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I have spent time at the
Sheraton in Abu Dhabi previously, in
the restaurants and the tavern pub, but hadn't stayed there before. The
hotel is right near the city centre, at the start of the Corniche road,
which runs along the esplanade of the city of Abu Dhabi. It is 37 kilometres
from the Abu Dhabi Airport.
 Sheraton
Resort and Towers Abu Dhabi
The Sheraton Abu Dhabi Resort and Towers is strategically located in Abu
Dhabi's most prestigious and refined neighborhood. It is within walking
distance of the shopping and commercial district and only 37 kilometres
from the airport. Overlooking either the turquoise sea or the
magnificent city, all the 272 guestrooms are spacious, elegant and well
equipped.
The resort also offers its finest contemporary international cuisine and
full-fledged conference and banqueting facilities, which helps its
guests to host their meetings, conferences or any other special events. |
The hotel has been around for some years, but was completely remodelled
in 2003, and is a deluxe 5 star hotel. I had accessed a 295 dirhams rate
(about $81 US) through Metrostar.com, having also tried the sheraton.com Web
site. I arrived at the hotel and the remodelling shone through. It was very
impressive. Just inside the entrance I was approached by a bellhop who took
custody of my bags. I was then directed to the reception, which consisted of
three desks, where attendants were seated at each one. I was invited to take
a seat opposite one of them, and my reservation was located and processed.
It is customary in the Gulf countries for the hotel also to take a photocopy
of your passport. In days gone by they would actually hold your passport,
but times have changed. Even on arrival at the airport no visa was required
(although this can vary depending on your nationality). I was given a key
card to Room 310 and directed to the lift bank, which housed three quite
large lifts. I was joined by the bellhop with my bags and soon after was
exiting the lift and meandering down a fantastic hallway, luxuriously
decorated in light orange, tans and browns. Wallpaperd walls, featured
walls, mirrors on walls, and modern art prints, black and white photos in
timber frames, lighted walls. We then entered Room 310, a plush, well
designed and spacious room decked out in browns and tans, with a number of
ornamentive features and a large modern print on the feature wall. There was
a king size bed in the room, with a marvelous padded and patterned bedhead
as a back-drop. The entrance hall was quite long, about five metres, with a
a large mirror covered two-door robe, which housed a spacious hanging area,
and a large chest of cupboards and drawers, and a safe. There were two
bedside tables, with a shelf and a top drawer. There was a phone on one, and
both had bedside control panels for the lighting in the room. Above each
table fixed to the wall was a quaint Arabian style lightshade. There was
also two downlights in the ceiling focused on the upper portion of the bed.
There were four pillows and a cushion and a doona, all covered in white.
Interestingly, the floor was varnished timber. There was an occasional table
opposite the bed, made of marble, timber, and iron. Set just aside the end
of the entrance hall was aa built-in open timber cabinet with a remote
controlled TV at the top, a large section containing tea and coffee making
facilities, and two bottles of complimentary mineral water, and below that a
mini-bar, which was locked (and there was no key), and shelves containing
glasses. There were two luxury armchairs each side of the table, each of a
brown/burnt orange colour. In place of windows, there were two sliding glass
doors facing the city, and the roof of the ground floor areas of the hotel.
They opened onto a small balcony, and there was an insect screen which slid
across to the main door when it was open.
The room then extended into a circular enclave which housed a study. This
comprised a small desk, with a return (side table), telephone, lamp, data
point, a drawer, local telephone books, and an office armchair on wheels.
Entrance to the bathroom was by a sliding timber door which opened on to a
vanity area with the vanity perched on a rich mahogany cabinet, which housed
a large shelf. There was another glass shelf above the marble top vanity,
and all-told there was sufficient space for toiletries. There was a nice
timber framed mirror on the wall, and an easy-to-use hair dryer was fixed to
the wall.
Moving on to another part-petitioned section was a full size bath, and
opposite it a shower cubicle, which was quite large. Then into a third
section of the bathroom was a toilet on one side and a bidet on the
other.There was a set of scales between the two, and at opposite ends was a
framed black and white photo, one of a camel, and the other a palm tree in
the desert. On the wall was a phone. The entire bathroom area was done in
marble tiles. Alongside the bath was a terrific patterned section.
There were no instructions re Internet access in the room so I headed
down to the Business Centre. I had understood from a discussion with the
receptionist when checling in that Internet access was available in the
rooms via a local number, and the hotel could provide a password. It was
also available in the Business Centre. I only needed a few minutes so I went
to the Business Centre. I was put online immediately, and after ten minutes
had finished. I was handed a docket to sign. The charges, it was explained
were based on useage. 15 dirhams (about $4) for up to 15 minutes, 20 dirhams
(up to 30 minutes) and 30 dirhams (up to 60 minutes).
I took a walk up to the first floor and out on to the promenade. There
was a large pool, with a waterfall going down to another level and pool.
There were deck chairs and lazy-boys everywhere, umbrellas, and of course
guests taking in the sun. Out on to the area where I remembered the beach
was though were a whole lot of screens. It appears there was major
excavation going on, and filling in of the old beach area for new
development. Whilst the white sand was still there the sea was gone (well
moved back), and there was heavy construction going on. Anyway I wound my
way around to the Health Club nearby. I looked in to see an array of
exercise machines, weights, fitness studio areas, running machines and
massage areas. Like the rest of the hotel it was well laid-out and housed
the latest equipment.
It was late so rather than use the health club for exercise, I decided to
head off to the Tavern Pub, out the front of the hotel and off to the side.
I had been there on other occasions, and while it had been expanded and
remodelled, it had similarities with the way it was. Beers included Stella,
Fosters and Kronburg on tap. A pint was 10 dirhams, and a half pint 6
dirhams, when ordering from the bar. Table service half-pints cost 10
dirhams. The scene was lively with plenty of locals and ex-patriots in
attendance. There was an area where a band was set up, and later in the
night a duet was performing, with the sound relayed through the fairly large
pub.
I decided to try one of the hotel restaurants. There were three
restaurants. Il Paradiso or Beach Restaurant is at the far end of the resort
next to the beach. The cuisine is Mediterranean seafood. Another is La
Mamma, an Italian restaurant, which features typical Italian trattoria with
an open kitchen, pizza oven and antipasti buffet. The restaurant claims to
have a comprehensive menu from different Italian regions, featuring
antipasti, minestre, carni and pesci, with all dishes prepared the "way
they're prepared in Italy". The third restaurant, and my pick for the night
was El Sombrero, of course Mexican. There was a full a la carte menu,
together with a specials menu which I selected. Three courses for 95
dirhams. I opted for the Mexican soup, beef quesadilla, and chocolate
pudding. All the food was produced in good time, was well presented, and
delicious in taste. There was a duet dressed in Mexican garb, whether they
were Mexicans or not I doubt, but they certainly sang and played as though
they were.
The hotel is a true 5 star establishment with all the services and
amenities you would expect, a very good choice of restaurants; there is
shopping on-site too, and it is handy to the city, and the beach (when it's
restored).
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