This hotel's striking 16-floor facade dominates the Bur Dubai side of the Khor Dubai waterway, next to Al Garhoud Bridge. It is less than 15 minutes away from the airport, downtown Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Road. Opened in 2003, the hotel is surrounded by landscaped gardens, and its glistening glass facade is sure to please trendsetters and city slickers. Its location is a bit secluded, but shoppers appreciate the proximity to a nearby shopping center.

The lobby is of the grandest proportion with plush furnishings and enormous crystal chandeliers. Huge pillars support the high ceiling that allows ample room for a warm welcome and pleasant gathering space. Running water, palm trees and soothing music are inviting features for spending time in the lobby lounge. On the back side of the lobby is a small indoor jungle worthy of a look.

This hotel boasts no fewer than 14 attractively styled food and beverage outlets. They range from Lebanese and Italian restaurants to Far Eastern and Singaporean seafood eateries. Manhattan Grill brings the posh sizzle of the Big Apple to this cosmopolitan hotel with mouthwatering steaks, fresh salads, an impressive wine cellar and exquisite desserts. A self-service cafe operates several stations with freshly prepared foods and a delightful mix of cuisines for those looking for a casual meal. iZ is a special favorite, offering modern Indian fusion cuisine that draws a local crowd of expatriates and even some Indian natives. The atrium-level sushi bar is a quick, healthier alternative for business guests on the go, and many of the hotel's Far Eastern clientele find this a suitable choice for evening meals.

A choice of indoor and outdoor pools awaits active guests, who also can avail themselves of a 24-hour, naturally lighted gym, tennis and squash courts, and a jogging track. Children have their own kids' club and pool, and grown-ups appreciate the ample room for sun lounging away from playful families. The elaborate Grand Spa offers a half-dozen treatment rooms, relaxation areas, whirlpools, cold plunge pools, saunas, steam rooms and babbling fountains.

In addition to 11 meeting rooms, the Grand Hyatt has the largest pillarless ballroom in the city with a capacity of 2,000 people. The business center provides services including Internet access.

Guest rooms are spacious, all having large picture windows, some with water views. The smallest units measure 42 sq m and are decorated in classic style without having lost the feel of a brand-new hotel. Beds are either king or queens and are the same down-covered, pillow-stacked dreams as at other newly renovated Hyatt properties. Business travelers especially appreciate the large working desks, speakerphones with voice mail and data ports, and high-speed Internet access for a fee. The most appealing part of the rooms is the tastefully appointed baths with dark Italian marble framing the mosaic murals. Each bath is equipped with a large non-misting mirror, separate tub and shower, a bidet, separate cabin for the WC and two vanities. Large walk-in closets, hair dryers, minibars, coffeemakers, complimentary bottled water and fresh fruit, and laptop-sized safes are standard in all rooms.

Guests staying in a Grand Club Room can use a private lounge for separate check-in and free breakfast, as well as snacks and drinks. They are also entitled to free airport transfers and pressing of clothes. Families can indulge in these premium accommodations with ease as there is a separate play area for those traveling with young VIPs. Grand deluxe suites measure 72 sq m and come with a separate living room and a guest half-bath. Several rooms have been set aside for nonsmokers and guests in wheelchairs. Pets are not allowed.

The Grand Hyatt doesn’t have the sophistication and exclusive feel of its sibling Park Hyatt, but it certainly is the top hotel of its size in Dubai thanks to the wide range of amenities, the great design of public spaces, and the fresh look of the rooms. But the Shangri-La still offers the top-notch digs for exclusivity and sophistication, and the Burj al Arab still prevails for brand-name ovation.