Originally Posted by hailstorm

Was getting a bit bored with Yokohama, so I used an expiring Cat 1-4 cert here last night.

This was actually my first stay as a Globalist. I've stayed here many times as a Gold Passport Diamond, but since the change over to World of Hyatt I had previously been stuck at Explorist. Seemed to make a big difference right off the bat, as I was able to check in around 8:00am and got a Regency Suite. First time I've ever been upgraded to a suite here without using a suite upgrade cert. Didn't really need all the extra space, but I did appreciate having the Nespresso machine, which is still only available in suites.

The Regency Lounge is still not open for breakfast, so breakfast is in Caffe. Caffe has returned to buffet style breakfast. They no longer have made to order egg station, and now that the hotel bakery is gone the bread on hand seems more "generic" than before, but overall it's still a big improvement over breakfast in the lounge. All you do to get in is show your Regency Club room key, they don't scan it or anything. So I had no problem getting breakfast both on the day I checked in and the day I checked out. If I kept a card key, who knows how many more days I could have gone there and gotten free breakfast for...

They were apparently quite busy over the Christmas holidays, but the only times I ever saw guests on this stay were at breakfast and in the club lounge. They aren't putting out any cakes for tea time in the lounge, but they do give everyone a little dessert dish. Mine include a macaron, a small pudding, and a small amount of fruit. Evening hot offering were similar to what's normally supplied these past few years. There is no food available to take for yourself, so they also bring each guest a small plate of snacks (nuts, arare, those wasabi things) and a small plate of cheese and crackers. Alcohol selections seem reduced, but it's enough to do the job.

The gym has reopened, but only from 10:00-20:00. Locker room and shower facilities are unavailable. Was tempted to walk past the barrier and see what they're doing with the pool area, but I didn't want to get anyone there in trouble. They now have a ping pong table available for rental at 1000 yen an hour.

Nadaman has done a soft opening of three different restaurants to replace the Japanese. Teppanyaki, and sushi restaurants. Didn't see too many people there, but they are indeed open. Still no signs of any activity with regards to Vicky's or The Lounge. The bar is open until 10:00pm on weekdays, but was closed on this particular night for some reason.