Grand Hyatt Hong Kong report 11/24/2004
Preface: We have friends who booked a trip to HKG for UA miles. They asked us to meet them and here we are. We came into HKG from LAX on Cathay Pacific in F using AA points. Leave from HKG to NRT on CX in F and then after a two night stay back to SFO on Japan Airlines in F. Our friends arrive tomorrow.
Rate: We are here using FFNs which as you may know had me concerned about a upgrade to Grand Club. I looked online and they had rooms available for our days so I arrived hopeful. I did contact the Gold Passport Concierge regarding our reservation. I only wanted the GH HKG to act in good faith to extend Diamond benefits. Thank you Ms Smith.
Transportation: Upon arrivel into HKG we used the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station. Please remember if you are on Cathay Pacific you can go to there website to get a coupon. Use this with your boarding pass to get a return ticket for $100 HKD. Otherwise $180 HKD. Upon arrival at the Station we could have taken the free shuttle bus. The Convention Center GH HKG is the last stop. Total travel time is 30 minutes with about a 1 minute walk to the Hotel. We used a cab. The fare with three pieces of luggage in the trunk was $30 HKD or $4 US. We intend to take the cab back to the Station. Also you can get a 30% discounted MTR (subway) day pass also with the coupons available at the CX website.
Check-in: We arrived at the Hotel around 8:45 AM and after a few minutes started the check-in procedure. I was a little concerned since we were not asked to proceed to the Grand Club to check-in. The room we were blocked for was on 31. That room was not ready. The lady stepped away to get her boss who promptly took over our check-in. I told him we were outbound early so on our last day no need for a late check-out. After couple of minutes he secured us a room with a great view on a higher floor. We are on Grand Club floor. The room is smoking but no hint of smoke. Full view. He escorted us to the room and showed us the works. Very pleased.
Perks: Upgrade to Grand Club floor w/ full view. We just came back from the Lounge and it is very nice. All that has been written about and more. Nice breakfast spread, newspapers and competent Concierge staff.
Room: The room is a ok size. With the best being made of space. A full view and nice bathroom with separate shower and bathtub. The room is well maintained with tv, dvd, fax, hsia at cost, day chair, working desk with chair and just nice touches.
Communication: Local calls $1 US and HSIA is $4 HKD per minute or $160 HKD for 24 hours.
Location: As stated before the location is not perfect. The views are. I've stayed at the Conrad and Island Shangri La. The views are unobstructed. We figure everything is just a small tab taxi ride away. According to rbAA the MTR station is only like 5 minutes away which works for us.
Closing: If anything comes up during our stay I will post. Pleased and so far for the second time being used this week- flawless. I love hotels with views like this. Regards from HKG