Grand Hyatt Dubai

Grand Hyatt Dubai manages that rare trick of feeling like both a city hotel and a resort at the same time. Set within 37 acres of landscaped gardens on Dubai Creek, it is close enough to the airport (10 minutes) and the metro (walking distance) to work as a base for business or sightseeing, but the grounds are substantial enough that you could easily spend a whole day without leaving the property.

The facilities are generous: three outdoor pools including a dedicated children's pool, a 20-metre indoor pool, and the award-winning Ahasees Spa & Club with full hydro facilities including sauna, steam rooms, whirlpool baths and an ice fountain. There is a Kidz Club for younger guests and a complimentary shuttle to Jumeirah beach park if you want a day on the sand. The fitness centre is comprehensive.

Dining is a particular strength here. There are 12 restaurants and bars covering Italian, Lebanese, Indian tandoor, Singaporean seafood, sushi, Southeast Asian and a New York steakhouse. The Market Cafeteria does a solid international buffet, and the jazz bar, Cooz, is a genuinely good evening option without needing to leave the hotel. In-room dining runs 24 hours, which is useful for late arrivals.

This hotel works well for a wide range of travellers: families who want space and pool time with city access, business travellers who need reliable connectivity and services, and couples using Dubai as a stopover. It does not have the beachfront glamour of the Palm properties, but for a city hotel with genuine resort credentials, it is one of the best-value options in Dubai.