Hyatt's Australian footprint increases 20%

100   Recommended
December 23, 2016 by EXPERT

 Map | 10 Reviews | 60% Recommended
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Hyatt Regency Sydney
 Map | 10 Reviews | 60% Recommended

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Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
Stats

With a 13 hour daytime layover between flights I went to the Hyatt Regency Sydney which charged a very reasonable $130.

Room

I had booked the entry level room and was upgraded to what the front desk agent said was either a harbour view king or a deluxe king facing Darling Harbour. However, the website's photos don't show either room as having a balcony which mine did. I suspect it was the larger harbour king which is very spacious with plenty of room to move. The balcony is a decent size and you could easily mingle out there with friends and enjoy the views, although there is no outdoor furniture which is probably a good thing because it's usually tacky.

There was no bath (tub) but just a large walk-in shower. Amenities are typical for a Regency. There was plenty of closet space, a long bench-come-desk parallel to the foot of the bed and a couple of lounge chairs. The curtains (drapes) overlapped in the middle to keep the light out which is one of those little design things that really impress me but too few hotels have. However, either end of the curtain allowed enough light in to ensure the room wasn't completely blacked out.IMG_5407.JPGIMG_5408.JPGIMG_5409.JPGIMG_5410.JPGIMG_5411.JPGIMG_5412.JPGIMG_5413.JPG

Check In

The day use rate is marketed as being available between 9am and 5pm but when I checked in the first thing I was asked was "What time would you like to check-out?" Great start. I said 6.30pm and that was given without issue, possibly because the website indicated very low occupancy with overnight rooms starting at just $161. I was not given a choice of amenities or provided with any paraphrenalia about the hotel.

Service

Disappointingly, three times during my approximate seven hour stay I was disturbed by knocks at the door. The first two were from housekeepers, the first of which was inside my room before I had a chance to get to the door. To me this indicates a fault in how the housekeeping team interacts or works with the front desk system. This wasn't a last minute booking so there was absolutely no need for housekeeping to be dropping by. The third disturbance was from a gentleman delivering, for want of a better word, an amenity. It consisted of a coffee cup with the two tea bags! If that's the F&B amenity then Diamond guests will lose nothing come World of Hurt on 1 march. That gentleman did apologise twice for interuppting but I still find it odd. I would think that the prime use of a day room is for sleeping so if you're going to deliver a welcome gift do so prior to arrival or immediately after. 

On checking-out I was asked how my stay was. I said everything was great excecpt for the three disturbances. The lady apologised and asked if I had my DND sign on the door to which I said it really shouldn't be necessary; I had a day room, there was no need for housekeeping. She said she would pass the feedback along. 

A porter helped me with my bags into an airport shuttle, enquired if I was heading home for Christmas and when I said I was heading to Europe he wished me safe travels and a Merry Christmas and shook my hand. All very nice. 

Dining

I arrived too late for breafkast in the restaurant, unfortunately. The Regency Club still remains closed and somewhat to my surprise I was credited with 2500 points for its closure. I would have thought that because the lounge was not so much closed as unopened it wouldn't have posted but it was nice nonetheless. Throw in the 1W and my $130 stay earned my 4k HGP points which is nothing to sneeze at.

Location

On the doorstep of Darling Harbour the hotel is in a very good location for the action that part of town offers. It's roughly three streets up a fairly sharply inclined hill from the hotel to the main part of the city - George and Pitt Streets and their associated shopping areas. The location is very good.

Pool

The largest hotel in Australia doesn't have a pool which is just plain strange. I also thought a pool (and a bath) were among the prerequisites for a a five star badge but apparently not as this hotel markets itself in that top tier. To me it's more a four, 4.5 at a stretch.

Transportation

With time to burn I took the train from the airport (domestic) into the city for a little over $17 one way. Due to my luggage situation I alighted at Town Hall station which is then another seven or eight minute walk. The journey time to Town Hall is 26 minutes. However, it's possible to get off at Musuem station after about 17 minutes and walk further, through the city centre, to the hotel.

On the return the hotel booked me on a third party airport shuttle which was $22 to the international airport. It leaves the hotel at 10 minutes after every hour and got me there in about 45 minutes. There were only three other parties on the buss and they also were heading to the international terminal too so the porter's indication that it would take about an hour is probably more accurate most of the time.

Concierge

As I approached the hotel on foot with a very large suitcase a porter met me halfway down the small driveway and took my bag while I checked in. The same porter helped organise airport transportation for me.

As I approached the hotel on foot with a very large suitcase a porter met me halfway down the small driveway and took my bag while I checked in.

Overall

I was very pleased with my stay. Having never stayed at the property when it was a Four Points I can't comment on any changes but the service and the rooms were really quite good. I'd happily return.

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