Flora Park Hotel Apartments, Dubai

The Cranley Report

Flora Park Hotel Apartments

Flora Park Hotel Apartments, Dubai

Hotel Address

Port Saeed
Near Deira City Centre
P O Box 114166
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

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Cranley Rating

Flora Park Hotel Apartments

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Hotel Summary

Category

Hotel Apartments

Hotel Opened

2006

Cranley Summary

Flora Park Hotel Apartments are full service apartments, located in Deira City, between the Al Maktoum Bridge and the Floating Bridge. They are close to the historic Dubai Creek and the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and are within a few minutes of the airport in light traffic. They are well connected to the business and financial districts of Dubai. There are 122 good sized one, two and three bedroom apartments, all with balcony and with all bedrooms ensuite. All apartments have wireless and broadband internet connections and flat screen TV's in the lounge and in all bedrooms. All have modern, fully equipped kitchens with cooking facilities, but there are also dining options in the Ambrosia Restaurant with its extensive menu and in the Sugar and Spice Coffee Shop. For business travellers there are two meeting/ function rooms and business services available. For leisure, there is an outdoor swimming pool, spa and gym on site. The hotel apartments have good parking facilities for guests.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Flora Park Hotel Apartments are located in the Port Saeed area of Deira City, between the Floating Bridge and the Al Maktoum Bridge and close to the historic Dubai Creek. The area immediately surrounding the hotel apartments is a mixture of business and residential, with other hotels close by, including the Flora Creek Hotel Apartments just 200 metres away towards the Creek itself. Dubai Golf and Yacht Club is a very short distance away and there are numerous shops and restaurants within a few minutes walk or taxi ride. Dubai International Airport is also just a few minutes away by taxi.

Airports
Distance	4 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi transfers available Complimentary transfers

Cities and Sights
Distance	1 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi transfers available

Layout Description

The hotel apartments are on a main road, so guests arriving by car are driven to the side entrance, which is within the hotel grounds. The 12 storey building has all of its communal facilities on the ground and first floors, with all guest apartments on floors 1 to 12. The Ambrosia restaurant is at the upper lobby level close to the lifts at the back of the hotel, overlooking the swimming pool. The entrance to the leisure facilities, including the gym, spa and swimming pool are just along from the restaurant. The Reception and Cashiers Desk, as well as the tours desk and the coffee shop are all at the lower lobby level at the front of the hotel. The two meeting rooms are on the first floor.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English, Arabic and several other languages are spoken
Payment Methods	All major international credit cards and cash accepted
Foreign Exchange	Open 24 hours All major currencies exchanged
Taxis Arranged	Street taxis can be arranged on request
Tours Arranged	Guests are able to book a whole range of trips from the tours desk in the reception, including Desert Safari Dhow Cruise Dubai City Tour Dubai by Night Abu Dhabi Tour Sharjah Tour Al Ain Tour Helicopter Ride Balloon Ride Wild Wadi Water Theme Park Wonder Bus Tour

Guest Relations	Standard
Concierge Services	Standard
Medical Facilities	Doctor on call 24 hours, with a typical response time of 30 minutes according to the hotel
Parking	The hotel has its own car park at the side and back, with space for 118 cars. Valet parking is available

Cranley Comment

The hotel's front entrance is on the main road and there are steps up to the doors, as well as a ramp either side. There are sliding glass doors and guests find themselves in a lobby area that has a grey marble tiled floor and grey and white marble walls. The lobby area is light and bright becaue of its double height windows above the entrance. The Reception and Cashier Desk is to the right, together with the Guest Services Desk, whilst the two guest lifts are straight ahead of the the entrance, up some steps or ramp to the upper lobby level. To the left of the entrance is Sugar and Spice, the Coffee Shop, whilst Ambrosia, the main restaurant and the hotel's leisure facilities are off the upper lobby level.

Shops & Amenities

Cranley Comment

There are no shops in the Flora Park Hotel Apartments, but the apartments are located in Port Saeed, part of Deira City and the Deira City Centre Mall, with its choice of over 300 shops, restaurants and children's entertainment centre is only a short distance away. Also within easy reach by car is the Wafi City Shopping Mall, with an extensive range of shops, restaurants, cafés and a spa facility.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	12
Total Rooms	122
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	61
Total Staff	140
Staff per Room	1.1

Check-in Time	15:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Subject to availability at a supplement
Smoking Rooms	There are no non-smoking apartments
Room Service	24 hours, with a reduced menu at night
Laundry Service	Items collected by 09:00 will be returned the same day

Cranley Comment

There are three different apartment types at the Flora Park Hotel Apartments, with one, two and three bedroom suites. The majority of rooms are two bedroom types, but all of them offer an exceptional amount of space. There are similarities between all apartments in the décor and soft furnishings, with all sizes having pale cream walls and white tiled floors in all areas except the kitchens, which are dark grey tiles. Soft furnishings vary by room, but are mostly in bright vibrant colours. All apartments are accessed using a keycard that also operates the power supply.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
One Bedroom Apartment	10	Park	Air Conditioning Telephones in lounge and bedroom Kitchen with: Breakfast bar Oven and hob Microwave Kettle Toaster Washer/dryer Sink unit Cutlery for 2 Crockery for 2 Glasses for 2 Saucepans Frying pans Lounge area with: Flat screen TV Corner unit sofa Coffee table Armchair Lamp Dining area with Glass topped wooden table and four upright chairs Cabinet Guest wc in some apartments Bathroom with: Bathtub and shower over Walk-in shower WC Washbasin Bidet Bedroom with: King size bed Flat Screen TV Bedside table and wall lights Desk with internet connection	2 adults and 1 child	76

Cranley Comment

There are three different designs of one bedroom apartment, but typically they will have a fully equipped kitchen, with dark brown wooden units, a grey black tiled floor and pale cream painted walls. The rest of the apartment also has pale cream walls, but with white tiled floors. The lounge and dining area has a glass topped circular dining table, with four upright cushioned chairs and a large corner sofa unit on a patterned rug, facing the flat screen TV. There is a balcony leading off the lounge area, which is very large in some apartments. The bedroom has a king size bed and sits on a patterned rug, with a flat screen TV on a unit opposite. There are fitted wardrobes, with walk-in wardrobes in two of the apartments. The ensuite bathroom has a very modern glass washbowl on a vanity unit, together with a bathtub, separate walk-in rain shower, WC and bidet. The bathroom has an illuminated magnifying mirror and a sizeable circular mirror above the vanity unit.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Two Bedroom Apartment	69	Park	As for the One Bedroom Apartments with the added benefit of: Additional space Second bedroom Guest WC and washroom Crockery and utensils for 4	4 adults and 2 children	126

Cranley Comment

Two Bedroom Apartments constitute more than half of the total number of apartments and they are located on all floors. There is an entrance hall, with a guest toilet on one side and the kitchen on the other. The fully equipped kitchen has dark brown wooden units, a grey black tiled floor and pale cream painted walls. It also has a café style high table and two stools. The rest of the apartment also has pale cream walls, but with white tiled floors. The lounge and dining area has a glass topped dining table, with four upright cushioned chairs and a large corner sofa unit on a patterned rug, facing the flat screen TV. There is a large balcony leading off the lounge area, which is also accessible from the second bedroom. The master bedroom has a king size bed and sits on a patterned rug, with a flat screen TV on a dressing table/writing desk unit opposite and fitted wardrobes to one side. The ensuite bathroom has a very modern glass washbowl on a vanity unit, together with a bathtub, separate walk-in rain shower, WC and bidet. The bathroom has an illuminated magnifying mirror and a sizeable circular mirror above the vanity unit. The second bedroom has twin beds on a patterned rug, with the flat screen TV opposite, on a dressing table/writing desk. The ensuite bathroom has a bathtub with shower attached, WC and a very modern white ceramic circular sink unit.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Three Bedroom Apartment	43	Park	As for the Two Bedroom Apartments with the added benefit of: Additional space Third bedroom Crockery and utensils for 6	6 adults and 3 children	154

Cranley Comment

There are 43 Three Bedroom Apartments and they are located on all floors. There is an entrance hall, with a guest toilet immediately on one side. Ahead and on the same side is the lounge and dining area. It is furnished with a glass topped circular dining table, with six upright cushioned chairs and a large corner sofa unit on a patterned rug, facing the flat screen TV. There is a large balcony leading off the lounge area, which is also accessible from the adjacent bedroom. In the oppoosite direction is the fully equipped kitchen, which has dark brown wooden units, a grey black tiled floor and pale cream painted walls. It also has a café style high table and four stools. The rest of the apartment also has pale cream walls, but with white tiled floors. The master bedroom is a large room and has a king size bed and sits on a patterned rug, with a flat screen TV opposite, between the fitted wardrobes. To the side of the bed is a writing desk/dressing table. The ensuite bathroom has a very modern glass washbowl on a vanity unit, together with a bathtub, separate walk-in rain shower, WC and bidet. The bathroom has an illuminated magnifying mirror and a sizeable circular mirror above the vanity unit. Both the second and third bedrooms have king size zip and link beds which can become twins, with the flat screen TVs opposite, on a dressing table/writing desk in each room. The ensuite bathrooms have a bathtub with shower attached, WC and a very modern white ceramic circular sink unit.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Ambrosia

Restaurant Type	International multi cuisine
Restaurant Capacity	93
Opening Times	All day dining 06:30 to 22:30 Breakfast 06:30 to 10:30 Lunch 12:30 to 15:00 Dinner 19:00 to 22:30
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No smoking allowed
Children’s Facilities	High chairs Children's meals
Breakfast Options	Buffet A la carte

Cranley Comment

Ambrosia is the main restaurant in the hotel and it offers all day dining. It is situated at lobby level, with entrances each side of the lifts. With its two entrances, the restaurant can also be partitioned into two rooms if necessary. It is at the back of the hotel and looks out on to the swimming pool and pool terrace on one side, through full height windows that allow in a lot of natural light. The restaurant has a classical look to it with a dark grey tiled floor and décor that is predominantly dark wood and green. Ambrosia offers a buffet breakfast, with an a la carte menu as an additional choice and also has a lunchtime buffet. In the evenings, the restaurant has an a la carte menu that includes soups, salads, fish and meat grills, as well as Indian, Chinese and Italian specialities. There is an enticing selection of desserts and beverages, including many different Mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails).

Sugar and Spice

Restaurant Type	Coffee Shop
Restaurant Capacity	24
Opening Times	24 hours
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	No smoking allowed
Children’s Facilities	High chairs Children's food
Breakfast Options	Hot and cold beverages Pastries

Cranley Comment

Sugar and Spice is a 24 hour coffee shop, based in the lobby lounge at the front of the hotel. It is a typical coffee shop, serving teas, coffees, juices, pastries and light snacks. The serving counter is at the far end of the lounge from the entrance and there is a TV screen on one wall at the other end. There are three desks with PC terminals for guests use in the area below the TV screen. Seating is in comfortable easy chairs that are set around low level wooden tables.

Bars

Bar Comments

There are no bars as the hotel apartments do not serve alcohol.

Business & Event Facilities

Wireless Internet

Chargeable WiFi is available in every apartment and in the public areas. Guests need to obtain a Password from Reception.

In-Room Services

Wireless and broadband connection
Writing desk in each bedroom
Table in the lounge
Electrical sockets
Good lighting

Business Centre

There are three computer terminals in the lobby lounge area in the corner of Sugar and Spice, the coffee shop.
Typical chargeable business services available through the Reception Desk are:
Typing
Copying
Printing
Faxing
Laminating

Meetings & Events

Venue	Size (m²)	Dimensions L x W x H (metres)
Solitaire	120	12.0 x 10.0 x 3.0	75	75	55	30	25	30	30
Jade Boardroom	35	8.5 x 4.0 x 3.0	-	-	-	-	14	-	-

There is one meeting room equipped for events of up to 75 people and a boardroom that can accommodate 14 delegates. Both rooms are on the 1st floor and have toilet facilities nearby. They are equipped with the latest AV equipment and both have Wifi and broadband internet connectivity. Full catering services can be provided.

Cranley Comment

Although there is no formal business centre, all apartments have Wifi and broadband connectivity for guests who have their own laptop. Guests also have access to three computer terminals in the lobby lounge area. For meetings and events, including receptions and banquets of up to 75 people, the hotel has the Solitaire room on the first floor. The Jade Boardroom is next door and is well equipped for formal meetings with a solid wooden table and plush leather chairs. It also has a balcony, where smokers may retire as appropriate.

Children’s Facilities & Clubs

Restaurant Facilities

See Restaurants

Children's Pool

See Pools

Babysitting service

A babysitting service is available on request at a charge. The service is provided by hotel staff and 24 hours notice is usually required.

Cranley Comment

Flora Park Hotel Apartments do not have any special facilities for children other than a small section of the pool, but the large apartments are easily able to cope with family groups and the restaurants are able to provide children's meals and they have high chairs available. The children's pool is part of the adult pool, but is shallower. The adult's pool can also be used by children when they are supervised by an adult.

Beaches

Al Mamzar

Location	11 km
Description	Al Mamzar Park looks out over a blue lagoon to the Emirate of Sharjah on one side and the Gulf on the other side. It is open daily from 08:00 to 23:00 and there is a nominal entrance fee.
Private/Public	Public
Size/Frontage	The park is a peninsula, in excess of one hundred hectares, that extends into the Persian Gulf. There are five different beaches, all with their own amenities including refreshments and children's climbing frames and swings.

Facilities	A small charge is levied for a sun bed, umbrella and towels. Swimming pool under shade (separate charge) BBQ facilities Refreshments on sale Showers Children's playgrounds Amusement arcade Volleyball Football goals
Parking	There is complimentary parking outside the park and a nominal charge is levied to bring your car into the park.

Cranley Comment

The park offers sheltered public beaches, swimming pools, pleasant green spaces, and designated picnic and barbeque areas. An ideal place to spend an afternoon, the park also features a spacious amphitheatre and children's playground area.

Pools

Pool

Opening Times	07:00 to 22:00
Temperature	Temperature is controlled at 30 degrees celsius
Depths	Max: 1.50 metres Min 0.90 metres
Size	15 metres long 8 metres wide

Facilities	Wicker sunbeds Wicker tables Showers by the pool Changing rooms with: Showers Toilets Lockers (large and small)
Safety	Lifeguard on duty during pool opening hours

Cranley Comment

The outdoor temperature controlled swimming pool is in a terraced garden area, adjacent to the Ambrosia restaurant which overlooks it. There is a reception area inside the hotel building, where the changing rooms, which are also used for the gym, have separate sauna and steam room facilities for ladies and men. The largely rectangular pool has curved sides, with steps down into it and it has an integral small circular toddlers pool at the side nearest to the restaurant. The paved terrace area around the pool has a dozen wicker sunbeds on it. The pool area has a garden feel to it, with borders around it and a number of plants trees and shrubs on show.

Sports & Gym

Gym & Health Club

Opening Times	07:00 to 22:00
Description	Nautilus equipment 2 Treadmills 4 Bikes 1 Stepper 1 Rowing Machine 1 Multigym Dumbbells 2 Flat screen TVs on the wall Water Cooler in reception Towels Changing rooms with: Showers Toilets Lockers
Size	10 metres x 6 metres

Cranley Comment

The gym is located at lobby level, down a slight incline towards the side of the hotel. It has a reception desk immediately outside, which serves as the reception for the pool area as well. There are ladies and men's changing rooms, with separate saunas and steam rooms, as well as showers and lockers, in the reception area. The gym has a small range of fitness equipment, including cardio and strength machines. The room has a wooden floor and mirrored walls on two sides, with a glass partition that has blinds, to the reception area. The gym overlooks the pool on its fourth side.

Golf

Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Description

Arabian Ranches golf course is a new Ian Baker-Finch/Nicklaus Design world-class desert course and is the region's first desert-style facility capable of hosting international tournaments. It opened in 2004 at the Arabian Ranches housing development and is complete with a floodlit driving range and practice areas. It is the first true desert course in the city. With no water hazards to face, players tackle the elements and one enormous twisting bunker - the desert itself - on a sprawling course cultivated from the desert topography. The spectacular desert course is an unforgettable golfing experience.

Location	37 km
Holes	18
Length/Par	7,698 Yards, Par 72

Facilities

Floodlit driving range, teaching academy and dining facilities.
Par 3 under construction due to open October 2008.

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	2 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	34 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.

Spa

Name of Spa	Serenity Spa and Wellness Centre
Opening Times	09:00 to 21:00

Facilities

Serenity Spa takes a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being, with Ayurvedic Treatments drawing on Asian traditions that date back centuries. Treatments available include:
Shirodhara ( Head Treatment - 60 minutes)
Abhyangam (Massages - 60 minutes)
Elakizhi (Two-fold massage - 70 minutes)
Udwartanam (Slimming)
Herbal Massages (90 minutes)
Facials (60 minutes)
Hair Treatment (45 minutes)

Cranley Comment

The Serenity Spa and Wellness Centre is located in the leisure area, near to the gym and consists of one treatment room. The spa offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments that have their origins in Asia. Prior to having any treatment, guests may have a consultation with the hotel's in-house Ayurveda consultant doctor, who will advise on suitable therapies.

Special Needs

Communal Areas

There are steps and ramps up to the hotel's front entrance, which has automatic sliding glass doors, leading into the lobby where the reception desk is situated. Guests arriving by car will arrive at the side entrance, which then has a slight incline up to the second tier of the lobby where the lifts are located. In either case, mobility impaired guests have a ramp between the two lobby levels. All of the hotel's facilities and services, except for the meeting rooms, are at lobby level and accessible to mobility impaired guests. The two meeting rooms are on the 1st floor and can also be reached by lift. There are no disabled toilet facilities in the hotel.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Although There are currently no adapted apartments, the hotel is planning to adapt a one bedroom apartment before the end of 2008. The size of all the apartments means that mobility impaired guests already have good access to most areas, but the bathrooms would need to be changed.

Restaurants & Catering

There are no special provisions for disabled guests.

Recreation Facilities

The swimming pool, the sauna, steam room, spa and the gym are all on the ground floor and are accessible.

Visual & Hearing Aids

None

Staff Assistance

There are no specially trained staff, but all staff are equipped to assist all guests, whatever their requirements.

Cranley Comment

Flora Park Hotel Apartments are accessible in most areas to guests with mobility difficulties. There are ramps either side of the steps up to the hotel entrance and all of the public areas are either at one level or have ramps between them and can easily be accessed. None of the apartments have been adapted for mobility impaired guests yet, but the hotel plans to adapt one apartment during 2008. With the exception of the bathrooms however, there is already a good deal of space in all other areas. There are no disabled toilets in the hotel.

Environment

Measures

Energy Saving
Minimise Cleaning Materials
Water Saving

Cranley Comment

Flora Group Hotels encourage guests to think about the effects of chemicals on the environment, with notices in the bedrooms and bathrooms about bed sheets and towels. They ask guests to make a conscious decision to place cards on their beds if they would like their linen changed and to place towels on the bathroom floor or in the bathtub if they would like those changed.

Flora Park Hotel Apartments, Dubai, Report Details

20 September 2008

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