Ascot Hotel, Dubai - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report

Ascot Hotel

Ascot Hotel, Dubai

Hotel Address

Khalid Bin Waleed Road
(PO Box 52555)
Dubai
UAE

Cranley Rating

Ascot Hotel - On The Left

Photo 1 of 29. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel
Awards Won	2007 Time Out Restaurant Awards - 'Highly recommended Bar Food'

Hotel Opened

1978

Cranley Summary

The Ascot Hotel was the original hotel in the Bur Dubai area having been constructed in 1978. With its continual renovation program, the hotel guest rooms have a modern bright airy feel to them and they are well maintained. In 2007 its sister hotel, the Royal Ascot Hotel, opened and they now adjoin each other with a connecting passage way on the ground floor giving guests easy access to both hotel’s restaurants and facilities. The Ascot Hotel is focused on the business traveller and unlike many hotels in Dubai; because of its size, it maintains a quiet and tranquil environment during evenings. The hotel offers guests a choice of 80 guestrooms and suites spread over five floors with modern up-to-date amenities. The public areas are comfortably furnished with upholstered sofas and chairs throughout. The Ascot Hotel has four restaurants including Japanese, Oriental, an Irish pub and a Russian restaurant which has live entertainment in the evening. These, coupled with the three restaurants, Indian night club, bar and discothèque in the adjoining Royal Ascot Hotel offer guests plenty of variety covering many continents of cuisine. Guests staying at the Ascot Hotel have complimentary use of all the leisure facilities at the larger connecting affiliate hotel which includes a gym, separate steam room and sauna for men and women, and a rooftop pool.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Ascot Hotel is located in the heart of the city in the commercial area of Bur Dubai, on the opposite side of the Creek from Deira. The hotel's central location is eleven kilometres, (a twenty minute drive) from Dubai International Airport and approximately twenty minutes drive to the Jumeirah Beach area, by the hotels' complimentary shuttle bus depending on traffic. Major shopping centres including the Mall of the Emirates and IBN Battuta Mall are roughly twenty minutes drive away depending on traffic. Within the immediate vicinity of the hotel there are an array of electrical and computer shops, pharmacies, the Meena Bazaar which sells gold, clothing and electronics, the BurJuman Shopping centre and numerous authentic restaurants ranging from Iranian to Gujarati. Port Rashid, Dubai Maritime City / dry dock and the Dubai Museum are all within one kilometre of the hotel, as well as Sheik Rashid's original home which is now a tourist attraction.

Airports
Distance	11 km
Airport Transfers	Approximately 20 minutes in light traffic. Chargeable airport shuttle service. Chargeable taxi and limousine services available.

Cities and Sights
Distance	1 km
City/Sight Transfers	Approximately 4 minutes in light traffic.

Layout Description

The Ascot Hotel is set back from the main road enabling easy and safe taxi access for guests. On entering the hotel a short flight of stairs lead up to part of the hotel's lobby area and Reception. At the foot of these stairs to the left is a small intimate seating arrangement and to the right a passageway where the Twin Spice Oriental restaurant, Turan Tour desk and a perfume shop are situated. A short distance along this passageway is the connecting Royal Ascot Hotel. The dedicated reception desk at the Ascot Hotel is on the 2nd level of the lobby area where there is also a small business desk with internet connection for guests to use and additional comfortable lobby seating. A short central staircase then leads to the two lifts serving the five floors. Waxy’s Pub and Sports Bar have entrances on both the ground floor and 1st floor where a small meeting room and some guest rooms are also situated. The remainder of the bedrooms are located on the 2nd to 4th floors with the Russian restaurant, where breakfast is served, and the Japanese restaurant being located on the 5th floor.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English, Arabic, Russian, Hindi
Payment Methods	All major credit cards and cash accepted
Foreign Exchange	24 hours. All major currencies exchanged. Exchange rates are commissionable.
Taxis Arranged	Street taxis can be arranged on request. There can sometimes be a short wait.
Tours Arranged	A variety of activities can be arranged with either the Concierge or Turan Tours for: Abu Dhabi City tours Al Ain City tours Camel Riding Desert Safaris Dhow tours Dinner Cruises Dubai City tours Fishing trips Liwa full day safaris Night at the Races Oman Dhow tour Sand Skiing Sharjah and Ajman City tours Snorkelling or Scuba Diving Wadi Hatta or Hajar Mountains

Guest Relations	Standard services
Concierge Services	Complimentary beach shuttle service to Jumeirah Beach at 10.30 in the morning with collection back at 14.30. Chargeable airport shuttle service Airline ticket re-confirmation Car rental service 24 hour valet parking Shopping information Postage & courier service
Medical Facilities	Doctor on call with a typical response time of thirty minutes according to the hotel.
Parking	Complimentary valet underground parking available for 104 cars.

Cranley Comment

On entering the Ascot Hotel there is a small lounge area on the left side furnished with comfortable chairs and tables. On the right side of the entrance, a passageway links the hotel to its sister hotel the Royal Ascot Hotel. Several stairs lead up to the main lobby area with Reception located on the right-hand side. Opposite the reception desk is a further lounge area with sofa’s and armchairs, plants and coffee tables. The reception area has dark wood mahogany features that are complemented with a mixture of dark red, gold, light and dark blue soft furnishings, Edwardian black and white prints and chairs with scatter cushions. At the rear of Reception are the lifts leading to all floors.

Shops & Amenities

Description

There are no shops or amenities within the Ascot Hotel itself. The connecting Royal Ascot Hotel retail shops and facilities include:

Gift shop – souvenirs, newspapers, books, toiletries, cigarettes.
24 hours
Belliesom – perfumes, watches, gold plated chains by the inch.
09:00 to 23:00 7 days a week
Turan Tours – excursions
08:00 to 19:00 7 days a week
Marco Karam – hairdressing facilities, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials and massage treatments.
10:00 to 20:00 closed on Fridays

Cranley Comment

The connecting Royal Ascot Hotel has a small gift shop which is located towards the rear of the lobby beyond the reception desk and next to Dae Jang Kum Korean restaurant. The shop is open 24 hours and sells sundry items such as shampoo, toothpaste, cigarettes, papers, magazines, postcards, sunglasses plus a number of small locally made souvenir gifts to take home. The hotel also has a travel desk in the connecting passageway offering a number of tours and activities. Marco Karam is a hair and beauty salon is on the mezzanine level of the Royal Ascot Hotel. In the immediate surrounding district of the hotel there are many local shops which are a 2 minute walk from the hotel including the main computer and camera retail outlets of Dubai. The larger shopping malls such as the Mall of the Emirates are a taxi ride away.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	5
Total Rooms	80
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	40
Total Staff	120
Staff per Room	1.5

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Subject to availability
Smoking Rooms	Designated non-smoking rooms
Room Service	24 hours
Laundry Service	Laundry collected before 09:00 will be returned on the same day. Laundry collected after 09:00 will be returned the following day.

Cranley Comment

The Ascot Hotel guest rooms and suites are approached along carpeted corridors with original artwork on the walls. Outside the lift entrance on each floor is a lounge area with comfortable sofas and coffee tables. All the guestrooms and suites are well presented and have up-to-date modern amenities. Each guest room features a desk, coffee table, two easy chairs and satellite television. From the Executive room upwards, all rooms feature a separate lounge area. Whilst the hotel is located in a busy shopping area, the rooms are quiet with no noticeable road noise.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	55	City skyline	Electronic locking system Viewfinder spy hole Security chain Individually controlled air-conditioning Work space/desk DDI line Voice mail WiFi (chargeable) 3 pin square British sockets Large flat screen television (upgrading to LCD 2008) International Satellite TV Movie channels Radio/TV Double closet Full length mirror Iron and ironing board (on request) Shoe shine service (complimentary) Safe Safety Deposit Boxes at Reception (complimentary) Mini-bar Tea and coffee making facilities Fruit basket Complimentary (national) daily newspapers Turndown service En-suite bathroom Single vanity basin unit Bath tub with fitted and hand held shower over it Shaving point Retractable drying cord Hairdryer Telephone in bathroom Television/radio speakers in bathroom Luxury Ascot toiletries 3 Interconnecting Rooms	2 adults	30

Cranley Comment

Deluxe rooms are light and bright and are decorated in pale pastel yellow with blue carpets and colour coordinating soft furnishings. There is a small white round table with chairs in the recess of the room with windows that allows plenty of light, a desk/dressing table, television unit and either a king size or twin beds. The en suite bathrooms have bath with shower over it, single vanity unit and Ascot toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive	18	City skyline	As for the Deluxe room with the added benefit of: Small entrance hall/lounge 2 LCD televisions Sofa bed Dining/table with 2 chairs Bathrobes Slippers Extra luxury Ascot toiletries	3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 12	40

Cranley Comment

Executive rooms are slightly larger than the Deluxe rooms and whilst not designated as a suite they have a small tiled lounge area without windows which is furnished with a sofa bed and television cabinet. The bedrooms are decorated in pastel shades of yellows and blues which are complemented by white furniture and a royal blue carpet. They have either king size or twin beds, a desk/dressing table, easy chairs, table and additional LCD television. The en suite bathroom has a bath with shower over it, a single vanity unit and Ascot toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Suite	3	City skyline	As for the Executive room with the added benefit of: Separate lounge Sofa Armchairs Coffee table	3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 12	80

Cranley Comment

Deluxe Suites are considerably larger than the Executive rooms and have a separate lounge. The living area has a tiled floor, two armchairs, coffee table and LCD television. The bedrooms are light and bright and decorated in pastel shades of yellow and blue with colour coordinating soft furnishings and a white table and chairs which sit in the recessed window area. The en suite bathroom has a bath with shower over it, a single vanity unit and Ascot toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	2	City skyline	As for the Deluxe Suite with the added benefit of: Sofas Dining/table with 2 chairs Larger bathroom Double vanity basin unit Jacuzzi bath Bidet Separate shower	3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 12	80

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suites are decorated in pastel shades of yellows, blues and golds with colour coordinating soft furnishings. The spacious lounge has sofas, armchairs, a coffee table and a white round dining table for two. The bedroom is furnished and decorated in the same light and airy style with additional LCD television and dressing table/desk. The Royal Suite has a larger bathroom which benefits from a Jacuzzi bath, separate shower cubicle and two vanity washbasins.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Chelsea Suite	1	City skyline	As for the Royal Suite with the added benefit of: Guest cloakroom Additional sofa and arm-chairs Dining table with 6 chairs Additional LCD television Corner bar unit with two stools Hi-fi and speakers 2 double closets Guest bedroom with en-suite shower room	4 adults	140

Cranley Comment

The Chelsea Suite is a luxury suite which features a large lounge area and two separate bedrooms, both of which are en-suite. The suite is more traditionally furnished with mahogany coloured furniture and a lounge with sofas, armchairs, a bar unit with two bar stools, a glass topped coffee table and LCD television in a dark wood cabinet. The bedrooms have either king size or twin beds and are decorated in the same theme and have additional televisions. The second bedroom en- suite has a shower unit but no bath. The suite also has a separate cloakroom off the entrance area.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Windsor Suite	1	City skyline	As per the Chelsea Suite	4 Adults	140

Cranley Comment

The Windsor Suite is a luxury suite which features a large lounge area and two separate bedrooms, both of which are en-suite, The suite is more traditionally furnished with mahogany coloured furniture and a lounge with sofas, armchairs, a bar unit with two bar stools, a glass topped coffee table, LCD television in a dark wood cabinet and a dining table for six. The bedrooms have either king size or twin beds and are decorated in the same theme and have additional televisions. The master bedroom benefits from a large bathroom with Jacuzzi bath, separate shower and double vanity unit. The suite also has a separate cloakroom off the entrance area.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

The Ascot Hotel has a choice of four restaurants within the hotel which includes Japanese, Thai, the Russian night club Troyka and Waxy O’Conner's Irish Restaurant and Bar. Each evening there is a live band and entertainment at the popular Troyka and Waxy’s shows live televised sporting events. The connecting Royal Ascot Hotel has a cocktail bar three further restaurants including an Indian night club and a large discothèque which Ascot Hotel guests have access to.

Yakitori

Restaurant Type	Japanese
Restaurant Capacity	50
Opening Times	Lunch 12:30 to 15:00 Dinner 18:30 to 23:30
Dress Codes	Casual No shorts in the evening

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No smoking allowed
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available

Cranley Comment

Yakitori Japanese restaurant is located on the 5th floor of the hotel. The stylish restaurant is decorated in a traditional Japanese style with clean lines, wooden panelling and windows with rice paper blinds. There is a Sushi Bar, Tapanyaki Table and a private Tatamy room for eight people. Japanese chefs ensure an authentic dining experience for guests bringing the flavours of Japan to Dubai with all it nuances intact. The restaurant is a local favourite for Sushi and Sashimi which is served with full ceremony on the customary bamboo plates with each type of fish matched with its own traditional sauce all carefully prepared by a master chef.

Troyka

Restaurant Type	Russian
Restaurant Capacity	110
Opening Times	Breakfast: 06.30 to 10:30 Lunch: 12:30 to 15:00 Dinner: 19:30 to 02:00
Dress Codes	Smart Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Designated smoking tables in the evening only
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available Children’s menu Smaller portions available
Breakfast Options	International buffet breakfast with a cooking station for eggs and waffles.

Cranley Comment

Troyka is a Russian restaurant located on the 5th floor of the hotel; it has wooden floors, a central dance floor and dark wood tables and chairs surrounded by walls painted with Russian snow landscapes. At breakfast time it serves an International buffet breakfast with a cooking station for eggs and waffles. The lunch time buffet is a mix of International and Russian cuisine. In the evening Troyka becomes a popular nightspot and serves an authentic A la carte menu and genuine Russian vodka. There is a live band who play a mix of Russian and modern music which is interspersed with both traditional and International performances by the restaurant's own dance troupe.

Twin Spice

Restaurant Type	Thai & Chinese
Restaurant Capacity	88
Opening Times	Lunch: 12:00 to 15:00 Dinner: 19:00 to 01:00
Dress Codes	Smart Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No smoking allowed
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available

Cranley Comment

Twin Spice is a stylish formal Thai/Chinese restaurant. The entrance is located off the passageway linking the Ascot and Royal Ascot Hotels on the ground floor. The restaurant entrance has a lounge area with two built in large sofas side by side and two glass coffee tables used for pre-dinner drinks or after dinner coffee. The stylish cocktail bar has a granite surface and a number of high bar chairs. At the back is the restaurant area which has well presented tables and high quality furniture, dark stone flooring and a variety of art on the walls. There are two separate rooms for private dining. The restaurant's extensive Thai and Chinese menu caters for all occasions and tastes and serves a wide variety of truly authentic Thai and Chinese dishes.

Waxy O' Conner's

Restaurant Type	Irish Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant Capacity	30
Opening Times	12:00 to 02:00
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Smoking allowed
Children’s Facilities	Waxy O' Conner's Under 21’s are not permitted

Cranley Comment

Waxy O' Conner's is located on the ground floor of the hotel. The restaurant is accessed via an entrance from the street at the side of the hotel or, a separate stairway leading down from Waxy's Sports Lounge on the 1st floor of the hotel where food is also served. The restaurant serves traditional pub food, great beer and has a warm, friendly atmosphere. The ground floor features a pool table and darts area, a long bar area with televisions and high stools, alcoves with high leather bench seating and ‘Poseur’ bar tables with a number of comfortable sofas, stools and coffee tables. The sports lounge on the 1st floor is decorated with wooden flooring, various tables and chairs and has several private areas furnished with sofa's and easy chairs. Traditional pub food includes snacks, grills and a variety of burgers and salads. There is a ladies' free champagne evening on Thursdays and during Fridays and Saturdays, an all day buffet breakfast is served up stairs with a Carvery in the late afternoon.

Bars

Number of Bars

Waxy's Sports Lounge

Bar Type	Irish Pub
Bar Capacity	30
Opening Times	12:00 to 02:00 Happy Hour! - 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 20:00
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Smoking allowed
Admissions Policy	Children not permitted after 20:00

Cranley Comment

Waxy's Sports Lounge is located on the 1st floor of the hotel and connects to Waxy O’ Conner’s on the ground floor below. The sports lounge is a typical Irish pub with its own imported Guinness. It has wooden flooring, a bar, tables and chairs, comfortable sofas, stools and coffee tables. Old favourites such as giant yorkshire puddings, guinness battered fish and chips or steak and ale pie are served, during Fridays and Saturdays, an all day buffet breakfast is served with a Carvery in the late afternoon. The lounge has a number of plasma TV screens showing over seventy satellite channels with the very best in televised sports programmes. Happy hour! is between 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 20:00.

Business & Event Facilities

Wireless Internet

WiFi access throughout the hotel (chargeable)

In-Room Services

WiFi access (chargeable)

Business Centre

There is a desk with computer and chargeable internet connection in the lobby area for guests to use. Additional facilities include:

Computer workstations with internet connections (chargeable)
Meeting Room
Conference Room (Royal Ascot Hotel)
Audio facilities
Printer colour / black and white
Scanner
Fax
Typing

Meetings & Events

Venue	Size (m²)	Dimensions L x W x H (metres)
Wescott II (Ascot Hotel)	27.3	7.0 x 3.9 x 2.7	-	12	-	-	12	-	-
Wescott I (Royal Ascot Hotel)	192.0	20.4 x 9.4 x 2.4	100	80	120	60	30	60	60

FIRST FLOOR – Ascot Hotel

Wescott II;
is located on the 1st floor level and is easily accessible by lift or a flight of stairs. No natural light is available; the room is decorated in a classical style and is rectangular in shape. There are ladies’ and gents' facilities on the ground floor level.

MEZZANINE – Royal Ascot Hotel

Wescott I;
is located on the mezzanine floor level and is easily accessible by lift or a flight of stairs. Natural light is available; the room is decorated in a classical style and is of a slightly irregular shape. Centrally there are fixed spot lights for a temporary stage or platform. There are ladies’ and gents' facilities on this floor level.

Facilities and equipment for the Ascot and Royal Ascot hotels business and conference rooms include:

WiFi, air conditioning, telephone points, projector, television monitors, DVD player, VCR, flip chart and markers, whiteboard, lectern, wireless microphone, stage/podium, dance floor, stage lights, power sockets, tungsten/fluorescent/halogen lighting, controls in room, dimmers, black out windows.

Cranley Comment

The Ascot Hotel has a small boardroom, Wescott II which is located on the 1st floor of the hotel and is ideal for small meetings. The Twin Spice restaurant has two private rooms which can also be used for small events. The connecting Royal Ascot hotel has one conference room on the mezzanine floor which is suitable for banquets, conferences, lectures, business meetings, and weddings. It is of a slightly irregular shape and is decorated in a classical style with maroon carpet and light coloured walls. The hotel offers a delegates package and a number of catering options are available. At the entrance to the Wescott I conference room there is a small reception/ break-out area with two settees and arm chairs.

Children’s Facilities & Clubs

Restaurant Facilities

See Restaurants

Babysitting service

The hotel offers a chargeable babysitting service provided by hotel staff and is subject to at least twelve hours prior notice.

Cranley Comment

The Ascot welcomes families and children but is primarily a corporate hotel. Children under 14 may use the swimming pool at the Royal Ascot Hotel but must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

Entertainment

Evening Activities

Troyka

Restaurant from 19:00 to 03:00
Band from 22:30 to 02:45
Show from 23:30 to 01:30

Troyka is a Russian restaurant located on the 5th floor of the hotel, it has wooden floors, a central dance floor and dark wood tables and chairs surrounded by walls painted with Russian snow landscapes. In the evening Troyka becomes a popular nightspot and serves an authentic A la carte menu and genuine Russian vodka as well as a buffet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is a live band who play a mix of Russian and modern music which is interspersed with both traditional and International performances by the restaurant's own dance troupe.

Waxy O' Conner's

Open from 12:00 to 01:00
Happy Hour! from 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 20:00

Waxy O'Conner's is located on the ground floor of the hotel. The restaurant is accessed via an entrance from the street at the side of the hotel or, a separate stairway leading down from Waxy's Sports Lounge on the 1st floor of the hotel where food is also served. The ground floor features a pool table and darts area, a long bar area with televisions tuned to sports programs, high stools and alcoves with high leather bench seating and 'Poseur' bar tables, a number of comfortable sofas, stools and coffee tables. The sports lounge on the 1st floor is decorated with wooden flooring, various tables, chairs, and several private areas furnished with sofa's, easy chairs, and numerous sports tuned televisions. Traditional pub food includes snacks, grills and a variety of burgers and salads. There is a ladies' free champagne evening on Thursdays and during Fridays and Saturdays.

Cranley Comment

The Ascot Hotel is not short of evening entertainment in one form or another. There is an authentic Russian restaurant with a live band and a dancing troupe who perform throughout the evening while guests can enjoy A la carte delicacies from that region including vodka and caviar. Waxy O’Conner’s is a popular award winning restaurant and Irish pub which shows live sporting events and has a pool table and darts board. At the adjoining Royal Ascot Hotel guests can enjoy cocktails at the relaxing Wellington’s cocktail bar where a duo play easy listening live background music in a sophisticated environment. Planet Bollywood, an Indian night club on the mezzanine level is popular with locals and also serves A la carte meals. For the younger crowd, but over 21’s, Elegante night club is a very “happening place” to dance the night away.

Beaches

Jumeirah Beach Park

Location	Jumeirah Beach Park is a twenty minute drive away from the Hotel. A daily complimentary shuttle service is available from the hotel and back which runs at: 10:30 drop-off from hotel to Jumeirah Beach 14:00 pick-up from Jumeirah Beach
Description	Jumeirah Beach Park is a public beach open from 8:00 to 23:00. Visitors must pay a small charge to enter the beach area and sun loungers and parasols are available for hire. Visitors to the Jumeirah Beach Park should note that one day per week is designated as 'Ladies Only' day and they should check before visiting which day it is.
Private/Public	Public
Size/Frontage	The beach has a water frontage of about four hundred metres and is approximately twenty metres wide.

Facilities	Facilities include showers, toilets, snack bar, sun loungers and parasols for hire, a children’s adventure playground and a grass area with barbeques and straw parasols.
Safety	Lifeguards on duty.
Parking	There is a small charge to bring your car into the park or there is complimentary car parking available nearby.

Cranley Comment

The Jumeirah Beach Park is a public beach with a small charge for entry. The beach park has a large beach with lifeguards, sun lounger and parasol hire, toilet facilities and a snack bar for cold drinks and fast food refreshments. There is a grassed area and an area planted with trees, where barbeques are available for public use. There are football goals and beach volleyball facilities on the beach in addition to an adventure type playground to keep younger children entertained.

Pools

Cranley Comments

Guests can use the rooftop swimming pool at the Ascot's affiliate hotel The Royal Ascot which connects to the hotel.

Blue Lagoon Pool

Opening Times	07:00 to 19:00
Temperature	During the summer the swimming pool reaches a temperature of approximately 28/29 centigrade according to the weather. The pool is not temperature controlled.
Depths	Minimum 1.2 metres Maximum 1.2 metres
Size	10 meters by 5 meters

Facilities	Wooden loungers Umbrellas Wooden tables and chairs Outside showers Separate male & female changing rooms both with steam room & sauna, lockers, showers, changing rooms, towels and toilet facilities.
Safety	There is a pool attendant during opening times.

Cranley Comment

The Blue Lagoon Pool is located on the 7th floor of the connecting Royal Ascot Hotel. It is an irregular shape with a small paddling pool adjoining it. There are three pool ‘wet’ stools within the pool and surrounding it there are wooden sunbeds, tables, chairs and umbrellas. The pool is not temperature controlled and during the summer months reaches approximately 28/29 degrees centigrade. The rooftop location allows for views over Dubai City. There are soft drinks available from a fridge.

Sports & Gym

Gym & Health Club

Opening Times	07:00 to 23:00
Description	1 x Bicycle 1 x Stepper 3 x Running machines Free weights 1 x Rowing machine 1 x Gym boy 1 x Multi station gym
Size	12 meters by 7 meters

Cranley Comment

Ascot Hotel guests can use the gym at the connecting affiliate hotel next door. The well equipped gymnasium is located on the 7th floor of The Royal Ascot, and is spacious, airy and decorated throughout with wooden flooring. There are floor to ceiling windows which look out over the swimming pool and surrounding area. The Gym offers a full range of fitness equipment, separate changing rooms for both men and women each with lockers, towels, sauna, steam room, shower and toilet facilities.

Golf

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Description

Opened in 1993 and extensively re-modelled in 2005, the course is set next to Dubai Creek, close to the city centre and Dubai International Airport. The championship course was re-designed by Thomas Bjorn and is set in undulating fairways lined with palms, attractive water hazards and shrubbery that give it a tropical and secluded feel despite being close to the city centre. The complex also features a nine hole floodlit par-three course. The course was voted in November 2005 as one of the top 100 world courses to play and hosted the Dubai Desert Classic in 1999 and 2000.

Location	5 km
Holes	Two Courses: 18 Hole and 9 Hole
Length/Par	18 Hole Course: 6,839 Yards Par 71 sss 72

Facilities

The centrepiece clubhouse is designed in the shape of a Dhow, making this one of Dubai’s landmark buildings. There is a golf academy with high tech studio, double ended driving range, six PGA qualified professionals and a comprehensive pro shop.

Emirates Golf Club

Description

This was the first grass course in the Gulf region when it opened in 1988. The club features two championship courses; the Majlis and the Wadi. The Majlis was the original course and was designed by Florida based designer Karl Litten. The Wadi opened in 1996 and was re-designed in 2007 by Nick Faldo. Despite a number of new courses, it still ranks as one of the best in Dubai. It has hosted the Dubai Desert Classic fifteen times for the last six years in succession.

Location	20 km
Holes	Majlis 18, Wadi 18
Length/Par	Majlis: 7,185 Yards par 72 sss 74 , Wadi: 7,263 Yards par 72 sss 74

Facilities

Teaching academy, two driving ranges (one of which is floodlit), pitching and chipping areas, fairway and greenside practice bunkers. Several bars and restaurants.

Special Needs

Communal Areas

The main entrance to the Ascot Hotel has one shallow step, however the connecting hotel the Royal Ascot has a ramp at the entrance to the hotel. There is an internal corridor with a short ramp which joins the two hotels together. Once inside the Ascot Hotel the lobby and reception area has two flights of stairs with four steps each that lead to the guest lifts. Staff are able to provide assistance for guests who may find this challenging. All other public areas and restaurants within both hotels have ramp access and wide doors. There is one larger cloakroom facility on the lobby level of the Royal Ascot Hotel that has no grab rails but is of a good size.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The Ascot Hotel has no special needs rooms; the guest rooms are of a standard size allowing for little manageability for wheelchairs, the entrance doors and bathrooms are wide, however the bathrooms are on the small side.

Restaurants & Catering

Twin Spice the Oriental Thai and Chinese restaurant is located on the lobby level between the two hotels. It has good access with shallow ramps and free standing tables and chairs. Troyka and Yakitori are both on the 5th floor level and are reached by a flight of stairs at the reception lobby level and then by lift. Once on the 5th floor the entrances to both these restaurants are good, with Troyka having a short ramp over a shallow step. Both of these restaurants have fixed and free standing furniture. Waxy O’Conner’s and the Sports Lounge both have steps to access them and stairs internally. Generally, food is cooked to order in all food and beverage outlets and should guests have nut or gluten allergies etc some dishes can be specially adapted by request.

Recreation Facilities

There are no recreation facilities at the Ascot Hotel. The rooftop and Body and ‘Sol’ gym at the connecting Royal Ascot Hotel both have double doors and one step at the entrance to these areas. The pool can be entered by a conventional pool ladder or down four shallow steps.

Visual & Hearing Aids

There are no special visual or hearing aids in place at the Ascot Hotel.

Cranley Comment

The Ascot Hotel was not originally designed with special needs in mind and as a result is not the easiest hotel for disabled guests to move around. The hotel's public areas on the ground floor has two flights of stairs with four steps each. The meeting room is on the 1st floor and two of the restaurants are on the 5th floor. Staff are on hand to give assistance if needed. There are no special needs rooms at present but the hotel is aware of some of the challenges facing guests with special needs.

Environment

Measures

Recycling
Energy Saving

Cranley Comment

The Ascot Hotel has a number of energy saving policies in place that include dimming lights during the night between 03:00 to 05:00 in the public areas. Paper, glass, and plastics are separated for the municipalities refuge department collection, laundry bags are bio degradable and not plastic. The hotel is actively looking into introducing hand sensors on taps to reduce the wastage of water and requesting guests to save on chemicals by reducing the amount of towels that are cleaned on a daily basis.

Ascot Hotel, Dubai, Report Details

26th July 2008 - Second review

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