Grand Hyatt San Francisco REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jul 12, 2012, 3:58 pm
#211
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 801
We are here this week and here is my review of the lounge.
The lounge was recently remodeled and it is gorgeous. The lounge is exquisitely decorated with a modern, warm,with very subtle sexy undertones.
We are staying here this week and I can attest that the lounge staff is friendly and welcoming. They clearly want you to enjoy your stay and offer their assistance the minute you look their way.
The lounge is portrayed as offering a continental breakfast with pastries, fruits, and beverages. Yet, there is much more than that. There is hot cereal (oatmeal), frittata with diced ham (may change daily?), assorted cheeses, along with bagels, toast and cold cereal.
Oh, and the gorgeous SF view from the 32nd floor! Breathtaking!
I cannot say it is THE best lounge but it is one of our favorites!
The lounge was recently remodeled and it is gorgeous. The lounge is exquisitely decorated with a modern, warm,with very subtle sexy undertones.
We are staying here this week and I can attest that the lounge staff is friendly and welcoming. They clearly want you to enjoy your stay and offer their assistance the minute you look their way.
The lounge is portrayed as offering a continental breakfast with pastries, fruits, and beverages. Yet, there is much more than that. There is hot cereal (oatmeal), frittata with diced ham (may change daily?), assorted cheeses, along with bagels, toast and cold cereal.
Oh, and the gorgeous SF view from the 32nd floor! Breathtaking!
I cannot say it is THE best lounge but it is one of our favorites!
Jul 12, 2012, 5:45 pm
#212
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden + Austin, Tx
Programs: "But, I'm a GLOBALIST guest...."
Posts: 2,848
Edit: On this note - does anyone know the ETA on when the bar/restaurant will open up here?
Jul 19, 2012, 12:31 pm
#214
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
I hope I'm not making a nuisance rabbit trail worse here, but....
I was just in Niagara Falls this past weekend with my family. While there, we stayed for two nights in a downtown hotel, where I hacked the shower. I learned about this practice here: http://mises.org/daily/2007.
After reading that article, I was, as they say, psyched. I was a zealous follower right from the get go. Shortly thereafter, I took my family to a campground in northern Ontario, where I was quite unhappy with the shower. Having read the above article, I knew what I needed to do. I went to the local hardware store and bought a new shower wand, from which I removed certain factory-installed contaminants. I then removed the existing shower wand and installed my own. I switched the old one back at the end of the stay, and happily took my modification home.
Concerning the trip to Niagara Falls, one thing I regret is the damage I left on the fixture from my channel locks. The fastener was not a hexagonal fitting, as usual. It was round, with a slot on each side. After some googling it seems this fitting is intended for a pedal wrench.
My Google search provided this: http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=152567.
I didn't measure the fitting at the hotel, so I don't know what size to buy, but I think this is the right tool to use. The last thing I want to do is damage someone else's property. For that reason I would also like to buy a pair of channel locks with nylon grips where the metal teeth are on normal ones. I have no idea where to find such a tool.
Removing the flow restrictors from the shower head at Niagara Falls made a huge difference. I thought of putting them back before leaving, but I didn't want to cause any more damage to the fitting, so I just put them in my toiletry bag. I'm always careful not to leave evidence of my activity behind in the hotel room, which includes the garbage. Getting caught, confronted, or charged a 'maintainance fee' is not acceptable. By leaving the restrictors out, I also left the next guest with a nice shower. I think it will be a while before hotel management figures it out.
I have a $7 shower head to switch when I rent a hotel, but my concern is that my modification might be seen by the room maid, and she would probably report it to management. By removing the flow restrictors (the shower head in Niagara Falls had two), and replacing the shower head, I prevent that from happening.
I hope my experience is enlightening to others who value a proper shower.
Happy travelling!
I was just in Niagara Falls this past weekend with my family. While there, we stayed for two nights in a downtown hotel, where I hacked the shower. I learned about this practice here: http://mises.org/daily/2007.
After reading that article, I was, as they say, psyched. I was a zealous follower right from the get go. Shortly thereafter, I took my family to a campground in northern Ontario, where I was quite unhappy with the shower. Having read the above article, I knew what I needed to do. I went to the local hardware store and bought a new shower wand, from which I removed certain factory-installed contaminants. I then removed the existing shower wand and installed my own. I switched the old one back at the end of the stay, and happily took my modification home.
Concerning the trip to Niagara Falls, one thing I regret is the damage I left on the fixture from my channel locks. The fastener was not a hexagonal fitting, as usual. It was round, with a slot on each side. After some googling it seems this fitting is intended for a pedal wrench.
My Google search provided this: http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=152567.
I didn't measure the fitting at the hotel, so I don't know what size to buy, but I think this is the right tool to use. The last thing I want to do is damage someone else's property. For that reason I would also like to buy a pair of channel locks with nylon grips where the metal teeth are on normal ones. I have no idea where to find such a tool.
Removing the flow restrictors from the shower head at Niagara Falls made a huge difference. I thought of putting them back before leaving, but I didn't want to cause any more damage to the fitting, so I just put them in my toiletry bag. I'm always careful not to leave evidence of my activity behind in the hotel room, which includes the garbage. Getting caught, confronted, or charged a 'maintainance fee' is not acceptable. By leaving the restrictors out, I also left the next guest with a nice shower. I think it will be a while before hotel management figures it out.
I have a $7 shower head to switch when I rent a hotel, but my concern is that my modification might be seen by the room maid, and she would probably report it to management. By removing the flow restrictors (the shower head in Niagara Falls had two), and replacing the shower head, I prevent that from happening.
I hope my experience is enlightening to others who value a proper shower.
Happy travelling!
Aug 3, 2012, 4:43 pm
#215
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 280
Diamond suite upgrade since renovation?
Hi all, has anyone used a Diamond Suite Upgrade at this hotel recently? How is the quality of the entry level suite compared to the best non-suite rooms as far as view, amenities, etc.?
Aug 3, 2012, 11:11 pm
#217
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden + Austin, Tx
Programs: "But, I'm a GLOBALIST guest...."
Posts: 2,848
I think the extra room is well worth it at the Grad Hyatt. Ive stayed in them multiple times. theres a nice little living room area along with a 2nd bathroom and seating space for working. Its well worth the upgrade. the suite is like 2x the size of a normal room. I think its well worth it.
As for the views - I think most of the views are pretty good at the high floors of the hotel. Not sure what you're looking for with amenities....
Aug 5, 2012, 7:51 pm
#218
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Amex MR, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 518
I'm not sure about the upgrade chances but IMO even a standard room on a high floor at the GH is better than any room at the Hyatt Regency. I would guess that the upgrade chances that weekend would be very good as there obviously won't be a lot of business travelers there then.
Aug 19, 2012, 11:46 am
#219
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
I was really disappointed with the two day stay I had recently......
As a Diamond I expected a little more than just a regular room with a very loud ice machine right next to it. When I went to the FD to complain about this they essentially told me to just accept this since they were full. No offer to move me to another room the next day or even an apology.
And although the RC looks nice the offerings, especially in the evening, failed to impress me.
Not an hotel I will be going back to anytime soon.
As a Diamond I expected a little more than just a regular room with a very loud ice machine right next to it. When I went to the FD to complain about this they essentially told me to just accept this since they were full. No offer to move me to another room the next day or even an apology.
And although the RC looks nice the offerings, especially in the evening, failed to impress me.
Not an hotel I will be going back to anytime soon.
Aug 19, 2012, 1:32 pm
#220
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
I'll be staying here on Tuesday night. I got a great rate so I'm not expecting much. The rooms look nice on the website. Any chance of an upgrade for a diamond.
Aug 19, 2012, 1:46 pm
#221
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVP Gold, BA Silver, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,619
I was really disappointed with the two day stay I had recently......
As a Diamond I expected a little more than just a regular room with a very loud ice machine right next to it. When I went to the FD to complain about this they essentially told me to just accept this since they were full. No offer to move me to another room the next day or even an apology.
And although the RC looks nice the offerings, especially in the evening, failed to impress me.
Not an hotel I will be going back to anytime soon.
As a Diamond I expected a little more than just a regular room with a very loud ice machine right next to it. When I went to the FD to complain about this they essentially told me to just accept this since they were full. No offer to move me to another room the next day or even an apology.
And although the RC looks nice the offerings, especially in the evening, failed to impress me.
Not an hotel I will be going back to anytime soon.
Watch out also re the GP points that get posted for the stay. A 4 night late July/early August stay of mine was significantly misposted, and required a call to Hyatt GP CS. There's apparently no penalty of any kind for a hotel to try underposting, even though it was immediately obvious to Hyatt GP CS when called to their attention. Forewarned is forearmed.
Aug 19, 2012, 2:12 pm
#222
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
I was really disappointed with the two day stay I had recently......
As a Diamond I expected a little more than just a regular room with a very loud ice machine right next to it. When I went to the FD to complain about this they essentially told me to just accept this since they were full. No offer to move me to another room the next day or even an apology.
And although the RC looks nice the offerings, especially in the evening, failed to impress me.
Not an hotel I will be going back to anytime soon.
As a Diamond I expected a little more than just a regular room with a very loud ice machine right next to it. When I went to the FD to complain about this they essentially told me to just accept this since they were full. No offer to move me to another room the next day or even an apology.
And although the RC looks nice the offerings, especially in the evening, failed to impress me.
Not an hotel I will be going back to anytime soon.
The Grand SF never really impressed me
Aug 19, 2012, 6:13 pm
#224
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt,Marriott,BA,AS
Posts: 4,425
I've stayed at the Grand Hyatt dozens of times. Since the remodel of the rooms and the club about a year or so ago, I couldn't be more pleased. The Club floor rooms are beautifully done with hardwood floors, electronic shades and nicely done bathrooms.
I have also stayed at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero many times and have found the rooms not nearly as nice. Many times I stayed in a suite there and was pleased but the standard bay view rooms did not meet my expectations, particularly with respect to lighting, amount of space, and particularly having the bathroom sink and vanity right in the room rather than as part of the bathroom. Evening offerings in the Clubs at both hotels are very nice, as are the views. The one at the HR is considerably larger and may have a slight edge over the GH so far as the variety.
I have also stayed at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero many times and have found the rooms not nearly as nice. Many times I stayed in a suite there and was pleased but the standard bay view rooms did not meet my expectations, particularly with respect to lighting, amount of space, and particularly having the bathroom sink and vanity right in the room rather than as part of the bathroom. Evening offerings in the Clubs at both hotels are very nice, as are the views. The one at the HR is considerably larger and may have a slight edge over the GH so far as the variety.
Aug 19, 2012, 6:25 pm
#225
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: IHG-Spire, DL-Gold, MR-Platinum, HH-Gold, SPG-Gold, Hyatt-Diamond, BA-Silver
Posts: 277
Wirelessly posted (Galaxy S2: Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.0.3; en-us; SGH-T989 Build/IML74K) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/534.30)
I stayed at HR and GH both in past two months, they were same in terms of quality of rooms and i received an upgrade both times as a diamond. The concierge level on GH is better than HR. So both properties are nice as long as you do not get a bad location next to elevator or vending machine.
I stayed at HR and GH both in past two months, they were same in terms of quality of rooms and i received an upgrade both times as a diamond. The concierge level on GH is better than HR. So both properties are nice as long as you do not get a bad location next to elevator or vending machine.