Grand Hyatt Seoul REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Apr 1, 2019, 5:06 pm
#331
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
I try to bring a picture postcard of my hotel building. It helped a lot when I was staying at the PH Seoul and the taxi driver started to go over the river to take me to the GH. You can also ask the front desk, lounge, or concierge desk to write down the hotel's name, address, and other directions in the local language.....or you can have the taxi driver telephone the hotel to get the information.
Apr 16, 2019, 11:46 am
#332
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MD, USA
Programs: UA- Pl (2MM), AA-Go, Delta-Silver, Hyatt-Globalist!, MR/SPG comb - Plat, Hilton - nada
Posts: 707
even "American Embassy" isn't recognized - in my experience. Once (in the days b4 phone GPS) I tried to show the US flag...no go.
Had to point to the location on a map...no chance I could properly pronounce "Gwanghwamun" and have him understand
Apr 20, 2019, 1:32 am
#333
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 547
Has anyone stayed in a renovated (standard) room recently? Is it legit “fully” renovated with brand new bathrooms? If so, how do they compare with the rooms at PH?
I’m edging towards the PH but the location of GH for sightseeing seems to be much better according to comments on FT. I would opt for GH but I wouldn’t want a room with the old fashioned teal bathrooms I saw on TA..Thanks in advance.
Apr 20, 2019, 12:24 pm
#334
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BKK, SFO
Programs: Star Gold, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, EY Silver
Posts: 185
Has anyone stayed in a renovated (standard) room recently? Is it legit “fully” renovated with brand new bathrooms? If so, how do they compare with the rooms at PH?
I’m edging towards the PH but the location of GH for sightseeing seems to be much better according to comments on FT. I would opt for GH but I wouldn’t want a room with the old fashioned teal bathrooms I saw on TA..Thanks in advance.
While the renovation was tastefully done, I was disappointed that there was no magnifying mirror in the bathroom, no evening turndown service and no warning that the renovation work continues even on weekends. So, while service is still 5 star, the hotel hard product is but a solid 4 star experience.
Apr 20, 2019, 1:59 pm
#335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
Has anyone stayed in a renovated (standard) room recently? Is it legit “fully” renovated with brand new bathrooms? If so, how do they compare with the rooms at PH?
I’m edging towards the PH but the location of GH for sightseeing seems to be much better according to comments on FT. I would opt for GH but I wouldn’t want a room with the old fashioned teal bathrooms I saw on TA..Thanks in advance.
Apr 21, 2019, 12:13 am
#336
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 547
I stayed in a King Mountain View room this past weekend. It is indeed fully renovated, including the bathrooms. Note that the room feels smaller than the 30 sq meters indicated on the website. The bathroom does not have a tub but has a spacious shower stall with a wall/hand-mounted shower head (water pressure was good on the 19th floor).
While the renovation was tastefully done, I was disappointed that there was no magnifying mirror in the bathroom, no evening turndown service and no warning that the renovation work continues even on weekends. So, while service is still 5 star, the hotel hard product is but a solid 4 star experience.
Thanks both! I can’t imagine how much smaller the room can be when 30sqm isn’t even spacious to begin with.. Either way, judging from the photos of the renovated rooms, I actually find them to be quite tasteful, akin to the new rooms at GH Hong Kong (which can easily pass off as a PH). Guess I’ll go for GH based on the location and better redemption value.
Jul 7, 2019, 3:52 am
#338
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
Stay notes
The Grand Club is a ZOO during the Korean vacation period. Forget about doing work here during the meal hours because only the window seats have power outlets. I recommend coming at 5:30pm to get your pick of seats for the evening hour.
Kids are allowed at breakfast time. They will do made to order eggs but takes a while due to the sheer amount of people here.
The Grand Suite is a renovated old corner Jr. Suite but with new sliding doors partitioning the living area off. Still only one vanity and a walk-in closet by the door. It still has a new room smell from the renovation that gave me a mild headache. I asked for an air filter to be brought up and ran it all day. Smell dissipated.
The bed is still as firm as I remember. Don't think it's a Hyatt Grand matttress.
The Grand Club is a ZOO during the Korean vacation period. Forget about doing work here during the meal hours because only the window seats have power outlets. I recommend coming at 5:30pm to get your pick of seats for the evening hour.
Kids are allowed at breakfast time. They will do made to order eggs but takes a while due to the sheer amount of people here.
The Grand Suite is a renovated old corner Jr. Suite but with new sliding doors partitioning the living area off. Still only one vanity and a walk-in closet by the door. It still has a new room smell from the renovation that gave me a mild headache. I asked for an air filter to be brought up and ran it all day. Smell dissipated.
The bed is still as firm as I remember. Don't think it's a Hyatt Grand matttress.
Last edited by Aventine; Jul 7, 2019 at 6:28 pm
Jul 7, 2019, 3:59 am
#339
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Generally speaking, when are the Korean vacation periods? I'd like to avoid those dates and may opt for the PH instead.
Jul 7, 2019, 4:00 am
#340
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
Have to there few times the next Q and thinking about booking my stay here. Last time I was there, the GC was fine and I liked the hotel, though the location wasn't the best, if I recall correctly.
Generally speaking, when are the Korean vacation periods? I'd like to avoid those dates and may opt for the PH instead.
Generally speaking, when are the Korean vacation periods? I'd like to avoid those dates and may opt for the PH instead.
They only refill some dishes once and don't do the delicious tarts or cakes.
Last edited by Aventine; Jul 7, 2019 at 4:23 am
Jul 7, 2019, 4:55 am
#341
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
This property made a very good first impression on me. While I was only there for several days, during checkout one of the hotel staff accompanied me from the lobby to the outside entrance to await for the KE limo bus, and chatted with me (about 10 or 15 minutes) until it arrived. Can't ever recall experiencing that from any other hotel.
Jul 25, 2019, 1:31 am
#344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
AVOID, AVOID, AVOID during the Korean vacation period from start of this week to middle of August. Just more of a zoo than usual. This Globalist got a grand New Grand room for the next few days. I know most hotels need to worry about revenue but a corner room would have been nice.
I'm glad Globalists can skip this line but there's another one waiting at the GC. It's a luggage mess in there.
I'm glad Globalists can skip this line but there's another one waiting at the GC. It's a luggage mess in there.
Last edited by Aventine; Jul 25, 2019 at 2:10 am
Jul 25, 2019, 6:15 am
#345
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, AA EXP, UA Silver, former DL DM
Posts: 2,001
I'm wondering whether the crowd is mostly people who live in Seoul and want an urban escape? Or people who live outside Seoul and visit the city during holidays?