Hyatt Place Dubai Al Rigga

With its warm yet minimalist aesthetic, the Hyatt Place Dubai is a step up from the typical chain brand. Everything is new, inside and out, and the gleaming lobby has polished travertine floors and white walls and decorative white-on-white starburst panels behind the front desks, all of which are set off by black accents and large Jackson Pollock-inspired art. The starburst motif and the Abstract Expressionist art repeats throughout the hotel’s common spaces, and while the lobby is lined with contemporary chairs and loveseats, the space is a bit too sparse to be inviting. The chic, sparkling Coffee to Cocktails offers a better place to relax with a drink in cordovan leather chairs or white leather sofas, while the Gallery Kitchen is a sleekly stylish restaurant that serves meals throughout the day, though both cater primarily to hotel guests, who include business travelers, couples, and families.

Dubai’s Deira area is one of the city’s commercial hubs, which includes several historic sights, such as the souks and iconic water taxis that ply the Dubai Creek. While the city is built for cars, it also has an expanding metro system that makes seeing many major landmarks simple (and cheap). The Al Rigga metro station is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and trips to Al Ras’ frenetic and picturesque souks take about 25 minutes. The enormous Mall of the Emirates, with its indoor ski slope, is about 40 minutes away by metro, while the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, can be reached in about 35 minutes by metro (or 20 minutes by car). Dubai’s most popular beach, Jumeirah Open Beach, is about 20 minutes away by car. Dubai International Airport is extremely close and takes 15 minutes to reach by metro or taxi.

Guest rooms are attractive and spacious, with Standard Rooms starting at 376 square feet. The starburst pattern in the common areas is subtly repeated in warm off-white wallpaper and bedside lamps, complementing the geometric pattern in the gray-and-black carpeting. Hyatt’s own Hyatt Grand Beds are comfortable, with white duvets, and rooms also have large, L-shaped sofa beds in neutral tones with red throw pillows (though the sofa bed’s mattress isn’t the best). Rooms are outfitted with contemporary chestnut-veneer furniture, and include desks with red ergonomic office chairs. All rooms have large 42-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges with bottled water, coffee and tea machines, individually controlled air-conditioning, and alarm clocks with MP3 docks. Bathrooms are sleek and attractive, with frosted sliding-glass doors, contemporary sinks and fixtures, large vanities, Hyatt’s brand of toiletries, and large mosaic-tiled walk-in showers. Studio and multi-bedroom apartments are also available for families and long-term guests, while some rooms have pool views. Guests should keep in mind that the mosque across the street issues calls to prayer early in the morning, which might wake light sleepers.

The hotel has an outdoor pool with a kids' area and a swim-up bar serving soft drinks surrounded by a stylish terrace and plenty of lounge chairs, while the on-site fitness center is open 24 hours a day. A free breakfast buffet in the Gallery Kitchen has a good selection of hot and cold choices, and is included in the room rate, though it can get busy, and there may be a wait at peak times. The Gallery Cafe is open for lunch and dinner, serving international fare and sandwiches as well as a kids menu, and the Gallery Market is open 24 hours a day for grab-and-go snacks and soft drinks; 24-hour room service is also available. The hotel has five meeting rooms that can accommodate groups of varying sizes, and audiovisual and catering services are available for events. There's free Wi-Fi throughout with remote printing capabilities, though the Wi-Fi connection can be spotty; computers are available in the lobby as well. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk and a travel desk that can arrange local excursions. Though the hotel’s website suggests that cocktails are available at its bars, alcohol is only available through room service and not in the hotel’s public areas.