Grand Hyatt Hangzhou REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
 

My apologies if this has been asked but search is still down for me.

Has anyone stayed at the new Hyatt regency in Hangzhou (China)?

HR Hangzhou
 

Mad4Miles and I stayed at the new HR Hangzhou recently. I only had one night though. It is not finished yet, as the RC is not open, the pool and fitness centers were not open either. The hotel has that "new car smell" still. I was impressed with the lobby and rooms, with free wired HSI available. That will probably change once they finish though. The rooms and bath were as nice as the GH Shnaghai's, without the vertigo. As DIA's we had the full breakfast in the lobby cafe, which was great. Excellent selections of fruits, meats, cheese, made to order eggs, dim sum and just about anything you might want. The location is on the lake and we had rooms with lake views. I could see the pagoda from my room. The staff is excellent, very helpful and made a great recommendation for dinner at a local specialties place not too far from the hotel. They also helped me with arrangements for a bus trip back to PVG, including collecting my ticket on short notice and making sure the taxi driver took me to the correct "station." For about US$100, it was definitely a great value and some place I look forward to returning.

rbAA, I'm also planning a similar trip (first to Hangzhou, then to Shanghai). What's the transportation like from Hangzhou to Shanghai? Did you take the public train transport? How much did it cost? Comfortable and clean? (I've heard some nightmare experiences traveling by train in China.) Were there any other transport alternatives available?

In China, if you are going to cities/towns in the vicinity of "civilization" not reacheable by plane, the easiest is to ask the hotel concierge to arrange for a driver who will drive you back and forth. I once had to leave from Lian Yun Gang (LYG) for Shanghai and the flight was cancelled due to fog and no air service will be available for the next 2-3 days, so I hired a driver immediately for a 5 hour journey to Nanjing and took a flight from there to Shanghai (SHA) instead.....not fun, but that's all I could do....I think the fare paid was less than 600 RMB.....

Surely, Hangzhou, and Suzhou, and etc are closer than Nanjing from Shanghai so should be cheaper. I would also recommend using the same driver for the entire journey, even as far as hiring him for the entire duration....you just have to budget in lodging and meals for him as well (put him in any 2-3 star hotels) and he will pick you up at your palace every morning to go anywhere.......in this way, you get a good "pakage" deal and it's easier to negotiate the price, too.......any Taxi driver will do something like this....as a side job....

rbAA and I took the train from Shanghai railroad station to Hangzhou, the train ticket cost ~35 RMB ($4.24) and the taxi ride on both ends was ~20 RMB. Train travel time 2h10m. The train frequency is about every 1 to 2hr

I thought I would try the bus on the return. The bus from Hangzhou to Shanghai/Pudong station cost ~50 RMB with a 10 RMB cab ride back to the Grand Hyatt. Bus travel time 2h20m. The bus frequency is about every 30min.

The bus ride was unnerving. The train seemed much safer. The problem with the train is that the first train, after you arrive at the station, may not have any seats so you will be forced to take a latter train. Also be aware that in China they sell train tickets without seat assignments. You are expected to stand for the duration on the train ride. Give these two facts I would recommend that you have your hotel purchase your train tickets in advance and have them delivered to you at the hotel.

Be sure to allocate at least two full days in Hangzhou to enjoy all beautiful scenery. The best way to explore the lake is by bike.

I heard the biggest D&G and Armani shop in China will be next to the Hyatt. With Hangzhou only being 2hours away from Shanghai..its definitely worth a sidetrip

I used to be based in Shanghai and Hanghzou was my favorite city for weekends (and even day trips). My preferred method of travel is the train -- but there are two types of tickets (or there were) and not all of the trains are created equal. Make it clear you want first class tickets on the express train -- they cost a few extra dollars but you will be fine and I have never had to stand. Of course this may be hard to navigate if you don’t speak Chinese – your hotel may be able to help you. Also be aware that trains to Hangzhou leave from the SOUTH train station and not the northern one. Lastly, when I was there last (July 04) the southern train station was in a construction zone and was chaos, I expect this has been fixed. Also it does connect to the subway, which will get you right to Jin Mao/Grand Hyatt.

I have also made the trip many times by car, both driving myself, and riding with family. It can be a CRAZY drive. This depends a lot on the time of day and your luck. Early AM is best. Friday night and Sunday=BAD. However if you want to get a feel for just how strong the economic engine is there it’s a great way.

I try to avoid bus trips – typically they are packed to the gils and I have serious concerns about their safety. Which are reinforced at every rest stop where the Public Security bureau has installed large signs with very graphic photos of bus accidents in an effort to get bus drivers to driver somewhat rationally. It doesn’t seem to work.

Also note there is a direct bus from Hangzhou to PVG (and vice versa) which I haven’t taken but have put many a friend on and they have been ok. This is a better bus then the typical ones and given how far the south station is from PVG is a very good deal.

I will be staying at the Hyatt in a few a weeks and am grateful for the feedback here.

As an aside for Hyatt fans in China, be advised there is a special club at the Hyatt program in China (possibly only advertised in Chinese) that will give you discounts on food (50% off for two, 30% off for 3, 25% of for four…), a free night at each of the Hyatts in China, free cakes, and some other stuff for about 3,000 kuai. If you are spending more then a month there it can be great. The Portman Rtiz Carlton has a similar program.

There are two sets of trains that go from Hangzhou to Shanghai.

Both have sections with reserved seats.....and I recommend that you pay the marginal fare difference for it. The 'soft seat' section ( reserved) also has a separate waiting room. Otherwise, you'll be part of a cattle-like rush to the cars that aren't reserved.

One of the trainlines goes to the Shanghai main rail station. I would recommend this trainline.

The other trainline stops in Shanghai at an urban station......when you exit you have to climb a set of stairs ( up and over the adjacent rail line)....that is a very taxing climb. As I recall it, it is about 60 steps straight up ( 20 steps, a short landing, 20 steps, a short landing etc), and the same on the way down. There are hustlers there looking to help you carry your bag(s) up and down...use your judgement if you use one. There is NO taxi station at this train station....you literally have to go into the busy street to try to hail a cab. With the crush from the train also trying to hail cabs, it is quite a scene.

Having had a driver take me from Hangzhou before, I'd never do it again. The freeway is loaded with trucks, mostly unregulated, overleaded and hazards....and drivers us both shoulders as traffic lanes, cutting in and out constantly.

You will see that train transportation, while cheap, is how most of the populace travels.

"The other trainline stops in Shanghai at an urban station......when you exit you have to climb a set of stairs ( up and over the adjacent rail line)....that is a very taxing climb. As I recall it, it is about 60 steps straight up ( 20 steps, a short landing, 20 steps, a short landing etc), and the same on the way down. There are hustlers there looking to help you carry your bag(s) up and down...use your judgement if you use one. There is NO taxi station at this train station....you literally have to go into the busy street to try to hail a cab. With the crush from the train also trying to hail cabs, it is quite a scene."

That woud be the south station. I guess they have not fixed it yet. I hadn't realized the main station had a line to Hangzhou.


(yet) another point to note is that the Shanghai-Hanghzou train is much nicer than most other trains in China (the other nice lines are the HK-Shanghai-Beijing ones).

I have enjoyed a good New Year 2005 in Hyatt Regency Hangzhou.

What could I say? The best Hyatt that I have been... US, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Bali, Tokyo, and etc...

I used to stay at Grand Hyatt Shanghai and Beijing every month for 10 nites during my business trip ... even until now...

I would recommend you to stay there since the property is very nice... with lake view.

During my last stay, I was being upgraded to Room 744... the Lake View Suite Room on the 7th floor that is not opened for public yet!!! The reason is that I knew the sales agent in Grand Hyatt Shanghai that helps me to book my stays in China Hyatt properties.

The room is really fabulous with the view...!!! I am lucky to see the snowing in Hangzhou where everything is white under your eyes while shining waves in front of you from the West Lake.

Besides, I also enjoyed the New Year Buffet Dineer (RMB900/pax) with Caviar and Foe Gass (Goose Liver).

After the trip, I wrote a mail to Hyatt to compliment about my experience in Hyatt Regency Hangzhou. Their GM personally wrote a reply to me to thank for my comments. The GM invited me to stay there again with free upgrade to suite room in the regency floor.

For the trip to Hangzhou, I personally recommend you to take the cab for back and forth. I took the train back from Hangzhou to Shanghai, it was a mess, and unsafe. For your reference, I booked a cab to send me from Sheraton Suzhou to Hyatt Regency Hangzhou for only RMB300 on the 3 hours drive (less than the amount from SFO to Market Street, San Francisco)

Hope you enjoy your trip to Hangzhou...

I'm writing this from my room at Hyatt Regency Hangzhou. I would have to say that this has to be one of the nicest Hyatt REGENCIES I have been in. The feel is more of a GRAND Hyatt rather than a Regency. upon entering the main door, a lobby lounge flanks the front and sides (much like the Grand Hyatt Beijing). Check in is on the left-hand side. Service was EXCELLENT, and most staff commanded very good English.

I was escorted to my room...what a suprise. Despite paying the lowest hyatt.com rate of RMB810, I was given a room right in the centre of the semi-circular building with a view of West Lake. It was very nice watching the sunset tonight! The room is furnished with deep wood tones; walls and carpet is tan/beige color. I'd post pictures on this site if someone could teach me how!

Had dinner at the Cafe tonight. Their buffet spread was quite good, with an open kitchen preparing many of the dishes. I opted for a la carte dining, and the menu was very reasonably priced (for a five-star hotel). Food was good, and service also excellent.

The pool is finished, but was closed for mandatory maintenance (whatever that means) from 13-22 June. The gym is open, but I didn't try that yet.

The only problem I noted was that the room did not have any folder describing the various F&B outlets and other facilities in the hotel. I physically had to walk around several floors before I found out there was a health club, cafe, chinese restaurant, patisserie, lobby shop, garden terrace, etc.

Anyway, will be here until Friday, so will post again if anything important.

Hyatt Hangzhou China review
 

I just stayed at the Hyatt in Hangzhou, China (just west of Shanghai). It's a brand new property and really well layed out. It's also in a beautiful location right on West Lake (center attraction of the city).

The service was great, both the Chinese restaurant and their buffet were fantastic, and the spa services, which I rarely use, were not only affordable but truly relaxing.

let me know if you head out that way, I'll be happy to give you some tips!
If you are a non smoker, be sure to request a non smoking room and double check with you check-in. I went into a room that had been "cleaned" and there definitely was a lingering smell.

Alexandra

your review is right on, alexandra. we stayed there in october for about a week and were impressed with the hotel also--that breakfast buffet was terrific, especially if you are seated by the window and get the view of the little old ladies (and men) practicing tai chi early in the morning. you may have to ask a few times for those window tables, we were told they were unavailable at least twice when they were clearly open--we pointed it out, nicely, and were seated there without delay.

service was excellent in the restaurants, the front desk and the business center--lovely staff, we were quite happy, and the restaurant recommendations they gave us were terrific (hubby especially is picky about his food). i'd go back anytime.

I am assuming that you went there by way of Shanghai? How long of a drive/ride is Hangzhou from PVG? I may be going there in January and would like to know a bit about Hangzhou as well.

Thanx in advance!

From PVG to hangzhou, I would say it takes about good 2 hours on train. No scientifically measured but from pudong, it took us 1.5 hours on train. You have to make sure you take the express train that goes direct to hangzhou. We made the mistake of taking the long one which makes a lot of stops inbetween.