Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas Saadiyat Island REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Feb 20, 2014, 12:09 pm
#61
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: 30 minutes south of EWR
Programs: UA 1k MM;*A Lifetime Gold; Marriott Lifetime Platinum; HiltonHonors Gold. Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 7,816
Or, when you are as lucky as I was, and win two free nights!
And, as a diamond, use a suite night for the first revenue night, and they courteously extended it to the two free nights...... and then, when arriving at the hotel, they mega-quadruplicity-upgrade you again to a Beach villa.....
Certainly, I could never afford the PH if I were to pay out of pocket for the villa we had. I have no idea how much it would have cost, but I am guessing several hundred US$ a night.
Feb 20, 2014, 2:59 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Virtuoso, Marriott Stars/Luminous, Hilton Impresario, IHG Luxury & Lifestyle, Hyatt Prive etc
Posts: 2,004
Mar 10, 2014, 9:28 am
#63
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC, SFO
Programs: AA Platinum, UA Gold, Alaska MVP Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gld, Marriott Gld
Posts: 42
Wonderful property! Only stayed one night on layover to the Maldives. Used a free suite cert and was given a massive suite at the end of the fourth floor, 428. And the walk out deck (not a balcony) was about the same size and overlooked the pool and beach.
The staff was great and knew my name before check-in. I received an email a couple days before arriving asking for my flight info and they were waiting to greet me.
Diamond amenity was a box of chocolates and fruit. There was also several bowls of assorted nuts by the mini bar. I never found a price sheet for the minibar and almost assumed it was free but was asked at checkout if we took anything. I guess if you have to ask the price you can't afford it.
Breakfast was in The Cafe and was a huge buffet. We appeared to be the first people in the morning, 6:30am, but everything was out and ready.
It was a shame we didn't get to spend more time as the property and beach were amazing. If I'm ever in the area I would make a point to stay there again.
If you head into town be sure you know your way back. We had to head to the Abu Dhabi mall to replace some items from delayed baggage and the taxi drivers did not know how to get back. One said he had nEver heard of it and the other said he had been once and we got lost. We did get a nice tour of the golf club though.
The staff was great and knew my name before check-in. I received an email a couple days before arriving asking for my flight info and they were waiting to greet me.
Diamond amenity was a box of chocolates and fruit. There was also several bowls of assorted nuts by the mini bar. I never found a price sheet for the minibar and almost assumed it was free but was asked at checkout if we took anything. I guess if you have to ask the price you can't afford it.
Breakfast was in The Cafe and was a huge buffet. We appeared to be the first people in the morning, 6:30am, but everything was out and ready.
It was a shame we didn't get to spend more time as the property and beach were amazing. If I'm ever in the area I would make a point to stay there again.
If you head into town be sure you know your way back. We had to head to the Abu Dhabi mall to replace some items from delayed baggage and the taxi drivers did not know how to get back. One said he had nEver heard of it and the other said he had been once and we got lost. We did get a nice tour of the golf club though.
Just received this room (428) on a My Elite Rate upgraded with a DSU. Absolutely stunning, the nicest room I have ever stayed in.
Mar 10, 2014, 11:26 am
#64
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,421
Mar 16, 2014, 11:48 pm
#65
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC, SFO
Programs: AA Platinum, UA Gold, Alaska MVP Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gld, Marriott Gld
Posts: 42
Aug 15, 2014, 4:40 pm
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Recent reviews?
Getting in 10:30 pm, and leaving the next morning at 10:30 a.m.
Considering this, the St. Regis, or the Westin.
Proximity to airport is key, but from what I understand, any hotel is going to be under 30 minutes away...
Getting in 10:30 pm, and leaving the next morning at 10:30 a.m.
Considering this, the St. Regis, or the Westin.
Proximity to airport is key, but from what I understand, any hotel is going to be under 30 minutes away...
Aug 16, 2014, 1:32 am
#67
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Why pick one so far from the airport? You won't be using any of the facilities so you might as well stay near the airport and save an hour in travel time.... Yas Island is a few minutes away, and there is an airport hotel.
Sep 22, 2014, 4:10 pm
#69
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 73
15.5 hour layover in AUH, is it worth staying here?
Greetings all. I am traveling to South Asia in December on EY, and deliberately book a 15.5 hr layover to see Abu Dhabi. Flights lands at 8:25 pm, departing flight leaves 4 pm next day.
I have those Hyatt credit card free night certificates that are expiring in March, so I am tempted to use one of those here. Do you recommend staying here? I am thinking we would use the beach in the morning, then go around the city and also see the Grand Mosque. Will I have enough time to do this? How long does it take to get to hotel after flight lands? How early should one check in the next afternoon at AUH if we want to use the business class lounge and Six Senses spa?
Also does anyone know if EY will hold our checked luggage during the layover? I am thinking we can just keep our clothes toiletries etc for the overnight stay in our carry-on luggage, and not have to lug our checked bags to the hotel.
Prior to AUH, we are spending three nights in IST. Am I better off using the free night certs at the Park hyatt or Grand hyatt there, amnd finding some other place to stay in AUH. If so, where would you recommend. I have points/certs in Chase UR (good for Hyatt, Marriott, IHG), Hilton, and SPG.
Thanks in advance!
I have those Hyatt credit card free night certificates that are expiring in March, so I am tempted to use one of those here. Do you recommend staying here? I am thinking we would use the beach in the morning, then go around the city and also see the Grand Mosque. Will I have enough time to do this? How long does it take to get to hotel after flight lands? How early should one check in the next afternoon at AUH if we want to use the business class lounge and Six Senses spa?
Also does anyone know if EY will hold our checked luggage during the layover? I am thinking we can just keep our clothes toiletries etc for the overnight stay in our carry-on luggage, and not have to lug our checked bags to the hotel.
Prior to AUH, we are spending three nights in IST. Am I better off using the free night certs at the Park hyatt or Grand hyatt there, amnd finding some other place to stay in AUH. If so, where would you recommend. I have points/certs in Chase UR (good for Hyatt, Marriott, IHG), Hilton, and SPG.
Thanks in advance!
Sep 22, 2014, 11:32 pm
#70
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Virtuoso, Marriott Stars/Luminous, Hilton Impresario, IHG Luxury & Lifestyle, Hyatt Prive etc
Posts: 2,004
I would also not bother spending too long at the J lounge - it's nothing particularly special and a free 15 min spa treatment is nice, but not worth allowing extra time for.
Arrival at AUH was pretty quick last week with short immigration queues (this was around 6 am though). Stay somewhere central and then either get a taxi around town or hire a chauffeur for a few hours (much easier obviously but more costly - 3 hours for 450 AED). Allow a good hour, probably more for the mosque and go when there's a tour on. Drive along the Corniche (maybe stop for a stroll as December weather should be pleasant) and visit the city centre, maybe the marina...
Oct 10, 2014, 8:48 am
#71
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,742
We had a lovely two night stay. I upgraded to a suite on a paid rate using my diamond upgrade cert. The hotel upgraded us further to a spectacular suite on the 6th floor with a dead on view of the beach and sea.
The diamond amenity is a choice of hummus and vegetables or 1K points. There was a box of chocolates, a fruit bowl, a glass of wine, and three bowls of nuts/crackers in the room. An earlier post asked about whether the suite minibar is free. It is not.
For diamonds, the buffet is free and you can order egg dishes from the chefs at that station. We were told we would be charged if we ordered from the menu. No masala dosa for us.
The hotel is very busy as weekend nights are Thursday and Friday. Friends who live in Abu Dhabi have stayed here as they love the beach. The hotel offers local rates during the peak of the summer heat thru mid Sept.
Our friends turned us on to the restaurants in The Collection at St Regis. It was a 6-7 dirhan ($2-3) taxi ride to the St Regis. There were taxis waiting out front and even more at the St Regis so it was an easy ride back and forth. We loved Avasa, traditional and contemporary Indian cuisine, so much we went twice.
Park Hyatt came thru again with a elegant, contemporary, comfortable property.
My local friends gave me 3 coupons each for the two (non beach) restaurants in the hotel. They are from a local Entertainment book. They offer buy one get one mains at each restaurant. They expire at the end of Dec. We also have one buy one get one coupon for Ferrari World. Should you be staying this quarter, send me a note with your address and I am happy to mail the coupons to you.
The diamond amenity is a choice of hummus and vegetables or 1K points. There was a box of chocolates, a fruit bowl, a glass of wine, and three bowls of nuts/crackers in the room. An earlier post asked about whether the suite minibar is free. It is not.
For diamonds, the buffet is free and you can order egg dishes from the chefs at that station. We were told we would be charged if we ordered from the menu. No masala dosa for us.
The hotel is very busy as weekend nights are Thursday and Friday. Friends who live in Abu Dhabi have stayed here as they love the beach. The hotel offers local rates during the peak of the summer heat thru mid Sept.
Our friends turned us on to the restaurants in The Collection at St Regis. It was a 6-7 dirhan ($2-3) taxi ride to the St Regis. There were taxis waiting out front and even more at the St Regis so it was an easy ride back and forth. We loved Avasa, traditional and contemporary Indian cuisine, so much we went twice.
Park Hyatt came thru again with a elegant, contemporary, comfortable property.
My local friends gave me 3 coupons each for the two (non beach) restaurants in the hotel. They are from a local Entertainment book. They offer buy one get one mains at each restaurant. They expire at the end of Dec. We also have one buy one get one coupon for Ferrari World. Should you be staying this quarter, send me a note with your address and I am happy to mail the coupons to you.
Dec 29, 2014, 2:01 pm
#72
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Looking to spend two nights here in February. No status, going for the 20k room redemption rates for Superior Rooms, that are going for USD 425 a night. Decent value for points, I suppose. How are the Superior Rooms? Do all of them have a balcony?
Feb 13, 2015, 8:48 am
#73
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Radisson Rewards Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 940
At the property now until Sunday and gotta say I am pleasantly surprised, Diamond Suite upgrade to Diplomatic Suite definitely helped. 
Few strange things such as light leaking into the bedroom from living room, which is sparse in curtains, and housekeeping forgetting things, but service is friendly and under new GM staff really seems to try to help you anywhere.
Fyi, former GM SDeeson wrote really tense and defensive answers to negative comments in Tripadvisor.
All-in-all I really like the understated modern decor and breakfast was reasonably good, omlette was one of the best I have tried in any high-end hotels.
Beach is wonderfully soft and taxi to city is only 6-8 EUR.
I think I will be coming back when Saadiyat Island is transformed from construction lot to branches of Louvre, Guggenheim etc.
Few strange things such as light leaking into the bedroom from living room, which is sparse in curtains, and housekeeping forgetting things, but service is friendly and under new GM staff really seems to try to help you anywhere.
Fyi, former GM SDeeson wrote really tense and defensive answers to negative comments in Tripadvisor.
All-in-all I really like the understated modern decor and breakfast was reasonably good, omlette was one of the best I have tried in any high-end hotels.
Beach is wonderfully soft and taxi to city is only 6-8 EUR.
I think I will be coming back when Saadiyat Island is transformed from construction lot to branches of Louvre, Guggenheim etc.
Feb 13, 2015, 9:22 am
#74
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,742
Who is the new GM? Mr. Deeson was extremely gracious to me during my stay. He has a rich Hyatt history at Park Hyatt Dubai, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, and Hyatt Regency Xian.
Feb 13, 2015, 10:43 am
#75
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Virtuoso, Marriott Stars/Luminous, Hilton Impresario, IHG Luxury & Lifestyle, Hyatt Prive etc
Posts: 2,004
Stuart Deeson will be GM at GH Abu Dhabi when it opens (hopefully later this year). Agree that he is extremely gracious and was very generous with the FT group when we visited last year. Really looking forward to seeing the Grand when it opens.