The Cranley Report®: Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
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    
Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Hotel Address
PO Box 8168
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
 
Cranley Rating

Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Hotel: Click to magnify
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Hotel Summary
Category Resort Hotel
Hotel Opened
 2004
Refurbishment New Infinity pool opened January 2006
Cranley Summary
Situated in the heart of the Arabian desert, the unique Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa recreates a bygone Arabia with luxury comfortable accommodation. Resort rooms are well appointed in 16 double storey buildings with interconnecting rooms for families. Al Hadheerah is a traditional desert Bedouin style camp restaurant which features belly dancers, shisha, henna artist and handicraft sales, whilst Al Forsan restaurant offers dining either inside or outside in a Majlis style courtyard. There is a fully equipped gym, two temperature controlled pools and a children's pool, a programme of desert activities and a childrens club. The Satori Spa is an Arabian themed spa offering ancient healing massage rituals in outdoor or indoor treatment rooms, whilst the business centre and meeting rooms are fully equipped with latest business technology.
Hotel Location & Layout
Location Description
The resort is set in the desert on a private drive leading off the main desert highway and is close to Endurance Village. It is a 1 hour drive from Dubai city centre and a 45 minute drive to Jumeirah Beach and Dubai International Airport. The hotel runs a shuttle bus twice a day to the Madinat and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, both located on Jumeirah Beach and once a day to the Wild Wadi Water Park.
Airports
Distance 45 km
Airport Transfers Private transfers to and from Dubai International Airport or other locations within Dubai are available at a charge with 24 hours notice.
Cities and Sights
Distance 45 km
City/Sight Transfers Taxi
Complimentray daily shuttle bus twice a day to Madinat, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and once a day to the Wild Wadi Water Park.
Layout Description
The resort is designed as a cluster of 16 double storied buildings with three swimming pools, one of which has a swim up bar. The Al Forsan Restaurant is located in the centre of the cluster and offers indoor and outdoor dining. The roof bar is located at the top of the resort and offers unique views of the dunes. The Al Hadheerah Bedouin style camp restaurant is approached by a 300 metre walk on a path through the desert which is lit at night with torches. The Satori Spa and business center are located in a quiet corner of the resort.
Lobby & Guest Relations
Open Hours
 24 hours
Languages Spoken English, Arabic, Moroccan, French, Thai
Payment Methods All major credit cards and cash accepted
Foreign Exchange 24 Hours. All major currencies exchanged.
Taxis Arranged Taxis must be booked 1 hour in advance. The resort also has its own fleet of four cars.
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 Services
Concierge Services
 Standard Services
Medical Facilities Paramedics: 24 hours
Doctor: 08:00 to 22:00
Parking Complimentary valet parking
Cranley Comment
The desert experience begins when guests are greeted upon arrival with traditional Arabic coffee and local dates. The lobby has low ceilings and rustic walls with four reception desks and there is Arabian style seating areas with ethnic cushions for guests’ relaxation. The guest relations desk and tours desk are situated in separate alcoves with their own seating areas where guests can book a range of desert adventures, beach tours and Dubai city tours.
Shops & Amenities
Description
Bab Al Shams Gift Shop: Open 09:00 to 21:00
The gift shop stocks Bab Al Shams logo souvenirs, gifts, newspapers, essential items, tobacco, ethnic clothing and ornamental features.

Bab Al Shams Jewellery Shop: Open 09:00 to 21:00
Gold & silver jewellery with semi precious and precious stones
Cranley Comment
The Bab Al Shams gift shop stocks local artifacts and ethnic clothing and sells a range of Bab Al Shams branded goods and also books depicting the local area and cultures. The Jewellery shop situated in the lobby entrance is well stocked with unique Arabic and European jewellery. For more substantial shopping, guests can take the shuttle bus to the Madinat Souk or taxi to one of the malls in Dubai, which is about 45 minutes away.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
Number of Floors 2
Total Rooms 115
Total Staff 335
Staff per Room 2.9
Check-in Time 14:00
Check-out Time 12:00
Late Checkout Subject to availability
Smoking Rooms Non-smoking rooms are available
Room Service 24 hour room service
Laundry Service Same day if dropped off before 09:00
Cranley Comment
The rooms are situated in clusters of 16 double storied buildings that merge into the desert landscape. Guests have a choice between Deluxe Rooms of which some have balconies, terraces or patios, as well as Junior Suites and Deluxe Suites. While the rooms are in rustic Arabian style, the in-room facilities and amenities are luxurious. The bathrooms have walk-in rain showers, sunken baths and abundant towels. There is a unique turn down service where the bathrooms are transformed, with toweling robes and a luxurious rug laid out on the floor, enhanced by atmospheric Arabian lighting.
  Type of Room, Views & Facilities
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Deluxe Room 31

Desert / Garden

Located on the upper floor
Choice of twin or king beds
Separate dining/sitting area
Complimentary high-speed internet access
Data port
International direct dial telephone
In-room safe
Mini bar
Tea & coffee facilities
Air conditioning
Satellite TV and radio
Bathrobes
Hairdryer

2 Adults and 1 Child. (Below the age of 12, the child stays free of charge. If the child is between the ages of 12 and 16, there is a supplemental charge) 47
Cranley Comment
Deluxe Rooms are situated on the first floor and are accessed via steps without a lift alternative. The rooms are decorated in a traditional Arabian style in keeping with the overall theme of the resort, offering both authenticity and modern comforts. Deluxe Rooms have a comfortable separate sitting/dining area with chairs, desk/vanity unit and the modern conveniences of a stylish resort. The bathrooms are marble with a walk-in rain shower, sunken baths and rustic Arabian stone floors. All rooms have either a desert or garden view.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Deluxe Balcony Room 12

Desert / Garden

As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of a balcony.

 2 Adults and 1 Child. (Below the age of 12, the child stays free of charge. If the child is between the ages of 12 and 16, there is a supplemental charge) 47
Cranley Comment
Deluxe Balcony Rooms are situated on the first floor and are accessed via steps without a lift alternative. The rooms are decorated in a traditional Arabian style in keeping with the overall theme of the resort, offering both authenticity and modern comforts. Deluxe Balcony Rooms have a comfortable separate sitting/dining area with chairs, desk/vanity unit and the modern conveniences of a stylish resort. The bathrooms are marble with a walk-in rain shower, sunken baths and rustic Arabian stone floors. All rooms benefit from a balcony with views over the desert or gardens.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Deluxe Garden Room 62

Desert / Garden

As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of having a terrace or patio.
Located on the ground floor.

 2 Adults and 1 Child. (Below the age of 12, the child stays free of charge. If the child is between the ages of 12 and 16, there is a supplemental charge) 47
Cranley Comment
Deluxe Garden Rooms are situated on the ground floor. The rooms are decorated in a traditional Arabian style in keeping with the overall theme of the resort, offering both authenticity and modern comforts. Deluxe Garden Rooms have a comfortable separate sitting/dining area with chairs, desk/vanity unit and the modern conveniences of a stylish resort. The bathrooms are marble with a walk-in rain shower, sunken baths and rustic Arabian stone floors. All rooms benefit from a terrace or patio with views over the desert or gardens.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Junior Suite 5

Desert / Garden

As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of being larger and:
Located on the upper or ground floor
Balcony on upper floor suites
Garden area for ground floor suites
King beds
Dressing area
Separate cloakroom
Majilis Lounge area
Two satellite TV’s and radio
Complimentary breakfast

 2 Adults and 1 Child. (Below the age of 12, the child stays free of charge. If the child is between the ages of 12 and 16, there is a supplemental charge) 70
Cranley Comment
Junior Suites are located either on the ground or upper floor. The ground floor suites have a garden whilst the suites located on the upper floor have a balcony. The suites have an open plan ‘Majilis’ lounge area with sofas and an additional satellite television and are decorated in a traditional Arabian style in keeping with the overall theme of the resort. Junior Suites have a separate cloakroom, a desk/vanity unit and the modern convenience of a stylish resort. The bathrooms are marble with a walk-in rain shower, sunken baths and rustic Arabian stone floors. All suites have either desert or garden views. Guests staying in Junior Suites receive complimentary breakfast.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Deluxe One Bedroom Suite 5

Desert / Garden

As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of being larger and:
Located on the ground floor with terrace and garden
Can be connected to a twin bedded room
King beds
Separate Dressing Room connected to the bathroom
Separate cloakroom
Separate Majilis Lounge
Two satellite TV’s and radio
Complimentary breakfast

 2 Adults and 1 Child. (Below the age of 12, the child stays free of charge. If the child is between the ages of 12 and 16, there is a supplemental charge) 95
Cranley Comment
Deluxe One Bedroom Suites are located on the ground floor and have a garden and terrace. They can be connected to a twin room to create family accommodation. The suites have a separate ‘Majilis’ lounge furnished with sofas and colourful cushions and a satellite television and radio. The suites are decorated in a traditional Arabian style in keeping with the overall theme of the resort together with modern conveniences. There is a cloakroom and a separate dressing room with doors leading to an outside private terrace, with a vanity unit in the bedroom. The large marble bathroom has a walk-in rain shower, sunken baths and twin wash basins with rustic Arabian stone floors. Guests staying in Deluxe One Bedroom Suites receive complimentary breakfast.
Restaurants & Cafés
Number of Restaurants
 3
Restaurant Comments
The Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Resort has two main restaurants as well as a lobby lounge and a pool bar serving snacks. The Al Hadheerah is a unique desert encampment located about 300 metres from the hotel and comprises of a nightly open air buffet with live cooking stations and entertainment. Al Forsan is an international restaurant with dining inside and outside serving both a buffet and a la carte menu.
  Al Hadheerah  
Restaurant Type Open-air traditional Arabian desert restaurant
Restaurant Capacity 250
Opening Times Dinner: 19:00 to 24:00.
Dress Codes Casual
Air-Conditioning No
Smoking Policy Non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities Children are welcome and receive a 50% discount on the buffet, if aged between five and twelve years. Children under the age of five dine for free.
Breakfast Options None
Cranley Comment
The Al Hadheerah is a unique experience. It is a traditional Bedouin camp style with an open air Arabian restaurant set in a village encampment about 300 meters away from the hotel. The décor recreates a fort theme with natural stone, rock walls and a sunken seating area. The ambiance is further enhanced with a visit to a souk area with its Arabian flavours. As the resort’s signature restaurant, Al Hadheerah offers diners a unique experience with scenes straight out of an Arabian legend featuring a live Arabian band with singer, belly dancer, folklorist, falcon display, henna painter, camel rides and horse rides. The restaurant features ethnic cuisine from the Middle East, as well as live cooking stations with wood-fired ovens, spit roasts and Arabian bread ovens. The restaurant has a set price for the evening excluding drinks and the signature dish is the Ouzi Makhmour.
  Al Forsan  
Restaurant Type International
Restaurant Capacity Total 143 of which Inside 78, Outside terrace 25, Outside courtyard 40
Opening Times Breakfast: 06:30 to 10:30
Lunch: 12:00 to15:00
Dinner: 19:00 to 23:30
Dress Codes Casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities Children are welcome and receive a 50% discount on the buffet if aged between five and twelve years. Children under the age of five dine for free. A children's menu is also available.
Breakfast Options Full buffet breakfast with cooking stations
Cranley Comment
The Al Forsan is centrally located on the ground floor of the resort. It has a family friendly environment with traditional Arabian décor. Guests can choose to dine either inside the restaurant or in the ethnic courtyard or al fresco on the terrace which overlooks the gardens and the swimming pool. The restaurant features international cuisine which can be selected from the a la carte menu or the daily buffet. The signature dish is the roast rack of olive crusted lamb, garlic mashed potato, sun-dried tomato and feta cheese. Background music is provided for further ambience.
  Ya Hala Lounge  
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Restaurant Type Lounge bar
Restaurant Capacity Total 106 of which Inside 70, Outside 36
Opening Times Daily from 12:00 to 02:00
Dress Codes