Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Dec 11, 2011, 7:37 am
#227
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 983
Not only is it not noticeable, apparently when it is not manned the front desk agents answer a question of "Do you have a Diamond check in line?" with an answer of no.
Way to make that first impression.
Dec 11, 2011, 9:23 am
#228
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Actually they need to old owner to come back as well
Dec 11, 2011, 5:46 pm
#231
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,308
-David
Last edited by LIH Prem; Dec 11, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Dec 11, 2011, 6:48 pm
#232
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,817
Dec 11, 2011, 8:07 pm
#233
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
The bottom line on this property is that the new manager has continued the downward spiral of service at least to many of us.
Dec 12, 2011, 7:04 am
#234
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 400
The overall infrastructure of the hotel is no different than many other Waikiki properties (a little dated). There has been no significant recent new hotel building development in Wakiki. I did like the new Regency Club.
Dec 13, 2011, 1:09 pm
#236
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,531
Comparative Analysis: Regency Waikiki vs. Place Waikiki
The overall winner is Hyatt Place.
Context: Back-to-back stays, corporate rates. Curiously, Place was $20 more than Regency.
1) Check-in: Tie Both warm and friendly. Elite recognition. Explanation of benefits was clear. The Regency Platinum/Diamond desk is nice when the main check out line is a zoo.
2) Physical Plant: Hyatt Place. This is not your standard Hyatt Place refurbishment. The finishes in the bathroom and the lighting is much better than any mainland Hyatt Place I have stayed in. The air unit is central as opposed to the window-based models. My room was spacious in warm light blue/grey tones. Everything was clean and fresh. Two pet peeves: my room had a door separating sink from toilet/shower. While likely nice when sharing the room, the shower/toilet room is very small. A pocket door would have been better. Second, the lighting around the desk was suboptimal. I would estimate about 1/3-1/4 of the rooms when the renovation is complete will have ocean or diamondhead+water view. The rooms here are far more spacious, and I think suit themselves to sharing better than the Regency rooms.
Contrast this with the Regency, which is, well, dated. They are inefficient from a space utilization point of view. Insufficient number of outlets. The furniture is not comfortable. Beds are terrible. Carpet and linens are old and tattered. Bathrooms are basic (shower/tub here vs. shower at Place). It's simply unacceptable to consider this a Regency with this physical plant. The only thing I really liked about the Regency rooms was the Toto toilet seat.
Note: both rooms had LCD TVs with an interface to connect your TV/media source directly. WiFi Internet was spotty at times in both properties.
3) Breakfast: Tie/Slant toward Regency. This is a toughie because I didn't expect much at Hyatt Place, but the breakfast at Hyatt Place was the best breakfast I've had at a Hyatt Place. A combination of standard fare, three hot plates (french toast, breakfast sandwiches), oatmeal. A lot of staff attention to keep the offerings full. The only slight downside was the setting is between the two towers and appeared to have a wind tunnel effect when I was there. The eating area is covered, but it's poolside, so the wind was strong and blowing things about.
My rate at the Regency included the buffet at Shor (I skipped the mediocre regency club). This is of course a very comprehensive buffet in a great surrounding, with many of the tables offering ocean views. There is an omelette station, and the wait staff are just so helpful and friendly.
4) Overall Service: Tie/Slant Hyatt Place. I didn't really encounter any problems. Everyone had a heaping dose of Aloha. I tilt the service to the Hyatt Place because I was surprised by how many employees were around and available. There is valet service, there is a bell stand, several people manning the front desk (no kiosks), staff attending the buffet, etc. The Place has imported a lot of Hyatt employees from other properties. The assistant manager told me that Hyatt Place employees are not unionized, as opposed to the Regency.
5) Location: Regency. The Regency does have a slightly better location as its location on the block is closer to the beach, whereas the place is at the other end of its block. For me personally I had no problem and the walk between the two is quite easy (Mattress Run, anyone?). There is less fine dining and such at the Hyatt Place location, but it's still not a problem. The Place front desk does have nice beach towels available for guests.
In sum: if you are committed to a Hyatt stay in Waikiki and pricing is similar, I recommend the Hyatt Place. The cutbacks at the Regency reduce its competitive advantage. The rooms are nicer, the staff are just as great, and the breakfast was surprisingly good.
Context: Back-to-back stays, corporate rates. Curiously, Place was $20 more than Regency.
1) Check-in: Tie Both warm and friendly. Elite recognition. Explanation of benefits was clear. The Regency Platinum/Diamond desk is nice when the main check out line is a zoo.
2) Physical Plant: Hyatt Place. This is not your standard Hyatt Place refurbishment. The finishes in the bathroom and the lighting is much better than any mainland Hyatt Place I have stayed in. The air unit is central as opposed to the window-based models. My room was spacious in warm light blue/grey tones. Everything was clean and fresh. Two pet peeves: my room had a door separating sink from toilet/shower. While likely nice when sharing the room, the shower/toilet room is very small. A pocket door would have been better. Second, the lighting around the desk was suboptimal. I would estimate about 1/3-1/4 of the rooms when the renovation is complete will have ocean or diamondhead+water view. The rooms here are far more spacious, and I think suit themselves to sharing better than the Regency rooms.
Contrast this with the Regency, which is, well, dated. They are inefficient from a space utilization point of view. Insufficient number of outlets. The furniture is not comfortable. Beds are terrible. Carpet and linens are old and tattered. Bathrooms are basic (shower/tub here vs. shower at Place). It's simply unacceptable to consider this a Regency with this physical plant. The only thing I really liked about the Regency rooms was the Toto toilet seat.
Note: both rooms had LCD TVs with an interface to connect your TV/media source directly. WiFi Internet was spotty at times in both properties.
3) Breakfast: Tie/Slant toward Regency. This is a toughie because I didn't expect much at Hyatt Place, but the breakfast at Hyatt Place was the best breakfast I've had at a Hyatt Place. A combination of standard fare, three hot plates (french toast, breakfast sandwiches), oatmeal. A lot of staff attention to keep the offerings full. The only slight downside was the setting is between the two towers and appeared to have a wind tunnel effect when I was there. The eating area is covered, but it's poolside, so the wind was strong and blowing things about.
My rate at the Regency included the buffet at Shor (I skipped the mediocre regency club). This is of course a very comprehensive buffet in a great surrounding, with many of the tables offering ocean views. There is an omelette station, and the wait staff are just so helpful and friendly.
4) Overall Service: Tie/Slant Hyatt Place. I didn't really encounter any problems. Everyone had a heaping dose of Aloha. I tilt the service to the Hyatt Place because I was surprised by how many employees were around and available. There is valet service, there is a bell stand, several people manning the front desk (no kiosks), staff attending the buffet, etc. The Place has imported a lot of Hyatt employees from other properties. The assistant manager told me that Hyatt Place employees are not unionized, as opposed to the Regency.
5) Location: Regency. The Regency does have a slightly better location as its location on the block is closer to the beach, whereas the place is at the other end of its block. For me personally I had no problem and the walk between the two is quite easy (Mattress Run, anyone?). There is less fine dining and such at the Hyatt Place location, but it's still not a problem. The Place front desk does have nice beach towels available for guests.
In sum: if you are committed to a Hyatt stay in Waikiki and pricing is similar, I recommend the Hyatt Place. The cutbacks at the Regency reduce its competitive advantage. The rooms are nicer, the staff are just as great, and the breakfast was surprisingly good.
Last edited by 19103_aa; Dec 13, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Dec 13, 2011, 3:40 pm
#237
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
"It's simply unacceptable to consider this a Regency with this physical plant."
What is so bad about this is that there is nothing in the Hyatt world lower than Regency. Regency minus.
What is so bad about this is that there is nothing in the Hyatt world lower than Regency. Regency minus.
Dec 13, 2011, 4:10 pm
#238
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
I agree with you on this aspect.. I had to move the entire bed-side stand to find a power outlet to charge my phone, and keep it next to the bed.
I disagree here. I've been to the HR Waikiki twice, and both times that beds were amazing. In fact, the bed at Waikiki was better than the one I had at the GH Shanghai, last month. That bed was rock hard, and I was in a suite!
I disagree here. I've been to the HR Waikiki twice, and both times that beds were amazing. In fact, the bed at Waikiki was better than the one I had at the GH Shanghai, last month. That bed was rock hard, and I was in a suite!
Good news
Dec 15, 2011, 5:54 pm
#240
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Maybe a great alternative to the Hyatt, cheaper and same points!!!!! Will be trying it out in person on Feb, but was on property Tuesday