Sure, the Park Terrace Suites (which are also standard suites) are very nice, as are the Park Suites. The former has a nice large terrace but lacks a guest bath, the latter is more of a standard suite.

But even then, it might be better value to book the Standard Rate and then upgrade using 6000 points per night.

The Grand Hyatt is worth considering. It's pretty cheap now. It has good service, a lot of amenities, and solid F&B. The location is central but not attractive in and of itself.

The Grand Club is indeed closed, though they are offering free breakfast and dinner buffets, the latter including alcohol, for Globalists. These are not great, although the combined retail price of the two meals probably exceeds the room rate.

Staying Feb/March 2022 for four nights, with my wife.
She is not generally impressed with PH properties (DC, NYC, Chicago), and wants a lounge as she doesn't often get the experience (I can't wait for her to see the DXB EK J lounge).
We will be staying in the Conrad Cairo for five nights prior to this.
My previous solo Dubai visits have been spent at the Raffles, I've found this area with the nearby Healthcare metro stop convenient.
This is a tourist trip for Expo 2020 etc.

I'm guessing that gives me two options:

Regency Dubai Creek @ $161/night for Regency Suite (Member rate)
Grand Hyatt @ 60k points + TSU for Grand Suite ($522/night)

The Regency rate seems great, just wondering what the catch is why so cheap.

Thoughts appreciated.

Looking to book 2 nights in Old Dubai.

All the Hyatts in that area are Cat 1 and makes sense to just use points. HR seems ok, but their cash rates are the lowest, is there a catch? I’m looking for a more casual, not “over the top glitzy Dubai” (ice skating does seem over the top).

I know authenticity and Dubai are an unlikely pairing, but what would you suggest for something a tad bit less manufactured?

HR Dubai is very very old. Club lounge is top. I don´t like sleeping there: dark and sometimes humid rooms, old aircon.

do you like any of the others in Deira?

These are decent. Of the three, I would probably choose the Al Wasl District. Slightly nicer couple of blocks with things to walk to more readily. I guess you call it "manufactured" in that it's a new development in an Arabic architectural style, but that's Dubai.

The Al Rigga is a similar hotel in a similar area but the building and the immediate area have less character than Wasl. Baniyas Square is the least interesting though closest to a Metro stop by a slight margin.

Some changes since this comparison thread was updated, including closure of GH Grand Club. I am trying to choose between Hyatt Regency Dubai and Grand Hyatt Dubai.

I've read both property threads and really appreciate all the comments. Here's the "nudge" I'm looking for: I am a walker. I know it will be hot as Hades, and that's okay. (38 years, cumulatively about 12 years in equatorial Africa, Yemen....) I want stuff that I can walk to nearby - shops, restaurants, culturally interesting things (such as Dubai might have). I don't care about "The Sights" and tourist things. What's your call? Thank you all!

I would pick Hyatt Regency Dubai. You can walk to the Gold Souk and use the Metro for other places.

FWIW I don't think Dubai has any sights other than tall buildings with a view, the fountains at the mall (as found in Las Vegas as well) and a few hotels. It would be hard to get me excited about walking there, but different folks, different strokes, I presume.

I have been to Dubai, but it has been 25 years. I know what you mean. I will mostly be working, but want to situate myself for enjoying my slack time. Sights, touristic or otherwise, don't interest me. I am interested in life: how and where people do whatever they do. The courtyards around the little restaurants in the back of buildings where workers eat, places where (the few) kids play, where people gather to gossip...

Doha, a similar place, revealed these things slowly. I hope I can find some less-structured life in Dubai.

Africa, my home, doesnt have many sights (excluding a few big cities and Disney Africa -safaris and such), but there is a lot of life happening.

If you want real life, then definitely HR Dubai in Deira. A two minute walk and you're into the back streets where real life is happening. I'm with you on its being more interesting than 'sights', and I like wandering around there... (although the ubiquity of beers and bars in Africa is sadly lacking...)