Al Qasr, Dubai - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report®: Al Qasr

Al Qasr, Dubai

Hotel Address

Madinat Jumeirah Resort
Jumeirah Beach
PO Box 75157
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Cranley Rating

Al Qasr Hotel

Photo 1 of 31. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Resort Hotel
Awards Won	2005 World Travel Awards: - Middle East’s Leading Resort - World’s Leading Conference Resort - Dubai’s Leading Resort - Middle East’s Leading Conference Hotel 2005 Spa Finder Worldwide Reader Awards: - Best Spa in the Middle East

Hotel Opened

2004

Cranley Summary

Al Qasr is part of the Madinat Jumeirah Resort along with the Mina A Salam hotel and the Dar Al Masyaf summer houses. The three properties share the award winning Six Senses Spa, gym and health club, Sinbad’s Children’s club, private beach facilities and magnificent views of Burj Al Arab and the Arabian Gulf. In the middle of the resort complex is a Souk with over 75 boutiques, restaurants, cafes and bars. The resort has the largest swimming pool in the Gulf at over 2,200 square metres. There is a canal system meandering through the entire resort and guests can get about by using the traditional water ferries or Abras, take a stroll along the pathways or use one of the many buggies available.

Al Qasr or ‘The Palace’ is the centrepiece of the resort and is architecturally designed to reflect a traditional Arabian royal summer residence. All rooms at the Al Qasr have private balconies with either a garden and waterway view or an ocean view and are furnished with antiques and natural woods in a true Arabian style. Room are spacious and start with the Deluxe room at 55 square metres which have well appointed bathrooms and dressing areas. The hotel has six restaurants and a bar covering a variety of cuisines as well as the Armoury and Al Fayrooz lounges; guests also have easy access to many others in the Souk. The Per Chic Seafood restaurant is located at the end of a 100 metre pier giving diners a spectacular view of the Burj Al Arab and Madinat complex.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Al Qasr is located along Jumeirah beach in Dubai next to the world famous Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The hotel is part of the overall Madinat Resort but has its own entrance and benefits from being away from some of the major construction projects currently underway in Dubai like the Dubai Marina and Palm development. Nearby attractions include the Mall of the Emirates, the new ski dome and several internationally recognised golf courses. The Wild Wadi Water Park is a couple of minutes away by complimentary transport. Guests can have all charges from other Jumeirah properties charged to their Al Qasr account.

Airports
Distance	25 km
Airport Transfers	Complimentary for guests staying in Premium Leisure

Cities and Sights
Distance	20 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi

Hotel Layout

Click here to view

Layout Description

Al Qasr is part of the substantial Madinat Jumeirah Resort which includes the Mina A Salam and Dar Al Masyaf summer houses. The three properties share the leisure complex, spa and beach and the Souk that runs through the middle of the complex. The Al Qasr is approached by a winding drive lined with palm trees and gold horse statues to arrive at the marble entrance and undercover parking. On stepping inside the hotel on the third floor, the reception is on the right of a spacious hallway with a stairway at the back leading down to three restaurants. The rooms are approached via corridors leading off each side of the lobby. Arabian rooms are laid out over seven floors with views of the grounds and canals running through Madinat. Ocean rooms have front aspect views overlooking the swimming pool and ocean. At the back of the hotel is the main swimming pool, children’s pool and the beach beyond. The Madinat complex has over 3.7 kilometres of winding waterways which host 36 Abras (water taxi’s) ferrying guests around the resort. There is also a boardwalk linking the Madinat to the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English, German, French, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Spanish
Payment Methods	All major credit cards and cash accepted
Foreign Exchange	All major currencies
Taxis Arranged	Taxi pool
Tours Arranged	A variety of activities can be arranged with the tour desk 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	Arabian Adventures Excursions Office Car Hire Desk
Concierge Services	Standard Services
Medical Facilities	Paramedic on duty 24 hours and a doctor on duty between 08.00 and 20.00
Parking	Complimentary valet parking

Cranley Comment

The external entrance is quite substantial, with a high undercover driveway and on either side a large pool with nine palm trees on an individual star shaped island, which are lit at night for an impressive look. The lobby area is well appointed with high ceilings, marble flooring and traditional Arabic furniture. For guests staying in standard rooms, the check-in is off to the side of the main entrance lobby in a Moroccan style room with an intimate feel. Guests staying in suites are checked in and out of their own suite. Guest services are located in another Moroccan themed hall, just off the main entrance lobby, where there are desks and plenty of sofa’s and chairs.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Armoury Lounge:
A private club-like cigar lounge where guests can enjoy tranquil isolation while enjoying afternoon tea should they wish, designated as an adults-only lounge. The lounge is decorated in the theme of an old Arab Armoury with antique hunting rifles, swords and shields on display on the walls.

Al Fayrooz Lounge:
This is the hotel lobby lounge; its high elevation gives it panoramic views over the hotel grounds, ocean and Burj Al Arab. The lounge is decorated in the same Arabian style that permeates the hotel. The lounge seats 60 inside in a sofa environment and 104 on the terrace. The lounge has high ceilings and wood fans with Arabic background music adding to the ambience.

Other Shops and Boutiques:
Pearl Boutique
Gift shop & Newsagent
Carita Hair and Beauty Salon
(separate mens and ladies rooms)

Cranley Comment

There are a small number of boutiques within the hotel itself but the hotel has direct access to the Madinat Souk where there are many more shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. The Mall of the Emirates is a 5 km drive away with its comprehensive shopping facilities ranging from a hypermarket to designer boutiques.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	7
Total Rooms	292
Elevators	4 (excluding private suite elevators)
Rooms per Elevator	73

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Subject to availability
Smoking Rooms	Designated rooms available
Room Service	24 hours full menu
Laundry Service	Same day return if dropped off before 09.00

Club or Executive Facilities

Club Executive and Premium Leisure facilities include: Complimentary limousine service to and from Dubai Airport, complimentary breakfast between 07.00 and 11.00, afternoon tea between 15.00 and 16.30, a private lounge area, late check-out to 15.00 and free pressing service for one suit or dress.

Club Executive: Aimed specifically at the business traveller and provides in addition to the above, complimentary pre-dinner canapés and cocktails between 18.00 and 20.00, access to meeting rooms, complimentary secretarial service and high speed wi-fi in the lounge.

Premium Leisure: Aimed specifically at families with children and provides in addition to the above, a children’s play area with computer room, playstation games and ‘happy hour’ between 18.00 and 20.00 for complimentary cocktails and canapés.

Cranley Comment

Rooms at Al Qasr can have either a garden and waterway (Abra) view or an ocean view. All rooms are well appointed with antique furnishings and natural woods, private balconies and plasma TVs, decorated to portray an Arabic theme in keeping with the overall theme of the resort. Room types start with the Deluxe 55 square metre rooms which have well appointed bathrooms and dressing areas up to the Royal Suite at 550 square metres with all the luxuries one would expect of a Royal Suite.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	260	113 Sea View 147 Abra View	Private balconies Air-conditioning Private dressing area Large bathroom with walk-in rain shower Authentic arabian furnishings Lounge seating High speed internet Mini bar Safe LCD satellite televisions Hairdryer DVD Player on request	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 Child under 12	55

Cranley Comment

Deluxe rooms are decorated in an Arabic style in keeping with the theme of the hotel and are furnished and decorated to a high specification with antique Arabic furniture and natural woods. There is a separate dressing area and rooms benefit from either a sea view or abra view from floor to ceiling windows which open onto a private balcony. Bathrooms are well appointed and larger than average, well stocked with towels and benefit from a Jacuzzi bath and walk-in rain shower. Of the 260 Deluxe rooms, 41 are Club Executive and 61 are Premium Leisure rooms enjoying all the Club /Premium facilities listed above.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Junior Suite	17	3 Sea View 14 Abra View	As per the Deluxe room plus: Separate lounge with dining area Complimentary breakfast Check-in and out in the room Late check-out to 15.00 Two plasma televisions DVD Player	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 Child under 12	80

Cranley Comment

Junior suites also enjoy an Arabic design style with luxury furnishings and dark wood antiques but benefit from being much larger at 80 square metres due to the addition of a separate lounge/dining room. The lounge is fitted with an array of soft furnishings and a desk, and opens out onto the larger than average balcony from floor to ceiling windows.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Suite	12	8 Sea View 4 Abra View	As per the Junior Suite plus: 2 Plasma televisions Separate dinning table Separate WC	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 Child under 12	105

Cranley Comment

The full Suite is about 30% larger than the Junior Suite and additional facilities to the Junior Suite include a separate guest WC and a dinning table. The suite has regional artwork decorating the walls, traditional arches and intricate moldings to add real detail to the styling, which is consistent with the overall Arabic theme. Suites also have a terrace area and balcony.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Presidential Suite	2	Sea View	As per the Suite plus: 3 Plasma televisions 2 spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms Private lift Terrace and balcony	5 Adults	180

Cranley Comment

The Presidential suite is 180 square metres and has the benefit of a discreet individual lift lobby to ensure guest privacy. It is decorated in a rich array of regional antiques and artwork. The Presidential Suite has two large bedrooms both of which are en-suite with luxury bathrooms and a separate lounge area. There is a large balcony with views over the resort and the Arabian Gulf.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	1	Sea View	As per the Presidential Suite plus: 4 Plasma televisions Majilis (welcoming room) Large Private terrace Three bedrooms all en-suite	7 Adults	550

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suite has three large bedrooms, all en-suite and a private dressing area. There is a large lounge and dining area with a table to seat eight. The centrepiece is the Majilis - a traditional Arabian place of assembly which leads to a large private terrace enjoying views of the Gulf. It also benefits from two private lift lobbies ensuring complete privacy. Like the other rooms and suites the Royal Suite is decorated in a rich array of antiques and works of art from the region.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

Al Qasr has a number of dining options in the hotel covering a variety of cuisines. Per Chic Seafood restaurant is the most unusual and is located at the end of a 100 metre pier giving diners a spectacular view of the Burj Al Arab and Madinat complex. As well as the restaurants in the hotel, guests can dine at the numerous restaurants within the Souk and also at the restaurants of the Mina A Salam Hotel next door.

Al Hambra

Restaurant Type	Spanish
Restaurant Capacity	Total 120, 40 outside and 80 inside
Opening Times	Lunch 12.00 to 15.00 Dinner 19.00 to 23.30
Dress Codes	Smart Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities	High chairs and children’s menu
Breakfast Options	No

Cranley Comment

Al Hambra is a family orientated restaurant themed in a Spanish Hacienda style. It has exposed brickwork and vaulted ceilings which give it a feel of earlier times. The menu is based on Andalucia cuisine and includes recipes ranging from seafood Paella to classics like tagine and blistery. The restaurant has a flamenco guitarist playing six nights a week to give it an authentic atmosphere. Guests can also dine outside with views of the waterways, lit boats meandering past at night, and views of the Arabian coast.

Napa

Restaurant Type	Mediterranean
Restaurant Capacity	Total 120, 80 outside and 40 inside
Opening Times	Breakfast 09.00 to 11.00 Dinner 19.00 to 23.30
Dress Codes	Smart Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities	High chairs and children’s menu
Breakfast Options	Full breakfast buffet

Cranley Comment

Mediterranean style restaurant with an open kitchen and brick oven for cooking fresh bread. It is located next to the Arboretum restaurant and has outside dining, enjoying the same views of the waterway and Arabian ocean as the Arboretum and Al Hambra restaurants, with background music to add to the ambience. Signature dishes include Tuna Carpaccio, braised Lamb Shank and Roasted Loin.

Arboretum

Restaurant Type	International
Restaurant Capacity	Total 190, 120 outside and 70 inside
Opening Times	Breakfast 07.00 to 11.00 Lunch 12.30 to 15.00 Dinner 19.00 to 23.30