PROMOTED CONTENT
In the past year, the United Arab Emirates has celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding, the postponed Expo 2020 Dubai has wowed the crowds and the spectacular Museum of the Future – one of the city’s most architecturally ambitious projects – has just opened its doors. Combine all this with Dubai’s year-round sunshine, fantastic restaurants, exceptional hotels and family adventures, and it’s no surprise that, as of January, Skyscanner data showed it was the UK’s most booked holiday destination for 2022.
Whether you’re hungry for arts and culture, keen to experience the hottest new dining and entertainment, or just wanting to fly and flop, Dubai has it all – with hotels to match, from urban design-forward stays to beachside retreats. In a city that has so much to offer, it pays to think about what you want to see and do, and base yourself accordingly.
The Mykonos-meets-Morocco vibe of the Park Hyatt Dubai, a waterside oasis of swaying palms in the middle of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, has long been a favourite of travellers – and residents – looking for tranquillity. But in spite of its peaceful setting, it has plenty to keep guests occupied. Twiggy, located alongside the hotel’s 100m adults-only lagoon pool, is one of the city’s hottest beach clubs, with French Riviera-inspired cuisine taking centre stage. Marina-side Noépe is the spot for sundowners and views of the Dubai skyline, and the Park Hyatt’s Traiteur Brunch – served on Saturdays, with its towers of seafood, caviar, lobster and steaks fresh from the grill, as well as seemingly endless dessert selections – has long been considered the best in Dubai. Combining these with the Amara Spa, Rossano Ferretti hair spa, championship golf course, tennis and padel courts, the Park Hyatt is the perfect grown-up playground.
While some may dismiss the Deira neighbourhood for its lack of shiny skyscrapers and flashy malls, that’s where its true charm lies. Hyatt Regency Dubai’s location on the Deira Corniche is ideal for curious travellers looking for a more low-key Dubai experience, being within easy access of the heritage heart of the city, as well as a stone’s throw from the brand new Infinity Bridge, a shining lemniscate infinity symbol that spans the mouth of Dubai Creek. The dazzling Gold Souk is just a short walk away, or hop on the Metro to the Shindaga area for museums and a lovely waterfront promenade. From there it’s a pleasant stroll to the Al Fahidi heritage district for traditional wind towers, winding alleyways and cosy cafés. But before heading out, the best way to get an overview of the entire city is on the hotel’s 25th floor at Al Dawaar. This is the only revolving restaurant in Dubai, and it offers views of the entire city, from beach to Burj Khalifa and beyond – and all you need to do is sit and watch it all go by.
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With 13 restaurants, 37 acres of landscaped gardens, three outdoor pools, a 20m temperature-controlled indoor pool, an extensive spa and fitness club, and a kids’ club, it’s tempting not to leave once you’ve arrived at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. But with its location being just minutes away from some of the city’s best shopping and entertainment, there are plenty of reasons to get out there. Kids will love it here – they can feed the ducks in the garden, meet the peacocks, splash around with the water games or try their hand at arts and crafts activities in the kids’ club. But there’s plenty for parents too – the Ahasees Spa & Club offers soothing treatments with crushed pearls, gold and frankincense, there’s belly dancing and music in Awtar restaurant, which is designed like an Arabian tent, and there are contemporary jazz nights at Cooz bar.
Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights
Travellers looking for a stay combining history and modernity will find the location of the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, between Dubai Creek and downtown, a great jumping-off point to experience both. The hotel is known for it warm, friendly service – and fantastic Mexican restaurant La Tablita, which serves up street food favourites in a lively atmosphere. On Taco Tuesdays diners can enjoy unlimited tacos too. The Creek is where Dubai as we know it first emerged, a centre of pearling and trading that still bustles with life. Dive into the souks, hop on a little abra boat or walk along the waterfront for a taste of tradition that’s alive and well today. Or head for the future, towards Dubai’s towering skyscrapers. Only ten minutes by car from the hotel are the 150m-high Dubai Frame, framing the past, present and future of the city, and the just-opened Museum of the Future, a journey to the year 2071 in what has been called “the most beautiful building on Earth”. The hotel’s Gatsby-inspired Eve Penthouse & Lounge on the 34th floor offers the best panoramas of it all.
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Over in the upscale seaside neighbourhood of Jumeirah, La Mer created a new beachside lifestyle destination when it opened a few years ago, one filled with great restaurants, boutiques, wide sandy beaches, the Laguna Waterpark and endless photo opportunities in the guise of street art and playful design details throughout. It quickly became a favourite of families, both residential and visiting, and the new Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai is the ideal base to explore it all, as well as the rest of the city – it’s just a short drive to downtown, and only 15 minutes from the airport. The light-filled rooms have spectacular views of either the sea or the city skyline. A rooftop Japanese restaurant is on the way, but you won’t go wrong by lounging poolside with cocktails and snacks for a couple of hours. Or venture out along the 2.5km of La Mer’s beachfront to discover cuisines from around the world, from Iraqi to Argentinian to Turkish, alongside beloved homegrown burger brand Salt.
How to book
With British Airways Holidays, you can reserve your well-deserved break with deposits starting from just £60 per person and pay the balance in as few or many instalments as you like*. All package bookings are Atol-protected and include a 23kg baggage allowance per person. And with unpredictability being the norm these days, British Airways Holidays’ Customer Promise gives travellers additional peace of mind. It’s a commitment to quality and service which ensures that their hotel partners adhere to strict safety standards, meaning you’ll get a speedy refund should your holiday be cancelled. There’s also a 24-hour helpline if you need any assistance on your holiday. These are just some of the reasons why 92 per cent of customers say they would choose British Airways Holidays again**.
Book your Dubai City break with British Airways Holidays
and Hyatt at ba.com
*Terms and conditions apply. Deposit balance due seven weeks in advance for long haul and 28 days in advance for short haul. Travel restrictions may apply.
**From over 27,000 independent Reevoo reviews in the last 12 months – as at March 2022.
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