Hyatt Gold Passport - Hyatt Regency Coral Gables (Miami) FL REVIEW - MASTER THREAD

Seeking Stay experience at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables.
Especially interested in Diamond treatment.
Thanks All

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AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
Swissotel Club Gold
U/A 1k

The hotel was decent. While others might find it classic, I found it in need of renovations compared to most other Hyatt properties. The surrounding areas is upscale and nice, with shops and restaurants within walking distance.

I received a junior suite on one stay and a regular room on the top floor another stay. The regular room had amazingly high ceilings, perhaps 30'. Unfortunately, the
rooms were a little dirty, carpet needed cleaning, sheets a little worn, etc.

Recognition of Diamond status was excellent, apologies were given for the lack of upgrades on the latter stay. The amenities were forgettable, as I don't recall what they were.

I'd stay there again, if only due my satisfaction with the Gold Passport program.

I agree with the above post, but would personally rate it higher. The area is nice but parking is expensive for some reason. Coral Gables is sort of in the middle of nowhere so a car is needed.

Diamond status makes the hotel even nicer then it is. I like the outdoor pool on the Second? floor. Staff is quite good at this hotel.

I just stayed there last month, and I agree with everyone. It's a bit worn, etc...the diamond treatment is pretty standard. The diamond amenity is wine/beer choice, and the fruit/cookies in addition to it. The breakfast was ok...they gave us breakfast coupons, but I don't think they had a continental breakfast buffet available. So we were comp'd about $8/person...which isn't much considering a glass of OJ is $4. That was a bit disappointing, but the server gave us a few extra glasses of juice w/o charging us.

I just stayed there last weekend and the hotel is fine. The rooms need updating, but were clean. I did not receive an upgrade, but was paying only $79 through a hyatt.com instant purchase rate. The diamond amenity was good, fruit and cheese and a full bottle of Cava (spanish champ). I would go back. It was on a weekend so i parked in front of the hotel (at a meter-no need to put coins in on weekend) for free. Many resturants in the area, lots of nightlife on saturday night. Stayed at the biltmore a year ago, lobby and pool excellent the rooms were small and of odd shapes.

I stayed twice last July -- was upgraded to nice suite once, very large room the other. Requested cheese plate both times, once was really great with huge selection of cheeses and large amts, the other (second) was very mundane -- I was expectly another great plate and it was very ordinary. I liked the hotel.

What are the parking options at Coral Gables, especially affordable ones ?

Parking meters are $0.25/15min. No need to feed meter on Sundays or--if my memory serves me correctly--from 10pm-9am.

Several covered, paid parking lots in the area.

Sears, Roebuck uncovered parking lot is roughly 1.5 blocks away and has open access.

I usually come in late and leave in the morning and take advantage of free on-street parking in front of the hotel.

I thought the Hyatt Coral Gables was suppose to be one of the better Hyatts.

On my recent stay, I received no Diamond recognition at all. I know their is no Regency Club, but I wasn't even offered an amenity. Other little problems like no bellmen, etc... made this hotel a dissapointment.

I was there three weeks ago and had pretty good service. The front desk clerk did not offer me my diamond ammenity, so I just asked her, and she appologized for not noticing I was diamond.

Cookies, good as always and a bottle of wine:)

Breakfast vouchers were also included as per usual when the hotel does not have a lounge.

I thought the Hyatt Coral Gables was suppose to be one of the better Hyatts.

On my recent stay, I received no Diamond recognition at all. I know their is no Regency Club, but I wasn't even offered an amenity.

Did you ask about it? As smilee said, sometimes the desk clerk just not see it on the reservation and has to be informed of your status.

I have always been upgraded without asking to a junior suite[otherwise I would ask]

Last summer on two stays I had one junior suite and one HUGE room, one cheese tray was the largest and best I have ever had at a Hyatt, the next visit I was expecting it again and got just a very regular tray -- but was given those upgraded rooms without asking.

I thought the Hyatt Coral Gables was suppose to be one of the better Hyatts.

On my recent stay, I received no Diamond recognition at all. I know their is no Regency Club, but I wasn't even offered an amenity. Other little problems like no bellmen, etc... made this hotel a dissapointment.


I'll admit that I stand up for my rights, but I don't understand what occurred here.

Did you tell them that you are supposed to get these things? Did you take the name of the person who was denying you these things?

Did you ask to speak to a manager and get his/her name?

If FT has taught us something, it is that these are the first things one should do if one cannot resolve the issue at the property, itself.

So, please do explain what occurred. :confused:

I should have spoken up. However, I arrived at a fairly late hour didn't mind missing out the diamond amenity that night. I also left at 6am so breakfast was not available.

However, it is always niced to be recognized and not have to point it out to the agent.

At most Hyatt Hotels, it seems all your information is pre-printed with the coupons and diamond amenity card in the packet.

I should have spoken up. However, I arrived at a fairly late hour didn't mind missing out the diamond amenity that night. I also left at 6am so breakfast was not available.

However, it is always niced to be recognized and not have to point it out to the agent.

At most Hyatt Hotels, it seems all your information is pre-printed with the coupons and diamond amenity card in the packet.

OK that explains it, but the agent on duty should have welcomed you as a Diamond member and gone thru the drill in any event. They were at fault, but one should always speak up -- you could always tote the unopened bottle of wine home with you! :D

I know, but still three muffin as a breakfast for my best guests is a bad joke.

This is why they permit (and have done so for some time, now) Diamond GPs to use the coupons to offset $9.75 against the breakfast menu. Most breakfast selections (e.g. 2 eggs, bacon/etc, hash browns, toast) are $12-$13, so this really is not a bad deal. The $29.95 Sunday brunch--albeit not eligible for coupon offsets--is quite lovely, but does come at a great caloric cost!!!

NB: Diamond amenities are generally available for delivery between 10am-9pm. I have found the staff at this location to be genuinely friendly and attentive.

I know, but still three muffin as a breakfast for my best guests is a bad joke.

Stayed there three weeks ago and was upgraded to a junior suite overlooking the nice pool.Diamond amenity was a nice cheese & fruit plate and a solid bottle of wine.

The breakfast coupons are indeed good for $ 9.75 off the menu and I can only recommend to order something from the nice breakfast menu, cause the cont. breakfast is a plate of two or three bakery items, juice and coffee...

Had a tasty mexican dish for $ 2 or 3 more.

Worst cont. breakfast ever seems to be available at the Grand Champions Resort, where you get a danish and a muffin, juice and coffee for $ 11 !!

The day of a recent stay at the Hyatt Coral Gables, I called the Front Desk Manager, identified myself as a Diamond member and asked if a suite upgrade was possible[as I had received one on several aother occasions there]The Manager assured me he would take care of it. Three hours later, I called 1-800 Checkin and was informed I had a room, not a suite. I explained what I had been told and the Manager was called. He stated that the hotel was sold out and no suite was available[Actually, on the Hyatt website, the hotel had been sold out for several days.]
After my stay, I emailed the GM of the hotel requesting an explanation, since no Hyatt had ever promised a suite and then reneged the same day. When I received no reply to my email, I called Customer Service, complaining both about the suite and about not receiving a reply from the GM.
A few days later I received a letter from the GM telling me he had not received the email I "claim to have sent"- a phrase I find particularly offensive. Further he stated he had no explanation for why the suite offer was made and then not given. He then apologized and told me to call him if I ever plan to stay there again.
Has this ever happened to anyone else? Am I overreacting?
Thanks for your thoughts.

FWIW..this is the only hotel where I have had bad (Not up to Hyatt Standards and in some cases downright bad) service from the front Desk Staff on a couple of occasions. On one occasion, I did leave a comment card for the GM - dont recall how it was resolved as it was a few months ago - I probably got a voicemail on my room phone from him.

But most of the time I have had good rooms there. Some of their regular rooms (or are they the Junior Suites?) on the top floor are massive with separate sitting areas.

A couple of weeks ago we had a good stay at Hyatt Regency Coral Gables even as a lowly Platinum and at a Priceline rate.

The assigned room smelled like someone had been sick so we asked to be moved and they put us in a nice junior suite.

Tip: I discovered that instead of using the Hyatt's wireless internet access for $12 a night or so, the free signal from the nearby Omni was available at the pool and in our room. YMMV. Free parking is hard to come by though. I had the Vespa scooter parked for free, but had to use the hotel garage at $14? per night for the car.

It is only a couple of blocks to the Miracle Mile shopping area with Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Bacio gelato, Houston's restaurant, etc.

As Diamond using 1-800-CHECKIN, we were upgraded to a massive junior suite on 9th floor with pool view and sun. No complaints. The two actual suites on that floor faced the street with nondescript high rises opposite. The Diamond amenity (fruit and cheese) was very substantial. Most staff were friendly (one or two a little clueless) and the Alhambra architecture is spectacular. No RC so you get a decent breakfast in the restaurant. Far better space and staff than the Miami Hyatt.

Stayed there recently for 4 nights. Used to be a very nice hotel but needs some TLC. We were upgraded to a Petit Suite which wasn't much larger than a standard room. There's a lot of building work going on close to the pool - very noisy indeed.

We were also very unimpressed with the breakfast. We had vouchers and on day one we were told only Continental but that was OK. Second morning we were told we could have what we liked for a few dollars more. The service was appalling - 1hr and 20 minutes in a virtually empty restaurant to be served one cup of coffee each, one juice and two breakfasts. We couldn't see our server so eventually asked the restaurant manager for the bill which was about $30! Our server had added 25% service for doing a cr@p job. My wife crossed out the service and changed the total but our bill had the full amount including service. We didn't bother with breakfast again.

Overall we have decided we won't be staying here any more - the bill for 4 nights, 1 breakfast and valet parking was over $1,200 - IMHO there's much better value in the area

I am still trying to summon up the energy to complain to the GM and return his breakfast vouchers :eek:

no updates since MIABarry's post in Nov 2006:eek::confused:

Probably because there's not too much to write home about. Nice property, but not outstanding. The rooms needed some freshening up when I was last there, in 2007. A bit pricey for what you get, IMO.

Starwood seems to have put some $$$ into refurbishing the nearby Westin (formerly Omni Colonnade) - hopehully Hyatt will keep pace.

Starwood seems to have put some $$$ into refurbishing the nearby Westin (formerly Omni Colonnade) - hopehully Hyatt will keep pace.
Probably because there's not too much to write home about. Nice property, but not outstanding. The rooms needed some freshening up when I was last there, in 2007. A bit pricey for what you get, IMO.

thanks & speaking of "freshening up", it appears from the Hyatt website that this property is about to complete a $10,000,000 renovation

http://coralgables.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/news-details.jsp?newsId=18039392

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – July 24, 2008 – Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is announcing plans for a $10 million transformation, making it the “newest” luxury hotel in the heart of historic downtown Coral Gables. The boutique hotel was designed as a tribute to the majestic Alhambra Castle in Granada, Spain and is characterized by its European elegance. The transformation project will enhance all of its guestrooms and hallways, as well as its dining and entertainment spaces, the Two Sisters Restaurant and Alcazaba nightclub. All renovations are scheduled to begin in September and be completed by November 2008.

I've stayed there twice (two nghts each stay) in the last two months. The rooms are amazing and diamonds are upgraded to a jr suite (no club floor). continental breakfast for two each morning in the two sisters restaurant. Welcome amenity, I choice two bloody marys (spicey) with a very nice cheese and fruite plate. The staff all around is excellent. Great restaurants and bars all within walking distance, I suggest the Tarpon Bend great food and a great happy hour everyday from 3-7 pm...

I'll be staying here in a few weeks and will report back.
The rooms are amazing and diamonds are upgraded to a jr suite (no club floor). continental breakfast for two each morning in the two sisters restaurant. Great restaurants and bars all within walking distance

Having just spent a two night stay at this property I'd echo harpodamann's comments.

Our room (a Jr Suite) on the 8th floor (over looking the outdoor pool (which is on the 5th floor)) was very nice with lots of Moorish style thrown in, dark colors (this isn't floral Miami by any stretch), only stylish item I'd deduct points for is the black bedstand that the box spring sits on, looks cheap, I don't need to see it, let the bed fabric drape over the side of the bed but then again I'm not too picky. Nice big flat screen tv, only flaw here is the hotel doesn't appear to be on any type of HD feed so the picture was fairly grainy, quite a shock after the brilliant pictures I've become used to at Hyatt Place. Bathroom was huge, forceful enough speakman shower (very cheap plastic toilet seat, could have upgraded this)

As stated, pool is on the 5th floor, decent sized 20x30', with approx 20 lounge chairs. It appeared that rooms on the 6th floor which faced the pool had small balconies with two chairs & small table, I couldn't tell if there were 5th floor rooms which had patio doors that opened directly onto the pool deck.

I don't recall exactly what the charges were for self-park or valet but seem to recall mid teens for both being quoted. Seeing as it was Sunday and street parking was free, we parked on the street and did so for our complete stay here. Meters run from 9am-10pm, Monday through Saturday, excluding Sundays & holidays, $0.25 will get you only 15 minutes on the meter. There was PLENTY of parking available throughout the day and night, both next to the hotel and across the street.

I had a number of different service requests and the front desk staff & bellmen were all very fast and friendly. One morning before Mrs Sweet Willie & I went on our walk/jog, the front desk person, asked if we were going on a run and quickly produced two small bottles of water for us to take along. We were also impressed with the housekeeping & restaurant staff, All in all, a real big thumbs up here^^ very much a can-do attitude. Speaking of the front desk, off to one side is a pc & printer with all the airlines hyperlinked so it is very easy to get online & print one's boarding passes, nice of the hotel to have IMO. Only negative personnel experience we had in the hotel was the bartender, don't expect any service unless you are sitting at the bar, he is a complete lazy arse.

Plenty of restaurant choices only two blocks from the front entrance of the hotel: Italian, Vietnamese, Pizza, Cuban, Thai. Menu's looked quite good at all.
Also on Coral Way about 5 blocks from the hotel is a very good Cuban restaurant (as if they are tough to find in Miami;) ) called Sergio's, nice outdoor seating: http://www.sergios.com/

We used the continental breakfast vouchers each morning in the Two Sisters restaurant. Never had the continental breakfast but the $9.75 per voucher was applied to our meal. Very good service and food.

I'd stay at this property again in a heartbeat.^

I paid $40/nite to upgrade to a suite and the suites are indeed very nice. much much better than the regular rooms. I used priceline/hotwire for the basic room, so was like $100/nite after all

I was here on a PL stay. I was given the Diamond breakfast and internet. The breakfast in the restaurant was great.

No upgrade...not that I really expected one on a priceline stay...but the checkin lady said that they normally give the jr. suite upgrade to diamonds but that it was 'sold out' for the weekend (well not according to the website--it wasn't sold out for the jr. suite) and that I would receive 1000 GP points instead. I never received the GP... no surprise there on a priceline stay. It was a little troubling that she went out of her way to talk about the diamond upgrades and how nothing was available...and the website said otherwise. I did get a nice room next to the ice machine
On a PL stay, I expect nothing in terms of an upgrade and expect rooms next to the ice machine... so please don't give me some line and not follow through on the points--better to say nothing than lie.

On PL stays I always take the welcome amenity instead of the points as the 1W never seems to post on the priceline stays. I had the tapas. It was pretty good. The sausage was a bit too spicy for my taste.

Other than this little issue. the hotel was nice. It is a bit out of the way unless one has business in the hotel's proximity. It is close to the airport though and there is a bus that goes practically from the front door right to the airport. If you want to visit South Beach etc. it is too far unless you rent a car...it takes at least an hour on the bus.

...On PL stays I always take the welcome amenity instead of the points as the 1W never seems to post on the priceline stays...

I believe that on a PL or on an Award stay, so long as you have some charge on your account (e.g. telephone call), the 1W should post without having to call GP CS. In the absence of automatically posting, GP CS will post the 1W for you, if you call them with the reservation number.