This is one of my favourite hotels in the US and I was excited to be back the weekend just before Easter. As a Hyatt Globalist I was hoping for a nice upgrade but unfortunately a slightly bigger room on the second floor was all I could get. Granted, we stayed over the weekend but in 8 or so previous stays here I’ve never gotten a room on such a low level (and the noise from the Gaslight district was as loud as expected on such a low floor). Check in otherwise was pleasant and I loved that Andaz-specific smell throughout, how I had missed it over Covid! We were also offered a glass of wine with check in (only white from plastic cups, unlike in the past) and quickly settled into our room. They’ve done the most minimalist of minor refurbishments possible since we last stayed and the age of the property is showing throughout. Still a nice hotel but not as shiny as it once was. We still loved the convenient location, the quality of the bed and the beautiful roof top pool which is one of my favourite hotel pools around. We also greatly appreciate the fact that this property is designed for adults rather than families with screaming children and only few of the latter were present during our stay. Yes, it gets loud at night but we prefer that a dozen times over babies squealing by the pool. Likewise, we actually enjoy the diversity of the inner city and had to laugh at the “letter from the management” advising they they offer to personally accompany you in the area as it is so dodgy. Yes, there are lots of homeless people around and this got worse over Covid it seems- you will encounter camps of homeless people in tents just opposite of the hotel and the occasional homeless passed out on the sidewalk. Not pleasant but more a symptom of the lack of social welfare offered, as opposed to an actual threat to anyone. The kind of people we are talking about won’t even have the money to buy a gun, let alone have reason to hurt anyone.

Unfortunately, we encountered quite a few service issues and the Covid excuse doesn’t quite cut it anymore, in my opinion. We tried to order some items through the Hyatt app for example and the request was entirely ignored, something that even some Hyatt Regency hotels managed much better during our trip. But the worst was when I went to reception to check out and asked to send a luggage cart up to my partner who was left in the room struggling with our many bags and suitcases. The lady at reception promised to send one up straight away, I even asked once more to ensure it really happens and guess what? When I came back 5 minutes later with the car (we had decided to park a block away which cost us $15 a day rather than the outrageous Valet fee that the hotel charges- no self park option at this property), you guessed it: No trolly, only my poor partner schlepping all luggage himself. Worse even: Apparently there were two staff members idling at the reception and watching him struggle without offering any assistance. Not good enough and I’m sad to say so as I really love this property.