Al Mafraq Hotel, Abu Dhabi

The Cranley Report®: Al Mafraq Hotel

Al Mafraq Hotel, Abu Dhabi

Hotel Address

PO Box 6770
Mafraq
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Cranley Rating

Al Mafraq Hotel

Photo 1 of 24. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category

Hotel

Hotel Opened	1996
Refurbishment	2006 Soft furnishings in the rooms Children’s Playground Landscaping Volleyball court Meeting rooms

Cranley Summary

The Mafraq Hotel is a medium sized hotel which is designed in an Arabic style and is located in Mafraq which is about ten minutes from Abu Dhabi Airport and near to the main Dubai-Saudi highway. The hotel has recently undergone some renovations with substantial landscaping work to the gardens and the installation of a children’s playground and a new slide in the main pool. The hotel targets the budget conscious leisure and business traveler looking for relative value for money and an Arabian experience. The hotel has mostly Superior Rooms and has an international restaurant as well as a modern designed internet café. The main feature of the hotel is the leisure facilities with two swimming pools, two tennis and in-door squash courts, badminton court, table tennis and a pool table. There is a large gym with steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi facilities in the changing rooms. For entertainment there is an English themed pub with live entertainment six nights a week although children are not allowed in; the restaurant also has a number of theme nights.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Mafraq Hotel is located in the town of Mafraq which is 33 km’s from Abu Dhabi City Centre and 17 kilometers from Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is in fact one of the closest hotels to the airport and its position means it is well positioned for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the roads to the Western Emirates. Its is also well located for access to the main golf courses in Abu Dhabi and the racing track although Abu Dhabi City is about thirty minutes away either by taxi or the hotel shuttle bus.

Airports
Distance	17 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi Complimentary collection and drop off.

Cities and Sights
Distance	33 km
City/Sight Transfers	The hotel runs a shuttle bus into Abu Dhabi at 18.00 and 21.00 Saturday’s to Thursday’s and returns at 19.45 and 22.45. On Friday’s it runs at 09.30, 18.00 and 21.00 returning at 11.15, 19.45 and 22.45. On Sunday’s it runs at 17.15 and 21.00 returning at 19.45 and 22.45.

Layout Description

The hotel is set out in an L shape over two floors with the restaurant, lobby, boutiques and bars located at the corner of the apex and with the rooms on the two wings. The swimming pools are located at the rear of the hotel with the tennis courts, volleyball court and the Health Club located beyond the pool in the hotel gardens.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 Hours
Languages Spoken	English and Arabic
Payment Methods	Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express
Foreign Exchange	Major currencies
Taxis Arranged	Organised by concierge
Tours Arranged	The following tours are offered and are arranged on demand either once or twice a day on request with local agencies: Dubai City Tour Abu Dhabi City Tour Al Ain City Tour Desert Tour

Guest Relations	Standard
Concierge Services	Standard
Medical Facilities	A doctor can be called with 30 minutes notice
Parking	Complimentary valet parking

Cranley Comment

The hotel’s lobby is designed in a contemporary but elegant design with the reception desk on the left and the concierge desk and business centre on the opposite side. In the centre of the lobby is a circular lounge which is set under the atrium that has a domed mosaic glass roof that makes a feature of the lobby and let’s in some natural light. Beyond the lounge area is the Oasis Restaurant and off the side of the central atrium area is access to the pool, the boutique and salon and the Click@Mafraq internet café.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Barber’s shop for men which is open every day except Monday from 10.00 to 13.00 and 17.00 to 22.00
Gift shop which is open every day except Monday from 10.00 to 13.00 and 17.00 to 22.00

Cranley Comment

The hotel has a small boutique selling the basic necessities but for more substantial shopping guests will need to venture into Abu Dhabi with its mix of major shopping malls and local souks selling traditional goods. There are basic amenities like banks, supermarkets and pharmacies in the nearby town.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	2
Total Rooms	120
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	60
Total Staff	130
Staff per Room	1.1

Check-in Time	14.00
Check-out Time	12.00
Late Checkout	Up to 15.00 subject to availability
Smoking Rooms	Non-smoking rooms available
Room Service	24 hours
Laundry Service	Item’s dropped off by 09.00 are returned the same day and there is an express service for a 50% premium.

Club or Executive Facilities

None

Cranley Comment

The majority of the hotel room types are Superior Rooms but in addition there are four suites in three types. All the rooms with the exception of the Emiri Suite benefit from having had all the soft furnishings and mattresses replaced in 2006. The rooms also come with some unusual benefits like two items of laundry being washed on a complimentary basis per day, complimentary breakfast and an hour’s free internet access. The Superior Rooms come with views over the pool or over the surrounding neighborhood with the rooms on the first floor having a larger balcony. The suites benefit from having a separate lounge with the Executive and Emiri Suites also having a dining room.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Superior	116	Gardens or Swimming Pool	Satellite television Table and armchair Minibar Combined bath/shower Safe Bidet Balcony with table and chair Scales Hairdryer Bathrobe Slippers Two complimentary pieces per day One complimentary hour on the internet per day Complimentary breakfast in Oasis Complimentary collection and airport drop off.	2 Adults and 1 child under 12	40 incl balcony

Cranley Comment

The Superior Room is a spacious room at 40sqm and all have a balcony although they are larger on the first floor than the second floor. The room itself has an entrance hallway with a bathroom on one side with a combined bath and shower and wardrobes on the opposite side. The room itself comes with either a king bed of twin single beds and has a desk and chair. The rooms are decorated with green carpets and beige and brown drapes. The bathrooms have a combination of light and dark green tiling. The rooms all benefit from having had their carpets, curtains, mattresses and bedding replaced in 2006 although the bathrooms are a little dated.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Junior Suite	1	Gardens or Swimming Pool	As per the Superior Room plus: Lounge 2 seater sofa and armchair Additional satellite television Coffee table Additional balcony Additional full bathroom Fruit basket Complimentary soft drinks in the mini-bar Complimentary tea and coffee facilities Welcome drink on arrival	2 Adults and 2 children	80

Cranley Comment

The Junior Suite comprises of two Superior Rooms with a connecting door. The lounge comes with a two seater sofa, armchair, coffee table, an additional en-suite bathroom and a balcony. The bedroom is the same as the Superior Room with an entrance hallway with a bathroom on one side with a combined bath and shower and wardrobes on the opposite side. The room itself comes with either a king bed of twin single beds and has a desk and chair. The rooms are decorated with green carpets and beige and brown drapes. The bathrooms have a combination of light and dark green tiling. The rooms all benefit from having had there carpets, curtains, mattresses and bedding replaced in 2006 although the bathrooms are a little dated.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Suite	2	Gardens or Swimming Pool	As per the Junior Suite plus: Three seater sofa Two armchairs Coffee table Sound system Rectangular dining table with six chair Additional balcony	2 Adults and 2 children	80

Cranley Comment

The Executive Suite is spacious at 80 sqm and is similar to the Junior Suite with the exception that the lounge is larger and benefits from having a rectangular dining table which seats six persons. The bedroom is the same as the Superior Room with an entrance hallway with a bathroom on one side with a combined bath and shower and wardrobes on the opposite side. The room itself comes with either a king bed of twin single beds and has a desk and chair. The rooms are decorated with green carpets and beige and brown drapes. The bathrooms have a combination of light and dark green tiling. The rooms all benefit from having had there carpets, curtains, mattresses and bedding replaced in 2006 although the bathrooms are a little dated.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Emiri Suite	1	Gardens or Swimming Pool	As per the Executive Suite plus: Large fruit basket Complimentary alcoholic drinks Entrance hallway Lounge/dining room Kitchenette Hotplate Mini-fridge Sink Dressing area Larger bathroom with separate shower Guest cloakroom	4 persons	160sqm

Cranley Comment

The Emiri Suite is the premium accommodation in the hotel and comprises of an entrance hall, guest bathroom and lounge/dining room, kitchen with separate entrance door for room service and a large bedroom with en-suite bedroom and dressing area. The suite being the premium accommodation benefits from a richer interior design and more sophisticated and elaborate furniture than the other room types. On entering the suite there is an enclosed hallway off which is the lounge and dining room which contains a number of sofa’s and armchairs, and a dining table for eight persons. The kitchen is enclosed and located opposite the dining area to make service convenient. The dining area leads into the bedroom which has a small lounge area with an en-suite bathroom that has a double basin and separate shower as well as a dressing area.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Oasis Restaurant

Restaurant Type	International
Restaurant Capacity	Total 76 all inside
Opening Times	06.00 to 00.00 Breakfast 06.00 to 11.00 Lunch 12.30 to 15.00 Dinner 19.30 to 23.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking at breakfast Non-smoking areas at other meal times
Children’s Facilities	Children’s menu Children’s high chairs
Breakfast Options	Full buffet breakfast

Cranley Comment

The Oasis Restaurant is the main restaurant of the hotel and is open plan and located at the back of the lobby. There is a buffet area at the back of the restaurant and there is a themed buffet three nights a week with an Italian on Tuesday and Far Eastern on Wednesday and a BBQ on Thursday. On Friday’s there is a Brunch from 11.00 to 15.00. The restaurant has theme nights for major days like Halloween, American Independence day, Christmas and in addition has an al a carte menu.

Click@Mafraq

Restaurant Type	Cafe
Restaurant Capacity	Total 15 all inside
Opening Times	07.00 to 01.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking area
Children’s Facilities	Children’s menu

Cranley Comment

Click@Mafraq is a small internet café located in a glass walled room located in the lobby. It has three stainless steel tables and chairs and two high tables. The café has two workstations with internet access and a printer. The café serve a range of soft drinks and light snacks including cakes and pastries.

Bars

Number of Bars

Hunters Pub

Bar Type	English Pub
Bar Capacity	Total 42 all inside
Opening Times	12.00 to 03.00
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No non-smoking area
Admissions Policy	Over 21’s only