The Cranley Report

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Novotel Deira City Centre

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    
Novotel Deira City Centre, Dubai
Hotel Address
8th Street, Deira City Centre
P.O. Box 9544
Deira
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
 

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Cranley Rating

Novotel Deira City Centre: Click to magnify
Photo 1 of 14. Click to enlarge
Hotel Summary
Category Hotel
Hotel Opened
2008
Cranley Summary
The Novotel Deira City Centre is located in the heart of the historic area of Dubai, opposite the Deira City Centre shopping mall and within the business district of Port Saeed. The hotel is only 5 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 15 minutes from the World Trade Centre. The Novotel Deira City Centre Dubai offers 188 guest rooms, ideal for a business trip or holiday in Dubai, as well as TALA Restaurant, Vertigo bar and an outdoor temperature controlled swimming pool. From breakfast to lunch, dinner or a tasty little snack, the Novotel Deira City Centre Dubai provides balanced choices and a la carte service. Guests can count on enjoying a relaxing meal in a friendly and stylish setting.
Hotel Location & Layout
Location Description
The Novotel Deira City Centre is located in the heart of the historic area of Dubai, opposite the Deira City Centre shopping mall and within the business district of Port Saeed. Only 5 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 15 minutes from the World Trade Centre, the Novotel Deira City Centre is close to the Floating Bridge, Maktoum Bridge and Garhoud Bridge making it easily accessible from the airport and other parts of Dubai. There is a shuttle service every 30 minutes from the hotel to the airport and taxis are readily available from the main road. Business districts, Dubai centre, tourist sights and freezones are within 30 minutes of the hotel.
Airports
Distance 3 km
Airport Transfers Taxi transfers: approx 5 minutes
Bus Shuttle every 30 minutes from the front of the hotel
Cities and Sights
Distance 3 km
City/Sight Transfers Taxi transfers: approx 5 minutes
Layout Description
The main entrance to the lobby is accessible from the service road on 8th Street, central Deira. TALA Cafe, the lobby cafe, can be found to the left of the entrance, followed by the toilets, the internet workstations and the door access through to the Ibis Hotel. Directly ahead of the entrance you will pass Reception, TALA Restaurant and the Vertigo bar before reaching the lifts to the guest rooms. All facilities are located on the ground and 1st floor where the meeting rooms, swimming pool and gym facilities are located. The bedrooms are located on floors 1 to 9 with the 1st and 6th floors providing smoking rooms.
Lobby & Guest Relations
Open Hours
24 hours
Languages Spoken The multi-national team from across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, speak more than a dozen languages including English, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian and Malay.
Payment Methods All major credit cards are accepted including:
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Diners
Foreign Exchange Reception can provide foreign exchange for all major currencies.
Taxis Arranged Taxis are found on the main road at the front of the hotel.
Tours Arranged A variety of activities can be arranged with the reception to:

Abu Dhabi City Tours
Al Ain City Tours
Camel Riding
Desert Safaris
Dhow Tours
Dinner Cruises
Dubai City Tours
Fishing Trips
Liwa Full Day Safaris
Night At The Races
Oman Dhow Tour
Sand Skiing
Sharjah and Ajman City Tours
Snorkelling or Scuba Diving
Wadi Hatta or Hajar Mountains
Guest Relations Standard services
Concierge Services
The Concierge is on hand 24 hours a day and will assist guests with any arrangements including restaurant reservations, limousines, car rental or airport transfers.
Medical Facilities A house-call doctor is available 24hrs a day. Contact reception for help.
Parking The Novotel Deira City Centre shares a private car park with the Ibis Deira City Centre, providing over 144 complimentary underground parking spaces for guests. There is also parking at the front and rear of the hotel for around 30 cars and there are literally thousands of parking spaces across the road at the Deira City Centre Mall.
Cranley Comment
The lobby is the heart of the hotel and is an open plan space with contemporary decor, high ceilings as well as leather and soft upholstered sofas in beige and brown colours. The floors are decorated with cream marble flooring and high ceilings, whilst the walls and counters are decorated in dark wood. The Reception and Concierge is located to the right of the entrance and to the left is the lobby cafe, furnished with soft furnishings on comfortable sofas and small tables and chairs for breakfast seating. TALA Restaurant and the Vertigo bar are located on route to the lifts which are directly ahead of the main entrance. For internet access in the lobby, two work stations are provided on the corridor to the left of the lobby, which also leads to the Ibis Deira City Centre hotel.
Shops & Amenities
Description
There are no facilities in the Novotel Deira City Centre hotel. Directly opposite the hotel, less than 30 seconds away you will find Deira City Centre Mall with over 360 shops including electronics, supermarket, clothing, gift and bookshops.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
Number of Floors 9
Total Rooms 188
Elevators 3
Rooms per Elevator 63
Total Staff 174
Staff per Room 0.9
Check-in Time 14:00
Check-out Time 12:00
Late Checkout Late check-out is complimentary until 14:00 and subject to availability.
Smoking Rooms There are 35 smoking rooms available.
Room Service 24 hours
Laundry Service To be collected by 10:00 for a same day service, delivered at 20:00
Express service available within 4 hours at 50% surcharge
  Type of Room, Views & Facilities
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Standard Room 188

137 City
51 Pool

Electronic locking system
Viewfinder spy hole
Security chain
Individually controlled air-conditioning
Work space/desk
High speed internet access (chargeable)
3 pin square British sockets
3 pin round European sockets
2 blade and 1 round pin American sockets
32" LCD television
International satellite TV
iPod docking station
Minibar
Large windows
Energy saving key card light switches
Energy saving light bulbs
All lights can be controlled form bed side
Double closet
Full length mirror
Safe deposit box
Tea and coffee making facilities
In room magazines
Two seater sofa
En-suite bathroom
Bath tub with fitted shower over it
Bathrobes
Anti fog mirror
Shaving/Make up mirror
Shaving point
Hairdryer
Telephone in bathroom
Television speakers in bathroom
Luxury Novotel toiletries

40 interconnecting rooms

2 adults and 2 children 30
Cranley Comment
Standard rooms are located on all floors and are decorated in a modern, contemporary style with cream walls and grey/green carpets. They are each furnished with a low level king size bed with cream and beige linen, a two-seater grey/green sofa and desk area/dressing table in a light coloured wood and a hard backed adjustable height swivel chair, as well as a table lamp. The rooms are equipped with a 22' plasma television with international satellite and have high speed internet connection. Bathrooms have tiled floors with magnolia tiling and white sanitary ware.
Restaurants & Cafés
Number of Restaurants
2
Restaurant Comments
TALA Cafe and TALA Restaurant offer guests all day dining, with a wide selection of food served as a buffet or ordered a la carte. Domino Bistro in Ibis Deira City Centre offers a French dining alternative for guests.
  TALA Cafe  
Restaurant Type Lobby Cafe
Restaurant Capacity 32
Opening Times 08:00 to 23:00
Dress Codes None
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non smoking
Children’s Facilities Children's menu is available.
Breakfast Options Complimentary Early Riser breakfast: 04:00 to 06:00
Croissants to Pastries
Hot and Cold Beverages
Cranley Comment
TALA Cafe is situated in the lobby. Throughout the day guests are able to order snacks in the lobby seated at small round tables. The soft furnished sofas in reddish brown by contrast are ideal for a coffee break. Magazines and newspapers are available and are complimentary for guests.
  TALA Restaurant  
Restaurant Type All day buffet dining restaurant
Restaurant Capacity 104
Opening Times Breakfast 06:30 – 10:30
Lunch 12:00 – 15:00
Dinner 19:00 – 23:00
Dress Codes None
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non smoking
Children’s Facilities A children's menu is available on request. The buffet offers a wide selection of options for children also.
Breakfast Options Breakfast is served from 06:30 to 10:30 (11:00 on weekends and public holidays) with a wide choice of continental, cereal and fruit options. Chefs are available for cooked breakfast options.
Cranley Comment
TALA provides an all day dining option for guests. The restaurant has wooden tables and chairs with white upholstery for traditional dining. Diner style, reddish-brown padded seats are also available for a more relaxed dining atmosphere. More than 20 individual dishes are prepared for each meal including a variety of vegan and vegetarian choices. Side-order dishes, starters, a salad and dessert bar ensure that there are ample options for everyone and chefs are also on hand to meet the requirements of guests. Large set tables are available for groups or two seater tables set for couples with a choice of classic dining tables and reddish-brown padded bench seating for a more relaxed dinner.
Bars
Number of Bars
1
  Vertigo  
Bar Type Cocktail Bar
Bar Capacity 52
Opening Times Happy hour from 17:00 to 20:00 every day
Open 12:00 to 01:00 weekdays
Open 12:00 to 02:00 weekends
Dress Codes Smart casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Smoking is permitted throughout the bar
Admissions Policy Over 21 only
Cranley Comment
Vertigo is located on the lobby level opposite TALA restaurant and offers guests a quiet retreat for evening drinks. With a mix of seating, including plush red velvet seats, bar height stools and tables as well as bar seating, there is the opportunity to choose your own ambience for the night. There is a wide selection of drinks, notably beers from 15 countries including Dutch, French, Belgique, Japanese, Lebanese and German. Although you will find wines, spirits and cocktails, too. A smoking bar, Vertigo also offers combination Asian and Mexican combo snacks from the snack menu. During Ramadan the bar is closed till 6pm in the evening.
Business & Event Facilities
Wireless Internet There are chargeable wireless internet facilities in the lobby and two workstations for internet access located in the corridor leading to the Ibis, left of the lobby.
In-Room Services Chargeable broadband internet access.
Business Centre
There is no Business Centre. Reception provides the following business centre services on request:

Photocopying
Faxing
Binding
Secretarial services
Meetings & Events
Venue Size (m2) Dimensions
L x W x H (metres)
  
  
Hiwar  58  8.0 x 7.3. x 2.7
 50
 -
 40
 24
 20
 18
 -
 
 
Hiwar I  28  7.3 x 3.9 x 2.7
 25
 -
 16
 12
 14
 14
 -
 
 
Hiwar II  28  7.3 x 3.9 x 2.7
 25
 -
 16
 12
 14
 14
 -
 
 
Nequash  50  7.3 x 6.9 x 2.7
 40
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 
 
There are two meeting rooms on the 1st floor. Hiwar can be divided into two smaller rooms if required. Nequash is typically used for break out sessions, although both meeting rooms can be configured for up to 50 for a standing reception or for up to 40 people in a theatre style layout. Both meeting rooms are equipped with a range of modern AV equipment and the hotel can provide catering as well as snacks for breakout areas, making them ideal for board meetings. The outdoor pool area is only a minute's walk away, making it ideal for continuing a day event with an outdoor reception.
Cranley Comment
There is no Business Centre, however Reception can provide business centre services on request including photocopying, faxing, binding and secretarial services. Two small meeting rooms are located on the 1st floor and have all the latest audio visual equipment, with screens and AV that drop down from the ceiling using remote controls. Two PC's are available in the lobby area for internet access and in-room facilities include broadband internet connection.
Children’s Facilities & Clubs
Restaurant Facilities See Restaurants
Beaches
  Jumeirah Beach Park
     
Location There is a daily shuttle service at 09:00 and 12:00 to the beach park returning at 15:00 and 18:00.
The journey takes approx 30 minutes.
Description Jumeirah Beach Park is a public beach open from 8:00 to 23:00. Visitors must pay a small charge to enter the beach area and sun loungers and parasols are available for hire. Visitors to the Jumeirah Beach Park should note that one day per week is designated as 'Ladies Only' day and they should check before visiting which day it is.
Private/Public Public
Size/Frontage The beach has a water frontage of about four hundred metres and is approximately twenty metres wide.
Facilities Facilities include showers, toilets, snack bar, sun loungers and parasols for hire, a children’s adventure playground and a grass area with barbeques and straw parasols.
Safety Lifeguards on duty.
Parking There is a small charge to bring your car into the park or there is complimentary car parking available nearby.
Cranley Comment
The Jumeirah Beach Park is a public beach with a small charge for entry. The beach park has a large beach with lifeguards, sun lounger and parasol hire, toilet facilities and a snack bar for cold drinks and fast food refreshments. There is a grassed area and an area planted with trees, where barbeques are available for public use. There are football goals and beach volleyball facilities on the beach in addition to an adventure type playground to keep younger children entertained.
Pools
  Adult Pool  
     
Opening Times 06:00 to 20:00
Temperature Temperature controlled at 28c
Depths 1.5 metres
Size 17 metres by 9 metres
Facilities Showers, wooden sun loungers with padded covers, wooden parasols with canvas shades and large outdoor seating area suitable for barbeques and catered events.
Safety Lifeguard on duty
06:00 to 20:00
Cranley Comment
The pool is located on the 1st floor in an open air courtyard. Surrounding the pool are wooden sun loungers with soft white padded covers. There is a large terrace with cover, suitable for barbeques and catered events near the pool, with trees and plants in large tubs which add a garden feel to the area.
Sports & Gym
  Gym & Health Club  
Description There will be a gym in the Novotel Deira City Centre shortly which is expected to complete in February 2009.
Golf
  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 3km
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.
  Four Seasons Golf Club Dubai
Description
Opened in February 2005 the Four Seasons Golf Club Dubai continues to receive rave reviews about its design, condition and playability. This is a Robert Trent Jones II designed course, neighbouring the banks of the Dubai Creek and is only 2 minutes from Dubai Airport. The Four Seasons Golf Club provides a challenging round for seasoned golfers and assures recreational players a memorable experience. It features extensive use of water with 11 lakes and several smaller ponds with stunning views across the impressive Dubai Skyline.
Location 5 km
Holes 18
Length/Par 7,250 Yards Par 72 sss 74
Facilities Driving range
Practice areas
Special Needs
Communal Areas
The Novotel Deira City Centre has full wheelchair access to all floors and areas. All food outlets are located on the ground floor and are easily accessible with wide open spaces between. First floor meeting rooms are accessible by lift. The lobby can be accessed by a very low level ramp or from the underground parking with ease. Flooring is carpeted or tiled throughout and is solid in texture making it easy to walk on or when using a wheelchair. Lobby and 1st floor facilities have toilets for disabled guests use.
Rooms & Bathrooms
There are two specially adapted rooms at the Novotel with widened access. The rooms have a larger floor area with inter-connecting rooms if required for travelling help. The bathroom is open plan with a large shower and non-slip mats available from housekeeping. There are no emergency cords in the bathroom or bedroom. Several grab rails are located next to the vanity basin, toilet and shower. The shower is large enough for a wheelchair, however there is no seat.

If guests require extra assistance in their rooms the hotel is able to provide staff although they may not be trained in specific areas of assistance
Restaurants & Catering
The restaurant within the hotel is suitable for wheelchair access. Staff are very attentive and on hand to give assistance if required. There is a wide choice of food available and guests with special dietary requirements should notify the manager. There is also a good choice of healthy dishes on a separate children's menu.
Recreation Facilities
The pool is wheelchair accessible as are the surrounding seating areas.
Visual & Hearing Aids
There are no special facilities at the hotel for either the visually impaired or the hard of hearing. Guests wishing to bring ‘Assistance Dogs’ should notify the hotel in advance.
Staff Assistance
Although staff are not highly trained in mobility assistance or special needs they are aware of some of the difficulties guests may face and are happy to provide as much assistance as they can.
Cranley Comment
The hotel's ground floor has no steps, making it wheelchair accessible. Two adapted rooms have been designated for special needs and they have been built with wheelchair users in mind. The adapted rooms are situated on the 1st floor and are readily accessible via the lifts. Accessibility room are interconnecting and there are spyholes at wheelchair and standing level height. Bathrooms also have grab rails fixed next to the washing facilities and wc and all are equipped with showers which allow for easy wheelchair access.
Environment
Measures
Recycling
Energy Saving
Minimise Cleaning Materials
Water Saving
Cranley Comment
The hotel has a number of environmental policies in place. It separates recyclable components from guest and hotel waste; it gives guests the option not to have towels or bedding changed every day in order to save water and avoid the use of detergents and hotel staff participate in the Dubai ‘clean the world’ programme, where hotel staff voluntarily clean the area surrounding the hotel .
Novotel Deira City Centre, Dubai, Report Details
First Review 22nd December 2008
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