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The Cranley Report®: Al Mafraq Hotel
Al Mafraq Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Hotel Address
PO Box 6770
Mafraq
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Contact Details
Telephone: +971 2 582 2666
Fax: +971 2 582 2899
E-mail
Email hotel's reservation Desk
Cranley Rating

Al Mafraq Hotel: Click to magnify
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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.
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 and 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
  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
 2
  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
Cranley Comment
Hunter’s Pub is an English themed pub located on the first floor of the hotel and decorated in an English pub style with leather sofas and has pictures of English country scenes on the wall. The pub has a stage at the front from where a band plays six nights a week. At the rear of the pub is a games room with a pool table and darts board and the pub has a number of theme nights like darts, karaoke and billiards every Wednesday.
  Sahara Pool Bar  
     
Bar Type Pool Bar
Bar Capacity Total 15
Opening Times 09.00 to 20.00
Dress Codes Casual
Air-Conditioning No
Smoking Policy No non-smoking area
Admissions Policy Children’s Menu
Cranley Comment
The Pool Bar is a circular bar located on the edge of the pool that has in water seating as well as 'dry' seating. The bar serves a range of soft and alcoholic drinks and takes food orders for the guests from a range of light options.
Business & Event Facilities
Wireless Internet No wireless internet
In-Room Services Desk with dial up internet
Business Centre
There is a business centre located at the front of the lobby which is contained in a glass walled room for privacy and has a desk, PC with internet access, printer and fax machine. The hotel can also organise a range of secretarial services for guests. There are additional PC’s located in the Click@Mafraq café.
Meetings & Events
The hotel has three principle banqueting rooms that can be configured in a number of different ways and in addition the gardens can be used for outdoor events. There is a range of audio visual equipment.
Cranley Comment
The Mafraq is principally a leisure hotel but has a range of amenities for corporate meetings and banquets. Its location ten minutes from Abu Dhabi airport makes it a good location for meetings where guests are flying in from different countries.
Children’s Facilities & Clubs
Restaurant Facilities See Restaurants
   
Children's Pool See Pools
Games Room There is a children’s activity room located in the Heath Club which has a table football game, television and various games.
Playground
The hotel has just installed a new children's playground for younger children. It has a range of climbing apparatus and is set on sand.
Children's Club
None
Babysitting service
Babysitting can be arranged with six hours notice and is undertaken by hotel staff.
Cranley Comment
There is a specific children's paddling pool and the hotel has recently had installed a new fun slide in the main pool and a children's playground next to the main pool and tennis courts.
Entertainment
  Daytime Activities  
Cranley Comment
The hotel has a range of sporting activities detailed in the sports section and in addition Abu Dhabi's golf courses and horse racing track are fifteen minute drive away.
  Evening Activities  
Cranley Comment
The evening entertainment centres on the theme nights in Oasis Restaurants and the band that plays six nights a week in Hunters Pub.
Beaches
  Corniche
     
Location 33 km
Private/Public Public
Size/Frontage 20 meters deep and approx 1,000 meters long
Facilities None
Safety No lifeguards
Parking Limited parking next to the beach
Cranley Comment
The Corniche Beach is a public beach next to the Hilton Hotel. The beach is separated from the Corniche Road by a grass border with a number with trees for natural shading. The beach itself is relatively straight with a gentle incline into the sea which because of the islands offshore is calm. Entry is free.
  Golden Point
     
Location 33 km
Private/Public Public
Size/Frontage The beach is split into two sections by the breakwall. The smaller section is approx 20 meters deep and 75 meters wide whilst the larger section is 75 meters deep and approx 500 meters wide.
Facilities None
Safety No lifeguards
Parking Ample Free parking
Cranley Comment
The Golden Point Beach is located next to the Emirates Palace Hotel. It is set in a quiet corner of the island away from traffic. The beach itself is split into two sections by a break wall. Between the beach and the car parking are numerous trees providing natural shade. There are no facilities at the beach so visitors should bring their own refreshments. The beach also has a ladies only section.
Pools
  Main Pool  
     
Opening Times 09.00 to 20.00
Temperature Temperature controlled at 29c
Depths Max depth 2.2m
Min depth 1.0m
Size Max 22m by 14m
Facilities Molded plastic sunbeds
Parasols
Toilets
Towels
Pool bar
Showers
Safety No lifeguard on duty
Cranley Comment
The main pool is located at the rear of the hotel and comprises of a hard floored pool surround on which the sunbeds are located and beyond are lawns and palm trees. The pool is an S-shape and there is a pool bar located on the side which has a swim up counter as well as 'dry' seating. There is a children’s slide in the process of being built which will be ready in July and will provide an added feature.
  Children's Paddling Pool  
     
Opening Times 09.00 to 20.00
Temperature Temperature controlled at 29c
Depths Min 0.0m
Max 0.3m
Size Max 10m by 5m
Facilities As per the main pool
Safety No lifeguards on duty
Cranley Comment
The children’s pool is aimed at young toddler aged children and is located next to the main pool. The pool is designed in the shape of a whale with a small slide at one end. The pool shares all the amenities with the main pool.
Sports & Gym
  Gym & Health Club  
Opening Times
 09.00 to 23.00
Description 3 Treadmills
2 Bikes
1 Rowing machine
1 Cross trainer
1 Stepper
14 Resistance machines
Free weights
Cybex equipment
Wall mounted television (no headphones)
Personal training
Massage room
Multi sex Jacuzzi
Steam room and sauna in the men’s and ladies changing rooms
Showers
Size 20m by 10m
Cranley Comment
The gym is located within the health club and overlooks the newly built volleyball court. It has a range of equipment that is a little dated although still perfectly adequate and is mostly Cybex but there are some additional pieces. At each end of the gym are mirrored walls to give the illusion of more space and the floor is covered in green vinyl.
  Land Sport  
Opening Times
 09.00 to 23.00
Description Floodlit tennis courts
1 Volleyball court
1 Table tennis table
2 Glass backed squash courts
1 Badminton court
Cranley Comment
The land sports are in or next to the Health Club which is located at the rear of the hotel beyond the swimming pools. The building houses the gym, squash, table tennis, pool table and badminton courts as well as a young children’s playroom. In addition to the courts there is a seating area with a bar counter serving soft drinks. The Volleyball Court is newly constructed and together with the tennis courts is located next to the Health Club.
Golf
  Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club
Description
The Course at the Abu Dhabi Golf and Equestrian Club is set in the middle of the racing circuit. It is an open course with most of the features being provided by water and the backdrop is impacted by the floodlights for the race course. Potential players should note the course is closed early when there is a race meeting and should therefore check the opening hours before turning up to play.
Location 25km
Holes 18
Length/Par 6,365 yards, par 70, SSS 70
Facilities Practice area
Tuition
Tennis courts
Swimming pool
  Al Ghazal Golf Club
Description
Al Ghazal Golf course opened in 1997 and presents an exciting challenge to the novice and the experienced golfer. Instead of greens there are browns. These are created by compacting rolled and treated sand and, as the players quickly discover, they give an extremely true putting surface. The front nine holes (par 35) are based around an archaeological site which was once an old coast line. The back nine (par 36), which have recently been developed, present a great challenge. Be careful of the water on the 11th! Located next to Abu Dhabi International Airport Al Ghazal Golf Club is regarded as the leading desert golf course in the world. The course is also home to The Abu Dhabi World Sand Golf Championship.
Location 17km
Holes 18 Sand course
Length/Par 6,711 Yards Par 71
Facilities 3 tennis courts
2 utility courts used for basketball, volleyball and five-a-side football
Swimming pool
Gym
Sauna
Jacuzzi
Steam room
Spa
Cranley Comment
There is no Spa at the Mafraq Hotel.
Special Needs
Rooms & Bathrooms No adapted rooms
Restaurants & Catering Wheelchair accessible
Communal Areas Wheelchair accessible
Recreation Facilities Wheelchair accessible
Cranley Comment
The hotel is accessible for those with special needs although there are no adapted rooms.
Environment
Measures
 Water Saving
Cranley Comment
Water is recycled for the gardens.
Report Details
15th July 2006
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