Pleasantly Surprised

I finallyt returned to the historic Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

I‘ve often remarked that this property is just old and unmaintained, however it seems there’s been a refurb that’s quite nice.

Check in was swift and we walked to our room on the top floor at the back of the hotel. We noticed a lot of Australian Federal Police, their cars and motorbikes and were stopped walking to our room.

The PM of Singapore was three doors up in the Presidential Suite, but they let us through once we showed our keys.

I was able to watch his enormous motorcade as he checked out which is amusing as Australian PM's only travel with one or two vehicles, never so much security.

I booked the best non suite room 1 King Corner Premium (formely Executive Deluxe Corner) via Privè. Annoyingly, they do not offer an upgrade benefit and the $100USD F&B credit is only $30USD. Also, since the Ambassador Lounge is now closed, the room types have been renamed. This is a disconnect between the room descriptions on the website and how the staff still refer to the rooms.

I was hoping for an upgrade at check in, however the hotel was sold out.

The back of the hotel is the preferred side as it’s on the Lake with a view of Telstra Tower.

The room is 70sqm and has two couches. The photo looks dark because of the weather but it had new carpet, furniture and fittings. I was shocked to find how nice it was compared to the last few stays as per my last review.

Breakfast was decent and was able to order Eggs Benedict despite them saying it’s chargeable, it was wiped from the bill.

I asked for Hash Browns and the staff said they don't have any. I pointed to the sign at breakfast where it was listed under confiments above the hot items. They were delivered to my table a few mins later. The next day they came with out eggs unprompted, however the forgot one of our servings.

I don't recall there being a real bar other than the Tea Lounge, but we were shown a square, wrap around bar with bartenders and inside surrounded by stools and across from it another lounge area with an open fireplace. 

We preferred the Tea Lounge and the Bloody Mary we ordered tasted like it had half a bottle of Tabasco poured into it and we had to send it back. The club sandwich didn’t come with jars of Tomato Sauce, Mayonaise and Mustard, as is PH brand standard. When we asked for condiments the waiter was perplexed. I had to explain what these items were and ask him to ask the Chef in the kitchen. He returned with them later.

 

While the hard product improved and the garden was beautiful on the second day in the sunny weather, almost all of the staff except from desk are new and can’t problem solve.

There is a language barrier with some and it doesn't appear they are empowered or have any initiative.
 

The location is amazing as you are faced with Parliament House as you arrive close to the hotel with an unobstructed view. Set beside Lake Burley Griffin, you can go for walks in the morning and explore the Chinese Gardens.

Overall, I was shocked at how nice the hotel hard produce has improved, but the service signifies how much the hospitality industry is struggling in Australia with a lack of staff. I couldn’t tell if the staff were just casual, like PHS, or the hotel just failed to teach PH service standard.

Hopefully, once the industry returns to some normality the soft product will match the hard product.