Your points are well noted. If (& its a big IF!) we stayed at Conrad (which have done several times before) we would book the Suite we want so we are not at all not worried about upgrades there. Same at Saray, we'd book a Suite.
Was there a few months ago. Had a very good time. A suite made a big difference though, especially as no lounge. As to food, there are lots of very reasonable options elsewhere, including at hotels (many by walking) and malls (we used Careem a lot as not much Uber service there).
Some really good choices just next door at the Ajman Hotel. Very nice buffet, Café Naseem (although not as good as the very good ones in Dubai). Also, a must visit restaurant is Bukara next door. It is (as far as I know) the only branch of this top Indian restaurant outside of India (which I have also been to in New Delhi). Unbelievably great Indian food. Reasonable prices. We were the only ones there at the time. What a treat. Frankly, it is worth a trip from Dubai just to eat there.
The buffet at the Ajman Saray is also very good. Safi was closed when we were there.