SkyTeam777

Jaimito Cartero

SkyTeam777

Booked for one but have a colleague staying in hotel

54austin

Just finished a great 2-night stay here. Used a free night cert and points plus an Explorist Club Access award, which was worth it even for only two nights. The location is pretty good, depending on what you're interested in (it's a short walk from the Bund). We were in room 2228 in the West Tower and had a phenomenal view of the Pudong skyline and the Bund.

Chukiechz

does this hotel charge for hotel guests visiting the club? Im thinking of booking two rooms here (family of 4). Will all 4 of use get complimentary club access, or just myself?

We're debating staying here or the Grand

skywalkerLAX

Both hotels officially charge for guests that aren't staying in the same room as the Globalist. The clubs at these two hotels get quite busy and guests have been complaining about this so they're really trying to limit the access now.

I'd consider booking the second room entirely on points as GOH for the second party or do a club upgrade with points in advance.

People who seek to take a friend of colleague up to the Club (which I often do as well) should book a room for two especially since the rate doesn't change most of the time. I usually ask if they would like to register the second guest just to use the club or if it's ok and the staff mostly doesn't want to go through the trouble especially when the person doesn't really stay at the hotel. Offering to be by the book goes a long way.

GeneralTalker1030

Hello World. Here's a piece of news regarding Hyatt accommodation in Shanghai, China: Hyatt on The Bund is scheduled for refurbishment starting March 2022, and will be rebranded as Park Hyatt on The Bund.

There's no sign on Hyatt Development website yet, however Shimao Group, the owner of HOB, has already registered a "Park Hyatt" property in the star-rated hotel database of PRC's Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its affiliate that directly owns HOB.

Since I'm new here I'll not be able to post a link, but the webpage is entirely in Chinese anyway. The registration number in the database is 3150067.

A new rumour on FlyerTea suggested that HOB may be split into two properties, with its East Wing rebranding as Park Hyatt on the Bund and its West Wing rebranding as Grand Hyatt on The Bund. It makes sense realistically given the enormity of HOB.

Since this piece of information was confirmed in the last few days, it didn't make it to Hyatt Development site this month yet. Will update if it's on the site.

MSPeconomist

Thank you and welcome to FT.

Cotton Candy Lobster

Stayed here again this past weekend and it is very much due for a refurbishment, even though it still is one of my favorite Hyatts in the city. New construction has blocked the Bund view from the club, so if they do a real top-to-bottom renovation it would be nice if they moved the lounge to a higher floor.

Not sure how I feel about a rebranding in whole or in part to Park Hyatt; this property has always hit the sweet spot for me in terms of pricing vs. quality. I had also assumed there were rules about having multiple locations of the same brand within a geographic area — isn't that why HoB has its name, to serve as a "stealth" Grand Hyatt that doesn't step on the other's toes?

WasKnown

This is common for Shanghai. I am sure you are aware of how large the city is geographically and how different it is depending on which side of the huangpu you're on. Thus, many flags operate multiple hotels in the city. There is a Ritz Carlton in Pudong and a Ritz Carlton in Puxi. There is a Shangrila in Pudong and a Shangrila in Puxi. There was a (bad) St. Regis in Pudong and still is a St. Regis in Puxi. There was a Four Seasons in Pudong and a Four Seasons in Puxi (lol rip FS in Shanghai). There are too many JW Marriotts in Shanghai to keep track of these days lol.

The current Park Hyatt location is pretty bad for leisure travelers and even not ideal for business travelers IMO (though it really depends on where your business meetings/conferences are). But if we're being honest, the location of the Hyatt on the Bund is still not "top tier" for leisure travelers IMO (though definitely much better than the PH in Pujersey). Keeping a luxury option on both sides of the river is fine but I wish they could get a Shanghai PH in a more walkable location.

Cotton Candy Lobster

Of course there are multiple locations for other chains as you mention, but I recall reading somewhere (might have been hearsay since I can't place the source) that Hyatt had its own limits on brand density, at least with the full-service properties.

I do agree the locations of Hyatts in Shanghai are not what anyone would call prime for tourism or leisure (Andaz possibly excepted), but I don't mind a walk to the subway station or a bike ride to get around.

GeneralTalker1030

​​​​​​HOB started its life as a Hyatt Regency during planning stages. The owner and Hyatt worked out the "HOB" branding before opening given that HOB has a far higher construction standard than a typical HR.

It was a pretty good property in the older days, but IMAO, it has been a bit lackluster past COVID. I may be nitpicking here, but W in South Bund has posted serious challenges (at least in facilities). Shimao hasn't been the most generous owner (Le Royal Meridien's sub-par services, upgrade standards and quistionable details for refurbishment for instance), but I'm dying to see how they do.

GeneralTalker1030

Yep, there's a soft limit (at least in China) that one city could only have one GH and/or one PH. HOB is somewhat exempted from the rule -- the property classifiers as a GH without GH in its Chinese and English names (it used to classify as a Hyatt, or HYATT property)

Aventine

One full service property is pretty much a given for Hyatt. That's why Andaz Tokyo is so much more luxurious than other Andaz properties. Mori wanted a PH so bad that they created a Park Hyatt lite with Andaz Tokyo. Tokyo Gas was never giving up the PH rights.

I would rather see Hyatt on the Bund in the Unbound Collection. A PH seems a bit of a stretch in its current state.

Cotton Candy Lobster

I would selfishly prefer a return to the plain Hyatt branding so I can knock that stamp off my list without going to India or spending a night in Rosemont.