Hyatt Regency Vancouver Review - August 2007
 

Remodeling is finished, I believed.

I nailed a recent TravelZoo promo $119 CAD/night during the prime August 2007 travel season.

Hotel is very conveniently located. It is a short walk to Robson Street. It is right next to the Burrard Skytrain station.

They got those self-service check-in kiosks in the lobby. We didn't use it as the check-in clerks were not doing anything, and they were very helpful.

Individually, thermostatic controlled room.

The room decor felt like a boutique hotel. Flat screen TV. There was also a fancy radio with an iPod docking station.

Our room had an excellent view of the Fairmont. Very large windows. Beds were Grand Hyatt bed from Sealy, I believe.

Bathroom: I felt it needed more towel racks. But, it was decorated nicely. The walls and floor had a dark rock-looking type of finish.

Wireless web access: $9.95/24 hour

Pro: Stocked fridge mini-bar in room. You can move things around w/o getting charged.:) We use the fridge mini-bar to chill our outside drinks.^

Con: The ice and soda machine are not located on every floor. They are key accessed on another floor.:td:

Great gym. New equipment.


For those arring late and very, very hungry, there is a 24 hour McD's right next to the hotel.

Hotel had a cafe in the lobby. And, I believe there was a bar also.

Also, those wishing to take the YVR scheduled bus to and from the airport, the bus does stop in the bus area next to the hotel.

A very good stay, and we hope return again someday.

I'll be staying at this property in early Feb '08...I will report back.

BTW, I heard the RC is closed until March '08...is this true?!

The RC was open in December, but the RC gals told me that it would be closed late in December. The RC staff is top notch as is ALL the staff at the hotel.

Although in my opinion the hotel is a good quality Hyatt, it is the customer service from the staff that makes this a very good Hyatt in my opinion. Diamonds are always recognized and I have always been given regency club access on every stay! If you ask for something the staff will do there best to make it happen and will do so promptly. (I think they should invite the staff at the Grand Hyatt in New York to visit so they can see HOW staff should provide customer service)

Anyhow the rooms are fine, they have been renovated and have flat screen TV's and you will get breakfast certificates that should give you enough off for most breakfast items. The restaurant is probably the weak point in the hotel. However, the hotel is located in the heart of the city and many great places to eat and drink are within walking distance.

The hotel does not have many suites so don't even bother asking about one.

Suite Upgrades at Hyatt Regency Vancouver, BC (pics inside)
 

I just finished a four night stay at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada.

I was upgraded to an "executive suite", room 3307, on the 33rd floor. I would say my suite was about the size of two regular guest rooms. I know this hotel has some other suites which are bigger...about the size of 3 regular guest rooms.

If you want an upgrade to a suite, contact the reservations manager directly. I think suites are at this hotel are very limited, so contact her before arriving.

and now to the pictures!

Views from my suite:
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1


Pictures of the suite:
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1
http://www.robspics.com/gallery2/mai...serialNumber=1

Personally I am against this practice of having to contact each and every hotel beforehand to ensure proper upgrades. Most of my international stays are on SPG and IC this year due to the fact that they seem to appreciate elites and upgrades to suites are a guaranteed benefit of the program.

I like to call ahead of time to make sure I get what I want :)

No suprises.

What is the best way from the airport to the hotel? Taxi? About how much does it cost?

Is the lounge open? There seemed to be some to and fro-ing as to whether the lounge would remain open.

Are there decent restaurants in walking distance from the hotel?

The public bus that goes to the airport stops very close to the hotel (maybe 100 ft walk). It is $2-3.50 (depending on time of day). Of course, you have to take the free shuttle from the airport to the main bus terminal where you then catch the bus to downtown terminal. I don't know about the status of the train link to the airport, but there is also a train station right by the bus stop close to the Hyatt as well.

There is a big & decent dim sum restaurant very close to the hotel (but the Asian restaurants in Richmond tend to be better).

Parking
 

Is there alternative parking in the area other than at the hotel? I think the hotel charges about $25/day.

Any new info?
 

I booked a stay for late December here after seeing the glowing reviews here, but when I called to ask about using points for a suite upgrade, the people weren't very nice at all! They told me that if I used the points for upgrade, I would only be bumped up to a junior suite and that my corporate rate would be ineligible (have to use their regular rate)- which would be fine, if that's one of the regulations. But what surprised me was the attitude- I asked nicely about any 'nicer' or 'larger' suites- i.e. if there are any free when I check in, would it be possible to be bumped up to one of those, since I'm bringing family. The answer was stated as you can book those suites at the regular rate and that they don't upgrade to them.

as there been a change in policy here? I think I heard the GM changed? Also, they were very cryptic as to when the regency club lounge would be open or closed, saying only it can be closed in times of low occupancy... I was disappointed at the phone call after hearing such good things from here! Anybody have any insights??

You will find the Hyatt Regency Vancouver to be a good quality HR. It is not a grand, but the service is generally very good.

I only have about 10-15 stays a year here, and most of the front desk staff greet me by name BEFORE I check in. (I know they type a list of diamonds or something on the computer to refresh their memories on my name, but WOW, that does impress me as they say welcome back Mr. Smilee checking in today)

Anyhow, as far a suite upgrades, very rare here, even using the useless diamond upgrade certificate we usually get every year. As well I have noticed that service has not been as good the past two months, not sure if there is a GM change that has caused this.

The lounge staff has a couple of Excellent, RC staff members. One in particular really prides herself on doing an excellent job. She is also quite an entrepreneur and I think has her own yoga or fitness business that she does at the same time. I have not seen her for the past few stays though however I think she is getting married this fall.

The lounge has recently been open more often, and last year was open until late december, and was open again when I was there in February or March.

The hotel is in a great location and the staff is generally very good. I am sure you will enjoy your stay.

It is $9 during the weekend. The front desk told me it would be cheaper to just pay the ticket at gate than at the hotel.

Great stay
 

Just spent the weekend there on an award stay. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that I was preblocked to a deluxe suite (king room with balconey plus connector parlor) and received a very warm and personal greeting from the FO manager. The Regency Club was decent, clean with a fair selection of munchies and beverages, though nothing to rave about. I had dinner one night at the hotel's Mosaic restaurant and enjoyed the food and service very much.

The location is very central to downtown and for a first time visitor, I thought was great. Walkable to Stanley park, the waterfront, main shopping areas and Yaletown is a decent 15 minute walk. There is a metro station right next to the hotel that can take you to points beyond. The new Canada line will open sometime next year with a direct connection to the airport. I took a taxi both ways, averaged about $30CAD each way.

Spot on ^