A question about Hotels in Kuwait

Question: Hi, I enjoyed reading your informative blog. I will be traveling to Kuwait for the EMAC volleyball tournament in October. Would you be able to give me information on hotels near the American International School of Kuwait? Thanks so much.


AIS is located in Salmiyah, so you would want a Hotel that is in Salmiyah or close by.

Here is the school map:

Source

Here is a list of the hotels & furnished apartments in Salmiyah:

Hotel Ibis Kuwait Salmiya *** Prices are very reasonable $83 including taxes.
Salmiya Area 71 Block 8 Salem Mubarak Street - 24755 - KUWAIT CITY - KUWAIT
Tel : (+965)5734247 Fax : (+965)5734248
Map
Website
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The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa - Prices are as most top Kuwait hotels around $300.
Al Ta'awon St. Road 25, Bida'a Area, Kuwait
P.O. Box 24079 Safat 13101 Kuwait
Tel: (+965) 824060, (+965) 5646266
Fax: (+965) 563 7277
Email: info@thepalms-kuwait.com
Map
Website

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Arinza Tower Quality Suites - Prices average $127
40 2-Bedroom luxury apartments located in heart of Salmiyah.
Arinza Tower , Building 17
Street 1, block 5,Salmiya , Kuwait City, Kuwait
Email: info@arinzatowers.com
Phone: 00965-5747131, 00965-5747166
Fax: 00965 5752628
Note: The Hotel is opposite the Police station.
Map
Website

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Taxis are the way to move around the city, ask about the fair prior to riding.
Check out my post about Taxis HERE.
Also if you have to apply for a Visa at the Kuwait airport use Hala Kuwait Services.
I have posted about that HERE


Good Luck.

********************UPDATE******************
I was just informed that Kuwait Hayatt Suits & Hotel are in walking distance of AIS, and they are affordable :

Room: $ 150
Suits: $ 113

Address:
Shaab Garden, Maidan Hawally, Kuwait
Tel: + 965 563 4200
Fax: + 965 563 4858 / 565 9272
E-mail: info@kuwaithyattsuites.com

Location:
Maidan Hawally, Cairo Street, Shaab Round about, Near Shaab Park

Website
Map

********************UPDATE******************

Speed up travel at Kuwait Airport - Hala Services for visa / immigration

This article is coming to you from this link: Border Crossed

One of the most frustrating things that can happen to travelers is delay at the airport. The issue has been particularly serious in Kuwait for arriving visitors who’re non-GCC Nationals. There have been times when I had to wait more than 2 hours at the airport before being allowed to enter the country. So I decide to find out and share some tips to help other people save time. Hope this is useful for you

The problem - lengthy visa procedure at Kuwait International Airport

Kuwait has a visa process that is restrictive by international standard. Every non-GCC visitor has to apply for visa in advance before entering Kuwait. In 2004, the Ministry of Interior has adopted a policy to open up its borders. Nationals of the following countries can apply for visa at the airport

1. USA.
2. UK.
3. France.
4. Italy.
5. Germany.
6. Canada.
7. Australia.
8. New Zealand.
9. Japan.
10. The Netherlands.
11. Belgium.
12. Luxembourg.
13. Switzerland.
14. Austria.
15. Sweden.
16. Norway.
17. Denmark.
18. Portugal.
19. Ireland.
20. Greece.
21. Finland.
22. Spain.
23. Monaco.
24. the Vatican.
25. Iceland.
26. Andorra.
27. San Marino.
28. Liechtenstein.
29. Brunei.
30. Singapore.
31. Malaysia.
32. Hong Kong.
33. South Korea.
34. China.*

*They recently excluded China, but the decision was not publicized. Customs officials told me they originally did not plan to restrict Chinese visitors. However, thousands of prostitutes and criminals flock to the country and stay there using the loophole. Therefore, when you arrive at Kuwait International Airport today, you will see notice boards stating people from these 34 countries can obtain visa there, with big crosses covering the word “China”. Moreover, Nationals of Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong were screened in extra caution (that means extra wait time!), because Kuwaiti officials are concerned that Chinese may try using fake passports of these 3 countries to enter Kuwait. They have no way to tell from the look, whether someone is from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong or China

Usually people need to wait for 1 - 1.5 hour to have a visa issued. If you don’t want to wait, here is a good service to use

Solution - Hala (Meet-and-greet) Services
Realizing this problem, entrepreneurs have found a way to speed up the visa process. This is a service run by a private company called Hala Services Kuwait. User can register online or call them at +965-842-842 (Ext. 304) to ask for help. Of all the services they provide (from welcoming you by flowers and dates at the gate to wheelchair assistance), I recommend the airport visa service

I tried it myself. As soon as I stepped out of the plane, I saw a lady holding up a cardboard with my name on it. Then she escorted me directly to the visa counter. Instead of waiting in line with the other ~100 travelers, we bypassed the whole process by using a special counter. 15 minutes later, I was already outside the airport

It costs 1 KD (~3.5 USD), but it’s worth it as I don’t have to worry about waiting. Now I don’t have to worry about arriving after a 747-400 from Amsterdam, and how long I have to wait until they give you a visa

For more information,

Hala Services in Kuwait’s International Airport

Kuwaitah website on Kuwait visa procedure