I stayed at the Hyatt Centric KK for 4 nights over Easter in April 23 so will share some quick thoughts and some pics. I also stayed for 2 nights at the older Hyatt Regency KK just up the road so can provide some thoughts and high level comparisons as well.

Hyatt Centric KK
On check-in, Globalist status was recognised but was initially only given an upgrade to a Deluxe room category. Having checked the room availability prior to check-in, I knew there were standard suites available for the duration of the 4 night stay and after mentioning this to the receptionist (who checked with her manager) - a suite upgrade was provided to me albeit on a lower floor (no view of sea). I believe the suites on the higher floors will have views of the sea as otherwise you are facing a mall / street but this didn't really bother me. There was a balcony but we didn't really use this as there wasn't much to see and as we were on a lower floor, there was a lot of ambient noise from the street, traffic, etc.

The hotel is excellent in terms of hardware. Newly built but with a modern, minimalist touch and you can feel the Japanese minimalist chic design ethos in the rooms and the common space. Everything felt brand new and there weren't really any issues I encountered. The standard suite is very spacious and fully worth it even for a cash rate (which I believe was something like US$150 per night at the time). Worth mentioning the bathrobes were lighter than your typical bathrobes - more akin to a sweatshirt / hoodie cotton that really impressed the missus in terms of comfort and practicality. (NB: Apologies as given I don't have the requisite number of posts - FT isn't allowing me to post the 5 photos I had taken during my stay at the Centric).

We had numerous opportunities to sample the F&B. Cocktails in the main bar on the 24th floor (where the pool was) were excellent and they have decent happy hour 2for1 deals. The rooftop bar / pool area isn't actually that big and I recall there was actually only one large table where a group of 4-6 people could sit. Otherwise, cocktails and snacks had to be taken on your lounger and the small table that accompanies it. We spent a few evenings in the indoor bar area as it wasn't crowded. The staff mentioned it was Ramadan and so the bar area was quieter than normal and I understand for some of the larger sofa seating areas where my family and I sat, there would typically be minimum spend requirements. However, no issues with us being there and having cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages for the little one and the bar snacks (which were actually very good and decently priced).

Breakfast was taken in the main restaurant / dining area on the 23rd floor. It was busy but manageable - we never had to wait longer than a few minutes for a table though it appeared that some of the more desirable tables on the outdoor balconies (there are several either side of the hotel) were taken. Most tables in the balconies are fully shaded and afford excellent views of the sea. That being said, it wasn't too bad being indoors either. The breakfast spread was excellent - different Western and Asian options. While eggs were cooked to order and a noodle station - there wasn't any a la carte options offered to us. Coffees were made to order but from a bean to cup machine (even though there was an espresso machine for barista made coffees at times other than breakfast). We weren't able to have dinner at the main restaurant as the hotel offered a special Ramadan 'breaking fast' feast each evening and the restaurant was very busy catering to these guests. We did however manage to order from the limited a la carte menu the hotel had and took dinner at the indoor bar area (one floor above, connected by a spiral staircase) and staff were very accommodating with dietary restrictions, catering to a very young child, etc.

In terms of clientele and guests - we didn't see many families. It seemed most guests were couples or a group of single friends wanting to stay in a new, 'Instagrammable' hotel, especially as it has a nice rooftop pool with sweeping views of Gaya Island. The pool itself isn't exactly family friendly and while we saw a lot of the loungers filled on one of the days, it never felt busy. Again, the staff said that prior to Ramadan, the bar area (including outdoor rooftop) would be very busy as it's popular with the local crowd.

In terms of things to do in KK - we felt this was limited with a young child. We didn't manage to go to Gaya Island as we didn't want to take the risk with a young child being bored and then having to come back. Likewise - longer trips to the nicer beaches or animal sanctuaries were also ruled out. The Suria Sabah mall right across the street had a very good indoor playground (Kidzoona) that we went to several times and there were a lot of different eating options (ramen; fast-food; Baskin Robbins; local options). The Centric is also walking distance to Gaya Street - which is worth going to, especially on Sundays. There are lots of well reviewed local restaurants / options around this area and one can eat very good, authentic local food for cheap. There were a few times I purchased food to takeaway from these places and just at in the hotel room as these restaurants tend to have longish queues for tables.

Hyatt Regency KK
I think there are other reviews of the Hyatt Regency on FT so this will be rather short. We were upgraded to the Regency Suite automatically prior to check-in. Room was very spacious but showing its age (given the hotel was built in the late 70s and it's been a while since it was renovated - if ever). That being said, everything was clean and everything in the room was functional.

Breakfast was buffet style and on par with the Hyatt Centric in terms of options and quality. That being said, if there was a choice between the two breakfast experiences - the Centric wins on the basis of the ambiance and just the fact the food at the Centric is presented in a massive atrium style space with plenty of light which just allows for better presentation of the food. Seating can be indoors our outdoors on the ground level (street level view) by the pool. We didn't manage to go to the pool (which is slightly elevated from the street level).

The HR Lounge was for me a highlight of this hotel as it occupies the top floor and has grand windows all around allowing a great view of KK and the sea. Plenty of light and tables for one to do work while enjoying a great view; also a nice place to have a quiet coffee. Breakfast could be taken here as well, but we chose to have it in the main restaurant during our stay. The usual cocktail hour (2 hrs from 5 - 7PM if I recall) included beers, a limited range of spirits and mixers and some house wines. The food options didn't particularly stand-out for me, but it was still a nice place have a drink, a light snack and to catch some of the sunset.

The HR is usually cheaper than the Centric by about USD30 or so a night. HR still a solid hotel and for those who need to do work, it may be a better choice if you have access to the lounge. I suspect it's also easier to get a suite upgrade compared to the Centric. That being said, if you don't mind the uplift in room rates (which in relative terms could be like 40% more, but cheap in absolute terms) - and/or are fine to pay for a Centric suite, then there's no question the Centric is the better hotel as there will be plenty of space for working in the room. The Centric has no lounge., Location wise, the two hotels are about 5 min walk apart and it comes down to preference as to which is in a 'better' location (HR is a 1 minute walk to the sea and closer to Gaya Street). The Centric also is positioning itself as a trendy / vibey place for locals to eat and drink - so if that's something that matters or appeals to you - the Centric is a clear winner.

Happy to answer any other questions if I can recall. I wanted to post this review 4 months ago but put it off until I saw the bump - so hope this is helpful to FT members.