Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort, Ras Al Khaimah

The Cranley Report®: Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort

Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort, Ras Al Khaimah

Hotel Address

P.O. Box 1468
Ras Al Khaimah
United Arab Emirates

Cranley Rating

Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort

Photo 1 of 53. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Resort Hotel
Awards Won	None

Hotel Opened	1996
Refurbishment	Construction of the hotel Villa's in 2000

Cranley Summary

The Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort is a large resort hotel set in approx one and a half square kilometres of grounds and is bordered on one side by its own private beach. The hotel has a secluded position and is seventy five kilometres north of Dubai in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Accommodation in the hotel consists of Deluxe Rooms, Suites and a number of separate Villa's in the grounds. The Al Hamra Fort Hotel offers guests a choice of five restaurants including Al Shamal with an international menu, Al Jazeera featuring Lebanese cuisine and Don Camillo which is an Italian Trattoria. There is also a separate bar called the Sirocco and for late night entertainment there is the Malibu nightclub. For leisure activities there are three swimming pools, a children's supervised club, an outdoor jacuzzi and two tennis courts. The hotel is also constructing a new golf course which is due to open early in 2007. There is also a wide variety of water sports on offer to guests including water skiing, windsurfing, laser sail boat and catamarans. Within the hotel grounds there is a separate complex known as the Al Hamra Village which has it's own rooms, restaurant and pool and is located approx four hundred metres from the beach.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort is located 25 Kilometres from Ras Al Khaimah city and is 75 kilometres north of Dubai. The hotel is set in large secluded grounds and overlooks the Gulf with a private beach stretching 1.5 kilometres along the coast. Nearby attractions include the historic city of Ras Al Khaimah with its Gold and Spice Souk, the camel farm and racetrack and the Khatt Village with its famous hot springs. There is also a complimentary shuttle bus to the main shopping area in Dubai.

Airports
Distance	30 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi Complimnetary hotel shuttle bus

Cities and Sights
Distance	75 km
City/Sight Transfers	Complimentary shuttle bus to the main shopping area.

Hotel Layout

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Layout Description

The hotel consists of a main three storey building and villas in the grounds. The main building is in the shape and style of an old fort with accommodation on the upper two floors. On the ground floor are the lobby, reception desk and the hotel shops including a jewellers and a gift shop. At the rear of the lobby on the right is the Sirocco Bar and to the left are the Al Shamal Restaurant and the entrances to Don Camillo Italian Trattoria and the Seafood Market Restaurant. On the right hand side of the hotel on the ground floor is the gym and health centre. At the rear of the lobby is the exit to the hotel grounds with swimming pools on either side, tennis courts to the right and Le Chalet Restaurant to the left. The beach is approximately 100 metres from the rear of the lobby. To the left of the hotel is a separate building which contains the Al Jazeera restaurant, children's club and Malibu nightclub. In front of this building in the gardens are the villas.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 Hours
Languages Spoken	English and Arabic
Payment Methods	All major credit cards
Foreign Exchange	All major currencies
Taxis Arranged	Called on request
Tours Arranged	The Al Hamra Hotel can organise a wide range of tours and excursions including, Desert safari with dinner Dhow cruise with dinner Ras Al Khaimah Khatt hot springs East coast trip to Khorfakkan Al Ain City and Hajar Mountains Dubai City tour

Guest Relations	Standard
Concierge Services	Car rental desk
Medical Facilities	Doctor on call 24 hours with thirty minutes notice
Parking	Complimentary car parking

Cranley Comment

The hotel lobby is a large open area which extends from the front to the rear of the hotel with exits to the gardens and beach. The reception desks are located on the right hand side with seating areas of wooden chairs and sofas extending to the rear exits. To the left of the lobby are the Al Shamal restaurant and the entrances to Don Camillo Trattoria and the Seafood Market Restaurant. To the rear of the lobby on the right is the entrance to the Sirocco lounge bar.

Shops & Amenities

Description

The Al Hamra Fort has three retail outlets located in the lobby area at the front of the hotel. These are:
The Gift Shop which sells a range of souvenirs and general items and is open daily from 09.00 to 21.00 except Friday when it is open from 10.00 to 19.00.
Kohimaran Oriental Carpets which sells a range of Persian Rugs and is open daily 09.00 to 21.00.
Damas Jewellers which sells a range of Gold and Diamonds and is open daily 09.00 to 22.30.

Cranley Comment

The Hotel has three shops selling souvenirs, general items, jewellery and Persian Rugs. In addition there is a courtesy shuttle buses to the main shopping area of Ras Al Khaimah City which is 20 Kilometres away and to Dubai's shopping malls. Departure and pickup timings vary depending on season and are available from the concierge desk.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	3
Total Rooms	266
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	133
Total Staff	400
Staff per Room	1.5

Check-in Time	14.00
Check-out Time	12.00
Late Checkout	17.00 subject to availability
Smoking Rooms	Non-smoking rooms are available
Room Service	24 hours
Laundry Service	Items dropped off by 09.00 are returned within 24 hours. A three hour express service is also available at an extra charge.

Cranley Comment

The Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort has several room options available. In the main hotel building are the Deluxe Rooms and several types of suites. In the gardens are the separate villas which contain the Superior and Arabesque Rooms. All the rooms are spacious with the Deluxe Rooms starting at 50 sqm and all rooms except the Honeymoon and Ambassador Suites have a balcony or terrace and all have either sea or garden views. There is also a separate complex within the grounds known as Al Hamra Village with standard rooms which are not covered in this report.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Rooms	75	Sea View	Satellite television High speed internet connection Minibar Individually controlled air-conditioning Desk and chair Sofa and coffee table Safe Bath Separate shower Bidet Bathrobe and slippers Balcony or terrace	2 adults	50

Cranley Comment

The Deluxe Rooms are spacious at 50 sqm and come with either a balcony or terrace. The decor is modern with ample natural light from the large picture window. The living and bedroom areas are partly divided by wooden screens with the living area having separate sofa, armchair and coffee table. The bathrooms have white tiling and benefit from a separate bath and shower.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Honeymoon Suite	2	Sea View	As per the Deluxe Room plus: Larger living area Additional armchairs and table Additional television These suites do not have a balcony or terrace.	2 adults	70

Cranley Comment

The Honeymoon Suites have the same style of decor and furnishings as the Deluxe Rooms with the decor being modern with ample natural light from the large picture window. The living and bedroom areas are partly divided by wooden screens with the living area having separate sofa, armchair and coffee table. The principle benefit of the Honeymoon Suite is the extra sqm in the lounge area of the room which allows for additional seating and another television. These suites have sea views but do not have a balcony or terrace.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Ambassador Suite	2	Sea View	As per the Deluxe Rooms plus: Separate living area Dining table and chairs Additional Television These suites do not have a balcony or terrace.	2 adults	75

Cranley Comment

The Ambassador Suites are fifty percent larger than the Deluxe Rooms and have the principle benefit of having a separate lounge and bedroom. The suites are also furnished with a more luxurious feel with tiled floors and Persian rugs. The bathrooms have white tiling and benefit from a separate bath and shower. These two suites have sea views but no balconies.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Diplomat Suite	2	Sea View	As per the Ambassador Suite plus: Balcony with sea view Table and chairs on balcony	2 adults	80

Cranley Comment

The Diplomat Suites are very similar to the Ambassador Suites with a separate lounge and bedroom and are furnished in the same style with a luxurious feel with tiled floors and Persian rugs. The bathrooms have white tiling and benefit from a separate bath and shower. The key difference from the Ambassador Suite is that these two suites benefit from having a balcony with a table and chairs and a sea view.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	2	Sea View	As per the Diplomat Suite plus: Considerably larger floor area Small Kitchenette Large dining area Dining table and chairs Bathroom with walk-in bath Separate shower room Large sun deck with sun loungers and sea views Jacuzzi on the sun deck	2 adults	120

Cranley Comment

The Royal Suites are very large at 120 sqm with the extra space allowing for dining and lounge areas in the living room and a small kitchenette. The bathroom is also spacious with a large walk-in bath and a separate shower room. There are stairs in the living area which lead to a rooftop sundeck which has impressive views of the sea and gardens. The sundeck also has sun loungers and parasols and a Jacuzzi.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Villa Superior Rooms	164	72 Sea View 92 Garden View	As per the Deluxe Rooms	2 adults	53

Cranley Comment

The Villa Superior Rooms are separate from the main hotel and are located in the gardens close to the beach. Decor and furnishings are very similar to the Deluxe Rooms and all have a balcony or terrace with sea or garden views.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Villa Arabesque Rooms	19	Sea View	As per the Superior Rooms	2 adults	54

Cranley Comment

The Arabesque Rooms are all on the first floor of the Villa's located in the hotel gardens. These are slightly larger than the Superior Rooms and they all benefit from having a balcony with sea view. The Villa's are close to the beach and a short walk away from the main hotel building.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

The Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort offer guests a choice of five dining options. To the left of the lobby is Al Shamal which is the main international restaurant for breakfast lunch and dinner. Also located in the main building and overlooking the terrace are Don Camillo, an Italian style trattoria and the Seafood Market, a South East Asian fish restaurant. Outside the hotel next to the sunset pool is Le Chalet with an A la carte grill menu and Mongolian Barbecue and to the left of the hotel is Al Jazeera which is an Arabic style restaurant specialising in Lebanese cuisine.

Al Shamal Coffee Shop

Restaurant Type	International
Restaurant Capacity	Total 386, 86 Indoors, 300 Outdoors
Opening Times	Daily 07.00 to 23.00