Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Apr 15, 2013, 1:41 pm
#827
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,732
In order to redeem a Regency Club™ or Grand Club™ upgrade award or a Suite upgrade award at a Hyatt Resort property, member must pay a minimum of the Hyatt Daily Rate deluxe room (such as partial ocean view, ocean view, slope view, etc.).
Apr 15, 2013, 2:03 pm
#828
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,311
-David
Apr 15, 2013, 10:05 pm
#829
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 136
Thanks. I seem to remember there were two types of Ocean Suites, at least in Napili tower. One that overlooked more of the (old) self-parking; and the other had more of a direct view of the beach. The latter was bigger in size, albeit slightly. I'm wondering if one can ask for the latter when using the suite upgrade certificate.
Apr 15, 2013, 10:06 pm
#830
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 136
I stayed in Napili Towers for 6 nights in the suite on 7th floor but on the inside (did see the hammocks and the kids swimming pools but did NOT see (nor hear for that mater) the construction). We loved it. Seeing whales breaching laying on your bed...priceless. Plus now Spike has two buddies; Mike and Ike and my Wife went crazy about them. Go figure...
Apr 16, 2013, 2:28 pm
#831
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 350
In regards to Partial Ocean View, if I book using a travel agent or using a AAA discount, I'm assuming the upgrade cannot be applied. Is that correct?
Last edited by NetBrowser07; Apr 16, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Apr 16, 2013, 3:23 pm
#832
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,732
Thank you. I talked with a Customer Service agent and he insisted that the minimum I needed to book was the Ocean Suite (which did not make sense).
In regards to Partial Ocean View, if I book using a travel agent or using a AAA discount, I'm assuming the upgrade cannot be applied. Is that correct?
In regards to Partial Ocean View, if I book using a travel agent or using a AAA discount, I'm assuming the upgrade cannot be applied. Is that correct?
You cannot use any discounts if you want to apply a suite upgrade. The terms are literally one sentence, which I included in my first reply and repeat again here:
In order to redeem a Regency Club™ or Grand Club™ upgrade award or a Suite upgrade award at a Hyatt Resort property, member must pay a minimum of the Hyatt Daily Rate deluxe room (such as partial ocean view, ocean view, slope view, etc.).
Apr 17, 2013, 1:36 pm
#833
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 350
Called Hyatt to inquire. While the Daily Rate for the Deluxe room runs around $400, if a suite upgrade is needed (with Points), the Daily Rate for the same room goes to $650.
That's why the terms are literally one sentence.. so that the properties and Hyatt can put in whatever terms they want.
That's why the terms are literally one sentence.. so that the properties and Hyatt can put in whatever terms they want.
Apr 17, 2013, 4:51 pm
#834
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,732
Called Hyatt to inquire. While the Daily Rate for the Deluxe room runs around $400, if a suite upgrade is needed (with Points), the Daily Rate for the same room goes to $650.
That's why the terms are literally one sentence.. so that the properties and Hyatt can put in whatever terms they want.
That's why the terms are literally one sentence.. so that the properties and Hyatt can put in whatever terms they want.
Next call up Gold Passport and ask to apply a suite upgrade with points. They will confirm availability and process the upgrade. Note that suite upgrades are capacity controlled, so there may not be availability on your dates. There's no GP provision to pay a higher rate to access expanded award availability, but if the hotel wants to offer you some other paid upgrade, that's well within their rights. You can always cancel the paid reservation with no penalty as long as it's >7 days prior to checkin.
This property is known to severely restrict award availability, so it's not surprising the suite upgrade is difficult to obtain. If you think they're playing games, you can inquire about suite upgrade availability prior to revealing you already have a reservation at a qualifying rate.
Apr 18, 2013, 9:38 pm
#835
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Hyatt, Marriott, Delta, Alaska
Posts: 636
Make your reservation online for the dates you care about. Make sure you book the "Hyatt Daily Rate" rate type. Not advance purchase, not AAA, not a corporate rate. Book at least a Partial Ocean View. This way you will know exactly how much you're expected to pay.
Next call up Gold Passport and ask to apply a suite upgrade with points. They will confirm availability and process the upgrade. Note that suite upgrades are capacity controlled, so there may not be availability on your dates. There's no GP provision to pay a higher rate to access expanded award availability, but if the hotel wants to offer you some other paid upgrade, that's well within their rights. You can always cancel the paid reservation with no penalty as long as it's >7 days prior to checkin.
This property is known to severely restrict award availability, so it's not surprising the suite upgrade is difficult to obtain. If you think they're playing games, you can inquire about suite upgrade availability prior to revealing you already have a reservation at a qualifying rate.
Next call up Gold Passport and ask to apply a suite upgrade with points. They will confirm availability and process the upgrade. Note that suite upgrades are capacity controlled, so there may not be availability on your dates. There's no GP provision to pay a higher rate to access expanded award availability, but if the hotel wants to offer you some other paid upgrade, that's well within their rights. You can always cancel the paid reservation with no penalty as long as it's >7 days prior to checkin.
This property is known to severely restrict award availability, so it's not surprising the suite upgrade is difficult to obtain. If you think they're playing games, you can inquire about suite upgrade availability prior to revealing you already have a reservation at a qualifying rate.
What you cannot do is book a rate through a third-party (Expedia, Costco, etc.) and use a suite upgrade from THAT rate.
Apr 18, 2013, 9:44 pm
#836
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,732
Sorry, but I gotta disagree with one point. You do NOT need to book at the Hyatt Daily Rack rate. You DO have to book a rate on Hyatt's website. I upgrade from AAA, AARP, etc. rates all the time, and have never had a problem with it - even had a GP rep. help me find a lower one once with a discount for which I was eligible.
What you cannot do is book a rate through a third-party (Expedia, Costco, etc.) and use a suite upgrade from THAT rate.
What you cannot do is book a rate through a third-party (Expedia, Costco, etc.) and use a suite upgrade from THAT rate.
For suite upgrades with points (available to anyone for 6000 points for up to 4 nights), the Hyatt Daily Rate is the minimum acceptable rate. Discounted rates like AAA and corporate rates are not eligible for suite upgrades via points, and the rate will be adjusted upwards if a points suite upgrade is applied.
May 17, 2013, 8:01 pm
#837
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ATL
Posts: 143
Just got back a few days ago from a trip with my wife split between the Hyatts on Kauai (5 nights) and Maui (3 nights) - celebrated our 15-year wedding anniversary with this trip. This was our first stay at either property and I thought I'd share some thoughts and experiences for others since I found this thread very helpful. I did a similar writeup for the Grand Hyatt Kauai and wanted to do one for the Hyatt Regency Maui.
- I booked all three nights with award certs and points from CCs. When I booked the rooms, I was Platinum, but during our stay I had Diamond status via the Diamond Challenge (Trial Offer mentioned elsewhere).
- I received an email from the generic hotel concierge email a few days out from our arrival welcoming us, asking for travel details, etc. In my reply, I let them know about our anniversary, thinking that it might be mentioned at check-in (for my wife's benefit), might trigger a special amenity, and might provide for a better room than normal...the second two happened (and I think the first would've happened if we had kept the first room we were assigned to). BTW, I received a reply from an Ariele as well - saw her name mentioned a page or two back.
- The front desk rep that checked us in, Sarah, mentioned that she was also the hotel manager. She was very friendly and helpful. She commented on my Diamond status, let us know about the resort benefits, the club access, etc. She also let us know that we were in an ocean view room in the Lahaina Tower. I knew enough to be relieved that we were not in the Napili Tower near the construction, but also realized that we wouldn't be near the club, which we used quite a bit when we were in Kauai. I asked her if we could get a room in the Atrium Tower closer to the club and, after some checking, she got us into an oceanfront room on the 20th floor (club is on the 22nd/top floor). She also commented that they had our original room set up with VIP treatment (assume some amenity), but that it wasn't a problem for us to switch rooms.
- She also offered the Diamond welcome amenity, and the card that we chose from stated that it would arrived on the 2nd day of our stay. However, it came that evening, actually while we were getting ready to go out to dinner. FYI, if any of you like cupcakes, which my wife does, the cupcake option is fantastic - 4 assorted cupcakes that tasted great.
- She asked if we were valet or self-parking and, after I mentioned self-parking, she stated that it was $14/day. I asked if that wasn't part of the resort fee (like Kauai) or was waived for Diamond and she stated that it wasn't.
- Regarding the club spread - While we were only there three days/nights and it wasn't quite as good as the one on Kauai, it was still well appointed. Others, like me, might be curious about the types of things they offer - so I thought I'd share what I remember:
- The grounds, pools and lagoon were nice. We also enjoyed the landscaped open air atrium with the various birds, huge koi (much larger than those in Kauai), and the penguins (of course). It was also neat getting to walk among the flamingos, ducks, swans, etc...and seeing the cranes.
- Even though we were in the Atrium, we found it easer to park in the lot behind the Lahaina tower rather than the one by the tennis courts. The walk may not have been much shorter but at least it was indoors/sheltered most of the way. Also, we passed by and watched some of the laua, which happens each night except for Sunday (I think).
- In general, we enjoyed this resort. It was tough coming from Kauai were the resort was amazing, but this resort was still nice and right on the ocean. Plus, while it rained every day in Napili and Kapalua, and rained us out one day in Wailea, it stayed sunny to partly cloudy every day over the Hyatt and Kaanapali.
- My only real complaint was that, other than Sarah and a few other employees we encountered (including those in the club), the employees weren't all that welcoming or overly friendly. Perhaps we were jaded after coming from Kauai where virtually all of the employees smiled, said, "Aloha," etc. However, other than the club employees, I can count on one hand the number of times someone said, "Aloha," to us at this Hyatt, and none of the valet staff did when we walked in/out the front entrance multiple times - they were very focused on the next guest's car they could park or luggage they could retrieve. I understand that's their job, but they are also generally the first face someone sees when arriving at the resort.
That's about all I can think of for now, but feel free to reply or send me a PM with any questions about my stay or the resort and I'll try to help if I can.
- I booked all three nights with award certs and points from CCs. When I booked the rooms, I was Platinum, but during our stay I had Diamond status via the Diamond Challenge (Trial Offer mentioned elsewhere).
- I received an email from the generic hotel concierge email a few days out from our arrival welcoming us, asking for travel details, etc. In my reply, I let them know about our anniversary, thinking that it might be mentioned at check-in (for my wife's benefit), might trigger a special amenity, and might provide for a better room than normal...the second two happened (and I think the first would've happened if we had kept the first room we were assigned to). BTW, I received a reply from an Ariele as well - saw her name mentioned a page or two back.
- The front desk rep that checked us in, Sarah, mentioned that she was also the hotel manager. She was very friendly and helpful. She commented on my Diamond status, let us know about the resort benefits, the club access, etc. She also let us know that we were in an ocean view room in the Lahaina Tower. I knew enough to be relieved that we were not in the Napili Tower near the construction, but also realized that we wouldn't be near the club, which we used quite a bit when we were in Kauai. I asked her if we could get a room in the Atrium Tower closer to the club and, after some checking, she got us into an oceanfront room on the 20th floor (club is on the 22nd/top floor). She also commented that they had our original room set up with VIP treatment (assume some amenity), but that it wasn't a problem for us to switch rooms.
- She also offered the Diamond welcome amenity, and the card that we chose from stated that it would arrived on the 2nd day of our stay. However, it came that evening, actually while we were getting ready to go out to dinner. FYI, if any of you like cupcakes, which my wife does, the cupcake option is fantastic - 4 assorted cupcakes that tasted great.
- She asked if we were valet or self-parking and, after I mentioned self-parking, she stated that it was $14/day. I asked if that wasn't part of the resort fee (like Kauai) or was waived for Diamond and she stated that it wasn't.
- Regarding the club spread - While we were only there three days/nights and it wasn't quite as good as the one on Kauai, it was still well appointed. Others, like me, might be curious about the types of things they offer - so I thought I'd share what I remember:
- Always available: assorted soft drinks, some type of juice from a dispenser, bottled water, ice, and hot beverages via a Nespresso (or similar) machine.
- Breakfast: One different hot entree each morning (e.g. guava pancakes, egg dishes, etc.). Some or all of the following were served every morning: fresh fruits (e.g. pineapple, papaya, strawberries, etc.), yogurt, assorted sliced breads and bagels, jams/jellies and spreads, cheeses, various pastries (e.g. croissants, filled pastries, etc.), assorted muffins, two different juices, and milk.
- Afternoon snack: 2 different cookies (e.g. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut and Oatmeal Raisin with Walnuts), White Chocolate bark, whole fruits (e.g. apples, oranges, bananas, etc.) and assorted containers of snacks (e.g. macadamia nuts, pistachios, and trail mix)
- Evening horderves: One different hot entree each evening (e.g. potstickers, edamame, coconut fried shrimp, etc.). Some or all of the following were served every evening: assorted veggies (e.g. grilled squash and zucchini, broccoli, carrots, roasted tomatoes, etc.), different cheeses, breads and crackers, dips/sauces (e.g. spinach dip, oil/vinegar). I did not see alcohol set out (like in Kauai), but one evening "Keith" asked if he could get us something from the bar. I've read that they serve alcohol, but there is a "minimal charge."
- Evening dessert: It varied, but there were usually 2-3 different cookies and/or chocolate bark, plus some other major dessert (e.g. sponge cake, chocolate souffle, etc.)
- One additional tip about the club floor access - While you need your room key with access to get to the club floor via the elevators, you don't need it if you use the stairs. This came in handy for us since we were only two floors down but our room was on the opposite side of the atrium from the elevators.
- Unlike the Hyatt in Kauai, the washers and dryers have a charge - looked like $2.00 per use.- Breakfast: One different hot entree each morning (e.g. guava pancakes, egg dishes, etc.). Some or all of the following were served every morning: fresh fruits (e.g. pineapple, papaya, strawberries, etc.), yogurt, assorted sliced breads and bagels, jams/jellies and spreads, cheeses, various pastries (e.g. croissants, filled pastries, etc.), assorted muffins, two different juices, and milk.
- Afternoon snack: 2 different cookies (e.g. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut and Oatmeal Raisin with Walnuts), White Chocolate bark, whole fruits (e.g. apples, oranges, bananas, etc.) and assorted containers of snacks (e.g. macadamia nuts, pistachios, and trail mix)
- Evening horderves: One different hot entree each evening (e.g. potstickers, edamame, coconut fried shrimp, etc.). Some or all of the following were served every evening: assorted veggies (e.g. grilled squash and zucchini, broccoli, carrots, roasted tomatoes, etc.), different cheeses, breads and crackers, dips/sauces (e.g. spinach dip, oil/vinegar). I did not see alcohol set out (like in Kauai), but one evening "Keith" asked if he could get us something from the bar. I've read that they serve alcohol, but there is a "minimal charge."
- Evening dessert: It varied, but there were usually 2-3 different cookies and/or chocolate bark, plus some other major dessert (e.g. sponge cake, chocolate souffle, etc.)
- One additional tip about the club floor access - While you need your room key with access to get to the club floor via the elevators, you don't need it if you use the stairs. This came in handy for us since we were only two floors down but our room was on the opposite side of the atrium from the elevators.
- The grounds, pools and lagoon were nice. We also enjoyed the landscaped open air atrium with the various birds, huge koi (much larger than those in Kauai), and the penguins (of course). It was also neat getting to walk among the flamingos, ducks, swans, etc...and seeing the cranes.
- Even though we were in the Atrium, we found it easer to park in the lot behind the Lahaina tower rather than the one by the tennis courts. The walk may not have been much shorter but at least it was indoors/sheltered most of the way. Also, we passed by and watched some of the laua, which happens each night except for Sunday (I think).
- In general, we enjoyed this resort. It was tough coming from Kauai were the resort was amazing, but this resort was still nice and right on the ocean. Plus, while it rained every day in Napili and Kapalua, and rained us out one day in Wailea, it stayed sunny to partly cloudy every day over the Hyatt and Kaanapali.
- My only real complaint was that, other than Sarah and a few other employees we encountered (including those in the club), the employees weren't all that welcoming or overly friendly. Perhaps we were jaded after coming from Kauai where virtually all of the employees smiled, said, "Aloha," etc. However, other than the club employees, I can count on one hand the number of times someone said, "Aloha," to us at this Hyatt, and none of the valet staff did when we walked in/out the front entrance multiple times - they were very focused on the next guest's car they could park or luggage they could retrieve. I understand that's their job, but they are also generally the first face someone sees when arriving at the resort.
That's about all I can think of for now, but feel free to reply or send me a PM with any questions about my stay or the resort and I'll try to help if I can.
May 30, 2013, 7:34 pm
#839
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Hyatt, Marriott, Delta, Alaska
Posts: 636
Yes. I just got back from one such trip. They were able to put us in the Lahaina tower, in an oceanfront room. Although it was in what is normally a slower season, their occupancy was pretty high, too. Make sure that you get it all booked through the hotel; don't expect to show up and do all that at check-in.
Jun 13, 2013, 7:32 am
#840
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
When I called in re doing a points upgrade, the rep helping me was very confused as to why the system wouldn't allow him to keep the same rate. For a suite upgrade using points, the rate would have to be adjusted to $500+ and for a club upgrade using points, the rate would have to be adjusted to $400+ (don't remember the exact figures).
Funny thing was that the AAA rate for a club room was only $397.