When it comes to luxury hotels, Dubai has it all. Desert charm, beachfront relaxation and buzzy metropolitan hubs are scattered throughout the city, with new additions popping up at breakneck speed.
But there are a handful of luxury hotels in the city that fall into the veteran category, standing the test of time and continuing to attract visitors – old and new – decades after opening.
Among these is Park Hyatt Dubai, a sprawling picturesque haven in its own quiet corner of the old city, that continues to set the bar for luxury.
The National checked in for a stay at one of its new pool villas.
The welcome
After turning off the E11 to the private gate that marks the entrance of Dubai Creek and Yacht Club, we are greeted by a fedora-wearing security guard, who is noticeably cheery. He directs us to the hotel’s entrance, a short drive along a palm-lined road, where private villas sit on one side and the sparkling marina faces them on the other.
After pulling up to the entrance, equally friendly valet staff are quick to help us with our bags, which we don’t see again until they appear in our rooms later that afternoon. Check-in is from 3pm, but we arrive a couple of hours early to grab some lunch and laze by the pool, which is no problem. In fact, staff at reception tell us they will do all they can to ensure our room is ready as quickly as possible and, within half an hour, they’ve come to find us at the pool with our keys.
The neighbourhood
Just a short drive from Dubai International Airport and around 15 minutes from attractions including the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, Park Hyatt Dubai is part of the old city but close enough to the action at the heart of Downtown Dubai. Thanks to its location in the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club complex, it feels quiet and serene in its own little corner of the city.
The room
Park Hyatt Dubai first opened in 2005, but we are here to try one of its newly modelled villas, which opens out directly onto the resort’s new lagoon pool.
It’s surprisingly spacious, with a huge lounge area, complete with an office nook, washroom and sliding doors opening to the first of two terraces, where seating surrounds a small firepit. Back inside, an equally spacious master bedroom lies through wooden double doors at the far end of the lounge, where we find a perfectly made king-sized bed waiting. The bed looks out towards the terrace space and the azure pool beyond, a view that we happily lie back and drink in.
Through arched doorways, a master bathroom features a double sink, free-standing bathtub, double walk-in showers and a dressing area, with open shutters to the bedroom, again designed to optimise the view.
Neutral tones, abstract vases and rattan fixtures give the new villas a laid-back, contemporary feel, with touches of azure laced throughout the room complementing the outdoor surrounds.
The service
All staff we encounter throughout the resort are friendly and professional, and go above and beyond to help. Once, after finding ourselves in the wrong block searching for our room, which subsequently turns out to be on the other side of the resort, a groundkeeper escorts us all the way to the right block, which took a good few minutes out of his day.
The scene
With its whitewashed buildings, topped with azure domes, and flowering bougainvillaea trees scattered throughout, the resort feels distinctly Mediterranean, with scenes more akin to those usually found on Greek islands than in the UAE. Still, touches of Middle Eastern design are subtly sprinkled throughout the resort, giving Park Hyatt Dubai a charming character that has kept guests returning for close to two decades.
As well as a good-sized palm-lined main pool, the hotel is home to two lagoon pools – Al Porto, a family-friendly spot overlooking the harbour that opened last year, and Twigg, the chic private beach club operated by Rikas Group that serves incredible views of the Downtown skyline and impressive Mediterranean fare.
Elsewhere, the Amara Spa, set on its own private patio, is the epitome of serene, with treatment rooms having their own private gardens, complete with trickling water features and outdoor showers. My 60-minute signature treatment with Nikita puts me into a trance-like state, and I practically float back to my room.
The food
Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. Daily breakfast can be enjoyed at Brasserie du Park, where a perfectly curated buffet is on offer, as well as a la carte options. Noepe offers the ideal laid-back pre-dinner sundowner spot.
As well as the aforementioned Twiggy, dining options include The Thai Kitchen, afternoon tea spot The Lounge and seafood restaurant Boardwalk.Set on a terrace overlooking the creek, the restaurant has stood the test of time, having been operational for more than 26 years. There are also a few casual spots for dining and drinks throughout the resort, including Jones the Grocer, QD’s and Lakeview, which has a 900-year-old olive tree from Italy as part of its design.
Highs and lows
The tranquillity of Park Hyatt Dubai, alongside its stunning grounds and architecture, makes it one of the most picturesque spots in the city, leaving guests feeling a million miles away. There are no real lows but guests should be prepared for a bit of a walk to their rooms through several corridors, which can be a little confusing to navigate upon arrival.
The Insider tip
The most photogenic spot in the hotel can be found by heading towards the spa, where a grand stairway heads down towards a blue tiled floor, making for the perfect Instagram backdrop.
The verdict
Almost two decades (and many, many new luxury hotels) later, Park Hyatt Dubai’s appeal endures thanks to its Mediterranean vibes, charming aesthetic and sheer variety of facilities.
The bottom line
A twin lagoon-view room starts from Dh995 per night, while a lagoon beach suite starts from Dh5,345 per night. Check-in is from 3pm; checkout is at noon; hyatt.com.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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Meg%202%3A%20The%20Trench
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
