The Cranley Report®: Le Royal Meridien
Hotel Summary Restaurants & Cafés Beaches Special Needs
Location & Layout Bars Pools Environment
Lobby & Guest Relations Business & Event Facilities Sports & Gym Report Details
Shops & Amenities Children’s Facilities & Clubs Golf    
Rooms, Suites & Villas Entertainment Spa    
Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi
Hotel Address
Sheikh Khalifa Street
PO Box 45505
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
 
Cranley Rating

Le Royal Meridien: Click to magnify
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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
7
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.