Park Hyatt Dubai Vs. Grand Hyatt Dubai -- Which Is Better?

My advice -- stay at the InterContinental Festival City, which is vastly superior to these properties.

Nice article, but you make the same mistake that I notice other bloggers do. Since y'all travel so much you tend to have top-tier status and assume that's normal. For us without Diamond status, would you rather stay in a Grand Hyatt Club Room or Park Hyatt standard room? Points cost is pretty much equal.

I have to agree with Gene. Intercontinental Dubai Festival City is my DXB hotel of choice. Followed by the PH of course.

Since both properties look outdated and in need for a facelift which other hotels would you recommend in Dubai? I understand US bloggers like to focus on American chains of hotels to maximize earning points, benefits, etc... but when in Asia and ME I really think you can do much better by staying at Non-American chains such as Jumeirah, Peninsula, Raffles, Mandarin, TAJ, etc...

@Santastico
I wouldn't say that Grand Hyatt is outdated, I was there last year.

If paid rates are similar, given that the PH is a Virtuoso hotel, this is a no brainer. But even without the Virtuoso benefits, based on the pool picture alone, I would pick the PH.

@ Santastico -- If looking to redeem points, there really aren't that many "aspirational" properties. The Conrad looks reasonably nice as far as Hilton goes. Starwood has lots of options, though for the most part they're not very luxurious (though the Westin and Le Meridien are VERY popular with local crews).

@ Stannis -- Not sure how that's a "mistake," exactly. I'm sharing my experience based on my stay, but am also making note of service in general, public facilities, and noting that the standard rooms at both hotels are large. I can only write about my experiences at the end of the day.

My absolute favorite is The Palace Downtown! It really feels like a boutique hotel, it is not that big and it is so quiet, although you are in such a busy area. And the service is great too.

Which Le Meridien are you referring to? Le Méridien Fairway, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina,or Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa.

I don't like either. They are both in horrible locations in the middle of nowhere and the Grand Hyatt has the added negative of being a Vegas-sized mega hotel with 27 million rooms. Service is slow and you have to walk 15 miles to get anywhere. The Park Hyatt does have better service, but it also has very little charm or attachment to the host city. Not that the host city has much character to begin with, but if you consider it all about "bling," then being in the center of it all must be worth something. Stay elsewhere.

Last trip stayed at the Grand and was very happy. We stayed on the Club level and was one of the better Hyatt RC I have been in. And they served dinner at night with full table service. Really pleasant offering especially if you just got off a long flight from the US. If we had more time would have opted for the Park but the Grand is really good.

I also agree the Intercontinental Festival City is fantastic! Great upgrade to a suite with lounge access as a Plat Ambassador with great views of the Dubai skyline. Last time there I stayed at the Waldorf and it was hands down the nicest room I have ever stayed at. I had just arrived from a week at the Park Hyatt Maldives and the deluxe ocean suite I received at the Waldorf blew the Park Hyatt's villa away. The executive lounge was also phenomenal. All complimentary with the HHonors gold status from the reserve.

Btw Ben, my Hyatt status still shows diamond more than a week after it should have expired, updating you on what we spoke about last week.

Great and very useful post! Thanks!!

Maybe something similar for Abu Dhabi (I.e. the best hotel near the airport on points)

@ puckjeff -- Hah, I'll let you guess which they like the most based on the name of the hotel.

The grand hyatt is terrible! There are tons of better hotels to choose from in dubai.
It's really dirty, smelly and uncomfortable. I didn't stay in a suite though.
And don't get me started on the galleria residence! (part of grand hyatt) it's just disgusting.
In my opinion, the hotel should loose its hyatt flag.

I have stayed at Park Hyatt twice with my wife and loved. I agree with an earlier comment though and this is a fault of many travel shows. You go high end e.g. diamond status an dmost people want to know about general level rooms etc.

I am currently planning for a stay next year in Dubai and am having a hard time choosing between Conrad and Grand Hyatt, just in a standard room. Also a good rate with breakfast included is hard to find.
Suggestion re these two hotels as to which is better?