12.00pm
It’s hard not to fall in love with Dubai – a city whose beauty runs many layers deep. Whilst a cursory glance might reveal little more than a vertiginous urban jungle, its history of Bedouins, boat building, dates, fishing, and pearl diving stitches together an absorbing story rich in culture and curiosity. To dip into the city’s storytelling, you’ll need a hotel that promises to captivate you in equal measure and one close to the heart of the heritage. Hidden away in the midst of umpteen palm trees and rolling golf greens, Park Hyatt Dubai – part of the Dubai Creek Resort – is an idyllic starting point. Opening its doors 20 years ago along the creek, it’s close to where the city started in Deira yet feels a million miles from skyscraper intrusions. The Cyclades-inspired architecture and Arabian influences of sapphire blue domes, whitewashed tiles and mashrabiya patterns fuse together both contemporary and classic. Dark ornate furnishings and marble floors make way for high ceilings and chandeliers found along winding corridors, many enveloped in glass for an infusion of nature.

13.00
Set your suitcase down in the Park Terrace Suite and stroll immediately over to the terrace to soak up the views and quietude, with only the odd seagull squawk to perforate the serenity. With 105 square metres to run riot in, you won’t want to leave. Natural white, cream and tan colours flow throughout with natural light kissing each angle. There’s a beautiful free-standing egg-shaped bathtub for deep relaxation and a crisp king-sized bed and plump pillows promising a perfect state of slumber. The terrace is a real bonus, especially for sun-seekers wanting a little privacy for their sun-worshipping. That said, look down to the ground floor and you’ll spot the resort’s beautiful beach club and restaurant, Twiggy by La Cantine, that will give you that good reason to leave your suite.

14.00
Stroll down to La Cantine du Faubourg’s ‘Journee a La Plage’ – or for those not accustomed to French, a sprawling, aquamarine lagoon on a private beach, and a sun-dappled restaurant oozing French Riviera vibes. Inspired by British model Twiggy, both spaces are achingly cool and relaxed, with the restaurant blending a mix of bespoke artworks, white tablecloths and rattan furniture. Mediterranean dishes tumble off the menu, from tomato gazpacho and sliced octopus salad, to Parmesan gnocchi and seafood platters. Served on the prettiest of crockery all with a South of France soul, an Instagram story update will prove essential. Ask for a table nearest the lagoon for lunch with a view to rival that of the Med.

15.00
When it’s time to play lounge lizard, the lagoon is a tiptoe away, with colours so striking they conjure up the coastlines of Antibes, Crete and the Maldives. The freshwater lagoon will help stave off some of the summer heat, or if you want extra shade – and privacy – reserve the Bardot or Grace cabana. When you get a little peckish, you can nibble on light lagoon-side bites, such as black truffle pomme frites, lobsters rolls, oysters and caviar, whilst sipping a cooling Watermelon Splash or Bittersweet Symphony from the cocktail/mocktail menu. If your beach club wardrobe isn’t up to par, the Souk Boutique has beautiful kaftans, swimming costumes, shorts, sunglasses and shoes, as well as limited-edition designs from House of Biori and Gia Blanca.

16.00
One of the huge attractions of the Dubai Creek Resort is the 18-hole Championship par 71 course at Dubai Creek Golf Club, which stretches along the creek and across 7,004 yards. When it’s time to put your irons to good use, you can grab a buggy to cart you around the course, while you challenge Rayhan Thomas and MG Keyser’s Championship course record of 10-under-61. Between the fronds of date palms and bunkers, you’ll be thankful for the heads up on the 18th hole, where water hazards lurk to take advantage of the off-creek wind.

17.00
Post-round reward and rehydration will be found in Lakeview at the clubhouse. The famous exterior design takes inspiration from a lateen-rigged sail of a dhow boat, which you can even spot on a Dhs20 note, if you happen to have one handy. Here, you can sip on something cold while double-checking your scorecard, with an ambience that ebbs and flows with golfers and families. Secure a spot under the 900-year-old olive tree and order a Mint Cooler mocktail, the perfect refresher after taming that 18th hole, to sip as the sun sinks behind the creek. Linger even longer after dark as golfers gather to trade stories of handicaps and birdies over braised short-rib. If you’re not quite ready to call it a night, pick up a racket and put your sporting prowess to the test on one of the resort’s three floodlit Padel Tennis courts. Game, set and match to you…

19.00
When hunger strikes, head back to your suite for a quick turnaround, and then stroll along the Marina to Boardwalk. Popular with the laid-back dinner crew since it opened 26 years ago, the terrace suspends you over the Creek so you can eat seafood – fresh from a live seafood market – in a really special setting. Inside, the décor draws on a nautical theme, but the al fresco space is what makes the place most magical. Dining alone? The people-watching and yacht-spotting will be enough to keep you company. The food matches the relaxed vibe – rustic and rich in flavour, where the ingredients do the talking. Seafood spaghetti with mussels, clams, tiger prawns and octopus is one to try, as is the most exclusive local experience of ordering local Dibba Bay oysters, which come served with a shallot vinaigrette, and are best sipped with a glass of champagne. Starlit and serene.

THE NEXT DAY...

08.00
It feels criminal to close the curtains on views as good as here, so leave them open just enough to let the sunlight act as your natural alarm clock. Robe up and sip coffee on the terrace in the company of the seagulls’ dawn chorus. Slip on your sneakers and take yourself for a run (or an amble will do just fine) along the marina where million-dirham floating homes reside. A shrewd move would be to ‘accidentally’ find yourself at Brasserie du Park on your return, the resort’s beautiful French restaurant that sits by the water. Its Continental ambience will transport you from the Dubai Creek to the French Riviera, in the perfect setting for a long, uninterrupted breakfast. All that sea air will have worked up an appetite, so place an order for the rather indulgent French toast that comes strewn with raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Or order the avocado toast with poached eggs, which tastes as good as it looks decorated with pretty garden fruits.

11.00
Steal some time alone at Amara Spa and book one of its Signature Deep Tissue Massages. To sink into utter soporific oblivion, choose your own soundtrack, from classic music to nature sounds, as you’re given an exfoliating foot-bath in your private courtyard, complete with rain shower. To bring a little Hollywood glamour to proceedings, try the Red Carpet Diamond Experience. It features a Diamond Life Infusion which helps to reduce fine lines, as well as helping to reverse the signs of premature ageing. The best part is you’ll be gifted an express home-care kit, so you can continue your spa journey once you leave. A quick post-massage siesta is often called for, and nowhere elicits more sleep-induced notions than the outdoor relaxation room in the company of birdsong and a cup of elderflower tea. You’ll soon see why this sanctuary has won so many awards.

13.00
After your treatment, you have the freedom to explore the spa area or the resort’s well-loved swimming pool. Flanked with palm trees and set in a courtyard surrounded by alcoves, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon a Moroccan riad rather than a city hotel. Swim, sleep, sunbathe and repeat. Then order the tuna tartare from the Pool Bar for a light lunch so good it’s tempting to order twice

16.00
With dinner on your mind again, make a pre-evening booking at the new Rossano Ferretti salon for a VIP hair appointment to get you in the mood. Stylist to the stars, your locks are in good hands with the Rossano Ferretti team, which uses the maestro’s unique Metodo by Rossano technique, customising every hair cut in a holistic way according to the hair type and characteristics of each person. It also has an in-house bar, a soothing Italian ambience and views over the creek. Bubbles and blow-dry, anyone?

17.00
Take your new ‘do’ out on the town, starting with an evening aperitif at Noépe. This is the place to come for panoramic views of the creek, and is open for lunch and dinner. At night, with the lights turned down low, its marina setting, Cape Cod-inspired architecture and easy-going atmosphere come into their own, creating a still place among the currents. You must try one of its craft cocktails which are inspired by New England, and enjoy a little amuse-bouche from its menu that walks you through both New England and Nikkei cuisines. Sip a Yacht Party to fully embed yourself in the surroundings, or try a Locked and Loaded for a firm whiskey handshake with a rush of honey and lime. The ambience and live DJ beats will try their best to not let you leave, but dinner awaits…

18.00
Luckily, you don’t have to stroll too far, as Thai Kitchen shares the same terrace. Again, the restaurant has been a firm favourite for lunchers, brunchers and dinner guests for years, thanks to its waterside setting. Its eclectic interiors juxtapose against the hotel’s more clean and serene interiors, as do the three live kitchens which recreate the hustle and bustle of street life in Thailand, but it’s a welcome shake-up. As is the menu. Serving traditional Thai food, all whipped up by Thai chefs, you can dip into Tom Yum Goong soup, Gai Massaman curry or Ped Tod Grob fried crispy duck with tamarind sauce, kale leaves and rice served from large bamboo baskets. If you save room for dessert, the sticky rice with mango, coconut cream and mung bean, or banana fritters served with coconut ice cream promise to give you truly sweet dreams. Just what you need after 24 hours spent in this haven…