Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi

The Cranley Report®: Le Royal Meridien

Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi

Hotel Address

Sheikh Khalifa Street
PO Box 45505
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Cranley Rating

Le Royal Meridien

Photo 1 of 27. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel
Awards Won	Time Out 2006 Al Fanar-Best International Soba-Best Japanese Zari Zardozi-Best Indian What's On 2006 Amalfi-Favourite Italian

Hotel Opened	1994
Refurbishment	Royal Tower added in 2004

Cranley Summary

Le Royal Meridien Hotel is located in Abu Dhabi city centre near to the Corniche, its location makes it a good base for both business and leisure travellers. Abu Dhabi’s beach area is close by and the cities golf courses are a twenty minute drive away whilst the main commercial area where all the major companies are based in a short walk away. The hotel has a range of room types located in the two towers and executive facilities including a lounge. In addition there are numerous award winning restaurants covering International, Italian, Asian, Indian and Asian Fusion foods. The hotel also has its own boat The Shuja which guests can enjoy for dinner cruises or use for meetings and conferences. For entertainment in the evening there are several bars including an Irish pub, cocktail bar and a lounge style bar. The hotel also has its own nightclub located in one of the towers and a Jazz Club/Restaurant with a live band and DJ. For leisure there is a temperature controlled outdoor pool and next to it is a small toddler’s pool. Inside next to the gym is an additional pool. The gym is adequate for the size of the hotel but there is also a larger gym and two squash courts at a hotel next to the Le Royal Meridien which guests have complimentary use of. Lastly for business travellers there is a fully equipped business centre as well as a number of meeting and function rooms that can accommodate most events.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Le Royal Meridien is located in downtown Abu Dhabi, close to the business and banking district with several international company headquarters located close by. It is only a five minute drive away from Abu Dhabi Shopping Mall, a fifteen minute drive from the Abu Dhabi International Exhibitions Centre and thirty two kilometres from Abu Dhabi International Airport. For guests that want to venture to Dubai the Jumeirah area is approximately seventy five minutes away whilst Deira is about one hour forty five minutes drive. Le Royal Meridien is also just five minutes away from two public beaches.

Airports
Distance	45 km
Airport Transfers	Complimentary transfers for guests staying in Suites or Royal Club Room guests.

Cities and Sights
Distance	0 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi/walk

Layout Description

The hotel consists of an entrance lobby which also houses several of the restaurants and two towers; the royal and deluxe which house the guest rooms, night club, health club and restaurant. At the rear of the hotel is the pool and next to the pool is the Zari Zardozi Indian restaurant and P.J. O’Reilly’s Irish Pub. The meeting and conference rooms are located on the ground floor of the Royal Tower and on the second floor of the Deluxe Tower. The hotel effectively surrounds the pool on three sides which give it a courtyard style feel.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	Arabic and English
Payment Methods	Major credit cards
Foreign Exchange	Major currencies exchanged
Taxis Arranged	Called of the street
Tours Arranged	A variety of activities can be arranged including Tours of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Ajman, Dinner Cruises, Safari's to the Desert, Wadi Hatta or Hajar Mountains, a Night at the Races, Camel Riding, Sand Skiing, Snorkelling or Scuba Diving.

Guest Relations	Standard
Concierge Services	Standard
Medical Facilities	A doctor can be called in with thirty minutes notice.
Parking	Complimentary underground valet parking

Cranley Comment

The hotel lobby is at the front of the hotel and is two floors high giving a feeling of space. At the rear of the lobby is the Palm Lobby lounge which overlooks the pool and to the left of the lobby is the L'Opera Restaurant. The font desk has three manned desks to check guests in and out and opposite them is a guest relations desk. The concierge is located on the left side of the entrance. Overall the lobby is decorated in a contemporary design with ample natural daylight.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Gift Shop open daily from 09.00 to 23.30
Sarkissian Jewellers open Saturday to Thursday from 09.30 to 13.30 and 17.30 to 23.30
Tasha Chocolatier open Saturdays to Thursdays from 09.30 to 23.00
Separate Mens and ladies salons open Saturday to Thursday from 09.00 to 21.00

Cranley Comment

The hotel has a small range of boutiques but being located in the centre of Abu Dhabi is near numerous boutiques, souks and shopping malls to cater for all tastes.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	31
Total Rooms	275
Elevators	6
Rooms per Elevator	46
Total Staff	412
Staff per Room	1.5

Check-in Time	15.00
Check-out Time	12.00
Late Checkout	Up to 16.00 without charge subject to availability.
Smoking Rooms	Non-smoking rooms available
Room Service	Available 24 hours from al a carte menu
Laundry Service	Items collected before 10.00 will be delivered back the same day. Items collected after 10.00 and before 16.00 will be returned the same day at a 50% premium. Three hour express service is available at a 50% premium. 100% premium on Fridays and public holidays

Club or Executive Facilities

There is a Royal Club Lounge on the Ground Floor next to the Palm Lobby Lounge. The Lounge is available for Royal Club and Suite guests and provides a complimentary breakfast, afternoon canapes and evening drinks. In addition Royal Club guests have complimentary use of the internet in the business centre.

Cranley Comment

The Le Royal Meridien in Abu Dhabi has several different room types spread across two towers. The original accommodation was in the Deluxe Tower that is 31 stories high and has rooms on floors six to twenty five and a new extension was added in 2004 which is known as the Royal Tower with seven floors. The rooms have views of the City or distant sea views as the hotel is about half a mile from the sea. The hotels nightclub is located on the fourth floor of the Deluxe Tower and whilst sound insulated inevitably some noise will permeate to the lower guest floors. Whilst all Tower Rooms have sea views the lower floors will be partly restricted so for the best views request a room on a higher floors.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Classic	154	Sea	Individually controlled air conditioning Iron and Ironing board Desk and chair high speed internet Satellite television Complimentary in-room tea and coffee Complementary water Mini-bar Safe Armchair Combined bath and shower Bidet Scales	3 Adults	34

Cranley Comment

The Classic Rooms are located in the deluxe tower and come with either king beds or twin single beds and can have either a city or sea view. The rooms are decorated in a contemporary style with dark wood furniture, pale yellow walls and beige/gold drapes. The bathroom is decorated in a neutral style with beige tiling and marble effect counters with white sanitary wear. The room itself at 34 sqm has ample space which allows for an armchair with footrest with a coffee table to sit at. In the corner of the room is a working desk with high speed internet connection.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Superior	24	Sea	As per the Classic Room with the addition of: Additional space Trouser press Upgraded bathroom amenities	3 Adults	40

Cranley Comment

The Superior Rooms are located in the Royal Tower and are slightly larger than the Classic Rooms. Being in the Royal Tower the rooms have a newer feel but are decorated in the same contemporary style and have the same dark wood furniture as the Classic Room. The rooms consist of the same basic amenities but benefit from a larger bathroom. The rooms come with both king and twin single beds.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Club Rooms	18	Sea	As per the Superior Room with the addition of: Access to the Royal Lounge Upgraded amenities Complimentary internet access	3 Adults	40

Cranley Comment

The Royal Club Room is the same as the Superior Room but comes with upgraded bathroom amenities and access to the Royal Lounge which gives guests a separate place to relax at as well as complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon tea and canapes and cocktails in the evening. The room itself is decorated in the same contemporary style and have the same dark wood furniture as the Superior Room and has either king or twin single rooms.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Junior Suites	18	Sea	As per the Royal Club Room with the addition of: Separate bedroom area Kitchenette with sink and fridge Two seater sofa Armchair Coffee table	3 Adults	69

Cranley Comment

The Junior Suites are a one room suite with the bedroom and lounge area separated by a floor to ceiling screen that is half solid and half glass. The room comes with a lounge area with white two seater sofa, an armchair and coffee table as well as a small kitchenette with sink but no cooking facilities. The room itself is decorated in a modern/contemporary style with cream sofas and white bed linen and pastel coloured walls. The furniture is the same dark wood as in the other room types.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Suites	22	Sea	As per the Junior Suite with the added benefit of: Additional Satellite television	3 Adults	60

Cranley Comment

The Executive Suites are similar to the Junior Suite in that they are a one room suite but because of the room’s location in the corner of the building they have a bedroom that is entered via a passageway that gives the feel of it being a separate room. The Executive Suites also benefit from having aspects in two directions and across the lounge and bedroom areas are large panoramic windows looking over the coastline. This room type also benefits from being larger which allows for a more spacious bedroom and lounge. The suite is decorated in a similar modern/contemporary style as the Junior Suite.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Club Suites	35	21 Sea 14 City	As per the Executive Suites with the added benefit of: Separate bedroom Additional Armchair Dinning table for two persons Combined bath/shower	3 Adults	78

Cranley Comment

The Royal Club Suites are located in the Royal Tower and principle benefits are that they have a separate bedroom as well as a dinning table for two persons. On entering the room there is a small entrance hallway off which is the kitchenette and leads into the lounge. The bedroom is off the lounge and features an en-suite bathroom. The room is decorated in a more modern style with a wood floor in the lounge and carpets in the bedroom. The en-suite bathroom has “trendy” features including a free standing bath and rain shower. Guests should note that the suites on the lower floors have more a pool view as opposed to the described sea view.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Presidential Suites	2	Sea	As per the Royal Club Suite with the added benefit of : Additional en-suite bedroom Additional furniture and sofas Dinning table for four persons	6 Adults	125

Cranley Comment

The Presidential Suites comprise a lounge, two bedrooms, cloakroom, entrance hall and a kitchenette. They are decorated in a lavish style with numerous pieces of furniture and have a more classical English style than the rest of the room types. Each of the bedrooms has its own en-suite bathroom with the master bedroom also having a separate shower. The lounge is spacious and has two three seater sofas as well as a desk and dinning table for four persons.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suites	2	Sea	As per the Presidential Suites with the added benefit of: Additional en-suite bedroom Additional SQM Larger Lounge Dinning table for six persons	8 Adults	265

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suites are sizable at 265sqm and have three en-suite bedrooms as well as a lounge with a separate dining area. They are decorated in a similar style to the Presidential Suites. The additional SQM are used for the third bedroom, an entrance hallway and larger lounge and master bedroom.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

Le Royal Meridien has a total of seven restaurants several of which have won their categories in the recent Time Out Awards. The main international/buffet restaurant is L’Opera and is located next to the lobby. The hotel also has Italian, Indian, South East Asian speciality restaurants and for fine dining the hotel has the only revolving restaurant in Abu Dhabi which is located in the 31st floor giving it views over the city and corniche.

Al Fanar

Restaurant Type	Modern European
Restaurant Capacity	Total 98 all inside
Opening Times	12.30 to 23.30 Friday Brunch 12.00 to 15.30
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking tables
Children’s Facilities	High chairs
Breakfast Options	N/A

Cranley Comment

Al Fanar is the hotels award winning restaurant having won Time Out's Best International restaurant in Abu Dhabi in 2006 and was also highly commended as a romantic location. Al Fanar means lighthouse in Arabic and takes its name from the fact that the restaurant is a revolving restaurant located at the top on the 26th floor giving it spectacular views of the city and Corniche. The restaurant is a fine dining restaurant serving a range of modern European dishes and has a contemporary interior with floor to ceiling windows to maximise the vista. For entertainment there is a live band/singer performing each evening.