Dubai is a city known for superlatives, excess and hype — in fact, a lot of the city has been built on it, along with man-made islands in the shape of palm fronds and the continents of the world.  And as with any media spotlight, sometimes it can blind you from the truth.  No where is that more true than at Dubai's hotels.  While the Burj Al Arab has garnered lots of attention as the self-proclaimed "world's first 7-star hotel," it doesn't live up to the hype, let alone the outrageous room rates.
Dubai's best hotel is a hidden treasure, discretely located in a golf/marina development, close to the airport, downtown and Dubai creek.  It's the Park Hyatt Dubai, a sophisticated, elegant oasis of civility and quiet luxury.  This is the hotel preferred by Arabian royalty and travel cognoscenti. With beautiful Moorish/Arabic design, a palm-fringed pool oasis that is home to over 40 species of birds, and a heavenly Amara Day Spa, The Park Hyatt Dubai is also a relative bargain, with prices starting at under $500/night.  The lobby lounge includes an Arabic pastry boutique, and the Thai Kitchen, one of three restuarants on property, serves some of the best authentic Thai cuisine you'll find anywhere in the world.  While Dubai's future may be uncertain, its first-choice hotel is not: The Park Hyatt Dubai.