Hyatt Centric (Escala Lodge) Park City UT REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
May 7, 2016, 7:46 am
#121
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
Posts: 1,723
Trying to decide between staying here and staying at the Park City Marriott for a ski trip sometime over Christmas/New Year's.
Anyone have any insight between those two? I've only skied PC (back before they bought Canyons) we I think we'd like to spend some time at the Canyons but otherwise I don't think we have any specific requirements.
Undecided still between renting a car and taking a shuttle but it seems like both have free parking so a wash there (along with status, Diamond at Hyatt / Plat at Marriott so no difference there)
Anyone have any insight between those two? I've only skied PC (back before they bought Canyons) we I think we'd like to spend some time at the Canyons but otherwise I don't think we have any specific requirements.
Undecided still between renting a car and taking a shuttle but it seems like both have free parking so a wash there (along with status, Diamond at Hyatt / Plat at Marriott so no difference there)
Are you with kids, and what ages? Putting them in ski school?
Do you like going to dinners or eating in and cooking?
Will you have a car?
Are you expert skiers, groomed and blue run skiers, or beginners?
Do you view shopping as an experience, something to do for scheduled fun?
Last, to help me give you info, is the Marriott you're considering the one that is at the hill or the one in Park Meadows?
May 7, 2016, 10:36 am
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
I can not speak to comparing the actual properties (rooms, F&B, etc.), but you'll get a very very different Park City experience between those two, and too many variables to just give a simple answer.
Are you with kids, and what ages? Putting them in ski school?
No kids just the two of us
Do you like going to dinners or eating in and cooking?
Going to dinner - we'll just be there for 3 days so after a day of skiing not going to want to cook
Will you have a car?
Undecided - seems like HC a car is likely unnecessary but for Marriott PC might want one
Are you expert skiers, groomed and blue run skiers, or beginners?
Groomed and blue run
Do you view shopping as an experience, something to do for scheduled fun?
My girlfriend probably does
, I'm more concerned with the skiing
Last, to help me give you info, is the Marriott you're considering the one that is at the hill or the one in Park Meadows?
Looking at the one in downtown Park City itself (using a combination of points and cash for this booking at either place (likely 1-2 nights of points and 1 night on a cash rate) and that Marriott is the only one that accepts points
Are you with kids, and what ages? Putting them in ski school?
No kids just the two of us
Do you like going to dinners or eating in and cooking?
Going to dinner - we'll just be there for 3 days so after a day of skiing not going to want to cook
Will you have a car?
Undecided - seems like HC a car is likely unnecessary but for Marriott PC might want one
Are you expert skiers, groomed and blue run skiers, or beginners?
Groomed and blue run
Do you view shopping as an experience, something to do for scheduled fun?
My girlfriend probably does
, I'm more concerned with the skiingLast, to help me give you info, is the Marriott you're considering the one that is at the hill or the one in Park Meadows?
Looking at the one in downtown Park City itself (using a combination of points and cash for this booking at either place (likely 1-2 nights of points and 1 night on a cash rate) and that Marriott is the only one that accepts points
May 7, 2016, 4:37 pm
#123
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
Posts: 1,723
May 7, 2016, 7:33 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
May 7, 2016, 8:45 pm
#125
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
Posts: 1,723
Yes, that is the Park Meadows one. OK, here's how I'd present the differences and considerations (M = Marriott and H = Hyatt):
For skiing, given you're a blue/groomed type, I'd say the places can be considered equal (a wash). If you're skiing a busy Saturday (say late Dec thru mid-Mar), then PC will have much longer lift lines than Canyons. There isn't great bus service from H to PC nor from M to Canyons, so you'll probably ski mainly at the one mountain associated with the hotel/area.
M is not near the mountain (PC), so requires a bus to ski and return. Now, it's a short bus ride, under 10-15 minutes, and it's a pleasant and clean free public bus system, but it's not ski in/out (and the bus frequency is every 15 minutes, so one might consider it a 30 minute wait at worse to get to/from). H is considered ski in/out, although it is actually served by a baby lift type lift as it's a few hundred meters from the real lifts/village... but no vehicles requires.
Neither of the two is in town. But, the same bus that serves M to the slopes serves town, so an evening town experience is certainly easy enough with M. H is 3 miles from town, and not on any single ride bus route to town. And, for a tourist that doesn't know all the best ways to drive/park in town, even with a car H makes a night to town somewhat "not easy" (uber is cheap, likely $10 or under, so I guess with that it makes town "easy", ok).
M has no real commercial ("stores/places") next to or walking distance, other than an OK pizza place (pizza, but no Italian) and an average at best Indian place, an over-priced steak place (with a limited menu, but sushi might be good) - look for a two-for-one coupon in the newspaper, and with a longer walk (1/3 mile maybe) some OK places in some strip malls (Chubasco not very good but great salsa bar, Sammy's is ok, Albertos can be very good depending on what's ordered...). H is walking distance to the Canyons village, which while limited (Red Tail Grill is not good, Farm is great but expensive, the Jewish deli good if still open, Drafts is ok at best) is a village experience at least.
Kind of a wash, but not equal depending on the priority of the variable. Feel free to follow up with specific questions.
For skiing, given you're a blue/groomed type, I'd say the places can be considered equal (a wash). If you're skiing a busy Saturday (say late Dec thru mid-Mar), then PC will have much longer lift lines than Canyons. There isn't great bus service from H to PC nor from M to Canyons, so you'll probably ski mainly at the one mountain associated with the hotel/area.
M is not near the mountain (PC), so requires a bus to ski and return. Now, it's a short bus ride, under 10-15 minutes, and it's a pleasant and clean free public bus system, but it's not ski in/out (and the bus frequency is every 15 minutes, so one might consider it a 30 minute wait at worse to get to/from). H is considered ski in/out, although it is actually served by a baby lift type lift as it's a few hundred meters from the real lifts/village... but no vehicles requires.
Neither of the two is in town. But, the same bus that serves M to the slopes serves town, so an evening town experience is certainly easy enough with M. H is 3 miles from town, and not on any single ride bus route to town. And, for a tourist that doesn't know all the best ways to drive/park in town, even with a car H makes a night to town somewhat "not easy" (uber is cheap, likely $10 or under, so I guess with that it makes town "easy", ok).
M has no real commercial ("stores/places") next to or walking distance, other than an OK pizza place (pizza, but no Italian) and an average at best Indian place, an over-priced steak place (with a limited menu, but sushi might be good) - look for a two-for-one coupon in the newspaper, and with a longer walk (1/3 mile maybe) some OK places in some strip malls (Chubasco not very good but great salsa bar, Sammy's is ok, Albertos can be very good depending on what's ordered...). H is walking distance to the Canyons village, which while limited (Red Tail Grill is not good, Farm is great but expensive, the Jewish deli good if still open, Drafts is ok at best) is a village experience at least.
Kind of a wash, but not equal depending on the priority of the variable. Feel free to follow up with specific questions.
May 20, 2016, 9:29 am
#126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Yes, that is the Park Meadows one. OK, here's how I'd present the differences and considerations (M = Marriott and H = Hyatt):
For skiing, given you're a blue/groomed type, I'd say the places can be considered equal (a wash). If you're skiing a busy Saturday (say late Dec thru mid-Mar), then PC will have much longer lift lines than Canyons. There isn't great bus service from H to PC nor from M to Canyons, so you'll probably ski mainly at the one mountain associated with the hotel/area.
M is not near the mountain (PC), so requires a bus to ski and return. Now, it's a short bus ride, under 10-15 minutes, and it's a pleasant and clean free public bus system, but it's not ski in/out (and the bus frequency is every 15 minutes, so one might consider it a 30 minute wait at worse to get to/from). H is considered ski in/out, although it is actually served by a baby lift type lift as it's a few hundred meters from the real lifts/village... but no vehicles requires.
Neither of the two is in town. But, the same bus that serves M to the slopes serves town, so an evening town experience is certainly easy enough with M. H is 3 miles from town, and not on any single ride bus route to town. And, for a tourist that doesn't know all the best ways to drive/park in town, even with a car H makes a night to town somewhat "not easy" (uber is cheap, likely $10 or under, so I guess with that it makes town "easy", ok).
M has no real commercial ("stores/places") next to or walking distance, other than an OK pizza place (pizza, but no Italian) and an average at best Indian place, an over-priced steak place (with a limited menu, but sushi might be good) - look for a two-for-one coupon in the newspaper, and with a longer walk (1/3 mile maybe) some OK places in some strip malls (Chubasco not very good but great salsa bar, Sammy's is ok, Albertos can be very good depending on what's ordered...). H is walking distance to the Canyons village, which while limited (Red Tail Grill is not good, Farm is great but expensive, the Jewish deli good if still open, Drafts is ok at best) is a village experience at least.
Kind of a wash, but not equal depending on the priority of the variable. Feel free to follow up with specific questions.
For skiing, given you're a blue/groomed type, I'd say the places can be considered equal (a wash). If you're skiing a busy Saturday (say late Dec thru mid-Mar), then PC will have much longer lift lines than Canyons. There isn't great bus service from H to PC nor from M to Canyons, so you'll probably ski mainly at the one mountain associated with the hotel/area.
M is not near the mountain (PC), so requires a bus to ski and return. Now, it's a short bus ride, under 10-15 minutes, and it's a pleasant and clean free public bus system, but it's not ski in/out (and the bus frequency is every 15 minutes, so one might consider it a 30 minute wait at worse to get to/from). H is considered ski in/out, although it is actually served by a baby lift type lift as it's a few hundred meters from the real lifts/village... but no vehicles requires.
Neither of the two is in town. But, the same bus that serves M to the slopes serves town, so an evening town experience is certainly easy enough with M. H is 3 miles from town, and not on any single ride bus route to town. And, for a tourist that doesn't know all the best ways to drive/park in town, even with a car H makes a night to town somewhat "not easy" (uber is cheap, likely $10 or under, so I guess with that it makes town "easy", ok).
M has no real commercial ("stores/places") next to or walking distance, other than an OK pizza place (pizza, but no Italian) and an average at best Indian place, an over-priced steak place (with a limited menu, but sushi might be good) - look for a two-for-one coupon in the newspaper, and with a longer walk (1/3 mile maybe) some OK places in some strip malls (Chubasco not very good but great salsa bar, Sammy's is ok, Albertos can be very good depending on what's ordered...). H is walking distance to the Canyons village, which while limited (Red Tail Grill is not good, Farm is great but expensive, the Jewish deli good if still open, Drafts is ok at best) is a village experience at least.
Kind of a wash, but not equal depending on the priority of the variable. Feel free to follow up with specific questions.
Thanks again!
May 28, 2016, 7:05 am
#127
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,754
East facing Valley View King. No curtains or blackout blinds, only large wood slat venetian blinds. Woke up at 0630 Am to blinding sunlight in my eyes.
This is something that just drives me crazy. Is it too hard to include curtains?
This is something that just drives me crazy. Is it too hard to include curtains?
Last edited by returnoftheyeti; May 28, 2016 at 8:06 am
Jun 5, 2016, 7:28 am
#128
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,754
I recieved and filled out one of the common "how did you like your stay" surveys. I mentioned two things that I felt could use improvement.
I expected these survey responses to just go nowhere, but to my suprise the "Assistant Front Office Manager" emailed me directly asking me to elaborate on my issues.
The fact that they are listening and want to understand/ improve goes really far in my book. Kudos.
I expected these survey responses to just go nowhere, but to my suprise the "Assistant Front Office Manager" emailed me directly asking me to elaborate on my issues.
The fact that they are listening and want to understand/ improve goes really far in my book. Kudos.
Jun 5, 2016, 9:15 am
#129
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
I recieved and filled out one of the common "how did you like your stay" surveys. I mentioned two things that I felt could use improvement.
I expected these survey responses to just go nowhere, but to my suprise the "Assistant Front Office Manager" emailed me directly asking me to elaborate on my issues.
The fact that they are listening and want to understand/ improve goes really far in my book. Kudos.
I expected these survey responses to just go nowhere, but to my suprise the "Assistant Front Office Manager" emailed me directly asking me to elaborate on my issues.
The fact that they are listening and want to understand/ improve goes really far in my book. Kudos.
Some properties don't send the surveys. They're the ones that don't care.
Jul 29, 2016, 10:56 am
#130
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
A small correction
The Park City Marriott is not in Park Meadows - it is in Prospector. I used to live in Park Meadows. Park Meadows is on the North side of Kearns Blvd and is all residential and has the MARC (the city rec center). Prospector is on the South side of Kearns and has a mix of residential and commercial and has Silver Mountain (the private rec center).
There are actually 4 Marriott properties in Park City proper - the PC Marriott, the Marriott Mountainside (adjacent to PCMR), the Marriott Summit Watch (at the bottom of Main Street), and Hotel Park City (an Autograph Collection hotel). Mountainside and Summit Watch are part of the Vacation Club, but I believe they do nightly transient also.
There are actually 4 Marriott properties in Park City proper - the PC Marriott, the Marriott Mountainside (adjacent to PCMR), the Marriott Summit Watch (at the bottom of Main Street), and Hotel Park City (an Autograph Collection hotel). Mountainside and Summit Watch are part of the Vacation Club, but I believe they do nightly transient also.
Aug 30, 2016, 11:14 am
#132
No longer used by Hyatt; use World of Hyatt Concierge
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,628
The room types used for award bookings are the ADA King Shower room or 2 Queen beds room. If you see one of these room types available at the standard rate you should be able to book with points.
Aug 30, 2016, 1:27 pm
#133
Formerly known as iahsumr
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 520
Thank you for that info, but that just seems strange that the only standard King Rooms would be the ADA version. That doesn't seem quite fair to those who need an ADA room, or to those looking for a truly standard King room.
Sep 20, 2016, 2:49 pm
#134
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 286
Tried booking one of the Residence Suites today with the CITI Prestige 4th night free benefit and was told that these are actually individually owned and the hotel just rents them out. Can anyone confirm if this is accurate? There are some decent rates on suites at the moment so definitely want to take advantage if this is eligible.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by Dsm2m2; Nov 28, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Nov 29, 2016, 1:26 pm
#135
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 286
Just completed a 5-night stay here in a 2-bedroom residence.
Pros:
- Beautiful Property / Amenities / Pool area
- Great Location
- Recently renovated rooms (told we were first to stay in ours since renovation)
- Friendly staff
- Free Valet (included in resort fee)
Cons:
- Zero Diamond Recognition
- No upgrade offered (we were already in a suite so no big deal)
- Charged us for breakfast (eventually got it removed)
- Diamond Welcome Amenity did not post (did receive retro bonus)
- Terrible Housekeeping (only came 1x during our stay)
Overall we had a good time and the property itself is beautiful. The cons mentioned above were mostly minor annoyances that didn't affect our stay too much however it was a little disappointing given the price we paid and the level of service you would normally expect from a Hyatt (I have had mostly positive experiences).
Feel free to ask me any questions if anyone wants to know anything specific.
Pros:
- Beautiful Property / Amenities / Pool area
- Great Location
- Recently renovated rooms (told we were first to stay in ours since renovation)
- Friendly staff
- Free Valet (included in resort fee)
Cons:
- Zero Diamond Recognition
- No upgrade offered (we were already in a suite so no big deal)
- Charged us for breakfast (eventually got it removed)
- Diamond Welcome Amenity did not post (did receive retro bonus)
- Terrible Housekeeping (only came 1x during our stay)
Overall we had a good time and the property itself is beautiful. The cons mentioned above were mostly minor annoyances that didn't affect our stay too much however it was a little disappointing given the price we paid and the level of service you would normally expect from a Hyatt (I have had mostly positive experiences).
Feel free to ask me any questions if anyone wants to know anything specific.