Dar Al Masyaf, Dubai - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report®: Dar Al Masyaf

Dar Al Masyaf, Dubai

Hotel Address

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

Cranley Rating

Dar Al Masyaf Summer House

Photo 1 of 23. 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 2005 Gallivanter’s Guide Editor’s Choice Awards - Hotel of the Year

Hotel Opened

2004

Cranley Summary

The Dar Al Masyaf is part of the Madinat Jumeirah Resort along with the Mina A Salam Hotel and the Al Qasr Hotel. 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.

Dar Al Masyaf or ?Summer House? comprises 29 traditional old Arabian courtyard summer houses, set over two floors and representing the premium accommodation of the Madinat Jumeirah Resort, particularly suited to guests seeking a more intimate and private hideaway. The summer houses are approached via the abra waterway or walk paths that meander through the landscaped gardens. Each summer house has a central garden courtyard and a Majlis room with a 24 hour butler and have both Deluxe Rooms and Suites. Rooms are spacious, starting at 60 sq metres to 135 sq metres for the Arabian Suite in the Arabian Summer House. There are two dedicated restaurants for the exclusive use of Dar Al Masyaf guests as well as a private swimming pool for every three summer houses.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Dar Al Masyaf 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 Dar Al Masyaf account.

Airports
Distance	25 km
Airport Transfers	Complimentary for suite guests

Cities and Sights
Distance	20 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi

Hotel Layout

Click here to view

Layout Description

The Dar Al Masyaf is part of the substantial Madinat Jumeirah Resort which includes the Mina A Salam and Al Qasr hotels. The three properties share the leisure complex, spa, beach and the souk that runs through the middle of the complex. The Dar Al Masyaf comprises of 29 individual summer houses spreda across the Madinat resort grounds that house 283 rooms and suites and are spread throughout the resort. The rooms and suites are described as either Arabian or Ocean, with the Arabian having views over the gardens and abra waterways and the Ocean having views over the Gulf. Whatever the particular location of the summer house the journey to either of the hotels, spa, gym or other resort facility is a short ride away in an abra or golf buggie; guests can also walk along the meandering pathways. The summer houses comprise an inner courtyard, Majlis or reception room with a 24 hour butler. Rooms and suites are located over the ground and first floor.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English and Arabic
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	Check-in and check-out takes place in the Summer house Majlis or guest room
Concierge Services	24 hour butler service to take care of every need from unpacking to organising reservations
Medical Facilities	Paramedic on duty 24 hours and a doctor on duty between 08.00 and 20.00
Parking	Complimentary valet parking

Cranley Comment

Guests of the Dar Al Masyaf are taken directly to their summer house on arrival where they are checked in either in the Majlis area of the house or their room. Each summer house is set out with its rooms on two floors, a central courtyard in the middle and a Majlis or welcoming room on the ground floor with a butler. The Majlis is two floors high, creating a sense of space and with its Arabic artwork and antique Arabic furniture gives a real flavour of the region. Guests can have breakfast in the courtyard or at any of the breakfast locations in the resort.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Based at the Al Qasr hotel are:

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
Giftshop & Newsagent
Carita Hair and Beauty Salon
(separate mens and ladies rooms)

Cranley Comment

There are a small number of boutiques within the Al Qasr and Mina A Salam hotels but guests have 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	2
Total Rooms	283

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
Unique Features	24 hour butler service

Cranley Comment

The rooms and suites at the Dar Al Masyaf are located in 29 summer houses which are designated as either Arabian summer houses or Gulf summer houses. Each summer house has Deluxe rooms and Suites located on the ground and first floors and a Majlis where the butler is on 24 hour duty. Guests can enjoy pre-dinner drinks or just relax in the Majlis or the central garden courtyard. The Arabian summer houses have views over the abra waterways whilst the Gulf summer houses have Deluxe rooms and Suites which either have views over the ocean, or abra waterways depending on which side of the summer house they are located. The rooms themselves are very well appointed in terms of furnishings and fittings and are styled in an Arabic theme in keeping with the overall style of the resort.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Arabian Summer House-Deluxe	144	Abra Canal	Lounge seating area Authentic Arabian furnishings Luxury room amenities Marble bathroom Walk-in rain shower Roll topped bathtub Wide terrace Private butler service Private fax/printer/copier Data Port Voicemail LCD satellite television and radio Safe Hairdryer Minibar Bathrobes and slippers	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child under 12	60

Cranley Comment

Deluxe Rooms in the Arabian Summer Houses are very well appointed and approached through a stylish central garden courtyard. The room is spacious at 60 sq metres and styled in traditional Arabic themes with dark woods and antiques from the region. The room comprises a bedroom with seating area, open plan dressing room and a well appointed marble bathroom with rain shower and a roll top bath. The room opens out onto a terrace or balcony where guests can dine al-fresco or watch the passing abra’s.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Arabian Summer House-Suite	18	Abra Canal	As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of: Separate 'majlis' lounge Complimentary transfer to Dubai airport 2 private balconies 2 LCD satellite televisions Laptop computer	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child under 12	135

Cranley Comment

Suites in the Arabian Summer Houses are again very well appointed and approached through a stylish central garden courtyard through a traditional large Arabian door. The suite is a very spacious 135 sq metres and styled in traditional Arabic themes with dark woods and antiques from the region. The suite comprises a bedroom with seating area, lounge/dinning room, open plan dressing room and a well appointed marble bathroom with rain shower and a roll top bath. The room opens out onto a double terrace or balcony where guests can dine al-fresco or watch the passing abra’s. The room comes with two LCD satellite televisions, DVD player and a laptop computer.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Gulf Summer House-Deluxe	110	48 Ocean 62 Abra Canal	As per the Deluxe room in the Arabian Summer House.	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child under 12	60

Cranley Comment

Deluxe Rooms in the Gulf Summer Houses are equally well appointed and have either an ocean view or abra view. They are approached through a stylish central garden courtyard. The room is spacious at 60 sq metres and styled in traditional Arabic themes with dark woods and antiques from the region. The room comprises a bedroom, dressing area and a well appointed bathroom with rain shower and a roll top bath. The room opens out onto a terrace or balconies where guests can dine al-fresco, watch the passing abra’s or enjoy views of the ocean.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Gulf Summer House-Suite	11	8 Ocean 3 Abra Canal	As per the Deluxe room in the Arabian Summer House with the added benefit of: Separate 'majlis' lounge 2 wide balconies 2 LCD satellite televisions Laptop computer Easy access to the beach	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child under 12	120

Cranley Comment

Suites in the Gulf Summer Houses are very well appointed and located on the first floor to enjoy the best views. They are approached through a stylish central garden courtyard and through a traditional large Arabian door. The suite is a spacious 120 sq metres and styled in traditional Arabic themes with dark woods and antiques from the region. The suite comprises a bedroom with seating area, lounge/dinning room, open plan dressing room and a well appointed marble bathroom with rain shower and a roll top bath. The room opens out onto a double balcony where guests can dine al-fresco with views over the Arabian Gulf or the abra waterways. The room comes with two LCD satellite televisions, DVD player and laptop computer.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

Dar Al Masyaf has two restaurants for the exclusive use of its guests; a fine dinning Italian restaurant and a Thai restaurant. Both are set nestled between the summer houses next to the abra waterways. In addition, guests can use the restaurants at both the Al Qasr and Mina A Salam hotels which include a number of dining options 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 back to the Madinat Jumeirah resort. As well as the restaurants in the hotel, guests can also dine at several other restaurants within the Souk which is located at the heart of the resort. Below are listed a selection of the restaurants available.

Paithai

Restaurant Type	Thai
Restaurant Capacity	Total 124 (44 inside, 80 outside)
Opening Times	Dinner 19.00 to 23.30
Dress Codes	Smart Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu
Breakfast Options	No

Cranley Comment

Paithai means 'go Thai' and is set in a tranquil location serving traditional Thai dishes with a contemporary twist. There is seating inside with the benefit of air conditioning and outside on a terrace over-looking the abra canal where guests can enjoy their dinner watching the lit abra’s pass by at night while listening to music. The restaurant is for the exclusive use of Dar Al Masyaf residents and signature dishes include pan seared scallops with sam tam salad and red curry salad as well as Thai spiced chicken breast, preserved lemon cus cus and rosemary sauce.

Segreto

Restaurant Type	Italian Fine Dining
Restaurant Capacity	Total 246 (110 inside, 20 outside, bar and lounge 116)
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	Children have to be over 10 and a children's menu is available.
Breakfast Options	No

Cranley Comment

Segreto is the second restaurant/bar exclusive to Dar Al Masyaf guests. It is a fine dining Italian restaurant set between the summer houses and under the shadow of the Al Qasr hotel. Guests can choose to dine outside with views over the waterways or inside in the sophisticatedly decorated restaurant. Specialities include Lobster and beef Carpaccio, cracked black pepper and lemon vinaigrette and potato gnocchi with chicken, fava beans and ricotta.

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.