Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
Commonwealth Avenue Yarralumla, AC AU 2600
Pleasantly Surprised (10 Photos)
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
I finallyt returned to the historic Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
I‘ve often remarked that this property is just old and unmaintained, however it seems there’s been a refurb that’s quite nice.
Check In
Check in was swift and we walked to our room on the top floor at the back of the hotel. We noticed a lot of Australian Federal Police, their cars and motorbikes and were stopped walking to our room.
The PM of Singapore was three doors up in the Presidential Suite, but they let us through once we showed our keys.
I was able to watch his enormous motorcade as he checked out which is amusing as Australian PM's only travel with one or two vehicles, never so much security.
Room
I booked the best non suite room 1 King Corner Premium (formely Executive Deluxe Corner) via Privè. Annoyingly, they do not offer an upgrade benefit and the $100USD F&B credit is only $30USD. Also, since the Ambassador Lounge is now closed, the room types have been renamed. This is a disconnect between the room descriptions on the website and how the staff still refer to the rooms.
I was hoping for an upgrade at check in, however the hotel was sold out.
The back of the hotel is the preferred side as it’s on the Lake with a view of Telstra Tower.
The room is 70sqm and has two couches. The photo looks dark because of the weather but it had new carpet, furniture and fittings. I was shocked to find how nice it was compared to the last few stays as per my last review.
Dining
Breakfast was decent and was able to order Eggs Benedict despite them saying it’s chargeable, it was wiped from the bill.
I asked for Hash Browns and the staff said they don't have any. I pointed to the sign at breakfast where it was listed under confiments above the hot items. They were delivered to my table a few mins later. The next day they came with out eggs unprompted, however the forgot one of our servings.
I don't recall there being a real bar other than the Tea Lounge, but we were shown a square, wrap around bar with bartenders and inside surrounded by stools and across from it another lounge area with an open fireplace.
We preferred the Tea Lounge and the Bloody Mary we ordered tasted like it had half a bottle of Tabasco poured into it and we had to send it back. The club sandwich didn’t come with jars of Tomato Sauce, Mayonaise and Mustard, as is PH brand standard. When we asked for condiments the waiter was perplexed. I had to explain what these items were and ask him to ask the Chef in the kitchen. He returned with them later.
Service
While the hard product improved and the garden was beautiful on the second day in the sunny weather, almost all of the staff except from desk are new and can’t problem solve.
There is a language barrier with some and it doesn't appear they are empowered or have any initiative.
Location
The location is amazing as you are faced with Parliament House as you arrive close to the hotel with an unobstructed view. Set beside Lake Burley Griffin, you can go for walks in the morning and explore the Chinese Gardens.
Overall
Overall, I was shocked at how nice the hotel hard produce has improved, but the service signifies how much the hospitality industry is struggling in Australia with a lack of staff. I couldn’t tell if the staff were just casual, like PHS, or the hotel just failed to teach PH service standard.
Hopefully, once the industry returns to some normality the soft product will match the hard product.
Have also used TSU's to upgrade here and the suites are very decent.
I did originally book the 1 King Heritage Balcony which look nice in the photos, but I always look at Tripadvisor, Youtube for real experiences and the balcony is dark, sad and dire. It was only $435 for a 70sqm room via Prive.
My last review was of the Park Suite https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyat...l#post29183214
I've only ever stayed in that and one of the Ambassador Suites which I've been upgraded to twice.
I don't think this hotel has any suites called ambassador, now or previously. I've been fortunate to receive diplomatic suites probably 3 times. At 240 square metres, they are enormous, but the dated furnishings take off a bit of the shine. Perhaps they've been upgraded too.
I don't think this hotel has any suites called ambassador, now or previously. I've been fortunate to receive diplomatic suites probably 3 times. At 240 square metres, they are enormous, but the dated furnishings take off a bit of the shine. Perhaps they've been upgraded too.
Would love to see inside the Presidential. Unfortunately, all I saw were the PM’s CCTV being uninstalled from the interior and exterior of the hotel.
Something tells me this hotel's walls are used to being drilled with reckless abandon. During Obama's less than 24 visit in 2012 (or 2011), I'm told his entourage occupied all but 5 of the circa 240 rooms at the hotel. Some rooms were purely for fridges filled with Cokes. And I'm told the hotel was quickly out of cheeseburgers.
Something tells me this hotel's walls are used to being drilled with reckless abandon. During Obama's less than 24 visit in 2012 (or 2011), I'm told his entourage occupied all but 5 of the circa 240 rooms at the hotel. Some rooms were purely for fridges filled with Cokes. And I'm told the hotel was quickly out of cheeseburgers.
FYI, I used your reviews to decide between the HR DUS and CGN!
However the hotel has switched to large re-usable bottles of Le Labo in the bathroom, which is the first I've seen for a Park Hyatt. Bergamote 22, keeping with the PH standard I suppose. I personally prefer Le Labo to Apelle's, so this is a positive for me.
However the hotel has switched to large re-usable bottles of Le Labo in the bathroom, which is the first I've seen for a Park Hyatt. Bergamote 22, keeping with the PH standard I suppose. I personally prefer Le Labo to Apelle's, so this is a positive for me.
I think I'm more impressed that Park Hyatt Canberra has them, given they've always provided Apelles in the past. Le Labo is arguably more premium.