and ride-hails like Careem are your main options. A standard trip from Salmiya to Souk Mubarakiya runs about $3-6.
What's the cheapest time to visit Salmiya?
Summer (June-August) is brutal at 42-48°C, but hotels drop hard. You'll find rooms on Salem Al-Mubarak Street for $45-95/night that normally cost double. Most tourists avoid this window entirely, so crowds are thin and service is attentive. If you can handle indoor-only days and air-conditioned everything, summer is genuinely a value play.
Is Salmiya good for families?
It's one of the better family setups in Kuwait. The Scientific Center on Gulf Road is 10 minutes walk from several mid-range hotels and keeps kids busy for a full day. Marina Mall is another anchor, with a cinema, food court, and a small indoor theme area. Ramada Hotel and Suites Salmiya near the Al-Jabriya border is purpose-built for families with suite-style rooms.
Are there budget hotels in Salmiya worth staying at?
Sultan Inn Hotel near Al-Salmiya Center is the honest budget answer at $45-70/night. It's not glamorous, but it's clean, central-ish, and within 15 minutes walk of Salem Al-Mubarak Street. Al Manshar Hotel on Block 12 is the next step up at $65-95/night with noticeably better rooms. Don't expect luxury amenities at either, but both do the job.
Do Salmiya hotels have pools?
Most mid-range and above do. Holiday Inn Kuwait Salmiya on Salem Al-Mubarak Street has a rooftop pool, and the Radisson Blu on Arabian Gulf Street has both a pool and direct Gulf access. Budget picks like Sultan Inn and Al Manshar typically don't. If a pool matters, budget at least $105-130/night.
What's the dress code at Salmiya hotels?
Kuwait is a conservative Muslim country. In hotel pools and private beach areas, standard swimwear is fine. But walking to and from hotels on Salem Al-Mubarak Street, keep shoulders and knees covered. During Ramadan, most hotels still serve food in-room or in sectioned-off restaurant areas, but public eating and drinking during daylight hours is illegal.
Is it safe to walk around Salmiya at night?
Yes, Salmiya is one of the safest neighborhoods in Kuwait for evening walks. Salem Al-Mubarak Street stays lively until midnight, with juice bars, shawarma spots, and cafés staying open late. Gulf Road is quieter but well-lit. Petty crime is rare here, and the area sees a heavy mix of expats and locals most evenings.
How do I get from Kuwait International Airport to Salmiya?
Kuwait International Airport is about 20-30 minutes from Salmiya by car, depending on traffic. Careem and Uber both operate the route and usually cost $8-15. There's no airport train or direct bus. Some hotels on Gulf Road offer airport transfers for around $20-25, which is worth it if you're arriving late.
When is peak season in Salmiya?
November-February is peak. Temperatures sit at 15-24°C and everything is pleasant. Hotels on Gulf Road and Salem Al-Mubarak Street fill fast, especially during Kuwait National Day (February 25) and Liberation Day (February 26). Prices jump to $160-390/night across mid-range and luxury properties during that last week of February. Book at least 6-8 weeks out.
Is Salmiya good for a romantic trip?
Gulf Road at sunset is genuinely beautiful, especially from the Radisson Blu or the Hilton Kuwait Resort on the Rumaithiya Coastal Strip. Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel in Messilah is the top romantic pick at $340-520/night, with private beach access and arguably the best sea views in Kuwait. Budget a dinner at Salmiya's seafood strip near Salem Al-Mubarak Street for the full experience.
Are there any areas in Salmiya to avoid?
The inland blocks far from Gulf Road, particularly around the Al-Jabriya border on the city's edge, can feel disconnected from everything. You'll pay mid-range prices but add a $5-8 taxi ride every time you want to do anything. Also avoid hotels that advertise 'sea views' without specifying the floor. In Salmiya, a genuine sea view starts at the 6th floor on most Gulf Road properties.