hypermodern

Got to stay at this new hotel over the weekend. Short verdict: Good stay, GREAT STAFF, but is obviously new

Globalist perks

• Early checkin was allowed
• Late checkout to 4PM proactively offered
• No suites yet. Probably was given the best room available
• Buffet Breakfast at the Grand Kitcken. I don't think the temporary lounge has breakfast yet
• Club Lounge temporarily at the mezzanine between ground and 2nd floor
  • Non alcoholic refreshments were ok. Fresh fruit shakes were great.
  • Cocktail hour served a set of cold and hot selection
  • Only 2 sets of red and white wine offered during our stay. Other alcoholic beverages available during cocktail hour
• Parking was complimentary for one. Not sure if this is a globalist perk, or one per room. Php130 for additional cars as a new opening rate
• Welcome snack of dried mango dipped in chocolate and nuts in caramelized sugar in the room.

Some reviews:

• Hotel is in a good location Uptown Bonifacio
  • Close enough, by distance, to nearby BGC, Uptown Bonifacio -- or even Makati and Ortigas (though you will pass by Edsa road which could really be traffic)
  • Developing area for business, and entertainment
  • Near a good mall (Uptown mall) -- where it isn't too crowded, specially during weekends
• Not a lot of people stay yet
  • No lines for checkin or checkout (even if I just passby the area)
  • There is a tendency for their staff to overcrowd the guest -- ask how they can help, or have small talk
• Really good views of Metro Manila
  • Located in the highest building in the country
  • Ask for Sunset view
• Grab / Uber seemed to be readily available.
  • Didn't see any cabs, but was proactively offered they will get one
  • Could be a problem to locate -- Waze doesn't seem to be updated on one-way roads. Drivers probably aren't as aware as it is new. They probably know if Hyatt City of Dreams, but not this, et.
• There is really an attempt to please
  • Proactively offered an extra bed. When they realized it won't fit, they proactively offered to move us where an extra bed would fit
  • They know the names of their guests, and address them by name. (probably because there aren't a lot of guests yet)
  • Was asked about my day, my stay, what they can offer, or what I would expect for my next stay
  • Great followup for service items
    • Was asked about issues, and even an apology. Not really their fault, a channel wasn't working from the provider
  • They took note of comments
    • A sandwich seemed really overcooked
    • One room had a slow drain, the other was ok
• Grand Double is weird but functional
  • Has a separate bathtub/shower room and a separate rainshower/shower room. This is all separate from a toilet room
  • Has a sink in all rooms (total of 3!)
  • Double room seemed cramped, but functional. Maybe, if you need separate beds, then you'd also have separate shower rooms
• Grand King
  • Spacious compared to Grand Double
  • Rainshower is in the enclosed area of the bathtub room.
    • No locks for the bath
    • Translucent door from the bed. Maybe if you just have one bed, then you won't mind this.
    • Toliet is still in a separate room
• Wifi is ok -- not slow, but not as fast as others in Asia
• There seems to be an available fruit (orange or apple) every floor

The hotel is obviously new

• Was told the grand opening would be May, on Soft Opening for now
• Fitness and Pool is semi-operational, but it is nothing fancy.
  • Supposedly a heated pool and Jacuzzi. Heating systems not yet turned over by the contractor
  • Same with the showers in the pool. Not yet heated
  • We were the only people who swam
  • There is a construction area nearby - better to swim on Sundays so you know they're not watching.
  • There were rooms in the fitness area which were empty (dance room?)
• Some restaurants are yet to open
  • Cellar had a great ambience
  • Grand Kitchen is good
    • It had live kitchen stations all throughout (staff said they had the most in the country)
    • Quality is nice. However, probably not the best yet of Hyatts in Asia or other hotels in the country.
    • Slightly slow serving time for some items (though it seemed they were overstaffed compared to the guests)
  • Looking forward to the restaurant at the 60th floor
  • Pool bar seemed to have limited selections
  • There are a lot of good restaurants in the nearby Uptown mall (walking distance), or BGC Fort Strip/Serendra area (short cab/grab/uber)
• There is a faint smell of paint in SOME areas. Not the ones you stay at, but might passby

Comparison to Hyatt City of Dreams

• Stay at the Hyatt City of Dreams if you want to be near the Airport or at the Casino. Stay here if you need to be closer to BGC/Ortigas business district. Makati is somehow closer to Grand Hyatt, but could be faster from COD, as you passby NAIAX/Skyway.. and is dependent on traffic
• Club Lounge is not yet fully functioning for Grand Hyatt Manila. Hyatt COD for now
• Breakfast seemed better at the Grand Kitchen of Grand Hyatt Manila
• Pool is better at City of dreams -- but is really crowded. If you want peace and quiet for a staycation, Grand Hyatt Manila for now
• City of Dreams is for the Casino / airport / staycation crowd. Grand Hyatt is for the business travelers.
• City of Dreams seems to have spacious rooms.

sxc

Anyone with recent reviews of this property? I had some colleagues stay in the first week of opening and they said the paint smell was unbearable. And a recent tripadvisor review also mentioned the paint smell causing headaches. So I'm wondering if I'm best to steer clear of the property for the time being.

ScFrench

Braswch

Any recent stays here? Is club lounge open? Do Suite guest also have club lounge access? (if non-diamond)

ScFrench

benjahman

Yes, stayed in September in a Grand Suite. Will post some pics shortly. Club lounge was open and lovely. Amazing views.

My understanding is yes, all suite guests have club lounge access.

Stayed early September 2018, paint smells were noticeable but not unbearable. It was most noticeable in public spaces (lobby, lounge) but not so much in the room itself.

khabah

helvetic

I will likely be staying here on Friday… will report back after.

benjahman

Here are some images from late August/early September stay.


Club Lounge





Grand Suite

helvetic

I'm pretty blown away so far. Just checked in tonight, and every staff member has been incredibly nice and friendly. I'm still going off a limited experience of just check-in and drinks at the rooftop bar, but I can already tell this is my new favorite Grand Hyatt.

The club: looks nice, had a delicious watermelon juice while I checked in. The views are pretty ridiculous. I arrived (due to the worst Grab driver to ever exist) way late, so have not yet experienced the offerings.

The room: got upgraded to the same (I think) Grand Executive suite as the previous poster. Photos looks very similar. I have one large bathroom with toilet, tub, shower, double vanity, etc. with separate doors opening towards the entrance and towards the bedroom. Standalone walk-in closet. Well separated living room and bedrooms, both on separate corners of the building with gorgeous views.

The rooftop situation: the hotel has a number of bars and a restaurant on its rooftop, which just opened two months ago. It's obvious they take huge pride in it, and it seems to be a happening destination already. On the way up, I met an Irish chef from the steakhouse restaurant, who introduced me to the Swiss head chef and gave me a brief tour of the facilities. I ended up spending most of the evening in the bar, which had a lively cover band doing a great job entertaining. The bar manager was quite involved in helping with service: I saw him make a few drinks, make sure everyone was having a good time. He came by me to say hello and make sure everything was good during the peak time of the evening. At the end of the evening, I was checking out the view from the outdoor patio, and he noticed and gave me a full tour of the facilities: there's also a separate cocktail bar and whiskey bar, private kitchen and private entertainment area, and a smoking lounge upstairs. Very impressive!

Overall, a great start to the stay! (Ignoring the trip from the airport to the hotel, which was an apocalyptic nightmare)

khabah

Aventine

Disappointing. High floor and suite should go hand in hand for a Globalist. More disappointing that you actually booked a suite and they didn't upgrade further.

helvetic

I received a 41st floor suite and was quite happy… the views on the 40th floor are pretty much just as good as further up.

khabah

helvetic

Service could be a little more attentive at the pool, but the area is nice and I liked the greenery.