Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Nov 19, 2019, 12:01 pm
#1771
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Management doesn't get the following Barbara has. She's not ready to retire. Given the coming holiday season, management probably won't make any decisions until next year. I've written the GM but haven't gotten a response. As a side note, a person from corporate was out recently to talk to the Regency Club staff. I thought it was a slap in the face to the Regency Club staff to see him partaking in the Regency Club offerings with the same staff they want to cut hours to.
Nov 19, 2019, 2:08 pm
#1772
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Australia
Programs: Qantas Platinum, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 359
Only reason we stay at HR Waikiki is Club staff. Dont love the rooms. Dont love the complex. The only thing, IMO, that makes HR Waikiki stand out from the other hotels nearby is the Club staff. All of them. They make a very ordinary hotel a fun place to return at the end of a day. Big mistake to get rid of something that makes the hotel stand out in a positive way because truthfully there isn't much that is special about this hotel anymore.
Nov 19, 2019, 2:08 pm
#1773
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
while "corporate" visits do play a role frankly it's diminishing as the major's are concerned about "room" count. The ownership of t his property ( Korean) will make the final decision which given their propensity for service it surprises me these steps are being considered. There was great hope when the hotel was sold that the Asian buyer would "bring back" the Hyatt not further reduce services. F&B is dismal anyone look at the price of breakfast lately? Makes one want to bring their own chickens with them.
Nov 19, 2019, 3:05 pm
#1774
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
I was thinking the same thing - my hope was that with Korean owners they would want something to be proud of that matches the types of Hyatt standards of service, F&B, etc. that they see at Hyatt's across Asia. I've had conversations with GMs at Hyatt (and Marriott) resorts in Asia and they usually end with something like - if I could get away with the terrible service and high prices of what Americans pay in Hawaii I'd have no revenue issues.
Nov 20, 2019, 4:30 am
#1775
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
What about Barbara ? I think the union will have a lot to say about this, they're not going to allow jobs to be lost. Having said all this it's just another sign of costing cutting ( one has to pay for that huge housekeeping contracts as well as "equity capital's ) investment, There's a slow down coming watch what happens then
I was thinking the same thing - my hope was that with Korean owners they would want something to be proud of that matches the types of Hyatt standards of service, F&B, etc. that they see at Hyatt's across Asia. I've had conversations with GMs at Hyatt (and Marriott) resorts in Asia and they usually end with something like - if I could get away with the terrible service and high prices of what Americans pay in Hawaii I'd have no revenue issues.
Nov 20, 2019, 8:12 am
#1776
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
I learned that management is considering major cuts to Swim and Regency Club staff. For Swim, they were going to eliminate the servers. This meant that guests would have to place their food and drink orders with a bartender. They've delayed any decisions until next year.
For Regency Club, they are cutting the number of hours per shift. Apparently management doesn't understand how busy it can get a times given all the up-sells. Supposedly the changes mean the staff are only to handle food and drink related tasks. This means guests will need to see the front desk for anything else. Apparently any decisions have also been delayed for now.
I've gotten to know many of the staff and they are a BIG reason I keep coming back. It does not appear management is seeking guest feedback so for what's it worth, please consider writing the GM if you think this is a wrong direction to take.
For Regency Club, they are cutting the number of hours per shift. Apparently management doesn't understand how busy it can get a times given all the up-sells. Supposedly the changes mean the staff are only to handle food and drink related tasks. This means guests will need to see the front desk for anything else. Apparently any decisions have also been delayed for now.
I've gotten to know many of the staff and they are a BIG reason I keep coming back. It does not appear management is seeking guest feedback so for what's it worth, please consider writing the GM if you think this is a wrong direction to take.
I'm taking that to mean that the offerings will be fewer and the staff will be even more overworked. This is probably one of the best clubs in the system, and they're going to ruin it.
Nov 20, 2019, 8:12 am
#1777
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
What about Barbara ? I think the union will have a lot to say about this, they're not going to allow jobs to be lost. Having said all this it's just another sign of costing cutting ( one has to pay for that huge housekeeping contracts as well as "equity capital's ) investment, There's a slow down coming watch what happens then
Nov 20, 2019, 8:28 am
#1778
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Remember they got a huge write down in final pricing due to the deteriorated condition of the property leads me to think maybe not as high a premium as one would think. A lot of money has been put back into the property as witnessed by several of the other hotels on the beach, one has to look across the street at the Sheraton another long long over due exterior restoration let alone the interior.Very few properties in the island have been properly maintained in the past 15 years, yes there are exceptions few and far between. All based on my professional experience working on various properties ( not just hotels) in the islands
Nov 20, 2019, 12:31 pm
#1779
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: United 1K 1MM; Alaska MVP100K; WOH Globalist; Bonvoy LT Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 193
I wonder if their survey scores have taken a hit. For the first time, I was contacted by the VIP Manager following my recent stay to take the time to complete the survey.
Nov 20, 2019, 4:11 pm
#1780
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 981
Just got back from a 7 night stay, I'm sure my review is the same as it was last year and the same it will be next.
Globalist Club access, TSU for a 2 room Family suite, WAIVE Resort fees.
*CLUB was fine, I go during off hours, open 24 hours a day, Breakfast served during Breakfast hours 7-10am, Light food, 5-7 pm.
*Family Suite. Large space for Hawaii, basically two regular rooms attached. One room has a murphy bed and a large L shaped couch. TSU used, need to hunt these down usually 6-8 months out. Could use an update.
*Elevators are awful, they actually have on the TV showing expected wait times during different hours throughout the day. WOW.
*Staff, ALWAYS been kind and helpful, no complaints Always appreciated.
*This go around looked at the Buffet. 66$ a person? Are you kidding me?. I'm not a Buffet person to beging with, but 66$ plus tip and tax seems INSAME.
*GREAT LOCATION. Great location for every food budget $-$$$$$. The UDON place, 6 minute walk is my addiction. Cheap and fast on OFF HOURs. HUGE LINE, during BUSY HOURS. 6$ for Curry UNDO. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Waikiki Beach and the Hyatt here, I know exactly what I am going to get. It's going to be BUSY and too many people everywhere for my taste. I'm not going to be underwhelmed or overwhelmed. I have been WOWED at many Hyatt Resorts and Hotels in different ways, ie upgrades, extras, just nice little things. I have never been wowed here. Its just how close can I get to 200$/night after R/T and no resort fees. Everything is good, nothing is great. Perfect place for a vacation with a teenager or two. PLENTY to do on their own.
Globalist Club access, TSU for a 2 room Family suite, WAIVE Resort fees.
*CLUB was fine, I go during off hours, open 24 hours a day, Breakfast served during Breakfast hours 7-10am, Light food, 5-7 pm.
*Family Suite. Large space for Hawaii, basically two regular rooms attached. One room has a murphy bed and a large L shaped couch. TSU used, need to hunt these down usually 6-8 months out. Could use an update.
*Elevators are awful, they actually have on the TV showing expected wait times during different hours throughout the day. WOW.
*Staff, ALWAYS been kind and helpful, no complaints Always appreciated.
*This go around looked at the Buffet. 66$ a person? Are you kidding me?. I'm not a Buffet person to beging with, but 66$ plus tip and tax seems INSAME.
*GREAT LOCATION. Great location for every food budget $-$$$$$. The UDON place, 6 minute walk is my addiction. Cheap and fast on OFF HOURs. HUGE LINE, during BUSY HOURS. 6$ for Curry UNDO. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Waikiki Beach and the Hyatt here, I know exactly what I am going to get. It's going to be BUSY and too many people everywhere for my taste. I'm not going to be underwhelmed or overwhelmed. I have been WOWED at many Hyatt Resorts and Hotels in different ways, ie upgrades, extras, just nice little things. I have never been wowed here. Its just how close can I get to 200$/night after R/T and no resort fees. Everything is good, nothing is great. Perfect place for a vacation with a teenager or two. PLENTY to do on their own.
Nov 20, 2019, 4:14 pm
#1781
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
They could be "fishing" a little. I am sure like many of the other hotels reviews by FF are trending downward new visitors really don't know what to expect per se thus it's all wonderful! And yes there is "entitlement" fever. In the 40 years that I have been working/visiting the island service and quality of is at an all time low. We go with much lower expectations these days and much fewer visits even though my wife is Hawaiian even she has tired of the high prices and lousy service
Dec 5, 2019, 8:14 am
#1783
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
I have never stayed on that end of the hotel hope you had a decent view. SO new lipstick on the elevators but do they work better ?
Dec 5, 2019, 11:07 am
#1784
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
Also noticed the Macaw Parrots seem to be gone?
I don't find there is a noticeable difference in views between Diamond Head and Ewa Tower. The Diamond Wing (I think that's what it is called) of the Moana across the street is so low that if you're facing towards the Ocean then the views are pretty much the same as Diamond Head. On July trip we had a room in Ewa (no TSU available) and we were on 39 facing the Diamond Head Tower - I actually really liked that view, you could see the Ocean way on the other side of Diamond Head.
Dec 8, 2019, 2:23 am
#1785
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,305
It was an overnight, it was ocean front, so we took whatt they allocated. It was fine.
Years ago, I recall they had updated the Diamond Head tower and the Ewa tower still had older rooms. Not sure if there's any differences now, except for the walk to the RC, etc.
Elevators were fine. I think it's more than cosmetic. But they still really don't have enough elevator cars, so when it's busy you have to wait a bit.
They had somebody standing by at prime time. Not sure what their function was but they kept pushing the down button on the 3rd floor for some reason.
-David