Since this thread has not been updated in quite some time, I thought a Trip Report would be handy-and I posted it here after inquiring as to WHERE it should go (here, or on a new thread!) So….here goes!

I recently spent a couple nights at the Hyatt Regency Princeton, having won it on Hotwire on 2 consecutive nights. (I didn’t realize I would need to stay 2 nights at the outset! The first reservation was made about 20 minutes before arriving; the second a couple hours. I am also a Diamond member of their Gold Passport Program so I was wondering what, if any, benefits I would receive.

Check in was fairly quick on both occasions. The first night I was in room 414 which faces the office park, and the second night I was in room 431 which faces the atrium. The people in front of me had also gotten this property via hotwire. They asked about a suite upgrade but were told it was not possible. I just asked for a decent room, high floor, not far from the elevator and that is what I received.

The hotel’s halls are fairly dark, and overall the hotel needs a remodel. (I was told that the rooms were done about 4 years ago.) The public areas are fine, but the rooms and corridors show wear and tear. I would not call this hotel 4 stars as HW does, but it’s a solid 3 or 3.5.

My first room, 414 had a king sized bed, arm chair, desk and chair, dresser, closet and big flat screen TV. The room was clean (could be cleaner, but mostly needed extra vacuuming and edge-vacuuming as there was some dust and stuff on the floor.) Also, the vents need to be cleaned as they were pretty dusty.

The second room, 431 was shaped a bit differently and had the aforementioned furnishings, with the addition of an ottoman. This room looked cleaner than the first, and was very quiet even though it overlooked the atrium.

The beds were very comfortable and I fell asleep fast both evenings. The first room had a view of trees and the office buildings that surround the hotel, and the second overlooked the atrium.

The bathroom in the first room was large, with a shower that seems to be designated for people that may be mobility impaired as it had a conventional shower head as well as a lower, hand-held type, along with a bar. Not actually a handicapped room, more like a “seasoned citizen” type set up. However, there ventilation is bad and EVERYTHING steams up and gets slippery! Use caution. The second bathroom was a little smaller with a conventional shower set up and didn’t seem as slippery as the first-perhaps due to its smaller size, the ventilation is better.

As a diamond member in their program, I was entitled to get free internet, free full breakfast and a welcome amenity. I knew I was not eligible for points (only on incidentals) or night’s credit. I had no issue asking for and receiving these items. The internet (provided by T-mobile) was wireless, quick and basically reliable. I received a full bottle of merlot (which came home with me) as well as chocolate covered strawberries. There are a couple other choices including beer, dry snacks and hummus with pita chips. Breakfast buffet was good and plentiful, but the service could have been better on the first morning. (Had to ask for additional coffee.) Interestingly, the gratuity is included, but this is no excuse for bad service (and I tip extra as a rule.) Overall though, their other food is rather expensive and portions are smallish. (I stayed here previously and was not impressed with my dinner.)

Breakfast service the second morning was much better-my server was constantly around her tables refilling juice and coffee (hence an additional gratuity!)

I wound up eating in the lounge that night-an overpriced (but very good) hamburger with an equally overpriced iced tea [from tea leaves, not the alcoholic type!](Total with tax was just over $20! And that was before the tip!) I mentioned to poor breakfast service to the restaurant manager who apologized and sent up some dessert. (Chocolate cake! Alas, it was VERY dry! Sob!) Even appetizers are in the $12-15 range. A chicken quesadilla is $16! (and frankly it is JUST chicken, salsa and a tortilla!) Desserts are $8 and up!

The hotel has a nice looking pool area (although the windowsills in the hallway connecting the pool area to the hotel really need dusting and vacuuming as there were LOTS of cobwebs and dead bugs! Really! Also there are a couple tennis courts, and you are close to a couple places for golf. Plenty of shopping and dining are available within a short drive or shuttle ride.

A nice touch is that there is a free shuttle within a 5 mile radius. I took advantage of this to go into Princeton for a couple hours to shop and eat. I am from the area, but I decided to not have to fight the traffic and crowds for a parking spot. The driver was very nice and I enjoyed my time as a tourist in my own town! Parking is plentiful and free.

All in all, this is a good place to stay if you have business in the area, or are going to Princeton University. The hotel is close to the NJ Transit station (and the shuttle will take you there). My hotwire rate was less than a third of the going price on Hyatt’s website so I was happy.

I would not hesitate to use Hotwire again for this hotel if I need to be in the area (I wanted to be close to a local medical facility) and its location makes it good for touring the area, Sesame Place, the NJ Shore or even hopping the train into NYC.

The area has many places to shop and eat so I would suggest skipping dining in the hotel and heading elsewhere. All in all, this is a fine place to stay, as long as you get a good rate.

I posted pictures over on webshots if anyone wants to take a look. My username over there is megr1125 so feel free to peruse.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know! Seems that most people I encountered had won this on Hotwire or Priceline…OR are on expense accounts paying full rate! IMO it is NOT worth $200 bucks a night-maybe $129 during the week and $69-89 on weekends. It’s listed on HW as 4* with tennis nearby.