Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Hyatt Regency REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Oct 27, 2004, 7:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 189
Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Hyatt Regency REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
On the remote chance that anyone on this board is interested in visiting Bishkek (which is a few hundred miles from the Afghanistan border), the Hyatt Regency is definitely the nicest hotel in the country. It would probably carry a 4-star rating in the U.S. There is excellent security (cement barriers for car bombs, etc.), and the property is located in a nice section of the city (and only a few blocks from a shopping area). The hotel has a club level (very much recommended), a small health club (massages are only $21 per hour), a small fitness center, a good restaurant (with very inexpensive prices), and a virtually empty lounge. Cable TV includes Fox News from the U.S. (a welcome relief from the CNN Int'l blather found in virtually every non-U.S. property) and Turner Classic Movies. Rooms are good sized (I had a large, corner room on club level) and nicely furnished. A hotel casino closed last February (this was a popular hangout for U.S. military personnel who stay at a nearby U.S. base while on R & R from Afghanistan). Internet access is in the club only, and costs around $22 per hour. As usual, the hotel staff and club personnel are extremely helpful. The hotel provides transportation to and from the airport (assuming you can get a flight) for around $20.00 one-way. Rooms facing the south have a view of 15,000-foot mountains just south of the city. If you are in this neck of the woods, Bishkek is worth a stop.
Mar 21, 2011, 3:43 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Gold, plat, diamond and more
Posts: 3,360
I will make this my stopover on my camel caravan in May. Any more recent guests?
Daily rate 355$. Corp rate 324$. Any ideas to lower this?
Edit:
Hyatt gift certs, premier level 185$ (+25$ intnl shipping).
No stay credit, no points (assuming neither for the 10k promo), but supposedly full diamond benefits.
Daily rate 355$. Corp rate 324$. Any ideas to lower this?
Edit:
Hyatt gift certs, premier level 185$ (+25$ intnl shipping).
No stay credit, no points (assuming neither for the 10k promo), but supposedly full diamond benefits.
Last edited by travelkid; Mar 21, 2011 at 4:49 pm Reason: added question and then later, one solution!
May 4, 2011, 4:18 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Gold, plat, diamond and more
Posts: 3,360
As noted best hotel in the country. My second stay after a brief visit in 2003 (Hyatt opened here around 2001).
Had a one night, early check in agreed up front for 8 am, arrived 7 am, no problem. Late check out as I write, 430 pm. Being diamond, received decent fruit platter, tray of cookies, hand written note signed by GM, decent Moldovian red wine (decent after the vodkas that is). Got junior suite. Very small lounge, but ok selection, happy hour 6-8 pm, but even brought drinks back when a diamond arrived at 830 (me:-) )
Free internet (as diamond), wifi in lobby etc. Very good diamond free breakfast served in the regular restaurant.
Great service. Dont think they see many diamonds here.
Airport pick up now seems to be 45$, but I had private driver (and a slaughtered lamb for me@:-))
Amazing mountain view, snow covered peaks.
Had a one night, early check in agreed up front for 8 am, arrived 7 am, no problem. Late check out as I write, 430 pm. Being diamond, received decent fruit platter, tray of cookies, hand written note signed by GM, decent Moldovian red wine (decent after the vodkas that is). Got junior suite. Very small lounge, but ok selection, happy hour 6-8 pm, but even brought drinks back when a diamond arrived at 830 (me:-) )
Free internet (as diamond), wifi in lobby etc. Very good diamond free breakfast served in the regular restaurant.
Great service. Dont think they see many diamonds here.
Airport pick up now seems to be 45$, but I had private driver (and a slaughtered lamb for me@:-))
Amazing mountain view, snow covered peaks.
Jul 3, 2013, 11:52 pm
#4
Used to be highman123
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,541
Update for this good hotel. Just posted a review on MightyTravels:
Overall
This is a great hotel anywhere in the world. While the outside looks a bit more like a Soviet era building (the hotel stems from that time) – Hyatt has worked hard to bring the hotel hardware and staff to Hyatt standards. It has succeeded and I found my stay very enjoyable.
Regular rates were a hefty $350 for King rooms for my stay dates. I used 12,000 points and a stay certificate from the Hyatt credit card instead.
I would happily come back here.
http://www.mightytravels.com/1323275...yrgyzystan.php
Overall
This is a great hotel anywhere in the world. While the outside looks a bit more like a Soviet era building (the hotel stems from that time) – Hyatt has worked hard to bring the hotel hardware and staff to Hyatt standards. It has succeeded and I found my stay very enjoyable.
Regular rates were a hefty $350 for King rooms for my stay dates. I used 12,000 points and a stay certificate from the Hyatt credit card instead.
I would happily come back here.
http://www.mightytravels.com/1323275...yrgyzystan.php
May 20, 2014, 9:27 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,977
Getting ready to stay here next month. Is it really worth paying more points for club level? Is the airport service significantly more expensive than a taxi? Wondering how much time to build in for immigration since I won't need a visa for a two day stay.
Sep 9, 2014, 3:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: CO
Posts: 813
August 2014 stay
- Stayed here in the middle of August - 2 stays, each of 1 night. Had 2 rooms on the 7th floor - though not connecting. Lounge is on the 6th floor.
- Staff very friendly and helpful
- Hotel seemed quite empty with very few travelers
- Lounge access is strictly checked and I saw a couple of platinum members turned away. Lounge had soft drinks, water, coffee, and a few cookies during the day. Alcoholic drinks, salads and desserts were set out in the evening. Breakfast was served in the restaurant downstairs - cost of buffet 1,500 KGS or about $28 per person. The spread here seemed smaller than the Hyatt in Dushanbe though that may have been due to the low occupancy
- Pool is outdoor and looked like a decent size
- An official taxi from the hotel to the airport costs $60, though the front desk will happily arrange an unofficial taxi for 500 KGS (just under $10). Both times I used this, it turned out to be a Mercedes that was large and comfortable and much better than getting a taxi on the street which would have been the same price.
- Other notes: There is a fountain outside the hotel and I saw some of the local kids going for a swim in there on a hot summer day. It was some time before security realized what was happening and shooed them away.
- Staff very friendly and helpful
- Hotel seemed quite empty with very few travelers
- Lounge access is strictly checked and I saw a couple of platinum members turned away. Lounge had soft drinks, water, coffee, and a few cookies during the day. Alcoholic drinks, salads and desserts were set out in the evening. Breakfast was served in the restaurant downstairs - cost of buffet 1,500 KGS or about $28 per person. The spread here seemed smaller than the Hyatt in Dushanbe though that may have been due to the low occupancy
- Pool is outdoor and looked like a decent size
- An official taxi from the hotel to the airport costs $60, though the front desk will happily arrange an unofficial taxi for 500 KGS (just under $10). Both times I used this, it turned out to be a Mercedes that was large and comfortable and much better than getting a taxi on the street which would have been the same price.
- Other notes: There is a fountain outside the hotel and I saw some of the local kids going for a swim in there on a hot summer day. It was some time before security realized what was happening and shooed them away.
Sep 24, 2016, 6:05 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
First of all, thanks to the previous posters for their reviews and info.
Any updates on this hotel? Considering a four-night stay there next month.
Any updates on this hotel? Considering a four-night stay there next month.
Mar 21, 2017, 2:41 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: RTM
Programs: FB Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 26
Not much has changed since the previous review in 2014. I stayed there monthly in 2016. Staff is very well trained. Excellent service. Food is very good. Dry-cleaning and laundry is done within one day.
Try to avoid the days when foreign senior-level politicians stay at the hotel, because the security measures will be a major hindrance for your movement in and out of premises.
Try to avoid the days when foreign senior-level politicians stay at the hotel, because the security measures will be a major hindrance for your movement in and out of premises.
Oct 10, 2022, 5:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: California
Programs: UA 1K/MillionMiler; Delta Diamond; AA Plat; Marriott Titanium; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 68
Not the best time
I just completed a two-night stay here as a Globalist. Club is still closed. Breakfast is in the restaurant, and it is ample, diverse, and good. In lieu of the lounge, eligible guests get a large platter of snacks and bar drinks in the lobby/patio bar. Staff is professional, friendly, and great.
This particular stay was not good, though. I had reserved a standard room, which was pre-upgraded to a deluxe king. Not to a club room or a suite, even though every room type was available. Not a big deal, but noted. There was no online check-in, and I arrived in the morning (most flights land around dawn). The room wasn't ready, and the front desk said it wouldn't be until sometime after 3p because they were totally sold out. Odd, since every room type was available for booking even at that moment. Anyway, the agent then found me a room on the second floor so that I could work until my own room was ready. I was a little confused...how could this room exist if there were none available? But then I was told by a staffer that the second floor is "for locals only, not our international guests" because it isn't up to the same standard. Which turned out to be very, very true. But so what, it was temporary and a courtesy given to me so I could get some online meetings done.
But then I came back to the front desk in the afternoon for an update. They said the room wasn't ready yet, and to check back. An hour later, a knock on the door proved to be a hotel staffer inviting me to get my bags and move to "my new room". Which turned out to be down the hall...on the second floor. It was an ADA room, musty, with a grimy bathroom, and ripped-down curtains. Felt, well, institutional. I had been downgraded not only from the room I'd been originally assigned, but also from the standard room I reserved.
When I showed up for the evening lounge offering, the check-in staffer couldn't locate my room on the list and wouldn't admit me. She went to ask the front desk, to no avail because it was unstaffed. We looked at the list together, and saw my name...with the original fourth-floor room I'd been assigned. The next day, at breakfast, my room still wasn't on the list. So I gave them my assigned room number, my temporary room number, and my downgraded room number. Thankfully, one of them worked.
My best guess at an explanation for decidedly not-Globalist treatment: thousands and thousands of wealthy Russian men have descended on Bishkek, cash in hand, to avoid conscription. Perhaps it was too much to expect that the Hyatt Regency wouldn't bump me from my room. But if you reserve at this property and the app happens to show that you've been assigned a room on the second floor, cancel immediately and find another hotel.
This particular stay was not good, though. I had reserved a standard room, which was pre-upgraded to a deluxe king. Not to a club room or a suite, even though every room type was available. Not a big deal, but noted. There was no online check-in, and I arrived in the morning (most flights land around dawn). The room wasn't ready, and the front desk said it wouldn't be until sometime after 3p because they were totally sold out. Odd, since every room type was available for booking even at that moment. Anyway, the agent then found me a room on the second floor so that I could work until my own room was ready. I was a little confused...how could this room exist if there were none available? But then I was told by a staffer that the second floor is "for locals only, not our international guests" because it isn't up to the same standard. Which turned out to be very, very true. But so what, it was temporary and a courtesy given to me so I could get some online meetings done.
But then I came back to the front desk in the afternoon for an update. They said the room wasn't ready yet, and to check back. An hour later, a knock on the door proved to be a hotel staffer inviting me to get my bags and move to "my new room". Which turned out to be down the hall...on the second floor. It was an ADA room, musty, with a grimy bathroom, and ripped-down curtains. Felt, well, institutional. I had been downgraded not only from the room I'd been originally assigned, but also from the standard room I reserved.
When I showed up for the evening lounge offering, the check-in staffer couldn't locate my room on the list and wouldn't admit me. She went to ask the front desk, to no avail because it was unstaffed. We looked at the list together, and saw my name...with the original fourth-floor room I'd been assigned. The next day, at breakfast, my room still wasn't on the list. So I gave them my assigned room number, my temporary room number, and my downgraded room number. Thankfully, one of them worked.
My best guess at an explanation for decidedly not-Globalist treatment: thousands and thousands of wealthy Russian men have descended on Bishkek, cash in hand, to avoid conscription. Perhaps it was too much to expect that the Hyatt Regency wouldn't bump me from my room. But if you reserve at this property and the app happens to show that you've been assigned a room on the second floor, cancel immediately and find another hotel.
Oct 10, 2022, 6:00 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,053
I just completed a two-night stay here as a Globalist. Club is still closed. Breakfast is in the restaurant, and it is ample, diverse, and good. In lieu of the lounge, eligible guests get a large platter of snacks and bar drinks in the lobby/patio bar. Staff is professional, friendly, and great.
This particular stay was not good, though. I had reserved a standard room, which was pre-upgraded to a deluxe king. Not to a club room or a suite, even though every room type was available. Not a big deal, but noted. There was no online check-in, and I arrived in the morning (most flights land around dawn). The room wasn't ready, and the front desk said it wouldn't be until sometime after 3p because they were totally sold out. Odd, since every room type was available for booking even at that moment. Anyway, the agent then found me a room on the second floor so that I could work until my own room was ready. I was a little confused...how could this room exist if there were none available? But then I was told by a staffer that the second floor is "for locals only, not our international guests" because it isn't up to the same standard. Which turned out to be very, very true. But so what, it was temporary and a courtesy given to me so I could get some online meetings done.
But then I came back to the front desk in the afternoon for an update. They said the room wasn't ready yet, and to check back. An hour later, a knock on the door proved to be a hotel staffer inviting me to get my bags and move to "my new room". Which turned out to be down the hall...on the second floor. It was an ADA room, musty, with a grimy bathroom, and ripped-down curtains. Felt, well, institutional. I had been downgraded not only from the room I'd been originally assigned, but also from the standard room I reserved.
When I showed up for the evening lounge offering, the check-in staffer couldn't locate my room on the list and wouldn't admit me. She went to ask the front desk, to no avail because it was unstaffed. We looked at the list together, and saw my name...with the original fourth-floor room I'd been assigned. The next day, at breakfast, my room still wasn't on the list. So I gave them my assigned room number, my temporary room number, and my downgraded room number. Thankfully, one of them worked.
My best guess at an explanation for decidedly not-Globalist treatment: thousands and thousands of wealthy Russian men have descended on Bishkek, cash in hand, to avoid conscription. Perhaps it was too much to expect that the Hyatt Regency wouldn't bump me from my room. But if you reserve at this property and the app happens to show that you've been assigned a room on the second floor, cancel immediately and find another hotel.
This particular stay was not good, though. I had reserved a standard room, which was pre-upgraded to a deluxe king. Not to a club room or a suite, even though every room type was available. Not a big deal, but noted. There was no online check-in, and I arrived in the morning (most flights land around dawn). The room wasn't ready, and the front desk said it wouldn't be until sometime after 3p because they were totally sold out. Odd, since every room type was available for booking even at that moment. Anyway, the agent then found me a room on the second floor so that I could work until my own room was ready. I was a little confused...how could this room exist if there were none available? But then I was told by a staffer that the second floor is "for locals only, not our international guests" because it isn't up to the same standard. Which turned out to be very, very true. But so what, it was temporary and a courtesy given to me so I could get some online meetings done.
But then I came back to the front desk in the afternoon for an update. They said the room wasn't ready yet, and to check back. An hour later, a knock on the door proved to be a hotel staffer inviting me to get my bags and move to "my new room". Which turned out to be down the hall...on the second floor. It was an ADA room, musty, with a grimy bathroom, and ripped-down curtains. Felt, well, institutional. I had been downgraded not only from the room I'd been originally assigned, but also from the standard room I reserved.
When I showed up for the evening lounge offering, the check-in staffer couldn't locate my room on the list and wouldn't admit me. She went to ask the front desk, to no avail because it was unstaffed. We looked at the list together, and saw my name...with the original fourth-floor room I'd been assigned. The next day, at breakfast, my room still wasn't on the list. So I gave them my assigned room number, my temporary room number, and my downgraded room number. Thankfully, one of them worked.
My best guess at an explanation for decidedly not-Globalist treatment: thousands and thousands of wealthy Russian men have descended on Bishkek, cash in hand, to avoid conscription. Perhaps it was too much to expect that the Hyatt Regency wouldn't bump me from my room. But if you reserve at this property and the app happens to show that you've been assigned a room on the second floor, cancel immediately and find another hotel.
Oct 11, 2022, 8:16 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Paris
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 133
I just completed a two-night stay here as a Globalist. Club is still closed. Breakfast is in the restaurant, and it is ample, diverse, and good. In lieu of the lounge, eligible guests get a large platter of snacks and bar drinks in the lobby/patio bar. Staff is professional, friendly, and great.
This particular stay was not good, though. I had reserved a standard room, which was pre-upgraded to a deluxe king. Not to a club room or a suite, even though every room type was available. Not a big deal, but noted. There was no online check-in, and I arrived in the morning (most flights land around dawn). The room wasn't ready, and the front desk said it wouldn't be until sometime after 3p because they were totally sold out. Odd, since every room type was available for booking even at that moment. Anyway, the agent then found me a room on the second floor so that I could work until my own room was ready. I was a little confused...how could this room exist if there were none available? But then I was told by a staffer that the second floor is "for locals only, not our international guests" because it isn't up to the same standard. Which turned out to be very, very true. But so what, it was temporary and a courtesy given to me so I could get some online meetings done.
But then I came back to the front desk in the afternoon for an update. They said the room wasn't ready yet, and to check back. An hour later, a knock on the door proved to be a hotel staffer inviting me to get my bags and move to "my new room". Which turned out to be down the hall...on the second floor. It was an ADA room, musty, with a grimy bathroom, and ripped-down curtains. Felt, well, institutional. I had been downgraded not only from the room I'd been originally assigned, but also from the standard room I reserved.
When I showed up for the evening lounge offering, the check-in staffer couldn't locate my room on the list and wouldn't admit me. She went to ask the front desk, to no avail because it was unstaffed. We looked at the list together, and saw my name...with the original fourth-floor room I'd been assigned. The next day, at breakfast, my room still wasn't on the list. So I gave them my assigned room number, my temporary room number, and my downgraded room number. Thankfully, one of them worked.
My best guess at an explanation for decidedly not-Globalist treatment: thousands and thousands of wealthy Russian men have descended on Bishkek, cash in hand, to avoid conscription. Perhaps it was too much to expect that the Hyatt Regency wouldn't bump me from my room. But if you reserve at this property and the app happens to show that you've been assigned a room on the second floor, cancel immediately and find another hotel.
This particular stay was not good, though. I had reserved a standard room, which was pre-upgraded to a deluxe king. Not to a club room or a suite, even though every room type was available. Not a big deal, but noted. There was no online check-in, and I arrived in the morning (most flights land around dawn). The room wasn't ready, and the front desk said it wouldn't be until sometime after 3p because they were totally sold out. Odd, since every room type was available for booking even at that moment. Anyway, the agent then found me a room on the second floor so that I could work until my own room was ready. I was a little confused...how could this room exist if there were none available? But then I was told by a staffer that the second floor is "for locals only, not our international guests" because it isn't up to the same standard. Which turned out to be very, very true. But so what, it was temporary and a courtesy given to me so I could get some online meetings done.
But then I came back to the front desk in the afternoon for an update. They said the room wasn't ready yet, and to check back. An hour later, a knock on the door proved to be a hotel staffer inviting me to get my bags and move to "my new room". Which turned out to be down the hall...on the second floor. It was an ADA room, musty, with a grimy bathroom, and ripped-down curtains. Felt, well, institutional. I had been downgraded not only from the room I'd been originally assigned, but also from the standard room I reserved.
When I showed up for the evening lounge offering, the check-in staffer couldn't locate my room on the list and wouldn't admit me. She went to ask the front desk, to no avail because it was unstaffed. We looked at the list together, and saw my name...with the original fourth-floor room I'd been assigned. The next day, at breakfast, my room still wasn't on the list. So I gave them my assigned room number, my temporary room number, and my downgraded room number. Thankfully, one of them worked.
My best guess at an explanation for decidedly not-Globalist treatment: thousands and thousands of wealthy Russian men have descended on Bishkek, cash in hand, to avoid conscription. Perhaps it was too much to expect that the Hyatt Regency wouldn't bump me from my room. But if you reserve at this property and the app happens to show that you've been assigned a room on the second floor, cancel immediately and find another hotel.
Feb 26, 2024, 5:01 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Mucci, Untappd 8000+
Posts: 256
I just completed a two-night stay.
I cannot fault the property other than that it has not been renovated in a while.
The hotel first opened its doors as Kyrgyzstan Hotel in 1971.
https://invest.gov.kg/2019/07/15/success-story-of-hyatt-regency
It became a HR in 2001 and was last renovated in 2014.
https://www.travelweekly.com
These pictures will satisfy your Soviet nostalgia cravings.
I cannot fault the property other than that it has not been renovated in a while.
The hotel first opened its doors as Kyrgyzstan Hotel in 1971.
https://invest.gov.kg/2019/07/15/success-story-of-hyatt-regency
It became a HR in 2001 and was last renovated in 2014.
https://www.travelweekly.com
These pictures will satisfy your Soviet nostalgia cravings.
Spoiler
Feb 26, 2024, 5:22 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Mucci, Untappd 8000+
Posts: 256
F&B
Ample breakfast choices including local staples and barista coffee.
Highly attentive service.
Evening club spread was lovingly selected and presented.
Drinks were plentiful including spirits.
(Just wine and beer at the Sheraton.)
Highly attentive service.
Evening club spread was lovingly selected and presented.
Drinks were plentiful including spirits.
(Just wine and beer at the Sheraton.)
Spoiler
Feb 26, 2024, 5:39 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Mucci, Untappd 8000+
Posts: 256
Gym, spa and felt
Gym turned out to be just fine.
Sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and cold plunge are all there at your disposal.
I cannot not share these little felt figurines with you.
I would return for the Soviet nostalgia and the F&B on offer.
It will be interesting to see how they will be positioning themselves in the future (with the Sheraton in town).
Sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and cold plunge are all there at your disposal.
I cannot not share these little felt figurines with you.
I would return for the Soviet nostalgia and the F&B on offer.
It will be interesting to see how they will be positioning themselves in the future (with the Sheraton in town).
Spoiler
