Hyatt Gold Passport - Which Hyatt at Key West?

I am looking to stay at one of the Hyatt properties at key west. There are four of them. Which one is the best? I am not familiar with anyone of them, and I am not familiar with the different labels "Resort", "Vacation Club" etc

So who can tell me more about them? If I like Park Hyatts and Andaz, which Key West property would I like?

Thanks

Vacation Clubs are condo's. I have never stayed at the ones in Key West, but they seem quite nice from the road. I checked for you, and there are no reviews here on FT, so you may want to check tripadvisor....or perhaps another member with experience will respond.

Resorts are well, resorts. Extended amenities - ie a spa, (or tie in with one), beautiful pool area, beaches, whatever upscale amenities fit the area in which the property is located. They may or may not have Regency Clubs. most are quite large.

We love the Key West Resort, go there every year, and would not consider staying anywhere else in Key West.

But in recommending it, I must stress: it is small. Way way small. The pool is small. The beach is a laugher. There is no spa on site. There is no Regency Club. My living room is larger than the lobby. It is hard to get in (during season) on points, and almost impossible to get an upgrade.

But the staff is great, the location is beautiful, the rooms are bright and the baths are cool looking. The bar has a gorgeous view, and breakfast in the restaurant is wonderful. The location is perfect- you can walk everywhere.

We love it - but if you are used to Park Hyatt and Andaz...I am not sure you will like it - or even like Key West! Know that this is a tiny island at the end of nowhere where people applaud the sunset, open cups of beer are allowed on the streets, and (during the season) the town can be packed with cruise shippers! I have gone to Key West my whole life, know what to expect, and (mostly) love it...but I know others who went once and plan never to return!

Having said that - I would recommend the Hyatt Resort over any other Hyatt property there.

great timing for this question by the OP

I'm looking for a week down there too. I am going with my two kids (10 & 12)

Do the resorts have kitchenettes? Where is the resort located in relation to the regular Hyatt?

Since there isn't a RC lounge, I have no interest in the regular Hyatt well that and the tiny rooms

Actually there is a review thread on the Beach House Vacation Club property - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-gold-passport/1324306-hyatt-vacation-club-key-west-beach-house-review-master-thread.html - it was posted while I was travelling and I forgot to link it to the Property Index thread (so this thread was timely).

I would think that any of the Vacation Club properties has some sort of a kitchenette.

We stayed at the Beach House. Very reasonable considering we would have had to spend almost twice as much for half the space at the other Hyatt.

You do get a discount to dine at the Hyatt on the main drag and they will validate your parking.

We would stay there again.

Actually there is a review thread on the Beach House Vacation Club property - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-gold-passport/1324306-hyatt-vacation-club-key-west-beach-house-review-master-thread.html - it was posted while I was travelling and I forgot to link it to the Property Index thread (so this thread was timely).

I would think that any of the Vacation Club properties has some sort of a kitchenette.

For what its worth, this is my review. Happy to help anyway I can.

I completely agree with MilesBuilder. The Hyatt Resort is not the norm, and most kids would be disappointed in the pool, the beach, and overall lack of activities. The rooms are not spacious, so you get far more for your dollar at a Vacation Club, not to mention a kitchen and screened porch.

The Key West resort is well located and very easy to walk wherever you would want.

No lounge, but the Diamond breakfast benefit is the best is the Hyatt benefit in the country. We ordered just about everything on the menu and still had money left over.

If you are looking for a posh resort, this isn't it, but Key West as an island isn't very posh.

great timing for this question by the OP

I'm looking for a week down there too. I am going with my two kids (10 & 12)

Do the resorts have kitchenettes? Where is the resort located in relation to the regular Hyatt?

Since there isn't a RC lounge, I have no interest in the regular Hyatt well that and the tiny rooms

Just to be clear, the resort and the main Hyatt are one and the same. The vacation club is at the other end of town/island. Driving by, as I remember, the "beach" across the wide street from the vacation club is mostly coral. In fact, it looked like the beach was not a sure thing (in 2008). I don't remember if it's walkable to the downtown part of Duval St.

Is the resort available on points?

Is the resort available on points?

We have booked the resort on points every year - we pay for one room, and do one on points. We needed to reserve well in advance, because we go in peak.

And the breakfast is so great, we could care the least about no RC. Plus they always give discount coupons (at least one, sometimes more) for dinner. The restaurant is pricey, but 20% is a solid discount....

YMMV

We have booked the resort on points every year - we pay for one room, and do one on points. We needed to reserve well in advance, because we go in peak.

And the breakfast is so great, we could care the least about no RC. Plus they always give discount coupons (at least one, sometimes more) for dinner. The restaurant is pricey, but 20% is a solid discount....and they have always let us use them at lunch, too.

YMMV

my bad, I meant the Vacation Club Condos..

my bad, I meant the Vacation Club Condos..

Not sure, we paid for ours as I felt under $300 was a sweet deal. The longer your stay the better the per night rate. If we had stayed the week it would have been about 260 a night

You can stay at any of the three Hyatt Vacation Club properties in Key West on HGP points, but the availability is limited, especially at peak times of the year. The points required per night depends on what type of room you request: Studio: 12,000; One Bedroom: 15,000; Two Bedroom: 23,000. Not all of the properties have all of these choices. I understand that the Beach House and Windward Pointe locations only have two bedroom villas, while the Sunset Harbor location has Studio, 1 and 2 bedroom units. I toured the Windward Pointe property in March and it is very luxurious, but it is also on the opposite side of the island from the downtown action. I think that the two bedrooms and full kitchen do give it an advantage over the Hyatt Resort when traveling with kids, and it seems reasonably priced at only 1,000 points per night more than the resort.

You need to call to redeem at Vaction Club properties - not bookable online.

I agree with all that Sophiegirl had written especially regarding the staff, restaurant and rooms. Can't understate the outstanding location of this property just 1-2 blocks from Duvall St, the seaport, cruiseport/Mallory Square and with sunset views. Have stayed here twice in the past two years and while there is not a full service spa, they have added two fully equipped spa treatment rooms allowing for virtually all on-site spa services. Very nice property that is consistent with the ambiance of this island.

thanks for the info on the villas/condo's and booking on points, I want to go in what "should" not be peak season so maybe I can get lucky with a 1BR or 2BR place.

Anyone have anything on the Sunset Harbor property?

Any insight as to dining near the Beach House vacation club? I will be there in July with my 2 kids (14 and 11). I hadn't planned on renting a car, but I might need to reconsider if we do not have dining options in walking distance.

There is a Denny's restaurant within walking distance from the Hyatt Beach House Resort, but you do have to cross the major roadway to get there. McDonald's and KFC are a bit further away, but still walkable. For nicer dining options you probably want to take the shuttle bus to the Old Town section of Key West. The cost is $5 per person each way and advance reservations are required.

There is a Denny's restaurant within walking distance from the Hyatt Beach House Resort, but you do have to cross the major roadway to get there. McDonald's and KFC are a bit further away, but still walkable. For nicer dining options you probably want to take the shuttle bus to the Old Town section of Key West. The cost is $5 per person each way and advance reservations are required.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Are there taxis readily available?

Yes, the Concierge at the Hyatt Beach House Resort can arrange for taxi service. I have never waited more than ten minutes for one to arrive.

Yes, the Concierge at the Hyatt Beach House Resort can arrange for taxi service. I have never waited more than ten minutes for one to arrive.

Thank you! ^

Is it worth staying at Key West Hyatt Regency? I'm deciding this & Honolulu. Seems crazy the the KW HR is currently going for over $400+tax & resort fee.

Thanks.

We absolutely love the HR Key West, it is our favorite US hotel. But we never pay $400.... not sure I love it THAT much!

The Hyatt KW (resort / hotel) has a restaurant onsite and within walking distand to Mallory Square and the Marina.

The 3 condos or Hyatt Residence club (HRC) residences are:
1. Sunset Harbour just off front street beside the Westin near Mallory Square. Was there mid Dec and Pros is the location, cons are the cruise ships parked outside the windows some days and slow internet.
They have 2 bedroom lockouts so can be split or booked as studio or 1 bdrm. 1bdrm / 2 bdrm would have full kitchen but studio would have only a small kitchenette. This is the oldest and around 20 years old. Most dining options but you pay for parking at the Westin garage.

2. Beach House is 10+ year old HRC property and are all 2bedrooms some with water views. zero entry pool and nice for stay with kids. Full kitchen and screened in patio. This is just at the entry on US1 to Key West. Good dining options if you have a car is Hogfish Grill on Stock Island. I stayed here a few years ago.

3. Windward Pointe is near the airport and you have to walk across a busy street to a small and basic beach. The newest and plushest of the HRC are all 2bdrms. Personally I am not a fan of Windward Pointes but some like the plusher surroundings.

If you are paying $260-300+ per night for a 2bdrm and could work with a full week (Sun-Sun), 3 night weekend stay (Thurs - Sunday) or 4 day weekday stay (Sun-Thurs), or 2 night weekday stay (Sun-Tues or Tues-Thurs) and can book 6+ months in advance, you might have better luck in some instances with renting from HRC owners.

I'm using my two free Hyatt nights at the HR Key West this weekend. Just in time, I need a break from the cold. A few quick questions on transportaion for this group:

How do I get to the hotel from the airport? I looks close enough to walk (if I manage to contain my packing). How much should I expect to pay for a taxi? Do taxi's in Key West accept CC's? Is there an economical (and efficient) shuttle service?

Thanks!

Love the regency at the end of Duval street. Just stumble into your room:)

I'm using my two free Hyatt nights at the HR Key West this weekend. Just in time, I need a break from the cold. A few quick questions on transportaion for this group:

How do I get to the hotel from the airport? I looks close enough to walk (if I manage to contain my packing). How much should I expect to pay for a taxi? Do taxi's in Key West accept CC's? Is there an economical (and efficient) shuttle service?

Thanks!

How do I get to the hotel from the airport? I looks close enough to walk (if I manage to contain my packing).
It is quite a distance. definitely not walkable.

How much should I expect to pay for a taxi? I cannot remember, the hotel website often tells you.
Do taxi's in Key West accept CC's? Mine did.

Is there an economical (and efficient) shuttle service? I love KW, but I don't think the words efficient or economical are known there...:p;)

Enjoy your free nights....

How do I get to the hotel from the airport? I looks close enough to walk (if I manage to contain my packing).
It is quite a distance. definitely not walkable.

How much should I expect to pay for a taxi? I cannot remember, the hotel website often tells you.
Do taxi's in Key West accept CC's? Mine did.

Is there an economical (and efficient) shuttle service? I love KW, but I don't think the words efficient or economical are known there...:p;)

Enjoy your free nights....

I called the front desk with my question. You can take a taxi or a hourly shuttle. Both cost $8. Both options sound both economical and efficient.

I called the front desk with my question. You can take a taxi or a hourly shuttle. Both cost $8. Both options sound both economical and efficient.

Great. Glad you are happy.