Renaissance Hotel Dubai, Dubai

The Cranley Report®: Renaissance Hotel Dubai

Renaissance Hotel Dubai, Dubai

Hotel Address

Salah Al Din Road
Deira
PO Box 8668
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Cranley Rating

Renaissance Hotel Dubai

Photo 1 of 23. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel
Awards Won	'What's On' 2007 - Favourite International Speciality Restaurant Winner - Spice Island 'What's On' 2007 - Favourite European Speciality Restaurant R/U - Sails

Hotel Opened	1992
Refurbishment	The hotel has an ongoing programme of refurbishments

Cranley Summary

Renaissance Hotel in Dubai is located off the main Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, near the centre of Deira which is the heart of Dubai’s original business district. Its location gives it good access to the airport as well as a number of world class golf courses. The hotel has 281 guest rooms and suites located on six floors, with the executive lounge and rooms being located on the top floor and the pool and fitness club located on a fourth floor roof terrace. The hotel has two main restaurants, including the award-winning Spice Island, which serves a range of different cuisines. There is a sophisticated sports bar showing major sporting events and a Polynesian cocktail bar with a live band playing six nights a week. The hotel has comprehensive banqueting facilities on the ground floor, with a range of conference and meeting rooms, including the Al Thuraya Ballroom. The large pillarless ballroom is a popular venue for weddings and the hotel's USP is its bridal lift that enables private access from bedroom to ballroom.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Renaissance Dubai is situated on a side street off the main Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, near the centre of Deira which is the heart of Dubai’s original business district with its ancient Arabic heritage and culture. It is a twenty minute walk to Dubai Creek and the souks, whilst the Dubai Creek and Al Badia world-class golf courses are also close by. Guests can visit the Creek promenade which extends from the Corniche, allowing visitors to stroll along the Arabian Gulf coast.

Airports
Distance	3 km
Airport Transfers	Chargeable shuttle bus or limousine Taxi

Cities and Sights
Distance	1 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi

Layout Description

Renaissance is a city centre hotel which has the conference and banqueting facilities on the ground and first floors. The lobby and front desk services are located on the mezzanine level, which is accessed via an escalator or lift. On the lobby level, as well as the front desk and concierge facilities are the two restaurants, Spice Island and Sails, together with Tiki Bar, Harry’s Place Sports Bar, the Aquarium Café and the business centre and lobby shops. The rooms are located on the next six floors with the Executive Lounge being on the top floor. The health club and swimming pools are located on the fourth 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	All major currencies exchanged
Taxis Arranged	Street taxis are arranged on request
Tours Arranged	A variety of activities can be arranged including Tours of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Ajman, Dinner Cruises, Safaris to the Desert, Wadi Hatta or Hajar Mountains, a Night at the Races, Camel Riding, Sand Skiing, Snorkelling or Scuba Diving.

Guest Relations	Standard
Concierge Services	Standard
Medical Facilities	Nurse on duty 09:00 to 18:00 from Saturdays to Thursdays. A doctor can also be called in with 30 minutes notice.
Parking	24 hour complimentary valet parking in the hotel's underground car park

Cranley Comment

The lobby is located on the mezzanine level and is accessed via the escalators or lift from the street level. At the top of the escalators the front desk is immediately opposite, with the lobby café, business centre and sports bar off to the right. On the left hand side of the front desk are the lifts and a number of casual sofas and at the far end is the Tiki Bar, Sails restaurant and Spice Island restaurant. The lobby is set in an atrium and has a small water feature, which gives it a feeling of spaciousness and calmness.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Separate Men's and Ladies hair salon open daily from 09:00 to 20:00. The ladies salon also provides make up, pedicures, manicures, waxing, and facials.

Other boutiques located on the lobby level are open Saturday to Thursday from 09:00 to 2000 and include:
Gift shop
Antique Shop
Beauty Salon
Pashmina and Carpet store

Cranley Comment

The hotel has a range of boutiques located on the lobby level but additionally benefits from being located near to the Hamarain shopping mall which has a much larger range of shops and boutiques. There are other shopping malls a short distance away and more authentic shops and souks in nearby Deira. The Gold Souk is a ten minute taxi ride away in light traffic in Bur Dubai.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	6
Total Rooms	281
Elevators	5
Rooms per Elevator	56
Total Staff	350
Staff per Room	1.2

Check-in Time	15:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Subject to availability. A late check-out fee may apply
Smoking Rooms	141 rooms are non-smoking
Room Service	Available 24 hours
Laundry Service	Items picked up by 10:00 are returned by 18:00. Items picked up between 10:00 and 13:00 will be returned by 18:00 for a 50% surcharge. A four hour express service is available 24 hours a day at 100% surcharge.
Unique Features	Ice machines on each floor

Club or Executive Facilities

There is a Club Lounge open daily from 06:00 to 00:00 located on the sixth floor for executive and suite guests. The lounge is divided into three areas and has a television with a sofa, armchairs and a desk with a PC in one part. The main area consists of a coffee bar style lounge with tables and chairs and the third area consists of a small meeting room with a table for 6, which can be booked for private events. The Club Lounge provides complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks and:
Continental breakfast from 06:00 to 10:30.
Hor's d'oeuvres and cocktails 18:30 to 20:30.

Club and suite guests have their own reception desk on 6th floor, which is open from 08:00 to 00:00.

Cranley Comment

The Renaissance hotel has several room types to choose from, including Royal and Presidential Suites which each have four bedrooms when connected to their adjoining rooms. The other rooms and suites with the exception of the Royal and Presidential Suites, are all decorated in the same contemporary European style, with light wood furniture, green based carpets and gold curtains. Some of the Executive suites have a small kitchenette and there are small differences between rooms in other categories, with some having fitted wardrobes and some being free standing, but all of the rooms are furnished and decorated to a high standard. All of the rooms have views over the city. There is a Club Lounge and Club rooms located on the sixth floor.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	203	City	Air conditioning Satellite television High speed internet connection Desk and chair Two armchairs Iron and ironing board Minibar Scales Safe Hairdryer in the bathroom Bathrobe Slippers Bath Shower Bidet	3 Persons	32

Cranley Comment

The Deluxe Room is designed in a contemporary European style with an entrance hallway, off which is the en suite bathroom. Opposite the bathroom is a double wardrobe with mirrored sliding doors and a wall mounted safe. The room itself has a king sized bed, a working area with a desk and two armchairs and a coffee table. The television cabinet faces the bed. The walls are decorated in a light gold colour and there are gold curtains and a green based carpet. The furniture is a light ash colour to match. The bathroom comprises a combined bath and shower as well as a bidet. The hairdryer is fixed in the bathroom and there is a large shaving mirror.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Club	41	City	As per the Deluxe Room with the added benefit of: Larger bathroom Separate shower Access to the Club facilities described above.	3 Persons	32

Cranley Comment

The Club Room is the same physical size as the Deluxe Room but is laid out with a larger bathroom that has a corner bath and a separate shower. The extra space has been created by having stand alone wardrobes in the room itself rather than the mirrored wardrobes in the entrance hallway. The room has the same décor as the Deluxe Room and shares the same amenities, with the exception of the Club facilities that are listed at the top of this section. The Club Rooms are all located on the sixth floor and have their own reception desk.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Suite	21	City	As per the Club Room with the added benefit of: Separate bedroom Additional Satellite television Dining table Four person Sofa Bar area and bar stools CD Player Guest Bathroom Complimentary limousine airport transfers	4 Persons	50

Cranley Comment

The Executive Suites are two room suites which are located on the corner of the building, giving them an unusual layout which adds interest to the design of the room. On entering the suite there is a bar to one side with bar stools, a mini-bar and fridge. You then enter the lounge which has a television cabinet, satellite television and large sofa for four persons. Further around the room is a circular dining table and there is a guest toilet discreetly located in an alcove. The bedroom is spacious and has an en suite bathroom and separate toilet. The room is decorated in a similar style to the other room types.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Junior Suite	6	City	As per the Executive Suite with the added benefit of: Separate Lounge Additional guest toilet Additional satellite television CD Player Two desks with high speed internet connection Two seat sofa in the bedroom Two seat sofa in the lounge Armchair in the lounge	4 Persons	42

Cranley Comment

The Junior Suite comprises two rooms; a separate lounge and bedroom with a guest toilet in the lounge and an en suite bathroom in the bedroom. The Junior Suite is effectively two Deluxe Rooms in terms of space and the layout of the bedroom. The lounge has ample seating, coffee tables, a satellite television, and the benefit of a guest bathroom and working desk with high speed internet connection. The décor of the Suite is similar to the other room types.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Two Bedroom Suite	7	City	As per the Junior Suite with the added benefit of: An additional en suite bathroom	4 Persons	63

Cranley Comment

The Two Bedroom Suite is the Junior Suite that is connected via the lounge to another Deluxe Room. The room therefore shares all the features of the Junior Suite plus a Deluxe Room, which are both described above and creates a two bedroom, two bathroom suite with a living room and guest toilet. The second bedroom comes only with two queen beds and is therefore ideally suited to families with children.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Presidential Suite	2	City	As per the Executive Club Room with the added benefit of: Kitchenette with minibar and hob. Separate lounge and dining room Dining table for six person Guest toilet CD/DVD/VHS player Separate shower Satellite television in the bedroom CD player in the bedroom	4 Persons	83

Cranley Comment

The Presidential Suite represents one of the two luxury accommodation types in the hotel with the other being the Royal Suite. The Suite has a large lounge/dining room with an open plan kitchenette that features a mini bar and hob. The lounge itself has a corner television cabinet and a sofa and three armchairs whilst the dining area has a dark wood table and six armchairs. The bedroom comes with a chaise longue and an en suite bathroom that features a separate shower. Being the Presidential Suite, it is decorated in an elaborate style with rich coloured furnishings and higher quality furniture.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	1	City	As per the Presidential Suite with the added benefit of: Duplex design Additional en suite bedroom Study area Large screen television Piano	6 Persons	316

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suite is a duplex design with the master bedroom and study area upstairs, which is accessed via a spiral stairway. The lounge has an interesting feature in that it has an open plan ceiling to the floor above to give a real sense of space. On the ground floor is a large lounge/dining room with sofas that can comfortably accommodate six persons, a good quality dark wood dining table that seats eight guests and a small kitchenette. The second bedroom is en suite and has a king bed. Like the Presidential Suite, the Royal Suite has been decorated in a similarly lavish style and can connect to two Deluxe Rooms making it a four bedroom suite.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

Renaissance has two international restaurants and a lounge serving light snacks, cakes and pastries. In addition, food is available from the hotel's main bar, Harry's Place and also from the pool bar. All of them, with the exception of the pool bar, are located at lobby level. Spice Island is the hotel's signature restaurant and has a largely Asian and oriental theme, where it features an award-winning buffet with an array of dishes from a number of countries. Sails Restaurant offers both an a la carte and a buffet selection. Sails Restaurant and Harry's Place both offer an 'Eat Drink Balance' menu with low fat, low carb and low cholestrol options.

Spice Island

Restaurant Type	International Restaurant
Restaurant Capacity	200
Opening Times	Dinner 19:00 to 23:30 Friday Brunch 12:00 to 15:00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities	Children's menu Children under six have complimentary buffet Children between six and twelve pay 50%
Breakfast Options	N/A

Cranley Comment

The award-winning Spice Island Restaurant is located on the lobby level next to the Tiki Bar and continues the décor theme of the Tiki, with the use of bamboo on the ceiling and around the restaurant and it has wooden floors. The restaurant has a large buffet selection with live cooking stations and features cuisine from a number of different countries; Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Arabic and Mongolian. The food is displayed and cooked on various ‘islands’ located around the restaurant. Some of the food is ready prepared, but some is cooked to order in front of you. Guests can choose different dining packages at an all-inclusive price, involving either soft drinks, regular brand alcoholic beverages, including well known wines and beers, or opt for the 'Premium Experience' with more expensive alcoholic beverages. The Friday brunch also offers packages with or without alcoholic drinks and includes fun activities for children.

Sails

Restaurant Type	Mediterranean
Restaurant Capacity	80
Opening Times	Breakfast 06:00 to 11:00 Lunch 12:00 to 15:00 Dinner 19:00 to 23:00