Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, Dubai

The Cranley Report®: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, Dubai

Hotel Address

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
Dubai Marina
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Cranley Rating

Le Royal Meridien

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Hotel Summary

Category	Resort Hotel
Awards Won	2007 World Travel Awards - Worlds Leading Spa Resort MENA Awards Platinum - Fine Dining Platinum - Best 5 Star Leisure Hotel Gold Award - Best Spa Silver Award - Best Environmental Hotel Eco Hotel Award: one of only 20 hotels to receive this award worldwide ISO 9001: 2000

Hotel Opened	1994
Refurbishment	2005 Infinity Pool opened. 2006 Maya Restaurant opened.

Cranley Summary

Set amidst landscaped gardens Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is in an ideal location to explore Dubai. It is next to Dubai Marina close to shopping malls, golf courses, Internet and Media cities as well as the commercial area of Jebel Ali. The hotel is a full resort hotel with a ten restaurants including the latest addition a quality Mexican restaurant Maya, six bars including two in the hotel the Piano bar and Satchmo's with nightly entertainment and the others spread around the pools and landscaped grounds. The hotel has a wide range of guest room options from the Deluxe rooms and Suites of the main building, a dedicated building for Club guests with Club rooms and it's own lounge, to the Tower building which has Tower rooms and three sizes of luxurious Suites. Most rooms have excellent views over the Arabian Sea with The Palm Island development in the distance. For leisure it has three swimming pools, a private beach, tennis and squash courts and the Caracalla Health Club and Spa which includes a comprehensive gym and Spa offering a wide range of treatments. The hotel has a small Business Centre and seven meeting rooms with capacity ranging from 20 to 350 ensuring substantial meeting, conference and banqueting facilities. Children are well catered for with the Penguin Club, children's pool areas and a playground.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The hotel is located in the rapidly developing Dubai Marina. The location gives guests easy access to golf courses like the Emirates and Montgomerie, shopping centres like the Mall of the Emirates and the recently opened Ski Dubai. For business travellers the hotel is next to the Media and Internet cities and provides good connections to the Jebel Ali Freezone.

Airports
Distance	28 km
Airport Transfers	Complimentary transfers for all guests staying in Club rooms or Tower rooms and suites.

Cities and Sights
Distance	26 km
City/Sight Transfers	Complimentary shuttle bus Ibn Battuta Mall, Gold & Diamond Park, Mall of the Emirates and Wafi Shopping Mall five times a day.

Layout Description

The Le Royal Meridien is a resort style complex with a large amount of landscaped grounds set between the hotel and the beach. The hotel itself is split into three main buildings; the Main or central building has the reception, Deluxe rooms and Suites and a number of the restaurants including the all day Brasserie. Adjoining the left side of the hotel, just beyond the Caracalla Spa and Health Club, is the Tower building including a dedicated reception, the Tower rooms and Suites, as well as more bars and restaurants. The arcade linking the Main and Tower buildings has the Spa, the majority of the hotels shops and the Al Murjan Tea Lounge. The Club building is a separate building on the right hand side of the hotel that has its own dedicated reception, Club rooms and two restaurants Ma Vida and Sea Breeze. Both the Tower building and Club building have there own front desk and concierge facilities. Within the grounds at the back of the hotel are the three swimming pools and children’s club, as well as the Maya Mexican Restaurant , the Al Khaima beachfront restaurant and several pool bars.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 Hours
Languages Spoken	English, Arabic, Russian, Italian and several other languages spoken.
Payment Methods	All major credit cards and cash accepted
Foreign Exchange	All major currencies can be exchanged at the resorts Receptions.
Taxis Arranged	Street taxis can be called for guests.
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. The Main, Club and Tower buildings each have their own Guest Relations desk. All guests receive a complimentary welcome drink and refreshing towel on arrival.
Concierge Services	Standard Services
Medical Facilities	Paramedics on site 24 hours a day.
Parking	225 covered parking spaces available. Complimentary valet parking.

Cranley Comment

The entrance lobby is a spacious area which runs most of the length of the ground floor. It has marble flooring and an elegant two-floor high ceiling. Within the lobby, the front desk with guest relations opposite is located to the left side of the entrance and the business centre is to the right of the entrance. Behind the lift bank at the back of the lobby is the Brassiere restaurant and access to the shopping arcade and the hotel grounds. Both the Club and Tower buildings have their own dedicated reception and guest relations services.

Shops & Amenities

Description

The following shops operate from the Al Murooj Shopping Arcade:
Ahmed Seddiqi and Partners
Watches and Jewellery
09:00 to 21:00 daily
Beyond the Beach
Beach Fashion
08:00 to 21:00 daily
Bulgari
Accessories
09:00 to 21:00 daily
Damas
Jewellery
09:00 to 21:00 daily
Persian Carpets
Carpets
09:00 to 21:00 daily
The Visitor
Bookshop & Stationer
09:30 to 21:00 daily
In addition the resort has a Barber shop, Beauty Salon, Car Rental and Florist.

Cranley Comment

The Al Murooj Shopping Arcade is located in the passage between the Main building and the Tower. It is set in opulent surroundings with high ceilings, marble flooring and sofas for those wanting a rest from the shopping. Boutiques sell top of the range merchandise from watches to perfumes and cosmetics. Next to the arcade is the ladies salon which offers hairdressing, manicures and pedicures. In the main lobby there is a travel and tourism and car rental desk. The Dubai Mall, which will be the largest in Dubai, is currently under construction and will be about 25 minutes by taxi for hotel guests. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle bus service to the Gold and Diamond Market, Wafi City, Mall of the Emirates, Mercato Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall between them providing a huge range of international stores and Arabic speciality shops.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	8
Total Rooms	500
Elevators	8
Rooms per Elevator	63
Total Staff	1000
Staff per Room	2

Check-in Time	14.00
Check-out Time	12.00
Late Checkout	Up to 18.00 without charge subject to availability
Smoking Rooms	The Main building has seven non-smoking floors. The Club building has three non-smoking floors. The Tower building has five non-smoking floors.
Room Service	Full menu service 24 hours a day.
Laundry Service	Items received before 09:00 will be returned same day by 18:00. Items received after 09:00 will be returned next day by 18:00. A four hour express service is available before 12:00.
Unique Features	The Royal Meridien is unique in offering guests a choice of rooms in the three buildings each with their own dedicated Reception and Guest Relations.

Club or Executive Facilities

Complimentary transfers from Dubai Airport, complimentary breakfast, pre-dinner drinks, all day tea and coffee and use of the Club lounge. The Lounge is located in the Club building.

Cranley Comment

There are eight room choices at the Royal Meridien ranging from a Deluxe Room to the huge Royal Apartment. Guest rooms are located in three buildings. In the Main building there are Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Suites, a Presidential Suite and the Royal Apartment. In the Club building there are the Club Rooms and guests have their own private Club Lounge. In the Tower building guests will find the Tower Rooms, Tower Suites and Royal Suites. Rooms are being upgraded with widescreen plasma TVs and wireless internet during 2008.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	206	140 Sea 66 City	Complimentary fruit of the day Complimentary daily newspaper Complimentary nightly shoe shine Tea/coffee making facility Butler on call Safe Complimentary high speed internet Air conditioning Bathrobe and slippers Full-length mirror Hairdryer International direct dial telephone and Voicemail Minibar Satellite television Safety deposit box Coffee table and chair Desk and chair Complimentary Hermes toiletries King size bed Combination bath and shower WC and bidet	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child	37

Cranley Comment

The Deluxe rooms are all located in the Main building. All rooms are decorated in a light green theme with pale coloured wood utilised throughout. Deluxe rooms have two armchairs, a round coffee table and large wooden wardrobe and television units. The bedroom has a King size bed or two Twin beds with a white cotton bedspread. The bathrooms are of high quality with marble tops and white sanitary wear and come with a combination bath and shower, WC and bidet. Most Deluxe rooms also have a balcony although ten Deluxe rooms have a sea view but no balcony.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Club	108	72 Sea 36 City	As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of: Private lobby with dedicated reception, guest relations and concierge Club facilities	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child	37

Cranley Comment

Club rooms are in a separate building from the hotel with their own entrance, reception and guest relations desks. On entering the room you walk into a lounge area with a two-seater sofa, two armchairs, a round coffee table and television. The rooms are decorated in an orange/beige theme, have a very fresh feel to them and are furnished with high quality furniture in a light solid wood design. The bedroom has a King size bed or two Twin beds with a white cotton bedspread. The bathrooms are of high quality with marble tops and white sanitary wear and come with a combination bath and shower, WC and bidet.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Tower	130	Sea	As per the Club room with the added benefit of: Complimentary bottle of wine and canapes CD and video player Individually controlled earphones each side of bed. Separate bath and shower Club facilities	2 Adults only	40

Cranley Comment

Tower rooms are located in the new Tower extension. The rooms are well appointed with an inner hallway leading into the bedroom. The rooms are decorated in a pastel colour scheme with light coloured wood furniture. The Tower room is equipped with two armchairs, a round marble coffee table, a dressing table and double wardrobes. The bedroom has a King size bed or two Twin beds with a coloured bedspread. The bathrooms are of high quality with marble tops and white sanitary wear and come with a separate bath and shower. Butlers servicing the Tower rooms can prepare speciality baths for guests at pre-arranged times.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Suite	30	Sea	As per the Deluxe room facilities with the added benefit of: Complimentary breakfast DVD/CD and video players in both the lounge and bedroom Complimentary pressing of two items per adult on arrival Personalised in-suite registration Valet service on arrival 24-hour butler service Balconies Separate bath and shower Club facilities	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 children under 12	81

Cranley Comment

The Deluxe Suites are all located in the Main building. Deluxe Suites feature a separate lounge/dining room. The lounge has one two-seater sofa and one three-seater sofa set around a wooden coffee table with a glass top. There is also a dining table which seats four people. The room is furnished in the same light coloured wood furniture as the other room types and is decorated in pastel green with rust coloured curtains. The bedroom has its own satellite television with DVD, VCR and CD music system, a King size bed or two Twin beds with a coloured bedspread. The bathrooms are of high quality with marble tops and white sanitary wear and come with a separate bath and shower, WC and bidet.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Tower Suite	22	Sea	As per the Tower Room with the added benefit of: Separate lounge/dining room Two Satellite televisions Kitchenette Bathroom with a view Guest WC	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 children under 12	84

Cranley Comment

The Tower Suite is a two room suite with a separate WC, kitchenette and lounge/dining room containing a three-seater sofa, two armchairs, dining table for four people and a desk. There are two satellite TVs with video/CD and DVD player. The bedroom has an armchair and a wardrobe unit with full length mirrored doors on either side of the television unit,. It has a King size bed or two Twin beds with a coloured bedspread. The bathroom is a real feature of the room with its round bath set in the corner of the room and windows behind it running from the ceiling to the top of the bath, giving guests a seaview from the bath. The bathroom has a separate shower, toilet and bidet.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Presidential Suite	1	Sea	As per the Deluxe suite with the added benefit of: Two bedrooms Substantial balcony with access from the lounge and bedroom Separate private balcony for the master bedroom Separate dining area with seating for eight.	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 children under 12	224

Cranley Comment

Immediately on entering the suite is an entrance hall with marble flooring and off to the side is a WC and a kitchen with sink and fridge but no specific cooking facilities. The entrance hall leads into a large lounge with marble flooring partly covered by a carpet rug. There are two, two-seater sofas and one three-seater sofa arranged around a coffee table in the centre of the room. There is also a separate desk to work at with a phone. For entertainment there is satellite television, video and DVD player as well as a music system including CD player. Off to one side is a dining area with a wood and glass top table that seats eight. The bedroom is off the lounge and is decorated in a pastel green colour scheme and has views over the Arabian Gulf and the marina. The bathroom is appointed to a high standard with a Jacuzzi bath. The additional bedroom also has en-suite facilities.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	2	Sea	As per the Deluxe room for amenities with the added benefit of: En-suite bathroom Jacuzzi bath Separate shower Separate sauna Large lounge area in the bedroom Lounge dining room with panoramic windows, sofas, armchairs, desk etc Separate WC Marble entrance hall	2 Adults and 2 children or 3 Adults and 1 child

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suite as it names implies is decorated and furnished to a very high specification. The suite comprises of a lounge/dining room, bedroom with lounge area, en-suite bathroom with sauna, circular Jacuzzi bath, twin walk-in dressing rooms and a WC. The suite is decorated in a gold colour scheme throughout with ornate furniture, artwork and antiques on the walls and around the suite. The suite comes fitted with televisions in the lounge and bedroom with DVD/VCR and CD players.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Apartment	1	Sea	As per the Royal suite with the added benefit of: An additional en-suite bedroom Full kitchen	2 Adults and 2 children or 3 Adults and 1 child	224

Cranley Comment

The Royal Apartment is a substantial size at 224 square meters. It comes with a large lounge which is set on three levels with windows running the length of two sides, under which is sofa style window seating for up to twenty guests. The room has a large plasma screen with high specification speakers. Off the lounge area is a dining room with a glass top table that can seat twelve guests. The apartment has two en-suite bedrooms, and the master bedroom has a lounge and sleeping area separated in the middle by a television unit that swivels around with a DVD/CD/VCR player. The lounge is furnished with leather sofas and armchairs. The en-suite bathroom is over-sized and has a television as well a Jacuzzi bath. The guest room is also well appointed with a spacious en-suite bathroom and its own minibar.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

The hotel has ten restaurants giving guests a range of options from fine dining to beachfront snacks. The Brassiere is the main hotel restaurant and location for breakfast. It offers a different themed buffet every evening. Also located in the main building are two Italian Restaurants Ossigeno and La Furnace. Within the Club building is Seebreeze a seafood restaurant and Mi Vida offering Mediterranean specialities. In the Tower building are Prime Rib a grill house and Fusion a restaurant serving a combination of Thai, Malay and Indonesian food. The latest addition is Maya which is a quality Mexican Restaurant.

Prime Rib

Restaurant Type	Steak House
Restaurant Capacity	80
Opening Times	19.00 to 00.00