Hilton HHonors - Garden Inn vs Courtyard vs Hyatt Place

Which one do you prefer?

Not sure if this has been discussed in this format (apologize if it has). I have been staying at HGI's and Courtyards quite a bit and now learning about Hyatt Place - anybody has any thoughts which one is better in terms of value and in terms of points?

I prefer HGI to courtyard, but they are very close. As for Hyatt Place it is a big step down, plus you do not earn credit towards elite status with Hyatt, you only earn points.

I prefer HGI to courtyard, but they are very close. As for Hyatt Place it is a big step down, plus you do not earn credit towards elite status with Hyatt, you only earn points.

This is inorrect. Hyatt Place stays do earn credit toward status. IN fact, it's also included on the "earn double credit" promo currently ongoing. I've stayed six times at Hyatt Places this year and have earned 12 nights toward Diamond.

Als, I think HGI trumps Courtyard for sure - free breakfast and water for Golds and Diamonds. Neither at Courtyard. And HGIs are usually cheaper.

IMO Hyatt PLace's are very nice. Free Continental breakfast, hot cooked to order items available for extra $. 42" HDTVs, included wireless, and 'barista' bar in the decent lobby. Fitness rooms have exercise equipment w/tv and radio built in (bring earbuds).

I'm a 365-day a year hotel guy and spend the bulk of my time in mid-level hotels like this. So forgive me for broadening the discussion a bit. And for rambling.

Though I typically spend 100 years each with Hyatt, Starwood and Hilton chains, I'm a Hyatt lover, first and foremost. I'd spend more time with Hyatt if they had hotels where my clients are - Spokane, Des Moines, Fresno... Hyatt Place may be the entree into these markets.

But Hyatt Place has uniformly disappointed me. I've yet to stay in one that was fully converted to the HP brand image. I've heard that there are exceptions - hotels that really have fully converted - and, someday, presumably all the conversions will be complete. But the process has left me disenchanted and skeptical about brand/hotel management. Additionally, HP does not post any 'local' pictures and little local information of any type. They're, for now, entirely off my list.

Fitness rooms/gyms are of considerable interest to me. That's part of the reason I'm bummed about the Hyatt Place situation; the hope for decent gyms is there. Hilton Garden Inns are spotty, and the websites are inconsistent about showing pictures. But, in general, I like HGIs for their consistency, business traveler orientation and nice breakfasts for HHonors Diamonds. All else being equal, I prefer Hamptons, but they're even MORE inconsistent; many offer passes to local gyms. Neither, however, offers much in the way of status-based upgrades.

I like Sheraton's Four Points brands too. Better beds. Same upgrade situation. But wildly inconsistent. Many are being renovated. Keep an open mind with respect to this option.

Courtyards have been in my experience, more consistent. I don't have enough Marriott status to receive special treatment, but I haven't been to many disappointing Courtyards.

Though I typically spend 100 years each with Hyatt, Starwood and Hilton chains, I'm a Hyatt lover, first and foremost.


100 years? I understand loyalty, but that seems a bit too much. :p

I prefer HGI to courtyard, but they are very close. As for Hyatt Place it is a big step down, plus you do not earn credit towards elite status with Hyatt, you only earn points.1. Hyatt Place rooms are significantly nicer than the typical HGI or Courtyard in my opinion, so I'm not sure how it could be a "big step down."

2. You do earn points and stays towards elite status with Hyatt Place.

Based on the hotels themselves and the associated reward prorgram, I would rank the three chains:

1) Hyatt Place
2) HGI
3) Courtyard

I haven't tried the Hyatt place yet, but comparing courtyard and HGI, I find ghi's usually newer and rooms are nicer. Internet usually is more reliable too rather than the Stsn thing at Marriott's.

Also, I like the food (breakfast) better at HGI, esp. The free breakfast for gold and diamond - works great when traveling for personal reasons without a spending account.

I also find Marriott's site more convoluted (could be just me).

Not sure if I noticed any staff difference. :( I don't I paid that much attention to that side of things. Never had issues as a hh hold or mr silver.

Anything I missed?

100 years? I understand loyalty, but that seems a bit too much. :p


I plan to live forever.

Okay, would you believe 100 days a year?

Aha!

Though I typically spend 100 years each with Hyatt, Starwood and Hilton chains, I'm a Hyatt lover, first and foremost. I'd spend more time with Hyatt if they had hotels where my clients are - Spokane, Des Moines, Fresno... Hyatt Place may be the entree into these markets.

Hyatt Place has announced a new build property in Fresno. It will be located adjacent to Fresno State's Save Mart Center arena. Construction should start in the next few months.

A new HGI is under construction just east of the campus on Shaw.

rank the three chains:

1) Hyatt Place
2) HGI
3) Courtyard

I second this ranking. The only problem I noticed with Hyatt Place is rather noisy individual air-conditioning units.
42 inch plasma TV and Hyatt beds (standard in all rooms) more than compensate for that.

I plan to live forever.

Okay, would you believe 100 days a year?

Aha!

Hmm. You are still not accounting for 65 days of the year. You could almost make Plat w/ Marriott if you devoted those 65 days to Marriott stays. :)

12. You do earn points and stays towards elite status with Hyatt Place.

Is that recent? I gave up on Hyatt, since most places I go do not have full hyatts, but do have Hyatt Place. I may have to get a couple of easy stays to earn status.

HGI

* The free full breakfast (as a Diamond) is always good.
* The business center is useful for printing boarding passes.
* I also do get the occasional upgrade to a suite at HGI.
* I have always considered these to be the best choice for a mid-grade, business hotel.

Hyatt Place

* The continental breakfast at Hyatt Place is nothing special (but free to all). I have not tried anything from the "cafe" a la carte menu.
* I wish they would print receipts and place under the door.
* THE PLASMA IS A NICE TOUCH!
* The bathrooms and the "bedroom" (part behind the partition) feel very cramped. The room has a nice modern feel to it.
* I do like the check in kiosks. Since there are no upgraded rooms, they save some time.

Courtyard

* A distant 3rd.

1. Hyatt Place - Bigger room and plasma TVs push it ahead. Plus, I like their bath amenities better.
2. HGI - Breakfast is best of the 3, plus usually better in house dining than the other 2.
3. Courtyard - dont get points for incidentals, breakfast not free, its a distant 3rd for me.

drnp