The Cranley Report

®
®

Sharjah Rotana
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    
Sharjah Rotana, Sharjah
Hotel Address
Al Arouba Street
PO Box 5734
Sharjah
United Arab Emirates
 

-->

Cranley Rating

Sharjah Rotana: Click to magnify
Photo 1 of 22. Click to enlarge
Hotel Summary
Category Hotel
Hotel Opened
 2000
Refurbishment Non-regular maintenance and decoration
Cranley Summary
The Sharjah Rotana is located in the city centre and is a hotel predominately targeted at the business traveller. The hotel was built six years ago and is spread over eighteen floors and has been maintained to a good standard. The hotels location means it has good access to both Sharjah and subject to traffic Dubai, to which the hotel runs a twice a day complimentary shuttle bus to Deira city centre. The hotel has four room types from a Deluxe Room to the Rotana Suite and additionally the Executive Suite can be made into a Two Bedroom Suite with the use of a connecting Deluxe Room. For dining there is an international restaurant which has a buffet and ala carte options at all meal times and 24 hour room service. For leisure there is a basic gym and small roof top pool and guests have access to the beach club at a nearby hotel. The hotel benefits from having complimentary wireless internet connectivity in the lobby lounge but also has the downside of only having dial up access in the rooms. Lastly the hotel as two small function rooms and a boardroom for meetings and banquets and has a well equipped business centre open 24 hours.
Hotel Location & Layout
Location Description
The hotel is located in the city centre next to the Al Zahra Private Hospital and the Rolla Souk and is also about a ten minute drive away from the beach facilities at a nearby five star hotel that guests can use at a charge. The hotel has easy access to the city centre shopping malls including the largest in Sharjah as well as the Old Souks. For guests wanting to get to Dubai for golf and shopping or evening activities it is about 20km away but travel time can vary considerably depending on the time of day so guests are advised to take advice from the hotels concierge. In addition the hotel runs a complimentary shuttle bus to Dubai twice times a day.
Airports
Distance 0 km
Airport Transfers Chargeable transfers on the hotel bus or taxi
Cities and Sights
Distance 17 km
City/Sight Transfers The hotel runs a complimentary shuttle bus twice a day at 09.00 and 19.00 to Dubai City Centre (Deira) returning at 13.15 and 21.30 from the Dubai City Centre and 13.30 and 21.45 from Nasser Square in Deira.
Layout Description
The hotel is a city centre hotel where all the facilities are within the building and guests also have use of the beach facilities at a nearby hotel. The hotel is eighteen floors high with some of the rooms on the higher floors having a distant sea view. On the ground floor as well as the lobby, front desk and boutiques is also the location of the business centre. The Al Dar restaurant and banqueting facilities are on the first floor and the Bodylines gym and roof pool are located on the second floor. The guest rooms are located on the third to eighteenth floors.
Lobby & Guest Relations
Open Hours
 24 hours
Languages Spoken Arabic, English, Tagalog, French, German and Italian.
Payment Methods Major credit cards
Foreign Exchange Major currencies exchanged
Taxis Arranged Called off the street
Tours Arranged A range of tours can be organised by concierge which include city tours of Sharjah, Dubai, Al Ain, East Coast and Abu Dhabi, sand skiing, helicopter tours, desert safari and BBQ’s, overnight safaris, musandam mountains trips and traditional dhow dinners.
Guest Relations Standard
Concierge Services
 Car hire desk
Medical Facilities A doctor can be called from the hospital next door with ten minutes notice.
Parking Complimentary valet parking
Cranley Comment
The lobby is a rectangular area with the front desk to the right, four large central pillars in the middle and the lobby cafe at the rear with a marble alcove and water feature. The lifts are on the left side and on the right side is a passageway with the boutiques and business centre. The lobby is overlooked from the Al Dar restaurant on the first floor which adds to a sense of space. Overall the lobby is designed in a contemporary style with marble flooring and light wood panelling.
Shops & Amenities
Description
Julnar Mobile Phones Open seven days a week
Al Balad Al Ameen electrical devices Open seven days a week.
Cranley Comment
The hotel has a range of boutiques offering electronic items, mobile phones and a florist. Immediately outside the hotel is a ladies saloon carrying out a range of treatments and additionally next door is the Rolla Souk with a range of shops. A short distance away is the City Centre Mall and the Sahara Centre as well as the Souk Al Arsah which is one of the oldest Souks in the UAE.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
Number of Floors 18
Total Rooms 205
Elevators 3
Rooms per Elevator 68
Total Staff 150
Staff per Room 0.7
Check-in Time 14.00
Check-out Time 12.00
Late Checkout 16.00 subject to availability
Smoking Rooms Two non-smoking floors
Room Service 24 hour ala carte menu
Laundry Service Items dropped off before 09.00 are delivered back the same day at 17.00. Items dropped off after 09.00 will be delivered back the next day at 17.00.
An Express service for return with six hours is available at a 50% premium.
A Priority service for return within four hours is available at a 100% premium.
Club or Executive Facilities
No Executive Club facilities
Cranley Comment
The Sharjah Rotana has four primary room types with a fifth being a Two Bedroom Executive Suite with the use of a connecting Deluxe Room. The hotel has two non-smoking floors and some of the rooms on floors above the sixth have a distant sea view. The beds come in either a king or twin single configuration. All rooms are all decorated in a contemporary style.
  Type of Room, Views & Facilities
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Deluxe Room 155

88 City
67 Sea

Satellite television
Individually controlled air-conditioning
Tea and coffee making facilities
Mini bar
Safe
Desk/vanity unit
Two arm chairs
Round occasional table
Hairdryer
Water and fruit basket on arrival

 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 12 32
Cranley Comment
The Deluxe Room is the standard room of the hotel. It comprises of a small entrance hallway off which is the bathroom and leads into the bedroom. The bedroom is decorated in a contemporary design with light coloured wood furniture, gold/beige curtains and light brown carpets. The bathroom has white tiling on the walls with a green marble sink top and a combined bath and shower. None of rooms have a balcony and they come with either a king or twin single beds.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Junior Suite 30

20 City
10 Sea

As per the Deluxe room plus:
Kitchenette
Dining table and three chairs
Two seater sofa
Two arm chairs
Coffee table
Hair dryer

 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 12 55
Cranley Comment
The Junior Suite is a one room suite that benefits from additional space, a lounge area with sofa and arm chairs, a dressing area and a small kitchenette although guests should note that although there is a twin hot plate cooking equipment is not provided. On entering the suite the doorway leads into the lounge side of the suite with the kitchenette immediately on your side. The bathroom and dressing area are next to the kitchenette and opposite the bed. The room is decorated in a similar style to the Deluxe Room and comes with all the same basic amenities.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Executive Suite 18

14 City
4 Sea

As per the Junior Suite plus:
Separate bedroom
Guest toilet

 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 12 65
Cranley Comment
The Executive Suite has an identical layout and amenities as the Junior Suite with the exception that the bedroom is a separate room, there is a guest toilet and additionally there is more space. Overall the suite is decorated in a contemporary style with light brown wood furniture, gold/beige curtains and light brown carpets. The bathroom has white tiling on the walls with a green marble sink top and a combined bath and shower.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Rotana Suite 18

2 City

As per the Executive Suite plus:
Dining table for six persons
Full size fridge

 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 12 86
Cranley Comment
The Rotana Suite is similar in layout as the Executive suite but benefits from additional space, a larger kitchenette with a full size fridge and in the lounge a dinning table for six persons. Overall the suite is decorated in a contemporary style with light brown wood furniture, gold/beige curtains and light brown carpets. The bathroom has white tiling on the walls with a green marble sink top and a combined bath and shower.
Restaurants & Cafés
Number of Restaurants
 3
  Al Dar  
Restaurant Type International
Restaurant Capacity Total 92 all inside
Opening Times Daily 06.30 to 23.00
Breakfast 06.30 to 10.30
Lunch 12.30 to 15.30
Dinner 18.30 to 23.00
Dress Codes Smart Casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non-smoking area
Children’s Facilities Children under six have a complimentary buffet and children six to twelve years old pay 50%
Children's menu
High Chairs
Breakfast Options Full buffet breakfast with live cooking station.
Cranley Comment
The Al Dar is an international restaurant located on the first floor overlooking the Lobby Cafe. It serves an international buffet at each mealtime as well as having an ala carte menu available during and outside of the buffet hours. The ala carte menu contains a range of soups, sandwiches, grilled meats and fish, pasta and some Indian and oriental options to cater for most tastes. Like the rest of the hotel the decor is in a contemporary style.
  The Lobby Cafe  
Restaurant Type Cafe
Restaurant Capacity Total 30
Opening Times 08.00 to 01.00
Dress Codes Smart casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy No non-smoking area
Children’s Facilities No specific menu but special orders can be accommodated.
Breakfast Options None
Cranley Comment
The Lobby Cafe is located at the rear of the lobby and is an open plan design overlooking the front desk and the lifts. The menu consists of a basic range of teas, coffees and juices as well as made to order sandwiches, soup and salads. The interior is a contemporary design with marble flooring and a water feature set in a marble alcove at the rear of the cafe.
  Aquarius Snack Bar  
Restaurant Type Pool side snack bar
Restaurant Capacity Drinks bar with food from the room service menu.
Opening Times 07.00 to 22.00
Dress Codes Casual/swimwear
Air-Conditioning No
Smoking Policy No non-smoking areas
Children’s Facilities No specific facilities
Breakfast Options N/A
Cranley Comment
The Aquarius Snack Bar is located next to the pool and consists of a wood constructed serving area. It is normally operational outside of the summer months and has a range of soft drinks and juices and takes orders for food from the room service menu. There are molded plastic table and chairs for guests to eat at.
Bars
Bar Comments  
There are no bars in the hotel owing to the fact no alcohol is allowed in Sharjah
Business & Event Facilities
Wireless Internet Complimentary high speed internet access is available in the lobby
In-Room Services Chargeable dial up connectivity
Business Centre
The business centre is located off the lobby and is open 24 hours. It comprises of a dedicated room with three workstations with internet connection and a range of printing, scanning and other office equipment. Secretarial services are also provided at the guest's request.
Meetings & Events
The Rotana Sharjah has a ballroom that can accommodate up to 80 guests in a reception and can be sub-divided to make two smaller meeting rooms. In addition there is the Al Rolla Boardroom for meetings. All of the rooms benefit from natural daylight and modern audio visual equipment is available.

The capacity and sizes of the rooms are:


Al Wahada Room is 44 sqm and accommodates up to 600 persons.

Al Wahada:
The Al Wahada measures 7.3 x 6.1 metres (44.5 SQM) and can accommodate up to 30 guests in a theatre style, 20 in a classroom style, 20 in a boardroom style, 40 in a reception style and 32 in a banquet style, and 15 in a U Shape.

Al Zahra:
The Al Zahra measures 7.3 x 6.1 metres (44.5 SQM) and can accommodate up to 30 guests in a theatre style, 20 in a classroom style, 20 in a boardroom style, 40 in a reception style and 32 in a banquet style, and 15 in a U Shape.

Al Wahada and Al Zara
Both rooms together measure 14.6 x 6.1 metres (89 SQM) and can accommodate up to 60 guests in a theatre style, 40 in a classroom style, 40 in a boardroom style, 80 in a reception style and 60 in a banquet style, and 30 in a U Shape.

Al Rolla Boardroom
The Al Rolla measures 6.9 x 4.8 metres (33 SQM) and can accommodate 12 guests.
Cranley Comment
The hotel has the amenities suited to the business traveller with a dedicated business centre with three workstations and the real benefit of complimentary wireless internet connectivity in the lobby although the rooms only have dial up connection which can be frustrating. For meetings the hotel has two rooms which can be joined together and accommodate functions for up to eighty guests depending on the configuration.
Children’s Facilities & Clubs
Restaurant Facilities See Restaurants
Babysitting service
Provided by hotel staff with ideally six hours notice.
Cranley Comment
The hotel is primarily a business hotel located in the city centre. Guests though do have access (at a charge of 50 dhs) to the beach facilities at a nearby five star hotel.
Entertainment
  Daytime Activities  
Cranley Comment
No specific programmes in place
  Evening Activities  
Cranley Comment
No specific programmes in place
Beaches
  Corniche Beach
     
Location 3km
Private/Public Public
Size/Frontage Approx 40 metres deep by several kilometeres
Facilities Nearby small retail outlets
Barbeques
Safety No lifeguards on duty.
Currents can occur
Parking Complimentary parking
Cranley Comment
The Corniche Beach is located on the Corniche on the Ajman side of Sharjah. It runs from the Sharjah Ladies Club to the Coral Beach resort and is a straight stretch of sand which is lined by palm trees providing screening from the main Corniche Road. The beach has some dress restrictions and potential visitors should check with their hotel concierge. Potential visitors should note that currents can occur and the beaches have warnings to that effect.
Pools
  Roof Pool  
     
Opening Times 07.00 to 22.00
Temperature Temperature controlled at 30c
Depths Min 1.0m
Max 1.6m
Size Triangle shaped pool max 18m by 14m
Facilities Plastic sun beds
Parasols
Showers
Molded plastic table and chairs
Toilets
Drinks from Aquarius Sool Bar (winter only)
Safety No lifeguards on duty but some supervision from the pool staff.
Cranley Comment
The hotel's pool is located on the second floor on a roof terrace. It is a triangular shaped pool which is bordered on one side by the hotel and on the other two sides by a wall which has some flower beds to provide colour. The pool has basic amenities including the Aquarius Snack Bar which is open during the winter months. The pool area is partially overlooked by surrounding buildings. There are changing facilities located next to the pool.
Sports & Gym
  Gym & Health Club  
Opening Times
 07.00 to 22.00
Description 4 Treadmills
2 Bikes
1 Stepper
1 Rowing machine
4 Resistance machines
Free weights
Changing rooms
Separate changing rooms for ladies and gentlemen
Startrac CV equipment
Nautilus resistance machines
Wall mounted television
Size Square room 9 meters by 9 meters
Cranley Comment
The Bodylines Gym is located on the second floor next to the pool. It comprises of a gym, separate changing rooms for ladies and gentlemen with a steamroom and a staffed reception desk to provide assistance. The gym itself is a square shaped room with mirrors on three sides and one side with a partial view of the pool. The gym has relatively modern equipment and has a television mounted in one corner although its sound is not connected to the equipment.
  Water Sport  
Cranley Comment
Available at the beach facilities guests have access to.
Golf
  Al Badia Golf Resort
Description
Opened in February 2005 the Al Badia Golf Course 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. Al Badia 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 Al Badia Golf Course is located about 20km away in Dubai. Journey times can vary depending on time of day.
Holes 18
Length/Par 7,250 Yards Par 72 sss 74
Facilities Driving range and practice areas will be available from early 2006 and teaching facilities with high tech swing analysis. Country club with extensive facilities will be available from late 2006.
  Dubai Creek Golf and 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. The course hosted the Dubai Desert Classic in 1999 and 2000.
Location Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club is located about 20km away in Dubai. Journey times can vary depending on time of day.
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 comprehensive pro shop.
Spa
Cranley Comment
There is no spa at the Rotana Sharjah Hotel.
Special Needs
Communal Areas
Wheelchair accessible
Rooms & Bathrooms
No adapted rooms
Restaurants & Catering
Wheelchair accessible
Recreation Facilities
N/A
Cranley Comment
Whilst the hotel has no adapted rooms the rest of the hotel facilities are readily accessible for disabled guests.
Environment
Measures
 Recycling
Cranley Comment
The hotel has paper recycling policies in place.
Sharjah Rotana, Sharjah, Report Details
9th September 2006
Home I Back | Cranley reference: 100298 | Quick link: http://www.cranley.com/?100298