IK in Seattle

These are my thoughts exactly. I would be surprised if a hotel agreed to pre block a GC/RC room weeks ahead if you are not paying the prevailing GC/RC rate. This is no real difference than asking ahead of time for a gratis suite upgrade when you are only paying for a standard room. You can ask, but don’t hold your breath.

The response letter appears to infer that Diamonds will not be upgraded to GC/RC without paying for it, but time will tell on how the international properties decide to follow/interpret the new rule. My main concern is that from my experiences the international properties have always been more slack than the NA properties when it comes to knowing/following the GP T&Cs.

idainc

My email was an enquiry to determine whether and how the hotel was going to pursue the policy. It was not a request to attempt to get the upgrade in place in advance. To the contrary, if they came back and said that I would get the upgrade if space was available it would have left me with a warmer feeling. As has been discussed - it seems that hotels are taking the opportunity to misinterpret the policy and omit the “ if space is available “ portion in lieu of an attempt for a higher room rate.

I would not have wanted to rely on the posted policy and arrived at the hotel in the middle of the night with a guaranteed reservation to find out they were not honoring the published policy. That was the express purpose.

Boysmap

Dear Hyatt FT members

I have been a member since May 98. I have contributed (if you can call me meager 100+ posts compared to some of you with 1000 & 2000+ contributing) but have always valued the information. After a long time of reading all your posts and personal opinions, I was finally able to visit Hong Kong and took your advice and stayed at the Grand Hyatt. All your posts over the years are absolutely true. This is an awesome hotel and I can say the nicest I have ever stayed. Service is impeccable and the Grand Club Lounge is incredible (although I feel underdressed without a full suit and tie, I hate that).

Just wanted to relay my appreciation to you all and say thank you!

Now that I have done the important part, I have a question. The pool at Hyatt is huge. I was very surprised. Is it new since the Plateau opened? Is the pool part of the Renaissance Harbor View Hotel? The reason I ask is because when I would get a towel and sign my name and room number, I had to check which hotel I was in.

flyer2day

Pool is shared with the Renaissance Harbor View. Same is true for the health club of the Grand Hyatt.

rbAA

And if you liked the GH HK try the GH Tokyo. I think it is better.

LH738

Has anybody stayed in a Plateau room? Which rooms do have harbour view?

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Would appreciate all comments on the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. We will be staying at the Hotel on FFNs. What treatment can we expect as Diamonds? Any chance of upgrade to Club level given the new rules on access? Will a suite upgrade coupon do any good? Can we "buy" to get Lounge acceess? How would you play it? Any and all information appreciated. Comments will determine if we keep our reservations. Thanks.

jkc22

Answers in the order of questions:

1. Minimal treatment - expect at most an "upgrade" to an harbour view room. Personally I don't consider views as tangible upgrades. Expect continental breakfast that's provided to all GP members.
2. No. Absolutely NONE before and DEFINITELY NOT after that change.
3. No.
4. Yes. In fact, the hotel is happy to "confirm" Grand Club at $500HK/night right away for you. It's what they eventually want to push you to do. I believe the hotel gets reimbursed about $450HK/night for GP award stays.
5. If GC is important to you, then pay up. If not, don't stress on whether you'll be upgraded or not, since most likely you will not be upgraded.

Frankly, the GH HK has deteriorated to a point that I don't care for it anymore. I've never been a huge fan of it during the Barker regime, and will never be one due to various service issues (that have never been corrected, and never will). My advice: got to another hotel if service is important to you. Conrad and JW are both better choices, especially considering the location if you are not attending a conference.

Good luck!

miki13331

this hotel has perhaps the smallest rooms in HK for a 5* hotel.

a manager told me that it is their policy not to upgrade diamond members to the grand club even if rooms are available when on FFNs or some cheap paid rates - they will upgrade you to a harbor view room.

gregorygrady

Is there a VALID REASON why Hyatt GP doesn't crack down on this blatant disregard for their rules?

sfvoyage

I've stayed at the GH HK several times in the past 6 months (most recently in August), and I get upgraded to club level half the time, and harbor view rooms all the time.

I agree the rooms are small (used an upgrade coupon once for a junior suite - not much bigger), but all the rooms on club and non-club floors are identical. Before the policy change, since I got club access even staying on a non-club floor, it doesn't really matter whether I'm on a club floor or not.

I don't dislike this hotel as much as others have expressed here, although the service can be inconsistent - seems like training is a problem. While this hotel has always been popular with the convention crowds - it's right next to the HK convention center - in recent years it has also been swarmed with mainland Chinese guests, especially government officials and newly rich businessmen. (The typical mainland tourist opts for 2- or 3-star properties.) This directly impacts the hotel - more wear and tear in the rooms, more demands on the staff, more of a circus.

Overall, despite the grand and opulent (very late 80's HK) lobby, this hotel feels more like a 4-star in terms of service and amenities (the toiletries, for instance, are cheap). The new gym is nice, but overall the Plateau area is more style than substance, with design flaws that many have pointed out in other threads.

I wouldn't stay here if not for FFN.

smilee

I agree very much with the above post.

Expect little to nothing as a diamond here. The hotel is nice and has a great pool area for HK, but they really do not participate in giving diamond benefits to their guests.

I also like the Conrad and JW, and will possibly stay somewhere else next time I am in Hong Kong.

rbAA

As you may recall, I ended up using points to get 3 free nights club level and 3 FFN nights, for a 6 night September stay. Karen helped with an e-mail to the hotel, requesting that we not be moved mid stay. Check in was in the club and we received a city view room which means towards the pool/garden. It was because of the twin beds needed, otherwise, they were ready to give us a harbour view. On that same trip, I met Mad4Miles and he was using FFN's. He received Club access, though I remember he was on a lower floor.

I have always had club access as a DIA at this property, though I have always had "city view" rooms, though not because harbour view rooms were not offered. The times before, I wanted a king bed and they only had twins on the harbour side. Breakfast in the Grand Club can be inconsistent, as many times the selection is not replenished and the eggs are frequently runny. The breakfast downstairs on the first floor is actually preferable.

Prior to checkin, the hotel has a woman who responds to upgrade requests, with the pricing based upon your rate reserved. Of course, the rules are if available you get Club. I have not seen a variation from that rule, though I do know the hotel is frequently full, due to the convention center location and other factors (I have never experienced a service lapse at this hotel.)

BEYFlyer

Thank you for your posting RTWSTARALLIANCE. The Grand Hyatt was an option we were considering for an upcoming stay (during the Christmas holiday), but having read the posts here, will be reconsidering (especially since I will be booking 6 rooms).

Thank you all of your input ^ .

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I've taken rbAA's tact and sent a e-mail. I only wish for this Hotel to in good faith offer us our Diamond benefits. I do not feel one should have a strong feeling or suspicion that little or no recognition will be given. That all being said my wife and the other couple we are travelling with are hesistant of staying at this Hotel. With the posts herein it has fallen upon me to get "comfortable" with this Hotel or can the whole thing and seek out another program. The Conrad would be our choice since I am short Hilton stays for keeping status. The very bad thing is that FFNs expire officially at the end of November 2004. I will let you know what I decide. Thanks for the posts and regards.