Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet 5

Sited by a mountaintop oasis, the Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet is defined by its distinctive soaring architecture and is set amongst verdant gardens, 20 kilometres from Al Ain and the Palace Museum. The 178 guestrooms over three floors feature contemporary decor with Arabic design touches and modern furnishings, and open onto balconies. All are equipped with satellite television, direct-dial phones with voicemail, dial-up and wireless Internet connections, coffee/tea-makers, minibars and complimentary weekday newspapers. Bathrooms include tubs, telephones, makeup mirrors and complimentary toiletries.

The hotel's health and leisure facilities include an outdoor pool, a sauna and fitness room. Sporty guests can play squash or improve their serve with the help of the tennis coach, and then unwind in the massage- treatment room. The kids' club, children's pool and playground will keep younger guests occupied, and babysitting and childcare services are available on request. Diners can sit among palm trees and enjoy French Mediterranean cooking at Le Belvedere Restaurant, while the Orient Café is an authentic Arabic coffee shop set amid the greenery of the atrium. Eden Rock poolside bar and restaurant has a terrace and features barbecues and theme nights, and Lawrence's Bar features Arabic decor and offers live entertainment and a wide variety of international drinks and cocktails. Multilingual staff at the 24- hour front-desk can store valuables in the safe- deposit box, provide around-the-clock room service and exchange currency The concierge is on hand to offer advice on sightseeing opportunities and book tickets for excursions. The hotel houses a business centre and provides a computer-rental service, and the three meeting rooms offer a maximum capacity of 300. Complimentary garage parking is available on site. Al Ain Zoo is 15 kilometres from the hotel, as is the horse, camel and dog-racing track. Hilli Garden and the Fun City theme park can both be found 30 kilometres away. Abu Dhabi Airport is 120 kilometres away, with an approximate driving time of two hours.