Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai - Cranley Report

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The Cranley Report®: Taj Palace Hotel

Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai

Hotel Address

Al Rigga Road and Al Maktoum Street
(P.O. Box 42211)
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Contact Details

Telephone:	+971 4 223 2222
Fax:	+971 4 211 3037

E-mail

Email hotel's reservation Desk

Cranley Rating

Connect to Hotel's Reservations Page

Taj Palace Hotel

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Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel and Apartments
Awards Won	2007 Time Out Restaurant Awards - Handi; Highly Commended 2006 Winner of the World Hotel Award 2006 - Business Hotel Time Out Restaurant Awards - Handi; Best Indian Restaurant

Hotel Opened	2001
Refurbishment	2007 Mezzanine Business Centre Diyfa Meeting Room

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 guest bedrooms and suites, many benefiting from Taj Club lounge facilities which include Dubai International airport transfers. Additionally the hotel has a selection of one, two and three bed roomed serviced apartments for guests who prefer self catering. The overall ambiance throughout the hotel is an even balance of un pretentious, un cluttered calm with both modern facilities combined with traditional values. 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 with cascading water features which serves a range of cakes with coffee and teas and a rooftop pool. The hotel further benefits from having two gyms, a spa, conferencing facilities and shopping arcade with a small range of outlets. Guests should note that the hotel has a no alcohol policy and serves a range of refreshing non alcoholic beverages.

Location & Layout

Location Description

The Taj Palace Hotel is located in the heart of Deira city centre and the business district between Al Maktuom and Al Rigga Road close to the Clock Tower. It is ideally situated close to Dubai Creek with its busy working waterway which also offers tourist Creek Dinner Cruises and Abras (water taxis) across to Bur Dubai. Being the original centre of the city many of the original colourful souks and markets are close by. Behind the hotel are a couple of well stocked grocery stores and the hotel runs a five times daily shuttle service to the Deira City Centre mall which has a selection of 370 chain stores and restaurants. The World Trade centre and Sheik Zayed Road and Dubai International Airport are a short drive away in normal traffic.

Airports
Distance	7 km
Airport Transfers	Approximately 15 minutes in light traffic. Complimentary transfers for guests staying in Taj Club guest rooms and above.

Cities and Sights
Distance	2 km
City/Sight Transfers	Approximately 3 minutes in light traffic.

Layout Description

This large rectangular shaped hotel has a covered driveway at the entrance with water features, and access to the underground parking levels. The large double height lobby has a lounge to the left with full height windows and serves pastries and light snacks, to the right there is a reception desk and two guest relations desk. The mezzanine floor which overlooks the lobby is reached by stairs or lifts, and both the Business Centre and Le Rendezvous are situated here. There are three separate lift banks that ascend to the guest floors they are located in the lobby and along the long wide restaurant and shopping arcade on the ground floor, which is also where a number of the business and meeting rooms are positioned. The hotel guest rooms are to one end of the hotel, while the apartments are at the furthest end of the hotel, the Taj Club Lounge is situated on the second floor. There is a Health Club and rooftop pool and Spa on the central 12th floor, this is accessed by guest lift to the 11th floor and then by a separate lift or stairs to the 12th floor.

Lobby and Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	English, Arabic, Afrikaans, Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, and several other languages spoken.
Payment Methods	All major credit cards and cash are accepted
Foreign Exchange	24 hours All major currencies are exchanged Exchange rates are commissionable
Taxis Arranged	Hotel limousines can be arranged on request (chargeable) Street taxis can be arranged on request There can sometimes be a short wait
Tours Arranged	A full range of tours and tailor made packages can be organised through the Concierge to include: 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 Taj Club Floor Reception and check-in and out facility Car Hire Desk
Concierge Services	The Concierge is on hand 24 hours a day and will assist guests with any arrangements including restaurant reservations, limousines, car rental, airport transfers.
Medical Facilities	Staff are trained to administer first aid for minor incidents. A doctor is available 24 hours a day with a typical response time of within 10 minutes, according to the hotel. A pharmacy is available with the hotels shopping arcade.
Parking	Complimentary valet underground parking for 211 cars

Cranley Comment

Guests are greeted on arrival at the hotels covered drive through entrance porch by well groomed staff and welcomed with a glass of sparkling date juice. The light double storey open plan entrance lobby has two guest relations desks and check-in area, as well as a Lobby Lounge seating area with comfortable sofas and chairs, a pastry counter and central baby grand piano which is played in the evenings between 18:00 to 23:00. The lounge which is overlooked by the mezzanine level, has tall tropical plants, expansive windows along one side and a central cone shaped glassed atrium styled window which runs the full height of the hotel and house the panoramic lifts. The majority of the hotels restaurants and meeting rooms are at the rear of the marbled lobby within the shopping arcade.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Prima Gold – Jewellers
Open from 10:00 to 13:00, and 19:30 to 23:00 – Saturday to Thursday
Open from 19:30 to 23:00 – on Fridays.

Pharmacy
Open from 09:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 24:00 – Saturday to Thursday
Open from 14:00 to 24:00 – on Fridays.

Qum Persian Carpets - Carpets
Open from 09:00 to 13:00, 16:00 to 22:00 – Saturday to Thursday
Open from 16:00 to 22:00 – on Fridays.

Gecce – Arabic Souvenirs
10:00 to 22:00, 7 days a week

Malek Nicholas Salon – Ladies and gents salon
10:00 to 22:00, 7 days a week

ATM Machine

Cranley Comment

The Lobby Lounge leads onto the Taj Palace Hotel’s own restaurant and shopping arcade. The arcade has a small selection of shops including a pharmacy and ladies and gents hair salon, ATM machine, and a Arabic souvenirs shop and an Oriental carpet shop with worldwide export licence. Additionally there is a fine jewellers situated in the Lobby Lounge. Behind the hotel is a convenient well stocked grocery store and a selection of boutiques on the surrounding main roads. There are 5 shopping Malls in Deira, a five times daily complimentary shuttle service is run between the Deira City Centre Mall which has over 370 stores, and the hotel.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	11 guest floors with a central 12th floor rooftop pool
Total Rooms	249
Elevators	8 to the guest floors and 1 to the Health Club
Rooms per Elevator	31
Total Staff	300
Staff per Room	1.2

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Subject to availability to 18:00
Smoking Rooms	51 smoking rooms available; Executive – 34 Taj Club – 17 One Bedroom Apartment – 3rd, 4th and 5th floor Two Bedroom Apartment – 3rd, 4th and 5th floor Three Bedroom Apartment - 3rd, 4th and 5th floor
Room Service	Full menu served 24 hours
Laundry Service	A next day, same day and express dry cleaning and laundry service is available. Laundry; handed in before 10:00 will be returned the same day. Dry Cleaning; handed in before 10:00 will be returned the same day. Pressing; is available between 07:00 to 20:00, seven days a week Express Service, 1 hour from 08:00 to 18:00; incurs an extra charge Express Service, 4 hour available 24 hours; incurs an extra charge Express Pressing, 1 hour; incurs an extra charge Children’s clothes up to the age of 3 are complimentary. Alterations (minor) can be carried out between 08:00 and 18:00 Shoe-shine service is available 24 hours (complimentary)

Club or Executive Facilities

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. Taj Club facilities include:

Pressing of one suit, dress or dishdash during the stay
Complimentary breakfast at the Taj Club Lounge 06:30 to 10:30
Complimentary tea coffee and afternoon snakes at the Taj Club Lounge 15:00 to 19:00
Complimentary high speed internet access in the Taj Club Rooms and above
Butler service
Limousine service pick-up and drop from Dubai International Airport
Express check-in and check-out
Secretarial assistance at the Taj Club Lounge

Cranley Comment

Guest rooms in the Taj Palace Hotel start at 61 square meters. They are furnished with solid grained wood, in a slightly classical Italian style with discreet inlaid black features. The matching furniture is complemented by gold framed mirrors and pictures, occasional lamps and a seating area featuring gold and reds which match the deep pile rugs upon the wooden floors. The spacious rooms all have a lounge area with desk and generous sized marble bathrooms with a bathtub, large walk-in shower and separate toilet closet. The Suites have a separate lounge and master en-suite bathroom with a Jacuzzi and sauna. Guests staying in Taj Club rooms and above have use of the facilities and services in the club lounge on the second floor. Each of the one, two and three bedroom apartments feature a separate open plan living / dining area and fully fitted kitchen and en-suite bathrooms which are fully serviced twice a week.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Room	113	City	Electronic locking system Viewfinder spy hole Security lock Individually controlled air-conditioning Dedicated work space/desk DDI line Voice mail High speed internet access (chargeable) 3 pin square British sockets 3 pin, 1 large and 2 small round sockets LCD television International Satellite TV Movie channels DVD (on request) Radio/alarm Floor to ceiling windows Energy saving key card light switches Energy saving light bulbs Dimmer switches All lights can be controlled from bed side Double closet Full length mirror Iron and ironing board (on request) Shoe shine service (complimentary) Large safe suitable for laptop Mini-bar Filter coffee and tea making facilities Complimentary (national) daily newspapers Balcony with table and 2 chairs Turndown service Duvet En-suite bathroom Single vanity basin unit Separate toilet closet Bidet Bath tub with hand held shower Separate jet shower Bathrobes Slippers Shaving/make up mirror Shaving point Retractable drying cord Hairdryer Bathroom scale Telephone in bathroom Television speakers in bathroom Luxury Gilchrist and Soames toiletries 28 Interconnecting Rooms	2 Adults and 1 extra bed	61

Cranley Comment

The spacious Executive Rooms have either twin or queen sized beds. They are well furnished with an array of imported Italian solid wood matching furniture which includes a large dedicated desk, television unit, low level coffee table and occasional tables. The richly furnished sitting area has a sofa and chairs, which match the gold framed prints and mirrors upon the walls and red and gold heavy curtains and deep pile rug that cover the wooden floors. Each room has a private balcony furnished with a table and chairs. The sizeable en-suite bathroom is fully tiled and has a recessed basin unit with large gold framed mirrors upon two walls, a bath, separate toilet closet with bidet, separate walk-in shower room and luxury Gilchrist and Soames toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Taj Club Room	34	City	As for Executive room with the added benefit of: Complimentary high speed internet access Fax Complimentary fruit basket Taj Club Lounge facilities 8 Interconnecting Rooms	2 Adults and 1 extra bed	61

Cranley Comment

Taj Club Rooms have the additional benefits of the club lounge which is located on the 2nd floor of the hotel. The Taj Club rooms are well furnished with an array of imported Italian solid wood matching furniture which includes; a large dedicated desk with fax, television unit, low level coffee table and occasional tables. The richly furnished sitting area has a sofa and chairs, which match the gold framed prints and mirrors upon the walls and red and gold heavy curtains and deep pile rug that cover the wooden floors. Each room has a private balcony furnished with a table and chairs. The sizeable en-suite bathroom is fully tiled and has a recessed basin unit with large gold framed mirrors upon two walls, a bath, separate toilet closet with bidet, separate walk-in shower room and luxury Gilchrist and Soames toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Executive Suites	10	City	As for Taj Club room with the added benefit of: Guest cloakroom Separate lounge area Dining table with 4 chairs Additional LCD television DVD/CD player Hi-fi speakers 2 balconies Dressing room Jacuzzi Sauna	2 Adults and 1 extra bed	121

Cranley Comment

Executive Suites have the additional benefits of a separate open plan living / dining area which has a table for four people. The rooms are well furnished with an array of imported Italian matching wood furniture and modern sitting area which has a combination of cream and mauve chairs a sofa and modern low level coffee table and ottomans. Each Executive Suite has two private balconies furnished with a table and chairs. The adjoining en-suite master bedroom has a dressing room and en-suite bathroom which is fully tiled and has a recessed basin unit with large gold framed mirrors upon two walls, a Jacuzzi bath, separate toilet closet with bidet, separate walk-in shower room and private sauna and luxury Gilchrist and Soames toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	2	City	As for Executive Suite with the added benefit of: Entranced hall 2 Plasma televisions Meeting room for 12 people Larger master bedroom with sitting area Separate rain shower Steam room Interconnecting Rooms	2 Adults	225

Cranley Comment

Royal Suites are one bedroom suites that can connect to 2 further adjoining Executive Rooms to make them into three bedroom suites. The Royal Suites are located on the 9th and 10th floors and a private balcony running the full length of the suite. Double doors lead to a large entrance hall with guest cloakroom and separate vanity area, a lounge, a separate meeting/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 features a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and two separate vanity areas and luxury Gilchrist and Soames toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
One Bedroom Apartments	3	City	Entrance Hall Guest cloakroom Electronic locking system Viewfinder spy hole Security lock Individually controlled air-conditioning DDI line Voice mail Wi-Fi (chargeable) High speed internet access (chargeable) 3 pin square British sockets 2 LCD television International Satellite TV Movie channels DVD (on request) Radio/alarm Floor to ceiling windows Energy saving key card light switches Energy saving light bulbs Double closet Full length mirror Shoe shine service (complimentary) Safe Tea and coffee making facilities Balcony with table and 2 chairs Cleaning service twice a week Duvet En-suite bathroom Single vanity basin unit Separate toilet closet Bidet Bath tub with hand held shower Bathrobes Slippers Shaving/make up mirror Shaving point Retractable drying cord Hairdryer Bathroom scale Luxury Elemis toiletries Separate lounge/dining room Dining table with 4 chairs Fully fitted and equipped kitchen with: Fridge/freezer Dish washer Microwave Cooker 4 ring gas burner Washing machine Iron and ironing board Maids en-suite shower room	2 Adults and 1 extra bed	108

Cranley Comment

One Bedroom Apartments are fitted to a 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, including a lounge/dining room which is overlooked through a serving hatch from the fully fitted and equipped modern kitchens. The en-suite bedroom has a Queen size bed, dressing table and additional television, while the bathrooms are fully tiled and have a single vanity unit, bath with shower over it and luxury Elemis toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Two Bedroom Apartments	76	City	As for one bedroom apartment with the added benefit of: Additional twin en-suite guest bedroom Additional television	5 Adults and 2 children	165

Cranley Comment

Two Bedroom Apartments are fitted to a 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, including a lounge/dining room which is overlooked through a serving hatch from the fully fitted and equipped modern kitchens. Each Two Bedroom Apartment has an en-suite guest bedroom and small maids en-suite shower room. The master en-suite bedroom has a Queen size bed, dressing table and additional television, the bathrooms are fully tiled and have a single vanity unit, bath with shower over it and luxury Elemis toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Three Bedroom Apartments	10	City	As for two bedroom apartment with the added benefit of: Larger master bedroom Sitting area Dressing area Larger bathroom Separate shower Additional twin en-suite guest bedroom Additional television	6 Adults and 4 children	268

Cranley Comment

Three Bedroom Apartments have the additional benefit of two en-suite guest bedroom and a larger maids room and master bedroom. Each Three Bedroom Apartment is fitted to a 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, including a lounge/dining room which is overlooked through a serving hatch from the fully fitted and equipped modern kitchens. The larger master en-suite bedroom has a Queen size bed, dressing table, dressing area and additional television, the bathrooms are fully tiled and have a single vanity unit, bath and separate shower and luxury Elemis toiletries.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Duplex Apartment	1	City	As for three bedroom apartment with the added benefit of: Accommodation on 2 floors Larger kitchen Separate dining room Dining table with 6 chairs Study area	6 Adults and 4 children	268

Cranley Comment

The Three Bedroom Duplex apartment has the additional benefit of accommodation being spread over two floors with a larger kitchen, separate dining room and study area. The Three Bedroom Duplex apartment is fitted to a high standard and is traditionally furnished in keeping with the style of the hotel. The apartment has every facility required for guests wishing to have the convenience of self catering together with the benefits of a luxury hotel. The three bedrooms are en-suite with the master en-suite bathroom also having a separate shower, vanity basin unit and luxury Elemis toiletries.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

The Taj Palace Hotel 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 should note that the Taj Palace Hotel does not serve pork and is an alcohol free hotel and serves a range of refreshing non alcoholic beverages.

Lobby Lounge

Restaurant Type	Coffee / Patisserie / Light Snacks
Restaurant Capacity	80
Opening Times	24 hours