stargold

First thing to check is what time of the year you intend to travel - the summer (i.e. June-September) is really too hot to be outside so 7 nights would be way too long. During the more pleasant weather, it's very much ideal for being outside and lounging around.

Unless you have a reason for wanting to stick just to Dubai, I would suggest splitting it 4 nights at PH Dubai and 3 nights at PH Abu Dhabi. I do love the PH Dubai, but PH Abu Dhabi sits on the particularly picturesque Saadiyat Beach, and is a great setting for doing very little.

joecool1885

+1, though that's a tough rate to beat!

We had a ton of fun in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and found plenty to do over 4 nights (1 at PH Abu Dhabi, 3 at PH Dubai)-- we certainly felt we could've done more. More time at the mall, maybe trying indoor skiing. What we did get done I cover here:

http://thehyattguy.blogspot.com/2016...-brief_28.html

http://thehyattguy.blogspot.com/2017...ai-exotic.html

http://thehyattguy.blogspot.com/2017...t-3-dubai.html

http://thehyattguy.blogspot.com/2017...t-4-dubai.html

brokenwindow

I am really curious as to why this hotel is so highly praised on FT. We are staying in a lovely suite, and no doubt the hardware is great and the complimentary minibar is a great perk. But other than that, I find the hotel to be quite subpar, especially when comparing to other high end properties in Dubai and Asia. The breakfast is a hot mess. The selection is limited with no Asian options at all, or any variety above the boring eggs Benedict and the cold cuts, Arabic and sweets. You'd expect a massive buffet in dubai as many other high end hotels here so (JW, Sofitel etc). Not only that. The egg station doesn't even have a table side service, so you have to order and go and pick it up yourself, again, quite unusual In my experience at least at this kind of hotel. They have an a la carte menu but it isn't widely available can I just saw it by accident as it was brought to another guest. The staff forgot our orders 2-3 times. F&B is generally quite bad at the hotel, the $30 pizza I had was worse than a frozen pizza. The concierge gave recommendations straight from tripadvisor, and also advised another guest that tipping norm in Dubai is 20% which is complete BS. If we weren't staying at a great suite and got a great welcoming from the staff here, I'd say this hotel gets 3.5/5 stars. But perhaps we are missing something. We are on our 5th night here right now.

747FC

Let me count the ways:

1. Incredible service from the concierge, who arranged a private guide for our four-day stay. The concierge also was able to get some prescription medication delivered to our room in the middle of the night.

Need I say more?

OK:

2. Peace and Quiet--An oasis in a metropolis.

3. The world's most relaxing outdoor pool area.

4. A breakfast buffet that never ended, with great service from the waitstaff. Daily specials brought to the table.

5. Really nice room with a great view.

6. Excellent service from everyone on staff.

7. A variety of good restaurants on property.

brokenwindow

great to hear you had such a nice experience. Perhaps their A-game staff is gone during low season Summer. I agree that it's a beautiful property and very peaceful. But the breakfast is mediocre, there are no "daily specials" to speak of. Just today, ordered eggs, forgotten twice, ordered a latte, got a black tea. Isolated experiences you might say, but not really when it has been similar subpar experiences daily

scented

I have been to PH Dubai 15+ times, read my recent update on the property here -- I think we agree the best times are well behind them.

Still love The Thai Kitchen.

grafpaper

I stayed here a couple years back over thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. I've been kicking myself ever since for not buying (or at least asking for more information on) the scent they use in the hotel.

Does anybody know what it is? And if it's possible to buy off-property? I'm located in the US and would love to use this in my condo. For some reason the smell of the PH Dubai really stuck with me.

Thanks!

747FC

Try contacting the concierge. They probably can help.

SanDiego1K

Toiletries have changed since our last visit. Last year they had Laura Tonatto toiletries that I enjoyed very much. There were large tubes of them in the suites. It was a custom blended fragrance for the hotel. This year, they have small bottles of Etro. Etro is considered a high end brand but I am not a fan. Housekeeping found some of the old product and delivered it to our room which was appreciated.

TravelingAssociate

Has anyone used the car service here recently? Any comments/issues?

scented

747FC

We used it last year to get from the hotel to the cruise port. Arranged by the very kind and competent concierge staff. No complaints.

Aventine

I guess their owners approved being different like Tokyo and Seoul.

stargold

Not a fan of the Etro, the fragrance is quite full on.

Forgot to post after my recent stay - I was upgraded to a Park Suite without using the TSU on an FHR booking for Park King as Globalist, but was told that the free minibar in suites benefit was only applicable if you booked the room or used a TSU - it does not apply on a complimentary upgrade to suites, even if you were entitled to the upgrade as Globalist. I thought it was a surprising restriction, but this was the only blip in what was otherwise a very nice stay.

pWei

I suppose the minibar exclusion is understandable for best room available upgrades. The alternative might be for them to game the system by designating a lower room as a standard suite or remove the benefit altogether.