If you have been following my stories on Instagram – you’d realize how special my stay at the Hyatt Place Al-Rigga Dubai was. Invited to spend my birthday weekend at this property, I jumped at the opportunity.
Hyatt Place Al-Rigga is located in the culturally rich and bustling Al Muraqabat neighborhood in the dynamic district of Deira. This 210 room hotel is the first Hyatt Place hotel in the Middle East, and the fourth Hyatt branded hotel in Dubai. The hotel is also in close proximity to the city’s historic attractions including dhow boat cruises, bustling souqs & museums, and the fashionable downtown district.
Weeks before my arrival, I received a confirmation email from the guest experience manager with an option to include any additional requirements I had prior to my stay so it could be organized. Although I had no special requests, the guest experience team made sure, the simplest of things were arranged per my liking.
The drive from the airport was barely 20 minutes and when arrived I had the bellman promptly assist me with my luggage from the taxi itself. The lobby is quite spacious and is always busy with a fair bit of foot traffic. But every time you enter or leave the hotel, you are promptly greeted by the staff.
The check-in process was very smooth, in fact, I didn’t have to queue at all and the check-in formalities were completed within 5 minutes. I was told about the Wi-Fi, the pool & the gym that I had access to and also where the bar and the restaurant were located. I was later escorted to the lift – which I saw happen repeatedly to other guests throughout my stay which I thought was a nice gesture.
The atmosphere from the corridor to the room was warm and welcoming. The color palettes and textures you see at the corridor also finds its shades in the rooms too.
I was welcomed with some desserts and a bottle of wine and the PR executive exactly knew my taste.
The “King Bed” room type on offer was not cluttered and tastefully done. With separate sleeping and living areas, the room included the King Hyatt Grand Bed and Hyatt Place’s signature cozy corner with a sofa that is perfect to sit back and relax.
Although the room faced the busy road, it was also very quiet since you cannot hear the traffic.
The bathroom was fair sized and very neutral, which is the best thing a hotel can do. It had a separate shower and a bath, a vanity area for hair styling and a single sink.
Each room also comes with an Odds & Ends menu that offers forgotten travel essentials like phone chargers, toothbrush etc that can be bought or borrowed.
I had breakfast included in my room rate and I choose to have it at the main buffet at the Gallery Café, located on the ground floor. The buffet was huge and had so many international options and you could order anything else you wanted to be cooked and made to order. I went continental and loved that they had fresh baked breads, croissants and exotic fruits on offer. There was also a handy sign with traffic light system that indicated time periods when the breakfast buffet is less busy.
Other than the breakfast, I’ve had some multiple opportunities to dine at Gallery Café before exploring restaurants in the near vicinity. I thought the restaurant turned very well from day to night and I’ve had some lovely experiences – a Goan cookout with Tarun – Executive Chef and also the Jordanian food experience. Alcohol is not served in public areas but one can order alcohol to consume in the room. There’s also a Jamaica Blue Coffee shop open 24/7 with breakfast, salads, burgers, and cakes.
I also noticed that the hotel was not just limited to business travelers but also to families to all kinds of foreign travelers and I didn’t feel at any point like the hotel was crowded – which it was. A good sign isn’t it?
There is also an outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym stocked with Technogym equipment and a regular free shuttle bus to Deira City Centre Mall.
Overall, Hyatt Place Dubai/AlRigga is the perfect location for a traveler In Dubai. The staff I can’t forget were absolutely lovely from the moment I stepped inside and did everything they could to make the stay special and unforgettable. I would certainly suggest staying Hyatt Place Dubai/AlRigga for when ‘Location’ is everything!
Vishal Fernandes is a seasoned traveller and a widely recognized blogger who has established himself as an authority on all things luxury. He loves wearing a blazer and has a fine collection of brogues. Vishal can mainly be found travelling the world and stopping off at some of the best hotels sampling their food & wines, or at some of the most prolific events. Along with his love for Food, Travel and wines, comes a massive enthusiasm for cars & watches.
