About two years ago, I’d posted an inquiry about travel experiences worth having before the end of my traveling days. The brief description of my take-away was “bucket list”. Since my financial resources are limited (employer contribution subject to pretty severe rate limits), I decided the biggest bang for my buck would come from taking my standard hotel reimbursement, kicking in what was necessary, and staying in nicer, more centrally located hotels for a year or two. More specifically, Hyatt Hotels, y preferred “brand”, and the brand best supported by FT intelligence.
My priorities:

• Good, 24-hour Fitness Center
• Quiet and comfortable.
• Grocery store nearby.
• Room suited to light work.
• Flexible service – I keep odd hours.
• Newspapers – free or not, don’t send me looking for a newsstand just to get a NY Times.

Since I’m working 100+hours a week, and I have self-imposed dietary restrictions (strict vegetarian), I don’t care about “suite” upgrades or, for the most part, lounges and restaurants. Which is to say, your preferences may vary. A lot.

Park Hyatt Chicago. Ideal location. Public transport and shopping at the doorstep. The restaurant came through with some “suitable” food during my one visit. (Thanks) Front desk staff, doormen, concierge all unbeatable.

Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Great location, during the workweek anyway. (On weekends, I’d rather be at the Grand Hyatt SF, even though it’s an inferior hotel.) A lounge so good that I always make it a point to visit. The fitness center is good, if not stellar. My rooms were always quiet, somewhere out in the hinterlands. As it turns out, my needs for service were limited, but no one let me down.

Park Hyatt Washington. A great location for unusual reasons. It really isn’t in the middle of anything, nor is it particularly near the Metro or business. But it’s got a quiet environment and neighborhood feel. The restaurant struggled to find breakfast, and eventually sent me to some buffet set-up with fruit and raw-grain cereal.

Grand Hyatt New York. Another Ideal location. Lounge was nice (after remodel; I’d been many times to the old lounge and the difference was night and white.) Frustrated by “key” problems and atrocious service in dealing with them. Being a “regular” here doesn’t mean squat.

Grant Hyatt Seattle. Ideal location. Public transport, shopping. A good fitness
center, if a wee bit closed-in feeling (windowless). I did visit the lounge a couple of times; nice setting, but the service was a little “too much” for me. Overall small-hotel feel.

Andaz Fifth Avenue. Great location. Bummer fitness center: in the basement without radio or cell or wi-fi reception. At first, the hotel’s quirky stuff bugged me – the unconventional “front desk” setup, the fact that the lobby turns into a wine bar (or some such) in the evening, the odd light switches… Then it kind of grew on me. Then it started irritating me again, three weeks in.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki. If you want to be there, it’s a great location. I work and so don’t care about the beach or other nearby goings on. And, as a fitness center guy, having the fitness center closed during my stay – unannounced….right up until the morning it closed, when I happened to be inside! – was un-un-fortunate. The lounge was fabulous, though I didn’t get along with the lounge staff.

Hyatt Gainey Ranch and Grand Champions. – I’ll combine these. Like both for what they were. But I’m a working stiff with no car. And I don’t get reimbursed resort fees. If you’ve got a car, or plan to stay on-property, or have free time, thumbs up. Both had nice lounges. Grand Champions had the “champion” gym.

Grand Hyatt DFW. Yes, I stayed there too. And Hyatt Pier 66 (Fort Lauderdale). Liked Minneapolis (the city) more than the hotel, but it’s been a while.