The Hyatt web site appears a major redesign overnight. Whilst the landing page is pretty much the same, once you go to make a reservation, the pages are fresher and bolder than the old site.

Not too much change on the new home page – although it is a lot less fussy than before:

Searching for a city now lists the properties that Hyatt operate in the city:

Clicking on the Check-In/Check-Out box opens a calendar which can be clicked:

Once you select a property, the rates available are presented in a vertical list by room type, with different rates offered on tabs across the top. Ticking a box displays Gold Passport point rates for each room type:

Clicking on the Offers and Certificates link, pops open the familiar box where you can request special rates:

Once you select a special rate these are listed in the property display, and against each room type:

As you switch between properties the site remembers the special rates you selected. This is a big enhancement. In many cases rooms now come with short descriptions against each tab, helping us decide whether the room is appropriate for our needs, or comes with extra services:

The reservation page clearly shows the whole range of taxes and charges levied:

The confirmation page at a resort clearly lists the resort fees applicable:

The property information pages are refreshed although I did think most of the content the same as before:

Against each property, you can now pull up all the photos used on their web site, giving a good idea of what the property or rooms might look like before you visit:

I did have some problems booking, although whether this related to the new site, I do not know.

Overall

A better, more modern look which matches with the make-overs being done to the properties.

On my return to Miami I had two days so decided to split the stays between Hyatt house – which I have previously reviewed – and the Hyatt Place.

The Hyatt Place is further from the airport and its shuttle only runs once an hour – as opposed to the Hyatt house which runs twice per hour.

However, I did receive a very warm welcome from the member of staff on duty who made me a coffee after he noticed that I was a Diamond Member – a nice surprise.

Reviews of Hyatt Place’s are pretty much the same as the room layouts are almost identical:

The view from the room was over the rear car park towards the main road, but was not noisy:

Accessible from the Car Park is both a Burger King and Boston Market – if you exit by the rear door they are just across the car park with no fence between:

I only heard a couple of planes go over during the evening:

The next morning I had to leave early for my flight to Houston. The taxi fare was $25 as it is further away than the Hyatt house.

Overall
A perfectly good Hyatt Place stay with friendly staff

Lobby

On a recent trip I had a quick overnight stay in Las Vegas. Arriving quite late at night and leaving fairly early the next day I wanted to add an extra Hyatt stay. The Hyatt in Vegas are limited – to one. Luckily it is quite close to the airport and has turned in to one of my favourite Hyatt Place properties – primarily as the staff are so friendly here.

Front Desk

I arrived so late that I had the shuttle train to baggage claim to myself. Having arrived on United I should have gone to the new Terminal 2, but nothing stops passengers with hand baggage leaving from Terminal 1 and so I hopped on the train to T1.

Empty Shuttle from Terminal to Baggage Claim at LAS

In the deep dark tunnel to Baggage

Check-In

Although generally taxi prices in Las Vegas a monstrous the Hyatt Place is only about half-way to the strip and so I usually catch a cab rather than waiting for the shuttle. I get the shuttle back though.

The agent at check-in noted my Diamond Status and I confirmed that I wanted the points please. There was a package waiting for me which they quickly located. The room was on the top floor but without the usual strip view. It was one night and so I did not mind.

Hyatt Place Hallway

As one of the first converted the rooms are typically Hyatt Place.

Breakfast

Hyatt Place hot items

Hot items, as well as fruit, cereal, bagels etc. Other items could be ordered from the new Hyatt menu.

Departure

Quick and easy check-out and being the only person on the Hyatt bus I managed to chat to the driver – he was great – and certainly made me feel pleased with my stay.

Summary

A Hyatt Place with just the nicest staff you could ask for. Not a great location for The Strip, but a good location for the airport.

For the longest time (it seemed), Hyatt had the lone property at Grand Central. Whilst no one’s favourite property I did numerous stays there over the years and grew to love its glorously tacky yet dingy lobby area, the obscured views of the adjacent buildings and the Regency Club where you could see out-of-town families mixing with men of internationl finance.

Since then Hyatt has built its portfolio, so that it stands as follows

• Grand Hyatt New York
• Hyatt  48 Lex
• Andaz 5th Avenue
• Andaz Wall Street

I must have missed the announcement but there is also a Park Hyatt slated for the end of next year – Park Hyatt New York - and I am told it’ll be one of the most expensive properties in the Hyatt Group. One wonders if this might require an additional reward category, in excess of the 22,000 points per night currently needed for their premier hotels.

Also coming are:

• Hyatt Place New York/Midtown-South – 52-54 West 36th Street – reservations after 31 December 2012
• Hyatt Union Square – 132 Fourth Avenue, reservations after 2 Jan 2013 now accepted
• Hyatt Times Square – late 2013 – 135 West 45th St between Broadway and 6th Ave.
• Hyatt Place Times Square – late 2014 – 120 West 41st Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway

So it seems for Hyatt 8 will be the magic number for NY – surely the most properties in any single city in the world for them.

Review

The Hyatt Place Waikiki is slightly further along Waikiki than the Hyatt Regency which I reviewed here. In fact it nearly next door to Honolulu Zoo and very close to Diamond Head. Although it is set back from the beach - it is only a five minute walk to the ocean.

The Reception Area is in an indoors/outdoors setting with nothing between the driveway and the Reception desk but a seating area. It does make it feel a lot more open.

Check-In

The agent at check-in acknowledged me by name, noted my Diamond Status and thanked me for staying with Hyatt so often. She then explained where all the facilities were on site and took me on a short walk to the lifts, via the two shops, internet area (with printer) and the Conierge Desk. As it was a Friday there was a live performer in the lounge area, adjacent to the bar. It did create a very island feel.

Retail Shop

PC Area

Although the public areas did have a Hyatt Place feel it was clear it was a conversion from another property, rather than a bespoke Hyatt Place build.

Property

The property has two towers and I was located in the one nearer Diamond Head, at the end of a corridor away from the lifts on the 12th Floor.

Two Towers

Pool and Breakfast area between towers

Corridor

The Room

The hotel had allocated me a super room - right on the end of the corridor with a wrap around balcony giving views of the ocean. There was a little room off the main bedroom with a sofa bed and a further flatscreen TV. The bed was a very comfortable Hyatt bed. There was a desk, and flatscreen TV in the room. The WiFi worked well and was quick and reliable.

Bed

Washbasin and loo in distance

Floor Plan

Sofa bed and second TV

Bed

Views from the Room

Although the room faced North, it had a decent view of the hills, a good view of Diamond Head to the East and of the Ocean to the South. The views were not as spectcular as those from the Hyatt Regency but centainly nice to sit out on the balcony and enjoy the view.

Ocean view in the evening

North view Daytime

Diamond Head Daytime

Breakfast

I had been warned that Breakfast (free) could be a bit of a bun fight (!) and indeed, in the room there was a note suggesting that it is sometimes easier to use a tray and bring food back to the room. I did this and enjoyed sitting on the balcony with my breakfast items. The usual Hyatt choice was there including hot items, cereal, juices, coffee, etc. The opening times at 0630-0930 Mon-Fri and until 1000 on Saturdays and Sundays. When I arrived at 0630 and the Pantry had not opened there must have been 50 people waiting. I found enough to keep me happy and wizzed back up to the room. The outdoor area has 20-25 tables and some are around the pool.

Local Amenities

If you are on a budget trip then the bus stop for the 19 or 20 to the airport is right next to the north entrance to the hotel. In addition on the corner near the ocean are a number of eating options including a Wolfgag Puck Express and a Subway. The view from the end of the road was pretty spectacular. There is an ABC Store between the hotel and the Ocean as well as a scooter rental office in the next street.

I would say that I saw more homeless people at this end of the Waikiki than I had seen before and that the hotel seems to attract a young crowd who are used to later evenings than I, although there was really very little noise in the hotel.

No taxis wait outside the hotel, so if you need one the Front Desk will call one. Mine was $28 (fixed price) plus tip to airport, which was good value as I paid $40 to get to the hotel.

View from end of the road

Shops/food options nearby

Overview

For the price paid ($139 plus tax), including Breakfast and WiFi it’s great value for Honolulu. The hotel is well maintained, with helpful staff and whilst breakfast can require sharp elbows, everyone was really pleasant and there was plenty of food to go around.