A Tale of Two Hyatts
Dec 17, 2002 | 8:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Currently a man without a country; American Airlines-3MM, Executive Platinum; US Airways-Doesn't Matter AAnymore; Hilton-Diamond; Starwood-Platinum; Hyatt-Diamond
Posts: 702
A Tale of Two Hyatts
A Tale of Two Hyatts
Since there are only two Hyatt properties in Seattle, and I stayed at both of them last week, I thought I would do a compare and contrast of my experiences.
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
MCI to SEA by way of DFW on AA
Flights were fine…I am sticking with AA for the time being. I LOVE the AC at MCI…the staff there is the best in the system. Got there early, laughed and gossiped with them until time to board my flight to DFW. If you are ever in the MCI AC, tell Teri, Jayme, Kathi, Mary, Traci, Anita, Marion, and Kathryn HELLO! They all do American proud.
MCI-DFW, I think I’m actually starting to miss the Colossal Cheddar Mix. Land and wow, the AA Operations gods are smiling on me; came in at B6, left out of B3…and B is my favorite AC at DFW…they have a better snack mix than the other two! Plus, no random scrutiny at either airport….is the TSA smoking crack as part of coping with FTers or is Loy actually having a positive effect….inquiring minds want to know.
Chose to connect through DFW rather than ORD this time because I could catch a 757 to SEA. Last year I was going to SEA all the time due to a big contract and loved the ORD flights because they were all 75s or 73s and slightly more miles. Times, they are a change’n. ORD-SEA is all MD80s, now.
Oh well, FC seat 2E, cheese tortellini with wild mushroom sauce, sundae with hot fudge, butterscotch, and nuts, a few G&Ts, a few glasses of not bad white wine, and movie (yikes, what was it? Wait, I just remembered…that one with the chick surfers in Hawaii…Blue Moon, Blue Wave…whatever) and we are there.
The Elliott Grand Hyatt, Seattle Washington
I had been in the bar before and really liked it. Thought then, I’m staying here some time. So when this trip to Seattle appeared last week, I thought why not….company Travel Department (that is a whole nuther thread with a title that probably won’t make it through the anti-cussing FT filter) had me at the SeaTac Marriott for 3 nights driving north on I-5 each morning to get to my client…HELLO, can we say 4 lane parking lot? I clicked around and found a really great rate at the Grand for two nights and an even better rate at the Bellevue Hyatt for one night so…hello Travel Policy loophole: I can stay where I want and make a few bucks in a 50/50 Hotel savings deal we have.
Landed and headed to the car rental area. National Car rental is our preferred agency…is there a car rental agency that clicks more for preferred members than National? Many minutes of clicking and 30 minutes driving later walk into the Elliott Grand Hyatt lobby….dark wood, moody lighting…wait, I’ve accidentally wandered into the Seattle W! But the logo signs assure me I’m in the right chi-chi location.
Approach the check-in desk…2 agents each helping a guest; 1 toe-tapping male guest in front of me. Don’t know how long he has been there but his body language says longer than it should have been. Ten minutes pass….Fossil watch keeps pretty good time…we are still standing there. Gentleperson in front of me approaches the thumb-twiddling Concierge and proceeds to throw down some cash, mumble, mumble, mumble, Concierge apologizes for wait and directs distressed gentle guest to front drive where he is assured “your car is waiting.”
Now it is me, 2 20something guests and 2 check-in agents. Five plus more minutes pass and now I’m the toe-tapping guest. I approach the Concierge, and in a voice slightly too loud ask, “Is there no one else who can help with check-in? This is taking a ridiculous amount of time.” to which the Concierge responded, “No, these are the only people that can help.”
I return to the line but now one of the agents acknowledges my presence…merci’ since I’ve been within eye-range for the last 15 minutes.
Finally, same agent finishes making future reservation for 20something pretty-boy in front of me and invites me to approach the Hyatt Holy of Holies.
HER: “Sorry for your wait, he was making a future reservation.”
ME: “That’s what you have 800 numbers for.”
HER: “When you are our guest…(blah, blah, blah, insert corporate speak).”
ME: “So what about me?”
Much clicking…shock...”You’re a Diamond!? Let me see what we have….blah blah, blah”……..eventually clicking ends and I’m give’n my key.
I never became surly but I feel 15 minutes is too long to wait when there is basically no line but me. Especially when the 2 guests at the desk who just couldn’t make their mind up when they would be back were together, one agent should have taken over helping them to keep the check-in line moving.
Walk away from desk….momentary flash of clarity…return to desk…
“I believe I have not made my Diamond Amenity Request.”
Much apologizing and bowing in a subservient manner.
Assured my amenity will arrive shortly.
ROOM 2903, Elliott Grand Hyatt 12/11-13/02
All I can say is WOW!!!! Corner room, living room, walk through to bedroom, bathroom is bigger than my bedroom at home, large soaking tub, marble as far as the eye can see. Shower with glass so clean I swat it thinking it is an open shower only to find I’m rubbing my sore knuckles.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ROOM I”VE HAD IN >>>> FOREVER!!!
Can’t remember all the Diamond choices, but I chose the pretzel, mustard, 2 local brews PLUS a full bottle of white wine.
Good warm pretzel, free High Speed access to internet, great local brews….Hello Mr. Buzz. The Club is still closed but who needs it…I can’t sit in the Club in my boxers and surf the net while’st sipping a brew!
I don’t want to drool, but to lay in bed, reach over, hit a switch, and lower all the blinds in the bedroom….TRE’ COOL.
Next night ventured down to the Hotel bar/restaurant which has graced the pages of Gourmet, Food and Wine, whatever…and disservedly so.
Wait staff is wonderful…drinking Gin (a Tanqueray 10 and a Quintessential) Martinis but try an Austrian Rum drink made by bartender. Then I’m suddenly trying 3 different red wines trying to decide which to accompany the cheese course I’ve ordered. I’ve already had dinner (moules frite and 2 Chimays) at a fab little bistro “Café Campagne” just up from Sur la Table down by Pike Street Market but the Cheese selection looks great…one was just a little hoofy, but the other 2 selections were wonderful and the Cab/Syrah/Shiraz/whatever was a perfect earthy finish to it all.
Back to room, turn down service…never used the free Breakfast coupons but wish I had!
Friday, December 13, 2002…Bellevue, WA Hyatt
Finished meeting, sat in traffic around to Bellevue…checked in….they have a picture book of Diamond Amenity plates…a’ la Sushi bar, I chose the Diamond Smoked Plate + Chardonnay. Assured that it will be up in 45 minutes.
Bellevue Hyatt…very 80s…beiges, tans, taupes, smallish lobby, room same except for these horrific overly glary neonish lights in the bedroom of my junior suite…someone in engineering should be slapped and made to undress in the offensive glare put off by these nightmares.
After one and ˝ hours, phone down; question the arrival of Diamond amenity. Ten minutes, I’m assured.
Thirty minutes later (now a full 2 hours after the 45 minute promise) the tray arrives….wow…it is worth the wait. Two filets of beef, slices of turkey and a wonderfully smoky sausage, fresh mozzarella and smoked gouda, pickles, olives, artichokes, other stuff + ˝ bottle of Toasted Head Chardonnay….yummy.
Later, wandered over to the Bellevue mall, bought a few Christmas gifts, fell into Ruth’s Chris Steak House for 2 gin martinis and the Shoestring Potatoes, and some great conversation with some other shoppers.
Got back to hotel, no turn down service… (Grand had it with chocolates). Went to bed just before calling down to front desk and asking their assistance in helping me get up by 4:00 a.m. for my 6:00 a.m. flight out of SEA.
3:58, I wake up…4:00, phone rings, I’m wandering around suite wondering where the hell I am…finally remember.
Shower, pack, dress, leave all by 4:33 a.m.
Gas on the way and return car to National at 4:58 a.m. BPs in hand by 5:05, clear scrutiny and have enough time for a stop in the beautiful SEA AC club where a groggy agent mumbles me in. Notice that the entry to where the PC and work cubicles used to be is blocked off and they are now renting space in the actual club area. Guess the loss of the NRT flight plus nearly everything else AA out of SEA is having an effect…Can’t beat the view from that Club, though! (AA REVENUE THOUGHT…Condos for FTers in unused/discarded ACs.)
AA SEA to DFW to MCI and HOME!!!
Leaving SEA at 6:04 a.m. is like leaving for Europe…it is dark…you eat a meal…you sit quietly and watch a really bad movie (Serving Susan with funny boy from Friends…so bad and such embarrassing dialogue I unplugged my headset in respect.)
Egg quesadilla or corn flakes for breakfast…choose queasy-quesadilla for entrée…amazing what the caterers at AA consider quesadilla…no where near what any self-serving Mexican Restaurant with sizzling cast iron skillets considers the same dish! Plus, sautéed onions and spicy sausage and some kind of grease at 6:45 a.m. will not sit well for the next few hours…TG for Tums and Motrin.
Arrive in DFW, hibernate in DFW B Terminal AC for an hour and a half, board flight, load up on G&Ts and almonds, arrive home, fall into wife’s arms, rest like I’m jetlagged, finally get second (or third or fourth) wind and go out for a little Holiday cruise while dropping off middle daughter of 3 at her Christmas Dance…older daughter should have been having party at our house with her friends but that is another thread…Why isn’t there a “Travel full time yet still try to be meaningful parent” thread?
CONCLUSION
Will stay at the Elliott Grand Hyatt any time I can get a rate that is close to what my idiot Travel Department can get at other chains…location, décor, tre’ luxor with that Hyatt Happy Bed (or whatever they are calling their knock-off of the Westin Heavenly Bed)….I had to pry myself out all that goose down every morning.
Bellevue Hyatt is fine…typical run-of-the-mill Hyatt. A little steam cleaning and some new wall coverings and things should be fine. Location is great for trips up to the Wineries (Columbia and St. Michelle) or business on the East side of Seattle. Would stay there again for $89.00 a night!
Love the Grand, Love the city, love it ALL!
Since there are only two Hyatt properties in Seattle, and I stayed at both of them last week, I thought I would do a compare and contrast of my experiences.
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
MCI to SEA by way of DFW on AA
Flights were fine…I am sticking with AA for the time being. I LOVE the AC at MCI…the staff there is the best in the system. Got there early, laughed and gossiped with them until time to board my flight to DFW. If you are ever in the MCI AC, tell Teri, Jayme, Kathi, Mary, Traci, Anita, Marion, and Kathryn HELLO! They all do American proud.
MCI-DFW, I think I’m actually starting to miss the Colossal Cheddar Mix. Land and wow, the AA Operations gods are smiling on me; came in at B6, left out of B3…and B is my favorite AC at DFW…they have a better snack mix than the other two! Plus, no random scrutiny at either airport….is the TSA smoking crack as part of coping with FTers or is Loy actually having a positive effect….inquiring minds want to know.
Chose to connect through DFW rather than ORD this time because I could catch a 757 to SEA. Last year I was going to SEA all the time due to a big contract and loved the ORD flights because they were all 75s or 73s and slightly more miles. Times, they are a change’n. ORD-SEA is all MD80s, now.
Oh well, FC seat 2E, cheese tortellini with wild mushroom sauce, sundae with hot fudge, butterscotch, and nuts, a few G&Ts, a few glasses of not bad white wine, and movie (yikes, what was it? Wait, I just remembered…that one with the chick surfers in Hawaii…Blue Moon, Blue Wave…whatever) and we are there.
The Elliott Grand Hyatt, Seattle Washington
I had been in the bar before and really liked it. Thought then, I’m staying here some time. So when this trip to Seattle appeared last week, I thought why not….company Travel Department (that is a whole nuther thread with a title that probably won’t make it through the anti-cussing FT filter) had me at the SeaTac Marriott for 3 nights driving north on I-5 each morning to get to my client…HELLO, can we say 4 lane parking lot? I clicked around and found a really great rate at the Grand for two nights and an even better rate at the Bellevue Hyatt for one night so…hello Travel Policy loophole: I can stay where I want and make a few bucks in a 50/50 Hotel savings deal we have.
Landed and headed to the car rental area. National Car rental is our preferred agency…is there a car rental agency that clicks more for preferred members than National? Many minutes of clicking and 30 minutes driving later walk into the Elliott Grand Hyatt lobby….dark wood, moody lighting…wait, I’ve accidentally wandered into the Seattle W! But the logo signs assure me I’m in the right chi-chi location.
Approach the check-in desk…2 agents each helping a guest; 1 toe-tapping male guest in front of me. Don’t know how long he has been there but his body language says longer than it should have been. Ten minutes pass….Fossil watch keeps pretty good time…we are still standing there. Gentleperson in front of me approaches the thumb-twiddling Concierge and proceeds to throw down some cash, mumble, mumble, mumble, Concierge apologizes for wait and directs distressed gentle guest to front drive where he is assured “your car is waiting.”
Now it is me, 2 20something guests and 2 check-in agents. Five plus more minutes pass and now I’m the toe-tapping guest. I approach the Concierge, and in a voice slightly too loud ask, “Is there no one else who can help with check-in? This is taking a ridiculous amount of time.” to which the Concierge responded, “No, these are the only people that can help.”
I return to the line but now one of the agents acknowledges my presence…merci’ since I’ve been within eye-range for the last 15 minutes.
Finally, same agent finishes making future reservation for 20something pretty-boy in front of me and invites me to approach the Hyatt Holy of Holies.
HER: “Sorry for your wait, he was making a future reservation.”
ME: “That’s what you have 800 numbers for.”
HER: “When you are our guest…(blah, blah, blah, insert corporate speak).”
ME: “So what about me?”
Much clicking…shock...”You’re a Diamond!? Let me see what we have….blah blah, blah”……..eventually clicking ends and I’m give’n my key.
I never became surly but I feel 15 minutes is too long to wait when there is basically no line but me. Especially when the 2 guests at the desk who just couldn’t make their mind up when they would be back were together, one agent should have taken over helping them to keep the check-in line moving.
Walk away from desk….momentary flash of clarity…return to desk…
“I believe I have not made my Diamond Amenity Request.”
Much apologizing and bowing in a subservient manner.
Assured my amenity will arrive shortly.
ROOM 2903, Elliott Grand Hyatt 12/11-13/02
All I can say is WOW!!!! Corner room, living room, walk through to bedroom, bathroom is bigger than my bedroom at home, large soaking tub, marble as far as the eye can see. Shower with glass so clean I swat it thinking it is an open shower only to find I’m rubbing my sore knuckles.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ROOM I”VE HAD IN >>>> FOREVER!!!
Can’t remember all the Diamond choices, but I chose the pretzel, mustard, 2 local brews PLUS a full bottle of white wine.
Good warm pretzel, free High Speed access to internet, great local brews….Hello Mr. Buzz. The Club is still closed but who needs it…I can’t sit in the Club in my boxers and surf the net while’st sipping a brew!
I don’t want to drool, but to lay in bed, reach over, hit a switch, and lower all the blinds in the bedroom….TRE’ COOL.
Next night ventured down to the Hotel bar/restaurant which has graced the pages of Gourmet, Food and Wine, whatever…and disservedly so.
Wait staff is wonderful…drinking Gin (a Tanqueray 10 and a Quintessential) Martinis but try an Austrian Rum drink made by bartender. Then I’m suddenly trying 3 different red wines trying to decide which to accompany the cheese course I’ve ordered. I’ve already had dinner (moules frite and 2 Chimays) at a fab little bistro “Café Campagne” just up from Sur la Table down by Pike Street Market but the Cheese selection looks great…one was just a little hoofy, but the other 2 selections were wonderful and the Cab/Syrah/Shiraz/whatever was a perfect earthy finish to it all.
Back to room, turn down service…never used the free Breakfast coupons but wish I had!
Friday, December 13, 2002…Bellevue, WA Hyatt
Finished meeting, sat in traffic around to Bellevue…checked in….they have a picture book of Diamond Amenity plates…a’ la Sushi bar, I chose the Diamond Smoked Plate + Chardonnay. Assured that it will be up in 45 minutes.
Bellevue Hyatt…very 80s…beiges, tans, taupes, smallish lobby, room same except for these horrific overly glary neonish lights in the bedroom of my junior suite…someone in engineering should be slapped and made to undress in the offensive glare put off by these nightmares.
After one and ˝ hours, phone down; question the arrival of Diamond amenity. Ten minutes, I’m assured.
Thirty minutes later (now a full 2 hours after the 45 minute promise) the tray arrives….wow…it is worth the wait. Two filets of beef, slices of turkey and a wonderfully smoky sausage, fresh mozzarella and smoked gouda, pickles, olives, artichokes, other stuff + ˝ bottle of Toasted Head Chardonnay….yummy.
Later, wandered over to the Bellevue mall, bought a few Christmas gifts, fell into Ruth’s Chris Steak House for 2 gin martinis and the Shoestring Potatoes, and some great conversation with some other shoppers.
Got back to hotel, no turn down service… (Grand had it with chocolates). Went to bed just before calling down to front desk and asking their assistance in helping me get up by 4:00 a.m. for my 6:00 a.m. flight out of SEA.
3:58, I wake up…4:00, phone rings, I’m wandering around suite wondering where the hell I am…finally remember.
Shower, pack, dress, leave all by 4:33 a.m.
Gas on the way and return car to National at 4:58 a.m. BPs in hand by 5:05, clear scrutiny and have enough time for a stop in the beautiful SEA AC club where a groggy agent mumbles me in. Notice that the entry to where the PC and work cubicles used to be is blocked off and they are now renting space in the actual club area. Guess the loss of the NRT flight plus nearly everything else AA out of SEA is having an effect…Can’t beat the view from that Club, though! (AA REVENUE THOUGHT…Condos for FTers in unused/discarded ACs.)
AA SEA to DFW to MCI and HOME!!!
Leaving SEA at 6:04 a.m. is like leaving for Europe…it is dark…you eat a meal…you sit quietly and watch a really bad movie (Serving Susan with funny boy from Friends…so bad and such embarrassing dialogue I unplugged my headset in respect.)
Egg quesadilla or corn flakes for breakfast…choose queasy-quesadilla for entrée…amazing what the caterers at AA consider quesadilla…no where near what any self-serving Mexican Restaurant with sizzling cast iron skillets considers the same dish! Plus, sautéed onions and spicy sausage and some kind of grease at 6:45 a.m. will not sit well for the next few hours…TG for Tums and Motrin.
Arrive in DFW, hibernate in DFW B Terminal AC for an hour and a half, board flight, load up on G&Ts and almonds, arrive home, fall into wife’s arms, rest like I’m jetlagged, finally get second (or third or fourth) wind and go out for a little Holiday cruise while dropping off middle daughter of 3 at her Christmas Dance…older daughter should have been having party at our house with her friends but that is another thread…Why isn’t there a “Travel full time yet still try to be meaningful parent” thread?
CONCLUSION
Will stay at the Elliott Grand Hyatt any time I can get a rate that is close to what my idiot Travel Department can get at other chains…location, décor, tre’ luxor with that Hyatt Happy Bed (or whatever they are calling their knock-off of the Westin Heavenly Bed)….I had to pry myself out all that goose down every morning.
Bellevue Hyatt is fine…typical run-of-the-mill Hyatt. A little steam cleaning and some new wall coverings and things should be fine. Location is great for trips up to the Wineries (Columbia and St. Michelle) or business on the East side of Seattle. Would stay there again for $89.00 a night!
Love the Grand, Love the city, love it ALL!
Dec 18, 2002 | 6:50 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Fort Worth TX
Programs: Earned status with AA, DL, SPG, HH, Hyatt, Marriott, Seabourn, NCL, National, Hertz...I miss my bed!
Posts: 10,927
Not only that but mwp came through DFW not once, but TWICE and didn't even let me come meet him at the airport. 
I feel so unloved... otherwise this could have been a GREAT trip report.
I feel so unloved... otherwise this could have been a GREAT trip report.
Dec 18, 2002 | 11:41 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: No one cares
Posts: 7,616
I think the bellevue hyatt gives chocs and a turndown service. THe chocs are next to the bed.
I am thinking of a night at the grand hyatt this next week. It would be nice to have a night away at home.
lala
I am thinking of a night at the grand hyatt this next week. It would be nice to have a night away at home.
lala