Mina A Salam, Dubai - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report®: Mina A Salam

Mina A Salam, Dubai

Hotel Address

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

Cranley Rating

Mina A Salam Hotel

Photo 1 of 19. 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

Hotel Opened

2004

Cranley Summary

Mina A Salam is part of the Madinat Jumeirah Resort along with the Al Qsar Hotel and the Dar Al Masyaf summer houses. 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.

The Mina A Salam or ‘harbour of peace’ is designed in the authentic style of ‘old Arabia’. It is built alongside a harbour front and around it most of the hotel facilities can be found. All rooms have private balconies with sea views and all restaurants, bars and lounges have terraces that either open onto the harbour side, or overlook the harbour and the beach. The hotel has three fine dinning restaurants, a cocktail lounge with views across the gulf and a more casual bar; guests also have easy access to many others in the Souk.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Mina A Salam 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 hotel account.

Airports
Distance	25 km
Airport Transfers	Complimentary transfers for guests staying in Premium Leisure

Cities and Sights
Distance	20 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi

Hotel Layout

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Layout Description

Mina A Salam is part of the substantial Madinat Jumeirah Resort which includes the Al Qasr palace style hotel and Dar Al Masyaf summer houses. The three properties share the leisure complex, spa and beach and the Souk that runs through the middle of the complex. The Mina A Salam is approached by its own driveway and the entrance takes guests to the first floor of the hotel. On stepping inside, guests find the check-in on the right of a spacious hallway together with the lobby lounge, with seating inside and outside toward the back of the lobby. At the centre of the lobby is an ornamental raised pond. Rooms are approached via corridors leading off each side of the lobby and are spread across seven floors, designated as Arabian rooms with views of the grounds and canals running through the Madinat resort. At the back of the hotel (ocean-side) is the Abra harbour and wharf where a number of the hotel's restaurants and bars open onto. Beyond the harbour is the main swimming pool which is raised about 20 ft above the level of the harbour for impressive views of the beach, Burj Al Arab and hotel grounds. The Madinat complex has over 3.7 kilometres of winding waterways which host 36 Abras (water taxi’s) ferrying guests around the resort. There is also a boardwalk linking the Madinat to the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English, German, French, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Spanish
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	Arabian Adventures Excursions Office Car Hire Desk
Concierge Services	Standard Services
Medical Facilities	Paramedics on duty 24 hours Doctor available 08.00 to 22.00
Parking	Complimentary valet parking

Cranley Comment

The front desk is located on the right side of the entrance lobby and is one continuous counter of about 45 feet. The concierge is on the opposite side of the entrance lobby and is a smaller counter with a desk off to the side. Between the two desks at the centre of the lobby is a raised ‘pond’ with petals on the surface and seating around the edge. The hotel staff speak a range of languages and there are paramedics on duty 24 hours a day as well as a doctor on duty between 08.00 and 22.00. Outside of these hours an external doctor can be called with minimal notice.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Carita Hair and Beauty
Pincton Pearl Boutique (jewellery store)
Newsagents/gift shop

Cranley Comment

The hotel has three outlets within the hotel itself. Just off the lobby is the hair salon and gift shop and near the Abra harbour is a Pearl Boutique. Guests also have direct access to the souk from the hotel with its many bars, restaurants and array of outlets. 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	7
Total Rooms	280
Elevators	4
Rooms per Elevator	70

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

Club or Executive Facilities

Club Executive and Premium Leisure facilities include: Complimentary limousine service to and from Dubai Airport, complimentary breakfast between 07.00 and 11.00, afternoon tea between 15.00 and 16.30, a private lounge area, late check-out to 15.00 and free pressing service for one suit or dress.

Club Executive: Aimed specifically at the business traveller and provides in addition to the above, complimentary pre-dinner canapés and cocktails between 18.00 and 20.00, access to meeting rooms, complimentary secretarial service and high speed wi-fi in the lounge.

Premium Leisure: Aimed specifically at families with children and provides in addition to the above, a children’s play area with computer room, playstation games and ‘happy hour’ between 18.00 and 20.00 for complimentary cocktails and canapés.

Cranley Comment

In keeping with the Arabian theme of the hotel, the rooms are decorated in an Arabic style. All rooms have a sea facing aspect and overlook the harbour and swimming pool. All rooms have floor to ceiling sliding windows which open out onto a balcony. The rooms are decorated to a high standard using dark woods and authentic Arabian antiques. The bathrooms are well appointed and spacious in keeping with the overall size of the rooms and are well stocked with towels and have a Jacuzzi bath and walk-in rain shower. All rooms have fax machines and plasma TV screens.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	268	Sea View	Private balconies Air-conditioning Private dressing area Large bathroom with walk-in rain shower Authentic arabian furnishings Lounge seating High speed internet Mini bar Safe LCD satellite televisions Hairdryer DVD Player on request	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child under 12	50

Cranley Comment

Rooms are decorated in an Arabic style and furnished and decorated to a high specification using antique Arabic furniture and natural woods. Rooms have floor to ceiling sliding windows which open onto a private balcony and have a separate dressing area. The bathrooms are large, well appointed and benefit from a Jacuzzi bath and walk-in rain shower.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Ocean Suites	4	Sea View	As per the Deluxe room plus: Lounge Dining table Separate WC Large balconies Laptop/fax 2 LCD televisions	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child under 12	115

Cranley Comment

The suite is 130% larger than the Deluxe rooms and in addition to the facilities of the Deluxe rooms the ocean suites have a separate WC and a lounge/dinning area with table. The dressing area is accessed from the main bedroom through an Arabian style archway which then leads into the bathroom. The suite has a floor to ceiling patio door which lead onto a larger balcony.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Arabian Gulf Suite	6	Sea View	As per the Deluxe room plus: Lounge Dining table Separate WC Large balconies Laptop/fax 2 LCD televisions	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child under 12	122

Cranley Comment

The Arabian Gulf Suite is decorated in an Arabic style and is furnished and decorated to a high specification using antique Arabic furniture and natural woods. The suite has floor to ceiling sliding windows which open onto a private balcony. The suite has a separate WC, lounge with dining table and a balcony off the lounge as well as the bedroom. The bathroom is the same large size as the Deluxe room and has a Jacuzzi bath and walk-in rain shower.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	2	Sea View	As per the Deluxe room plus: Lounge Dining area Office area Separate WC Large private terrace Private dressing area Large bathroom with walk-in rain shower Antique furnishings Lounge seating 3 LCD satellite televisions	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child under 12	268

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suite at 268 square meters is very spacious and luxuriously appointed. It is decorated in the same Arabic styling as the other room types but also with several antiques and works of art on the walls. The large lounge includes an office area supplied with a notebook computer and has a dining area with a large table. The Royal Suite has a large dressing area and well appointed bathroom with luxurious amenities.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

The Mina A Salam enjoys a good choice of restaurants within the hotel itself but guests can also dine at any of the numerous restaurants at the souk which is in the Resort or the Al Qsar hotel. In the Mina A Salam the three formal restaurants offer Chinese, Mediterranean and International cuisine and are set next to the abra lake with seating inside or on the harbour front. There is also casual style dining at Nakhuda bar and the Bahri bar.

Zheng He's

Restaurant Type	Chinese
Restaurant Capacity	Total 173 (Inside 115, outside 58)
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 area available
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu
Breakfast Options	No

Cranley Comment

Named after a famous Chinese admiral and explorer of the 15th century Zheng He’s is a quality Chinese restaurant that claims to mix far eastern ambience with western tastes. This results in Chinese cuisine with western style presentation; food is served to individual diners rather than in dishes on the table. The interior is themed and the atmosphere is stylish but informal and all staff and chef’s are of Chinese origin. The signature dishes include sautéed seafood and cashew nuts with dried chilli vinegar sauce, sautéed diced beef tenderloin with black pepper sauce and Beijing roasted duck.

Wharf

Restaurant Type	Mediterranean Seafood
Restaurant Capacity	Total 124 (64 inside, 60 outside)
Opening Times	Lunch 12:00 to 15:00 Dinner 19:30 to 23:30
Dress Codes	Casual

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

Cranley Comment

The Wharf is located next to the Abra lake with tables inside and outside along the harbor side. The outside tables have ceramic tops and cast iron chairs to give the outside environment a quality feel. The inside of the restaurant has a tiled floor and high vaulted ceiling which creates a Mediterranean feel. There is an open brick oven for cooking breads and pizzas. Signature dishes include gratinated sea scallops with spinach and mushroom fleuron croustillant, wharf seafood paella and Moroccan spiced braised lamb shank.

Al Muna

Restaurant Type	International
Restaurant Capacity	Total 250 (120 outside, 130 inside)
Opening Times	Restaurant is open 24 hours with an a-la-carte menu. A buffet is served: Breakfast 06.30 to 11.00 Lunch 12.30 to 15.00 Dinner 19.00 to 23.30
Dress Codes	Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking area available
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu
Breakfast Options	Comprehensive buffet breakfast

Cranley Comment

Set overlooking the Abra Lake with its authentic dowl, the restaurant is decorated in an Arabic style and offers a buffet with Arabic as well as international cuisine at breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as an al a carte menu. There is a large outdoor terrace with tables and chairs of wood and a number are under a tall wooden pergola for shade with background music adding to the ambience. Signature dishes include marinated chicken breasts with warmed hummus and pickled cucumber as well as sautéed halwayoo and crushed potato and prawns, rocket salad and fennel cream.

Bars