Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
#1727
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,305
I was looking at both HR and Centric for a cheap one-night stay following a late HNL arrival (before moving to Kahala next day) . . . both have a seven day cancel with deposit, unlike Hilton and Marriott, which offer a three day cancel, no deposit required. This property also has the highest resort fee ($42). No wonder its rates are cheapest (only $170/night). I would have done it (and finally burned a club award!) but the cancel policy is a deal killer.
-David
#1728
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I stayed at this property the last time I was in HNL and I was not impressed. The pool area is nothing special. The stairway from the pool area to the street level has a lot of trash in it (I'm not taking about one or two things -- someone did not drop a cup -- the stairs were covered in garbage. The breakfast in the lounge was so bad that I went out to breakfast every day (there is a really good place right across the street, actually).
I'm staying at the Centric on an upcoming trip -- I'm hoping it's better.
I'm staying at the Centric on an upcoming trip -- I'm hoping it's better.
#1729
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,116
Otherwise, the Centric was really lacking for me. I missed the beach across the street, really don't care for the Centric neighborhood overall -- you could be in any inner city -- the suites are strangely laid out and not especially functional as suites, housekeeping was slow and not very responsive, the front desk didn't follow up on things. Just had an unpolished Hyatt Place feel to the experience -- except the restaurant for breakfast.
Edited to add -- I forgot to mention that while the Hyatt Regency no doubt has its positives and negatives, in 15+ years of staying there I've never experienced the trash you were talking about in the stairs to the street. That's unusual in my experience.
#1730
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 981
I was looking at both HR and Centric for a cheap one-night stay following a late HNL arrival (before moving to Kahala next day) . . . both have a seven day cancel with deposit, unlike Hilton and Marriott, which offer a three day cancel, no deposit required. This property also has the highest resort fee ($42). No wonder its rates are cheapest (only $170/night). I would have done it (and finally burned a club award!) but the cancel policy is a deal killer.
#1731
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
Out of curiosity, are you saving on one night at the Kahala on purpose or because there are no rooms available your arrival night? If you are looking for a place to crash on your arrival night because you think the trip to the Kahala from the airport is much further than Waikiki, I would suggest just going straight to the Kahala. Travel time to both locations is actually probably the same, and with the lack of traffic when you arrive Kahala might be faster because it would be mostly freeway driving. Just my 2˘ as a local.
#1733
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 981
Totally understand and thought that might be the case. How about the airport Holiday Inn?
#1734
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
#1735
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 981
#1740
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 just heard something very troubling about the Regency Club. A friend stayed there recently and was denied access to the lanai of the club.... the reason? CATERING RENTED IT OUT FOR A PRIVATE PARTY. Yes, you read that right. Not the club - just the lanai.
Party-goers are now entering the locked club and heading for the lanai for a private party. RC guests cannot use it, much like they can't use the pool area at times when there's a wedding or a similar function. But the pool area is much larger, and often, the pool itself isn't impacted - just the area to one side beyond the hot tub.
So that means no eating outside, no drinks by the fire pit, and no sunset viewing for hotel guests. I've spent many a night on that lanai just sitting and enjoying. I've even spent time there during special events over the ocean, such as fireworks, or a parade. My fear is they will rent out the lanai during special events too.
What's going to stop those same guests from sitting in the club if it's a little chilly, windy, or wet? Or if they just feel like it?
So it was bad enough when the front desk was selling access to guests and the place became very, very overcrowded, particularly in the morning, but this is like a slap in the face to their guests - both long time and newbies. Either it's a regency club or it's a party room. It can't be both.
From what she told me, this has been done a few times already. I'll bet if it takes off, we will be seeing more of the "lanai closed" signs at that door
Party-goers are now entering the locked club and heading for the lanai for a private party. RC guests cannot use it, much like they can't use the pool area at times when there's a wedding or a similar function. But the pool area is much larger, and often, the pool itself isn't impacted - just the area to one side beyond the hot tub.
So that means no eating outside, no drinks by the fire pit, and no sunset viewing for hotel guests. I've spent many a night on that lanai just sitting and enjoying. I've even spent time there during special events over the ocean, such as fireworks, or a parade. My fear is they will rent out the lanai during special events too.
What's going to stop those same guests from sitting in the club if it's a little chilly, windy, or wet? Or if they just feel like it?
So it was bad enough when the front desk was selling access to guests and the place became very, very overcrowded, particularly in the morning, but this is like a slap in the face to their guests - both long time and newbies. Either it's a regency club or it's a party room. It can't be both.
From what she told me, this has been done a few times already. I'll bet if it takes off, we will be seeing more of the "lanai closed" signs at that door