Park Hyatt DubaiNot only is Dubai one of the world's busiest and best connected aviation hubs, it is also a very significant business centre with large ex-pat communities representing almost every nation. It is also a fantastic playground and boasts a very favourable climate. The winter sunshine is especially inviting to northern Europeans. The shopping malls are legendary and one even includes an indoor ski-slope complete with penguins.
At Deira, a short walk from Al Ras metro station, are the gold and spice souks alongside the Dubai Creek where you can stroll along amazed at the arab dhows piled high with all sorts of goods for transport across the Straits of Hormuz to Iran and beyond. Hyatt Hotels have a strong presence here with two Regency offerings as well as the Grand Hyatt and the Park Hyatt reviewed here. Rumour has it that a second Park Hyatt is in development on The Palm. We have visited this hotel several times and been struck by its beauty but always underwhelmed by service standards. We heard there is a new General Manager, so we came to take another look. DiningBreakfast is provided in Café Arabesque. The buffet is sumptuous and very extensive with all the international dishes you usually find in 5* hotels. There is also a wide range of local Arab specialities. Eggs are to order of course and come in any style you like. There is plenty of seating with outside seats for those who are addicted to sun or who find the air-conditioning a little too fierce, something we often struggle with in this part of the world. For the evenings there is an excellent Thai restaurant (The Thai Kitchen) with open kitchens and staffed entirely by Thais. We dined there on this visit and found the food to be excellent as was service. Prices are ok for this destination. The menu is a la carte but typically dinner costs about £30 ($45) per person plus drinks. If you want something more European there is Traiture, which is French casual fine dining in style. 5 course dinner is about £100 ($150) per head plus wine. |
Park Deluxe KingThe standard upgrade for Hyatt Gold Passport diamond members is the 52 square metre Park Deluxe King. It is the same size as the standard Park King and we struggle to see the difference. Maybe the views are slightly better from the Deluxe King but we wouldn't pay the extra if it wasn't a complimentary upgrade. 52 sqm is a generous standard room and it is as well equipped as you would expect for a Park Hyatt. Complimentary wi-fi, fruit and mineral water as well as buffet breakfast are included. There is the obligatory 42 inch flatscreen TV, mini-bar, in-room safe deposit box, coffee machine and a nice desk.
The king sized beds at Park Hyatts are some of the most comfortable we have ever experienced and the crisp cotton sheets add to the sense of luxury. We love the open bathroom style which makes everything seem even more spacious and the bathtubs are great for soaking. Every room has a terrace or balcony and all have a view of the Creek or the marina. Waking in the morning, throwing open the curtains and seeing the Burj Khalifa in the distance (even at seven miles it is an impressive sight) across the twinkling blue water of The Creek is a great start to any day. LeisureIn addition to its own facilities the hotel is adjacent to a very attractive links style 18 hole golf course. There is also a marina next door from where it is easy to charter a boat for trips on the creek and to view the Corniche. Be sure to tell the yacht club clearly if you want to go up the Creek to the Gulf as there is a swing bridge which only opens in the evening.
The hotel has wonderful gardens which are a real highlight all year round. Flowers are always in bloom, the lawns are resplendent and it teems with birdlife. The outdoor pool is understandably popular and you need to get there early to bag a pair of loungers. Amara Spa offers a good range of spa treatments in luxury surroundings and the fitness room is Technogym equipped so you can keep up your fitness regimen here. |
Overall Impression
Stunningly beautiful, an oasis of tranquility in a crazy world with fantastic views across the Creek. Just fifteen minutes by car from DBX International Airport so you can stay even on a 1-night short stopover. Great restaurants and we can now add truly international 5* standards of service. Throughout our most recent stay all staff were warm and welcoming, helpful and efficient. The whole place is spotless and everything worked. Mattheos Georgiou, the general manager has done a great job in his first few months of lifting the general standard of care shown by the staff. Long may it continue. The only snag with this hotel is the distance from the city centre. Taxis are very reasonably priced in Dubai (and well regulated) but it will take at least 30 minutes to reach the Burj Khalifa and it can be a lot longer. Traffic has increased a lot in Dubai over the past few years and there are only two crossings over the Creek so avoid rush hour.
Overall, this is an excellent hotel and one we would make a detour to stay in. Mattheos wants to establish the hotel as the flagship Hyatt property in the Middle East and to reach true luxury hotel status. We have always thought that this is attainable and wish him well with this objective. Regardless, the Park Hyatt is a beautiful property and we will be back.
Overall, this is an excellent hotel and one we would make a detour to stay in. Mattheos wants to establish the hotel as the flagship Hyatt property in the Middle East and to reach true luxury hotel status. We have always thought that this is attainable and wish him well with this objective. Regardless, the Park Hyatt is a beautiful property and we will be back.