Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report®: Taj Palace Hotel

Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai

Hotel Address

Between Al Riqqa and Al Maktoum Street
P.O. Box 42211
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Cranley Rating

Taj Palace Hotel

Photo 1 of 20. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel
Awards Won	Time Out Restaurant Awards 2006: Handi - Best Indian Restaurant

Hotel Opened

2001

Cranley Summary

Taj Palace hotel is a landmark in Dubai City Centre and benefits from a fusion of modern business facilities, a range of spacious balconied rooms and suites, some with Taj Club facilities as well as apartments. An Oriental ambience is experienced throughout the hotel with cascading water from various waterfalls and fountains and there is the Taj Ayervedic Spa for relaxation. The hotel has an eclectic range of restaurants specialising in Indian, Turkish, Japanese and Italian cuisine. There is also an international breakfast restaurant, a lobby lounge serving a range of cakes with coffee and teas and a rooftop pool and Arabian cafe serving flavourful shishas under the open skies in the evening. The hotel further benefits from having a gym, conferencing facilities and shopping arcade with various outlets and guests have access to a private beach club. Guests should note that the hotel has a no alcohol policy and serves a range of refreshing non alcoholic beverages.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The hotel is located in the heart of Deira city centre and the business district between Al Maktuom and Al Riqqa Road close to the Clock Tower. It is ideally situated close to Dubai Creek with its busy waterway and tree-lined promenade and surrounded by a colourful mix of souks, skyscrapers and shopping malls as well as being close to the Dubai Creek Golf Club. The World Trade centre and Sheik Zayed Road are ten minutes by car in normal traffic. The hotel is a short drive from Dubai International Airport.

Airports
Distance	3 km
Airport Transfers	The hotel has their own fleet of cars that is chargeable to Executive Room and Apartment guests

Cities and Sights
Distance	1 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi Transfers

Layout Description

This luxurious oriental style hotel has a courtyard at the front entrance and spacious lobby with various water features and tropical plants. There is a Lobby lounge as well as a shopping arcade that leads off the lobby area. The Verdi Italian restaurant opens onto the shopping arcade, whilst the Handi Indian, Topkapi Turkish and Sakura Japanese restaurants are located on the ground floor and Le Rendezvous restaurant is on the mezzanine level. The business centre is on the ground floor. The Taj Club is located on the 2nd floor and the Spa is on the 11th floor. The swimming pool with gym and Café Nargila are located on the rooftop.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English, Indian, Arabic, French, Russian, German
Payment Methods	All major credit cards and cash are accepted
Foreign Exchange	All major currencies are exchanged
Taxis Arranged	An own fleet of limousines are available as well as official street taxis.
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	Car Hire Travel assistance Tours desk
Medical Facilities	First aid trained staff are available. A doctor is on call 24 hours
Parking	Complimentary undercover valet parking for 200 cars

Cranley Comment

Guests are greeted on arrival by Taj staff dressed in Indian style dress and welcomed with a glass of sparkling date juice. The spacious open plan entrance lobby has 2 guest relations desks and check-in area, as well as a large seating area with comfortable sofas and chairs. There are glass lifts that give guests a view of the indoor tropical plants that is a feature throughout the hotel. The Lobby Lounge serves speciality teas, coffees, light snacks and pastries to the sounds of a pianist playing background music in the evenings. The Lobby area leads on to the Hotel Shopping Arcade decorated with authentic Indian artefacts and offering an array of shops.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Malek Salon:
Ladies and men's Hairdressing & Beauty Salon offering professional hairdressing and make up. Open 10.00 to 22.00

Pharmacy:
Well stocked pharmacy with medicines, beauty products and other essentials. Open 10.00 to 22.00

Gift and Souvenir Shop:
Stocked with a wide variety of goods including nuts, sweets, cigars and Dubai souvenirs and mementos. Open 10.00 to 13.00 and 16.00 to 22.00

Qum Carpet Shop:
The shop offers a wide range of original Persian and Turkish Carpets. Open 10.00 to 13.00 and 16.00 to 22.00

Hamil Musk Perfumery Shop:
Offering a wide selection of authentic Arabian scents, oil and perfumes. Open 10.00 to 13.00 and 16.00 to 22.00

Al Qassem Jewellery Shop:
International and Middle Eastern selection of Jewellery and watches, gold, silver and precious stones in a stylish and modern air conditioned shop. Open 10.00 to 13.00 and 16.00 to 22.00

Cranley Comment

The Lobby lounge leads onto the Taj Palace Hotel’s own shopping mall and restaurant arcade. The arcade has a variety of sophisticated shops offering essentials, souvenirs and gifts such as an Oriental Carpet Shop with export licence to export worldwide, a fine Jewellers, a specialist perfumery and gift shop and a selection of restaurants. There are 5 shopping Malls in Deira all within walking distance of the hotel. In addition, the hotel offers guests a daily complimentary shuttle to the Century Mall.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	11
Total Rooms	248
Elevators	5
Rooms per Elevator	50
Total Staff	300
Staff per Room	1.2

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	On Request
Smoking Rooms	Smoking Rooms are available on the 4th floor
Room Service	24 hours
Laundry Service	Express service available for drop-off by 9:00

Club or Executive Facilities

Taj Club facilities and services are offered to guests on the Taj Club programme as follows:
Use of the Taj Club lounge
Butler service
Breakfast Included at the Le Rendezvous Coffee shop or at the exclusive Taj Club lounge
Complimentary drinks and snacks
Complimentary business facilities
Complimentary local telephone calls
2 hours free use of private meeting rooms
Complimentary airport transfers using the hotel's own fleet of cars
Express check-in and check-out
Late check out until 16:00
Free usage of Internet through interactive TV in Rooms and Suites
Complimentary pressing of 1 suit upon arrival

The Taj Club is located on the 2nd floor. It is an open plan area with internet terminal and ample seating under a pinnacle glass atrium. There is a central fountain surrounded by tropical plants.

Cranley Comment

The rooms in the Taj Hotel start at 61 square meters, which in the 2001 market survey were shown to be the most spacious entry-level rooms in Dubai City. They are furnished in a contemporary style with a subtle Indian influence. The spacious rooms all have a lounge area with desk and marble bathrooms with a bathtub, large walk-in shower and separate toilet. Suites are even more spacious and offer separate lounge areas with a Jacuzzi and sauna in the bathroom. There are also 2 Royal Suites with luxurious furnishings, drapes and paintings and a bathroom with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. All rooms and suites have a private furnished balcony. Guests are offered the unique service of an Ayurvedic bath prepared with flower petals and Ayurvedic oils designed to give a peaceful night’s sleep. Taj Club Rooms and all Suites also enjoy the benefits of the Taj Club facilities and services.

One, two and three bedroom apartments at the Taj are traditionally furnished to a high standard. They are ideal for guests and families who wish to have the independence of self-catering whilst enjoying the facilities of the Taj Hotel with its restaurants, shops and business facilities. The apartments are very large and all have their own private balcony. Family apartments include the facility for accommodating a maid or nanny.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Room	113	City	Internet connection Wireless internet available Air conditioning Mini bar Safe Satellite TV Private Balcony Large bathroom with separate shower Separate Toilet Lounge seating Desk with business facilities Tea and Coffee making facilities Hair dryer Branded toiletries	2 Adults and 1 Child	61

Cranley Comment

Executive Rooms are large and spacious and traditionally furnished in a contemporary style with wooden floors, an Indian pile rug and Indian prints on the walls. The rooms have a sitting area furnished with sofa and chairs, as well as a desk with telephone, internet connection and dual electrical socket. Double doors lead to the private balcony furnished with a table and chairs. Executive Rooms either have twin beds or a Queen size bed. The en-suite marble bathroom has a bath tub, separate toilet and walk-in shower room. All rooms have Mecca signage on the ceilings.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Taj Club Room	34	City	Club rooms enjoy the same facilities as the Executive rooms with Taj Club services and facilities.	2 Adults and 1 Child	61

Cranley Comment

Taj Club rooms are situated on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Taj Club rooms are large and spacious and traditionally furnished in a contemporary style with wooden floors, an Indian pile rug and Indian prints on the walls. The rooms have a sitting area furnished with sofa and chairs, as well as a desk with telephone, internet connection and dual electrical socket. Double doors lead to the private balcony furnished with a table and chairs. Taj Club Rooms either have twin beds or a Queen size bed. The en-suite marble bathroom has a bath tub, separate toilet and walk-in shower room. All rooms have Mecca signage on the ceilings. Guests staying in Taj Rooms have use of Taj Club facilities and services.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Suites	10	City	As for Club rooms with the added benefit of being larger with: Cloakroom Separate lounge Dining table and chairs Kitchenette Walk-in wardrobe/dressing room Bedroom sitting area Jacuzzi Sauna Trouser Press Vanity Unit Fax DVD/CD player	2 Adults and 2 Children	102

Cranley Comment

Executive Suites have a cloakroom, separate open plan lounge and kitchenette with serving area, mini bar and juice bar. There is a dining table and chairs, a television and desk with business facilities. The bedroom has a King size bed, sitting area, walk-in wardrobe/dressing room and en-suite bathroom with Jacuzzi, sauna, separate toilet and walk-in shower. The private balcony is furnished with a table and chairs and runs the full length of the suite. All suites have Mecca signage fixed on the ceiling. Guests staying in Executive Suites have use of Taj Club facilities and services.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	2	City	As for Executive Suites with the added benefit of being larger with: Large entrance hall Separate lounge and separate dining room An office with lounge Steam Room Bathroom with 2 vanity areas and washbasins	2 Adults	188

Cranley Comment

Royal Suites are one bedroom suites that can connect to 2 further adjoining rooms to make it three bedroom suites. The Royal suites are located on the 9th and 10th floors. They are extremely spacious with a balcony running the full length of the suite. Guests have the luxury of double doors leading to a large entrance hall with guest cloakroom and separate vanity area, a lounge, a separate dining room with kitchenette and an office furnished with a desk, fax machine and lounge area. They are traditionally furnished to a very high standard with luxurious furnishings, drapes and paintings. The bedroom has a King size bed, whilst the bathroom has the feature of having a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and 2 separate vanity areas with their individual washbasins. All suites have Mecca signage fixed on the ceiling. Guests staying in in the Royal Suites have use of the Taj Club facilities and services.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
One Bedroom Apartments	3	City	Internet including wireless internet Fully fitted kitchen Dishwasher Washing Machine Cooker Microwave Fridge/Freezer Washing Machine/Dryer Open Plan Lounge/Dining Room Cloakroom Queen Bedroom Bathroom Balcony Branded toiletries Fruit Basket	2 Adults, 1 Child (on an extra bed)	94

Cranley Comment

One bedroom apartments are fitted to a very high standard and are traditionally furnished in keeping with the style of the hotel. The apartments have every facility required for guests wishing to have the convenience of self catering together with the benefits of a luxury hotel. The bedroom has a Queen size bed. All apartments have Mecca signage on ceilings.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Two Bedroom Apartments	76	City	Internet including wireless internet One Queen bedroom with en-suite bathroom One twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom One maid’s room with en-suite shower room Fully fitted kitchen Dishwasher Washing Machine Cooker Microwave Fridge/Freezer Laundry Room Drying/Ironing Room Washing Machine/Dryer Open Plan Lounge/Dining Room Cloakroom Balcony Branded Toiletries Fruit Basket	5 Adults and 1 Maid	137

Cranley Comment

Two bedroom apartments are traditionally furnished and fitted to a very high standard with every facility required for guests who prefer to cater for themselves together with the benefits of a luxury hotel. The apartments provide accommodation for families who wish to travel with their own maid. All apartments have Mecca signage fixed on the ceiling.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Three Bedroom Apartments	10	City	Internet including wireless internet One Queen bedroom with en-suite bathroom Two twin bedrooms with en-suite bathroom One maid’s room with en-suite shower room Fully fitted kitchen Dishwasher Washing Machine Cooker Microwave Fridge/Freezer Laundry Room Drying/Ironing Room Washing Machine/Dryer Open Plan Lounge/Dining Room Cloakroom Balcony Branded Toiletries Fruit Basket	7 Adults and 1 Maid	188

Cranley Comment

Three bed apartments are traditionally furnished and fitted to a very high standard with every facility required for guests who prefer to cater for themselves together with the benefits of a luxury hotel. The suites provide accommodation for families who wish to travel with their own maid. All apartments have Mecca signage fixed on the ceiling.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

The Taj enjoys the benefit of a broad and varied selection of restaurants with cuisine styles from around the world. Guests can choose between the Japanese Sakura, the Italian Verdi and a Turkish restaurant, the Topkapi, not forgetting the Taj's award winning restaurant specialising in North Indian cuisine, the Handi. Le Rendezvous serves international style buffet and a-la-carte breakfasts, whilst the 24 hour Lobby lounge serves a variety of freshly baked cakes and pastries with a selection of teas and coffees. Guests can enjoy true Arabian shisha when relaxing in the open air Cafe Nargila, which serves as a pool bar during the day. Guests should note that the Taj is an alcohol free hotel and serves a range of refreshing non alcoholic beverages.

Sakura

Restaurant Type	Japanese / Pan-Asian
Restaurant Capacity	48
Opening Times	Lunch: 12:00 to 15:00 Dinner: 19:00 to 23:00
Dress Codes	Smart Casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Designated non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities	No
Breakfast Options	No

Cranley Comment

The Japanese restaurant is decorated in an oriental theme with orchids floating on ponds and guests are greeted in a traditional, friendly oriental style with staff in ethnic dress. Artfully prepared sushi is created at the sushi counter, whilst chefs delight guests at the two live cooking stations in true teppanyaki style showmanship. An extensive menu is prepared by Japanese chefs with fresh produce flown in daily direct from the Far East.

Verdi

Restaurant Type	Italian
Restaurant Capacity	43
Opening Times	Lunch: 12:00 to 15:00 Dinner: 19:00 to 23:00