So the I check into the Hyatt Regency on 1/1/2010 after staying at the Grand Hyatt Buckhead the night before. I was a little apprehensive at first given the age of the property, but that quickly subsided once we checked in. Our rate ended up being around 104 once the estandby upgrade took effect. The hotel lobby is massive. The only other atrium that I've seen larger is at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta. The valets were friendly and even though we were early and it was a big checkout day all the first contact staff was a pleasure. Checkin was swift and prompt. She acknowledged my platinum status and said while the internet would show up on the bill it would be removed upon checkout. No worries. Got our keys and were placed in room 1955 in the international tower. Not sure if all the floors were like this, but all the doors on our floor were painted bright red with red accents on the carpet and throughout. It made me think of the Shining.
The room was bright clean and one of the walls was nothing but glass. Always a nice touch especially when the view faces north looking out to midtown and Buckhead. Also, there was a small balcony that you could stand on and close the sliding door to smoke. I didn't. I have a thing about heights and the elevators are fast enough that traveling 19 floors to smoke wasn't a time issue. A large desk with two chairs set up for it as well as another with a foot stool to lounge in. TV was a flat screen however the channels weren't in HD. I never understood that though. Since this was only my third stay at a Hyatt property I'm not sure if this is the norm. At least they had flatscreens unlike the much newer Grand Hyatt Buckhead which did not. The bed was soft and as promised a king. We hung out and had some cocktails and room service which turned out to be better than expected. Took a nap then headed out to the catch the Hawks vs Knicks game.
The game was garbage. If anyone saw the highlights you know what I'm talking about. We had dinner at a little mexican place called Jalapeņo Charlies and the food was good. Strolled back to the hotel around 11 or so and went to the bar. Ordered drinks and then we waited for at least 20 minutes to get our beverages, well one of the drinks. They were out of Peroni so instead of getting the new beer I ordered I waited another 10 minutes while he served a large party. How a group of 8 got there drinks before me even though they came after us was a mystery. I guess 30 minutes is acceptable for a initial drink. During the wait we admired the atrium some more and watched some football. While I never felt insecure there definitely were suspect characters walking around the lobby area. Halfway thru my drink a server comes by and announces last call. I think this is the first time I've ever been in a hotel where the bar closed before the law states it has to. And in Atlanta that is 230 am. Being that the service was so poor it was probably best we paid and left.
Get back shower and clean up a little. My only gripe with the room was the bathroom. While i didn't expect marble or anything else grand I didn't expect it to be the size of a closet. I don't like having to close the bathroom door to use the shower and it has to be closed to use this one. Fell asleep quickly to the twinkling lights of midtown and woke up fresh.
Called valet to tell them that we would like our car as I had a meeting in an hour. No one answered. Called back 5 minutes later still no answer. Called the front desk and was told they probably were busy and I should just go down there. I was informed there was a large checkout happening and going downstairs and waiting would be the only option at that time. The whole point of valeting was to make sure that I could access my car without having to stand in a garage where the current air temperature was 19 degrees. Hit the front desk and they were just as gracious checking out and they were checking in. Made in downstairs to the garage and they weren't busy. Two people were sitting there literally doing nothing and the actual valets retrieving cars, all four of them, were moving at anything but a hurried pace. It still took 5 minutes to find my car.
All in all the public areas of the Buckhead locations are better. The Regency wins in the room catergory though. I won't comment on the rates, but I expect to pay a premium for NYE. Staff also seemed much better even though the service in the Parasol Bar was dreadfully slow.