mastermc54

I just stayed at the Hyatt Montreal this past weekend. Hotel was completely sold out, so no upgrade (as a diamond member). I also had a suite upgrade certificate, but I got nowhere with that (it was a Priceline stay). I got a room which wasn't up to Hyatt standards. The bedding was absolutely horrible. I went down to the front desk to ask if the room was one of the ones which had been renovated and some guy named Phillippe lied to me and told me it had been upgraded 4 years ago. It's funny cause Hyatt just bought the hotel this past year and had been doing it's own renovations. I chose not to argue since it was a Priceline stay and I did get the bedding type and smoking preference requested. Stay away from the cookies for your diamond amenity...they were simply awful. The hotel is old and there was no Regency club or anything as of yet. As compensation, they did provide continental breakfast vouchers that I was able to use in the restaurant or through room service. If you want a simple hotel stay in a very old building, then go with the Montreal Hyatt. You won't be impressed. Definitely worth it with the Priceline rate I paid for it, but I would have definitely regretted paying any rate which was on Hyatt.com.

upgrader

Thanks, Mastermc54. Not good news but at least it's current information. I thought I saw a Hyatt announcement that the RC was open on the 12th floor but obviously I was mistaken. Anyone have any idea when it's scheduled to open? I assume SOME of the rooms must have been renovated by now and that non-Priceline Diamonds would be among those with a priority to get them. Anyone been there on a regular rate who had a successful upgrade experience?

pnb

Back from a weekend stay at the Hyatt Regency Montreal in late June, I do think that the level of service offered is adequate for an 'average' North American Hyatt Regency property.

There are obviously some indications that the hotel is adjusting to the Hyatt brand (no Regency Club yet, pool closed for renovation, some style discrepancies - such as almost psychedelic elevator doors) but nothing to cry fool about.

I called Hyatt Reservations in advance to have my Diamond GP reference added to my PL reservation, and confirmed my preference for king, non-smoking room.

Check-in was a bit hesitant, but I did get a very decent (renovated) room on the 4th floor that met my criteria. I was also offered the 'standard' Diamond amenity options (I chose fruits, but was a little bit disappointed to get only pears and apples). I had to request the breakfast coupons, but they were already prepared in a nominative envelope.

I suggest 'upgrading' the continental breakfast to a hearty buffet breakfast (try the bread pudding if you feel hungry...), served the rather pleasant restaurant area. The CAD$ 5 difference is well worth it!

So overall not my favourite Hyatt, with rather uninspiring public areas and architecture, but definitely a good option in Montreal considering location and current PL deals! (& FFN!).

XFed2001

pnb: Your comments are somewhat reassuring as I just booked 3 nights at Hyatt.com in mid-August. The only thing is I'm a basic Gold with no expectation of any amenities. It still sounds like a great deal of renovation going on. We want to be touristy; based on other postings, I'm not sure that the location is conducive to playing tourist. Am I wrong? BTW, if I try and use PL or others, will I still get Gold Passport points for my stay? Thanks for your response in advance.

NJUPINTHEAIR

PLN will not give you points, only incidental charges over and above the PLN will.

Notwithstanding what others have said, the property is fine, it is going thru teething pains, that's all.

The pool opened on 7/3/04 while I was there. The additional room furniture was arriving the following week, and at least some floors should be in place by August.
The rennovations are going in two phases -- rooms are first -- a modern contemporary look, similar to the Grand Hyatt NYC, I am told, followed by the corridors, the bathrooms and the RC. I think by March 2005, the second part should be completed.

The showroom is room # 318, if I remember correctly. They will show it to you and it will wow, you, I believe, as it did me.

The hotel is absolutely perfect for sightseeing, much better than the Hilton, Marriott Chateau Champlain, or the Fairmont Elizabeth, as it is smack in the middle of the city, not near the train/bus station as the others noted are.

Do not listen to the naysayers -- this property is a winner, and will be even more so when the room rennovations are complete.

It is a phenomenal steal on PLN, but I think your odds of having a completely rennovated room increase with status or a Hyatt booked rated.

Snoopyo

The Hyatt is the old Wyndham and it is right downtown. It is close to the small china town and not far walking to old town and near a lot of shopping. The biodome / botanical garden are easy subway ride away. Lots of good restaurants in Montreal and easy to get to from the Wyndham.

The only thing is preferably have simpler more mobile luggage since you have to get up an escalator before hitting reception.

Cheers, Mary

XFed2001

Thanks Mary. Since we're not shoppers, I'm thinking of looking for something closer to the old port. Any suggestions --- from anybody -- will be appreciated.

NJUPINTHEAIR

Marriott Springhill Suites

New W hotel to open in August

Intercontinental Montreal on the cusp of the area.

Hyatt is a 15 min walk.

wideman

I’m a semi-naysayer. You are of course entitled to take NJUPINTHEAIR‘s advice and not listen, but that’s your problem, not mine.

The reason I don’t like the Hyatt’s location is that it is convenient to nothing, except the Place des Arts and a subway station.

Montreal’s top 3 tourist attractions, based solely on my own and my travel companions’ experiences, are, in no particular order:

• Old Montreal (Vieux Port)
• The museum/gallery area (including upper Crescent St)
• The underground shooping warren (admittedly, far more interesting to female companions)

For Old Montreal, the St James or IC are closer (and much nicer properties, but that’s a different issue) than the Hyatt. The Hyatt isn’t remotely close to the museum/gallery area on Sherbrooke, but the Omni and Ritz and Loew’s are right in the middle of it. The Queen Elizabeth sits on top of the underground shopping area; the Hyatt is several blocks or a subway ride away.

(Two other top sites, the Casino and the Fairmount Bagel Bakery, are off by themselves and not near any hotel.)

It’s not that the Hyatt is in a rotten or inaccessible location – it’s just that there are plenty of other hotels that are in better locations.

paradocs

Springhill Suites are very nice and convenient to the port. Old building, newly remodeled, fantastic staff. Historic, fine dining restaurant on site. Not a Hyatt, obviously, but a great choice.

XFed2001

Returned from Montreal recently. The Hyatt is in an OK location (within relatively easy walking distance to old port) and conveniently right across from a Metro station. It's still undergoing rennovation but even with the old rooms, I found the accomodations acceptable. The buffet breakfast is pretty good.

emaij

I stayed there last week as a Diamond on a PL.

When I checked in at 4:00 PM I was offered a room with a single double bed. I took a look and decided to wait a few hours for a room with a king size bed. When I did return I was told it was too late for an amenity. I was also told there is no RC and was offered nothing else.

My room on the 4th floor was old, worn, and smelled of cigarette smoke. My complaint to the front desk yielded... nothing.

Also the ethernet port in the room did not work.

The only thing I really appreciated about the place was free wifi in the common areas on the main floor.

No chance I'll be back there.

OfficeGlenn

Not impressed with the Hyatt Montreal at all.

Checked in, and was told there were no non-smoking rooms with two double beds available.

Was only offered a smoking room with two double beds on the 1st floor. Room appeared to be non-renovated and reaked of smoke.

Also, apparently the hotel does not participate in the 1-800-CHECK-IN service.

Snoopyo

Smoking is pretty big in Montreal so I would not take a smoking room there.

jkc22

I just returned from a 4 night stay (2 rooms) at the Hyatt Montreal for a convention. I used my corporate discount and Priceline. Since the first two nights are paid Hyatt rate, I got rooms on the 10th floor, which are renovated a la Grand Hyatt NYC. However, while the rooms are renovated, the bathrooms are not…. and the rooms don’t have a fridge/mini bar, nor safe (yet….I guess).

I checked-in at 10AM and was immediately offered a room, although when I got upstairs the room was not yet made up. The maid called downstairs and promptly cleaned the room. I later received an apology from the Front Desk Manager along with a fruit plate plus a bottle of water (in addition to my Diamond amenity, which I chose a cheese plate….very good, btw), and the wine was a demi-bottle of St. Estephe. Breakfast coupons were offered, but initially only for the two nights (since the PCLN stays didn’t show up). I went down and asked for 4 more as I advised them I have “two additional” nights, and the coupons were offered without challenge.

The only thing that is contrary to what I usually receive from other Hyatt’s is that the hotel only offered Diamond benefits to ONE ROOM only, even though both rooms were in my name. I didn’t push this issue, as GP rules only provides benefits for the room that is occupied by the member. What I got from other hotels were above and beyond, I guess. I ended up not using all of the breakfast coupons, as I couldn’t wake up in time anyway.

I agree that the breakfast buffet is quite decent, especially with the omelets station. The upgrade to “petit dejeuner complat” was definitely worth the $6 (and sometimes the waiters gladly waived it for me.)

Service, from the maids to the front desk was polite, and a few individuals showed an effort to please. I can tell the hotel is trying, and I (fortunately) didn’t experience the indifference others have on this board. Of course, it also helps that I spoke French, and they were all very pleasant…..(most employees I ran into always greeted bonjour or bon soir….as they do in France).

Room service was reasonably priced and offered a decent selection. I was surprised by the efficiency! From order to delivery, it took them only 15 minutes!

What I like the most about the hotel is the location….it’s right in the middle of all the action (OK, if you have business to do in the central business district, it MAY be a little off), but for convention (at the Palais de Congres) it is a 5 minute walk via the underground passageway, and to Vieux Montreal it is another 10 minutes. Place des Arts and Chinatown are right across the street. Clubs (Soda, Metropolis, and Medley) are all but a very short walk. For weekend parties or conventions, this hotel beats the Fairmont RE (too far from all the action) and the I-C (in the middle of convention center)!

The area (towards East on Ste. Catherine) is said by some to be “seedy,” but if that could even be called as seedy, then 65% of Dallas, 60% of Houston, 55% of Los Angeles, 50% of San Francisco, and 50% of NYC would fall into that category.

For a $45 PCLN rate or a discounted corporate rate, the hotel is a good deal. At $215 the going rate it is a bit high (at least until all renovations are done). The gym is spacious, but lacks a few equipment, and is a bit old. The spa service is CHEAP!!! Only $60 CAD for an HOUR! The indoor pool is much appreciated, but the lack of a whirlpool is incomprehensible.

Finally, for those wanting to get a suite, I’d recommend staying away from them (for now). I was given rooms 1020 and 1024, which are the hospitality suite, which HAVE NOT YET been renovated, so they are the old brownish type of rooms the hotel once was. I asked for renovated rooms even though they were just regular rooms. I simply cannot stand the brown and the floral bedding and drapes….eeek!

All in all, this hotel has A LOT of potential, and I must certainly send kudos for the acquisitions at Hyatt for choosing this property. Like others have said, this property will be a winner (with a RC to be opened, renovated rooms and suites, and staff eager to please). I believe overall one can expect above average service at this hotel than in average North America Hyatts.