The Cranley Report®: Dhow Palace Hotel
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    
Dhow Palace Hotel, Dubai
Hotel Address
P O Box 121545
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
 
Cranley Rating

Dhow Palace Hotel: Click to magnify
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Hotel Summary
Category Hotel
Awards Won None
Hotel Opened
2006
Refurbishment N/A
Cranley Summary
The Dhow Palace Hotel is a landmark in Bur Dubai with a distinctive dhow shaped exterior and it maintains a nautical theme throughout the hotel. It is located in the business and shopping district and is within walking distance of Dubai Creek and Port and is only a five minute drive away from the World Trade Centre in light traffic. The hotel offers guests a choice of superior accommodation including Deluxe Rooms and a range of suites all with plasma television screens and interactive entertainment facilities. Guests have a wide variety of dining options with a choice of six cafe's and restaurants which include Docklands, with an international menu, Aangan which is an Indian restaurant and the Ranch Steakhouse. For entertainment there is the Queen Quays Bar located on the ground floor opposite Docklands Restaurant. Guests also have the use of a fully equipped gym with sauna and steam rooms and a rooftop swimming pool. The hotel also provides for business travellers with facilities including a serviced business centre, boardroom and conference and meeting rooms.
Hotel Location & Layout
Location Description
The hotel is located near the Gold Souk in Bur Dubai, just across the Creek from Deira. Its location means it is about fifteen minutes from Dubai International Airport and twenty minutes from Jumeirah Beach to which the hotel runs a shuttle service. Major shopping centres such as the Mall of the Emirates are twenty minutes away. Very near to the hotel is an array of electrical and computer shops, the Meena Bazaar with its gold, clothing and electronics stores and authentic restaurants ranging from Iranian to Gujarati. The Dubai museum is also very close, as well as Sheik Rashid's original home that is now a tourist attraction.
Airports
Distance 6 km
Airport Transfers Meet and greet service at airport
Cities and Sights
Distance 1 km
City/Sight Transfers Taxi Transfers
Private cars available
Daily complimentary shuttle bus to Deira Centre which leaves at 14.00 and returns at 17.00.
Hotel Layout Click here to view
Layout Description
The Dhow Palace is a very modern eight storey building with underground parking in the basement level. All the restaurants are located on the ground floor together with the Queens Quays Bar. The accommodation is arranged over the upper seven floors with the Gym and Health club being on the top floor. There is also a business centre located on the top floor and the hotel has an outdoor rooftop swimming pool.
Lobby & Guest Relations
Open Hours
24 Hours
Languages Spoken English, Arabic, Hindi
Payment Methods All major credit cards and cash accepted
Foreign Exchange All major currencies exchanged
Taxis Arranged Called on request from 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
Tour desk
Car hire desk
Medical Facilities Doctor on call 24 hours with 30 minutes notice
Parking Complimentary underground car park.
Valet Parking
Cranley Comment
The Hotel lobby has a large central atrium with two glass fronted lifts at the rear; these provide guests with a panoramic view of the lobby on ascending to the upper floors. On entering the hotel the Docklands restaurant is on the left hand side with the Queens Quay Bar directly opposite. The reception and concierge desks are located further into the lobby on the right hand side and beyond the Anchor cafe area. At the rear of the lobby is a gift shop and jewellery store and beyond these to the left are the entrances to the other four restaurants.
Shops & Amenities
Description
At the rear of the lobby beyond the reception desk are two retail outlets. These are the Desert Memory gift shop which is open 24 hours and White Rose Jewellery which is open 09.00 to 23.00. The hotel also has a travel desk at the front of the lobby on the left hand side. In addition the hotel has the Marco Karam Hair and Beauty Lounge which as well as offering hair cutting an styling also offers manicures, pedicures, facials, make up, eyebrow and lips tattooing and waxing.
Cranley Comment
The Dhow Palace has a limited range of retail outlets within the hotel, however there several local shopping centres within walking distance. The hotel also provides a daily shuttle bus to the Burjuman shopping mall and the Mall of the Emirates is also only a short taxi ride away.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
Number of Floors 7
Total Rooms 270
Elevators 7
Rooms per Elevator 39
Total Staff 320
Staff per Room 1.2
Check-in Time 14.00
Check-out Time 12.00
Late Checkout 16.00 without charge subject to availability.
Smoking Rooms Non-smoking rooms are available
Room Service Available 24 hours with a full al a carte menu.
Laundry Service Laundry, valet and dry cleaning available.
Items received before 09.00 are returned by 19.00. Items received before 17.00 are returned at 12.00 the following day.
An express service is also available at extra charge.
Unique Features High ceilings to give a sense of space
Club or Executive Facilities
Executive and Club privileges are provided to guests staying in the Admiral Rooms and above. Additional benefits include Continental breakfast in the Admiral lounge located on the seventh floor. Exclusive check in at the Admiral lounge with complimentary snacks and soft drinks available. Limousine service to and from the airport and complimentary spirits in the lounge from 18.00 to 20.30.
Cranley Comment
The Dhow Palace has a range of superior accommodation with a high standard of furnishings and premier amenities. The majority of rooms are Deluxe and have either two queen beds or one king sized bed. The Admiral Rooms have the additional privileges of the Executive Admiral Club and these extra benefits also apply to the suites which comprise of the Captain, Commodore and Viceroy.
  Type of Room, Views & Facilities
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Deluxe 200

City

Interactive entertainment facilities
Plasma TV
Two seater sofa
Armchair
Desk and chair
Coffee table
High speed internet
International direct dial telephone
Individually controlled air conditioning
Mini safe
Mini bar
Combined bath/shower
Wall mounted hairdryer
Bathrobe and slippers.
Scales

2 Adults 40
Cranley Comment
Designed and furbished in a traditional Arabic theme the Deluxe Rooms have a high standard of furnishings and decor and have polished wood floors. For the entry level room they are also a substantial size at 40sqm. The rooms have armchairs and an occasional table and have a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. Bathrooms have a combined bath and shower and also feature a bidet. They have white sanitary wear and have brown marble and white tiling. One of the features of the rooms is the high ceilings and wide entrance hallway giving a feeling of space. The soft furnishings are a gold theme to add to the feeling of luxury.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Admiral 42

City

As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of:
Upgraded bathroom amenities
Admiral club facilities.

2 Adults 42
Cranley Comment
The Admiral Rooms are very similar to the Deluxe Room but they are larger both in width and length giving large floor area. They are designed and furbished in a traditional Arabic theme and have a high standard of furnishings and decor with have polished wood floors. The rooms have a two seater sofa, armchairs and an occasional table and have a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. Bathrooms have a combined bath and shower and also feature a bidet. One of the features of the rooms is the high ceilings and wide entrance hallway giving a feeling of space. The soft furnishings are a gold theme to add to the feeling of luxury.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Captain Suite 12

City

As per the Admiral Room with the added benefit of:
Lounge area
Guest bathroom
Entrance hallway
Additional desk and chair
Additional armchair

2 Adults 65
Cranley Comment
The Captain Suites are a one room suite with a combined living and bedroom area. The suites are a large area at 65sqm and are designed with an entrance corridor off which is the guest toilet and leads into the lounge area where in front of a floor to ceiling window is a two seater sofa and two armchairs arranged around a coffee table. The bedroom is defined from the lounge area with wood floors as opposed to carpets. The bedroom area is in the far corner and has next to it the desk and chair and plasma screen. The bedroom décor is very similar to the other room types with rich furnishings and good quality wood furniture although the bathrooms have a combination of white and black tiles.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Commodore Suite 6

City

As per the Captains Suite with the added benefit of:
Separate lounge
Dining table for six
Dressing area
Additional items of furniture
Additional Plasma screen

2 Adults 80
Cranley Comment
The Commodore Suite is a two room suite with the lounge and bedroom in separate rooms. On entering the room there is an entrance hall way off which is the guest toilet. The hallway leads into the lounge dining room which as well as having sofas for five persons also has a dining table that seats six. The bedroom has its own small lounge area a separate dressing area and an en-suite bedroom similar to the other room types. The room is decorated with a blue theme with the drapes and bedspread having a blue base and one of the sofas also being blue.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Viceroy Suite 10

City

As per the Commodore Suite with the added benefit of:
Additional sqm
Additional furniture items

2 Adults 100
Cranley Comment
The Viceroy Suite is the premier room type in the hotel and has the same blue theme as the Commodore Suite. The accommodation comprises of an entrance hallway, guest toilet and large lounge/dining room with a separate lounge and dining area. Off the lounge is the en-suite bedroom which also has its own lounge area, dressing area and en-suite bathroom. There are a number of extra furniture pieces and sofas as compared to the Commodore Suite given the additional sqm but the principle feature of this room type is the spacious lounge.
Restaurants & Cafés
Number of Restaurants
6
Restaurant Comments
The Dhow Palace’s restaurants are all located on the lobby level with the Docklands all day dining international restaurant at the front of the lobby and the speciality restaurants located at the rear of the hotel beyond the lift bank. There are a number of fine dining restaurants to choose from including a steakhouse, Lebanese, Italian, Indian and soon to be opened Oriental. A number of the restaurants have live music/performances for added ambiance and the restaurant menu’s can be delivered as room service on request.
  Docklands  
Restaurant Type International Buffet
Restaurant Capacity Total 130 all inside
Opening Times 24 hour all day dining
Buffet times
Breakfast 06.30 to 10.30
Lunch 12.30 to 15.00
Dinner 18.30 to 23.30
Dress Codes Smart casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities Children's menu
High chairs
Children under six dine complimentary at the buffet
Children between seven and twelve pay 50%.
Breakfast Options 06.30 to 10.30
Full international buffet with live cooking station and Arabic options.
Cranley Comment
Docklands is located off the main lobby and is the hotels twenty four hour international restaurant. There is an al a carte menu available at all times and in addition there is a set international buffet each lunch time and evening. The restaurant is decorated with rich wood panelling and highly polished wood floors giving it the “docklands theme.” There is a central buffet station in the middle of the restaurant from where the three main buffets are served. The restaurant has background music for added ambiance and also benefits from natural daylight.
  Aangan  
Restaurant Type Indian
Restaurant Capacity Total 120 (14 person privacy room)
Opening Times Lunch 12.00 to 15.00
Dinner 19.30 to 01.00
Dress Codes Smart casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non-smoking area
Children’s Facilities High chairs
Standard children's menu
Breakfast Options N/A
Cranley Comment
Aangan is a north Indian restaurant where the dishes are prepared in a show kitchen by the Executive Chef Radhey Shyam. The menu is extensive with a range of dishes from the region including extensive vegetarian options. For intimacy or privacy there is a private dining room for fourteen persons and at the rear of the restaurant is a bar which is ideal for pre or post dinner drinks and from where the live band which plays every evening from 21.00 to 01.30 can be enjoyed.
  Ranch Steak House  
Restaurant Type Steakhouse
Restaurant Capacity Total 45