Grand Hyatt Taipei REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 15, 2012, 5:17 pm
#136
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
Sometimes after reading a hotel review, I would wonder, “How come I didn’t get the same awesome treatment?” It all boils down to the luck of the draw and having all the planets in alignment. With the Grand Hyatt Taipei (GHT), it was pure perfection in every possible way and the stay of a lifetime.
I have put off writing this report because many aspects of the trip will divulge private information that I prefer not to share. Suffice to say that the trip to Taiwan took over a year of planning. I was celebrating a major birthday and there were many other extenuating circumstances.
As a Diamond member, I was using a suite upgrade at the GHT for our family of three. A few weeks before leaving for Taipei, I emailed the hotel to confirm room view, rollaway, and other details. Each email response was unsatisfactory (no view of Taipei 101; no rollaways available, etc.) Frustrated, I Googled “Grand Hyatt Taipei General Manager” and shot David Pacey an email. David responded immediately.
While some General Managers would do the minimal necessary to placate a customer, David jumped in with both feet to ensure a memorable stay. He put a “Taipei Team” at my disposal and mailed me about a dozen brochures to help with my trip planning. I also began receiving emails from my “Taipei Team” – Chanelle, the VIP Services Manager, and Gloria, the Public Relations Manager. David also offered to send the hotel car to pick us up at the airport, but I declined due to possible flight delays and unpredictable immigration queues.
Upon arriving at the GHT, we were asked to go to the Club Lounge on the 22nd floor to check in. The hotel must have been on “high alert” because Chanelle was waiting for us in the Club Lounge. With her was Alex, the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Both of them gave us their cell numbers so that we could contact them with “any request.”
Chanelle and Alex escorted us to our suite (which they called a junior suite), but it was in fact two rooms with two doors to separate the two rooms. Chanelle mentioned that she had selected this particular suite for us because it conveniently had two full bathrooms. In addition to the Diamond amenity of a bottle of wine and a fruit plate, there was a box of chocolates from Chanelle and a huge bouquet of flowers from David, who was off for the weekend.
The following morning was Christmas Day, and so I waited until December 26 to ask if David was available. He immediately came and joined us for breakfast in the Club Lounge. Although we had never met in person, due to the many emails back and forth, I felt like we were already old friends. I teased him that he was more Asian than real Asians in his behavior and way of thinking. At one point, he asked politely if he could get himself a cup of coffee. I didn’t say anything, but I secretly thought, “Heck, yes. It’s YOUR hotel!”
After three days at the GHT, we left Taipei to tour the rest of the island. Prior to our departure, David said that he was already thinking of which “apartment” to set aside for us on our return. We returned to the GHT on New Year’s Eve. David had warned us to be back at the hotel well before 7:00 p.m. when the streets around the hotel would be closed to traffic due to the outdoor concert and the Taipei 101 fireworks.
Grace, the Assistant Manager of the Grand Club, checked us in on New Year’s Eve and showed us to our “apartment.” The suite consisted of a beautiful foyer with a reclining chaise lounge and a sofa table with a big bouquet of flowers, a half bathroom, a living room, a King bedroom, a complete bathroom with a separate shower stall, a full kitchen, and another King bed in what should have been the dining room. (David didn’t think our son should have to sleep on a rollaway for a week.)
On the living room table were another bouquet of flowers, a full bottle of Tattinger (the Club Lounge serves Chandon), a tray of fresh passion fruit (per my request), another tray of fresh fruit, a box of chocolates, and a package of holiday cookies. Surely, this is not your typical Diamond amenity.
That night, we had dinner at Irodori, the hotel’s Japanese buffet restaurant. The restaurant was my son’s choice and he pronounced the sushi to be outstanding. Neither my husband nor I eat raw fish, but the restaurant also offered a selection of grilled items (lamb chops, fish, chicken, etc.) I selected some cold octopus and a chef was happy to grill it for me.
As we were looking over the Saké menu, Alex, our Food and Beverage friend, appeared to check on us. He helped us select a sparkling Saké, which was different, but appropriate for New Year’s Eve. It was Chanelle’s day off but she texted us when we first checked in to make sure we were happy with our suite. Later, she called to see if there was anything that we needed. My son scolded her for working on her day off.
After dinner, we settled in to await the fireworks. From our bedroom, we could see and hear the concert. From the living room and the dining room, we had a perfect view of Taipei 101. The fireworks that night did not disappoint.
During the remaining days at the GHT, we enjoyed breakfast at the Club Lounge. There were both Chinese and western items, including a chef for cook-to-order eggs/omelets. I enjoyed a morning bowl of congee, and my son loved the hot soy milk and the different breads, pastries, and fruit. We did not spend much time in the Club Lounge in the evenings, but there were at least three hot items, some cold items, fruit, and dessert, along with the Chandon champagne, liquor, etc.
My son also enjoyed working out at the gym. In addition to the workout equipment and an outdoor pool, the gym offers classes (Body Combat, Zumba, yoga, etc.) I took a Combat class one morning, and it was as intense as the class at my regular gym at home.
All too soon, our trip was coming to an end. On our last full day in Taipei, Chanelle called to ask when we would be back at the hotel. She was there to greet us when we first arrived and had told us that she personally greeted all VIPs at check-in. I assumed that she had a similar requirement for departures and so we made sure to be back at the hotel by 5:00. Once back at the hotel, I called her and arranged to meet her in the Club Lounge. Chanelle, plus her boss Christine (the Director of VIP Services) and the entire Club Lounge staff, were waiting for me with a birthday cake. I teared up as they sang Happy Birthday and presented me with a card.
We left the Grand Hyatt at 6:00 a.m. the next morning. David had arranged a hotel sedan to take us to the airport. Clearing Taiwan immigration, the agent noticed that it was my birthday and wished me Happy Birthday, and then we were off.
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, this stay is a once in a lifetime event. We will definitely return to Taiwan and to the Grand Hyatt Taipei. However, I would not expect a repeat performance. I was treated like a Rock Star once, and I am happy. I also have a GHT teddy bear (Thank you, Peter!) to serve as souvenir.
I have put off writing this report because many aspects of the trip will divulge private information that I prefer not to share. Suffice to say that the trip to Taiwan took over a year of planning. I was celebrating a major birthday and there were many other extenuating circumstances.
As a Diamond member, I was using a suite upgrade at the GHT for our family of three. A few weeks before leaving for Taipei, I emailed the hotel to confirm room view, rollaway, and other details. Each email response was unsatisfactory (no view of Taipei 101; no rollaways available, etc.) Frustrated, I Googled “Grand Hyatt Taipei General Manager” and shot David Pacey an email. David responded immediately.
While some General Managers would do the minimal necessary to placate a customer, David jumped in with both feet to ensure a memorable stay. He put a “Taipei Team” at my disposal and mailed me about a dozen brochures to help with my trip planning. I also began receiving emails from my “Taipei Team” – Chanelle, the VIP Services Manager, and Gloria, the Public Relations Manager. David also offered to send the hotel car to pick us up at the airport, but I declined due to possible flight delays and unpredictable immigration queues.
Upon arriving at the GHT, we were asked to go to the Club Lounge on the 22nd floor to check in. The hotel must have been on “high alert” because Chanelle was waiting for us in the Club Lounge. With her was Alex, the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Both of them gave us their cell numbers so that we could contact them with “any request.”
Chanelle and Alex escorted us to our suite (which they called a junior suite), but it was in fact two rooms with two doors to separate the two rooms. Chanelle mentioned that she had selected this particular suite for us because it conveniently had two full bathrooms. In addition to the Diamond amenity of a bottle of wine and a fruit plate, there was a box of chocolates from Chanelle and a huge bouquet of flowers from David, who was off for the weekend.
The following morning was Christmas Day, and so I waited until December 26 to ask if David was available. He immediately came and joined us for breakfast in the Club Lounge. Although we had never met in person, due to the many emails back and forth, I felt like we were already old friends. I teased him that he was more Asian than real Asians in his behavior and way of thinking. At one point, he asked politely if he could get himself a cup of coffee. I didn’t say anything, but I secretly thought, “Heck, yes. It’s YOUR hotel!”
After three days at the GHT, we left Taipei to tour the rest of the island. Prior to our departure, David said that he was already thinking of which “apartment” to set aside for us on our return. We returned to the GHT on New Year’s Eve. David had warned us to be back at the hotel well before 7:00 p.m. when the streets around the hotel would be closed to traffic due to the outdoor concert and the Taipei 101 fireworks.
Grace, the Assistant Manager of the Grand Club, checked us in on New Year’s Eve and showed us to our “apartment.” The suite consisted of a beautiful foyer with a reclining chaise lounge and a sofa table with a big bouquet of flowers, a half bathroom, a living room, a King bedroom, a complete bathroom with a separate shower stall, a full kitchen, and another King bed in what should have been the dining room. (David didn’t think our son should have to sleep on a rollaway for a week.)
On the living room table were another bouquet of flowers, a full bottle of Tattinger (the Club Lounge serves Chandon), a tray of fresh passion fruit (per my request), another tray of fresh fruit, a box of chocolates, and a package of holiday cookies. Surely, this is not your typical Diamond amenity.
That night, we had dinner at Irodori, the hotel’s Japanese buffet restaurant. The restaurant was my son’s choice and he pronounced the sushi to be outstanding. Neither my husband nor I eat raw fish, but the restaurant also offered a selection of grilled items (lamb chops, fish, chicken, etc.) I selected some cold octopus and a chef was happy to grill it for me.
As we were looking over the Saké menu, Alex, our Food and Beverage friend, appeared to check on us. He helped us select a sparkling Saké, which was different, but appropriate for New Year’s Eve. It was Chanelle’s day off but she texted us when we first checked in to make sure we were happy with our suite. Later, she called to see if there was anything that we needed. My son scolded her for working on her day off.
After dinner, we settled in to await the fireworks. From our bedroom, we could see and hear the concert. From the living room and the dining room, we had a perfect view of Taipei 101. The fireworks that night did not disappoint.
During the remaining days at the GHT, we enjoyed breakfast at the Club Lounge. There were both Chinese and western items, including a chef for cook-to-order eggs/omelets. I enjoyed a morning bowl of congee, and my son loved the hot soy milk and the different breads, pastries, and fruit. We did not spend much time in the Club Lounge in the evenings, but there were at least three hot items, some cold items, fruit, and dessert, along with the Chandon champagne, liquor, etc.
My son also enjoyed working out at the gym. In addition to the workout equipment and an outdoor pool, the gym offers classes (Body Combat, Zumba, yoga, etc.) I took a Combat class one morning, and it was as intense as the class at my regular gym at home.
All too soon, our trip was coming to an end. On our last full day in Taipei, Chanelle called to ask when we would be back at the hotel. She was there to greet us when we first arrived and had told us that she personally greeted all VIPs at check-in. I assumed that she had a similar requirement for departures and so we made sure to be back at the hotel by 5:00. Once back at the hotel, I called her and arranged to meet her in the Club Lounge. Chanelle, plus her boss Christine (the Director of VIP Services) and the entire Club Lounge staff, were waiting for me with a birthday cake. I teared up as they sang Happy Birthday and presented me with a card.
We left the Grand Hyatt at 6:00 a.m. the next morning. David had arranged a hotel sedan to take us to the airport. Clearing Taiwan immigration, the agent noticed that it was my birthday and wished me Happy Birthday, and then we were off.
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, this stay is a once in a lifetime event. We will definitely return to Taiwan and to the Grand Hyatt Taipei. However, I would not expect a repeat performance. I was treated like a Rock Star once, and I am happy. I also have a GHT teddy bear (Thank you, Peter!) to serve as souvenir.
Jan 15, 2012, 6:14 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K_MM, AA EX_PLT Hyatt/Hilton Dia, Mar Gold, IHG PLT, Amtrak S++, Hertz 5Star, Avis First
Posts: 743
There are two terminals at TPE. In each terminal, there is a corner of ticket agencies for various bus lines going to the city. The bus departs right outside, and each line has a unique stop number posted on the sign. I can't recall if the Hyatt is the last stop, but you can't miss it.
Jan 15, 2012, 6:17 pm
#138
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K_MM, AA EX_PLT Hyatt/Hilton Dia, Mar Gold, IHG PLT, Amtrak S++, Hertz 5Star, Avis First
Posts: 743
Absolutely fabulous! I'm glad to see particular GM's and Hyatt in general going above and beyond for special occasions for loyal customers. Sounds like a wonderful time. Can't say my stays there have been nearly as memorable, but I'm glad it's possible and look forward to returning.
May 27, 2012, 8:19 pm
#139
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
I stayed at this hotel a few weeks ago. Posted my review here: http://www.sitinfirst.com/2012/05/grand-hyatt-taipei/ (Lots of photos.)
Overview: A quality (if aged) western business hotel in the heart of the CBD
Strengths: Service, breakfast restaurant, location
Weaknesses: Rooms are getting old
Overview: A quality (if aged) western business hotel in the heart of the CBD
Strengths: Service, breakfast restaurant, location
Weaknesses: Rooms are getting old
May 27, 2012, 8:42 pm
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
Unlike many of the hotel restaurants in the US, the Grand Hyatt TPE has very good restaurants. Both the Western and the Japanese buffet restaurants are popular with the locals.
There is a free shuttle bus that goes from the 101 to the City Hall MRT station - saving you some walk.
The Xin-Yi MRT line will probably open in less than a year (target was 12/31/2012 but looks like it will be delayed) which is closer than the blue Ban-Nan line.
There is a free shuttle bus that goes from the 101 to the City Hall MRT station - saving you some walk.
The Xin-Yi MRT line will probably open in less than a year (target was 12/31/2012 but looks like it will be delayed) which is closer than the blue Ban-Nan line.
Last edited by username; May 27, 2012 at 8:50 pm
May 30, 2012, 2:31 pm
#141
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador, Avis Chairman's
Posts: 7,445
I found a shortcut... when City Hall is open... cross at the street corner on the front right of the hotel... go into city hall and walk straight through and you will come out within 100m of the Exit/Entrance to the undergound path, (ahead and slightly to the right) for the city hall station. See this link for a picture
May 30, 2012, 3:58 pm
#142
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,683
Maybe 45 to 60 minutes, depending on time of the day.
There are two terminals at TPE. In each terminal, there is a corner of ticket agencies for various bus lines going to the city. The bus departs right outside, and each line has a unique stop number posted on the sign. I can't recall if the Hyatt is the last stop, but you can't miss it.
There are two terminals at TPE. In each terminal, there is a corner of ticket agencies for various bus lines going to the city. The bus departs right outside, and each line has a unique stop number posted on the sign. I can't recall if the Hyatt is the last stop, but you can't miss it.
Fare is 145 TWD.
Jul 2, 2012, 8:20 pm
#143
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
Sounds like the bus is a good bargain to GH. I'll just want to get to the GH asap. Are taxis set rate or on meter? About $20 USD? Any other info for being a two night tourist appreciated. I was kinda bored on my last stay but need to be at TPE for onward flight. Thank you.
Jul 2, 2012, 10:42 pm
#144
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,917
Sounds like the bus is a good bargain to GH. I'll just want to get to the GH asap. Are taxis set rate or on meter? About $20 USD? Any other info for being a two night tourist appreciated. I was kinda bored on my last stay but need to be at TPE for onward flight. Thank you.
The other way around. It is a flat 1200TWD from hotels in Taipei to Taoyuan Airport in a taxi.
IMHO - a combo of bus/taxi is the fastest and cheapest to GH. take any nonstop bus to Taipei for TWD100-150 depending on carrier. Hop a cab for another 150TWD. will probably cut 20 minutes off from the direct bus.
Do know that GH/City Hall W Hotel is close if not the last stop... good 75-90 minutes after departure.
Last edited by myperks; Jul 3, 2012 at 7:29 pm Reason: changed the surcharge from 50% to 15% per CKS airport website.
Jul 24, 2012, 9:04 am
#147
Join Date: May 2007
Location: HKG
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, QF/HH/TG/SQ GOLD
Posts: 473
Jul 24, 2012, 9:11 am
#148
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,498
Aug 9, 2012, 7:13 pm
#149
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: TPE, SF, DC
Programs: UA Lifetime GS 4mm
Posts: 891
GH Taipei US$100M renovation by 5'2014: closed 8/12-23
Massive renovation project to begin next week, will close 8/12-23 for demolition on parts of the hotel. Renowned Parisian design firm, Didier Gomez Interior Design (DGID), to design the entire guestroom renovation plan. After reopen 8/24/12, two-phase renovation finish 5'2014.
Local press report Hyatt to spend US$100M on renovation.
Last edited by npei; Aug 9, 2012 at 8:30 pm Reason: renovation is US$100M not $1B
Aug 9, 2012, 7:55 pm
#150
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,918
