Stepping off my recent United Global First flight from Shanghai, I had about 3 hours to connect to Newark as US Immigration was so efficient and swift that Sunday morning. United offers it’s revenue Business Class, all First Class and its Global Services Members, access to its Arrival Lounges where these exists. In the old days they used to have them in several countries around the world, but now the choice is much more limited – San Francisco, Chicago (Although it appears the showers in the C United Club are now available to anyone with lounge access) and London.

These small lounges offer a light breakfast and a shower.

Located on the lower level in Terminal 3 at SFO, once you exit the International Terminal it is a short walk to the lounge.

On entry I was the first customer of the day and received a warm welcome. Knowing that Security at SFO can be a madhouse, I did not want to spend too long there.

After a short wait I was given the access to a shower – which had it’s own amenity kit – I suspect in case you had already re-checked your bags:

A nice shower later, I felt ready to face 5 hours to Newark and 2 more hours to Miami. A short trip in the lift and I was deposited by the Premium Security line at SFO. Showing my Global First boarding pass got me in the First/Global Services security line for the TSA. Unfortunately this brings you to the end of the regular Premium line and you are left to your own devices to push in front of other passengers. One gracious gentleman let me know, but it felt un-British to say the least.

Aircraft Landing

A few weeks ago I stayed two nights at one of my favourite airport hotels – the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco Airport.

I am not wholly sure why I like it so much, but I think it’s because the buses do run promptly, the Regency Club is pretty good, the staff are friendly and the rooms are renovated. Sometimes it can be packed with huge events and at other times it has been empty. It has some great views of the Bay on one side, but noisier rooms on the other side near the freeway.

I stayed there on 31 December and had a fairly poor suite using an upgrade. The property offered to give me a nicer room on my return – this was that trip.

The Shuttle Buses run from the Upper Levels at SFO and calls at each Domestic Terminal and then the International Terminal, before heading off to the Marriott and thence the Hyatt Regency. The buses run about every 20 minutes, and are not usually too full except for first thing in the morning.

Check-In was uneventful, although the Duty Manager came out to meet me after the previous service problem. I was on the 8th Floor in a suite with a nice view of the Bay. (Picture above was taken from the room).

Sitting Area

Bedroom

The suite had two seperate areas divided by a wall but with no doors separating them (see above). There was also a nice desk area with plenty of light in the main sitting area.

The WiFi works using a log in provided at check-in by the agent.

There are two TV’s working using either remote control provided. The seating area was comfortable and I slept well in the new Hyatt Bed.

View from room towards South Bay

Restaurant and internal rooms

The rooms at the property either face inwards to the Atrium (above), or outside to the Bay or Freeway. The internal rooms I find too warm and airless and so I usually ask for an outside room. It’s a careful balancing act between inside/outside vs. road noise.

There is a public bus stop opposite the hotel and whilst not frequent they are an option if you want to get in to San Francisco, have time and wish to avoid the massive fee imposed by BART for using the Airport station.

Regency Club is open all day and has a serve-yourself fridge with Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew and water as well as an espresso machine which enables you to make your own drinks. Access is via your room key. There are now two computers and printers in the room for boarding passes etc. Unmanned, except during Breakfast and Hors d’oeuvre it does have free internet.

The food selection is fairly typical both at breakfast and dinner with no hot offerings. The menu doesn’t really change from day to day and so can be a little predictable.

Overall – A good stay at a property I like and for an airport location, hard to fault

Several years ago, in my days of IT consultancy I was a regular at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco. It is several years since I was there and it has undergone a huge transformation. I always liked the location (right in centre of the City, near the BART and MUNI and only a 5 minute walk from Macy’s). The staff often recognised me from repeat visits and when the Regency Club was on the 36th, enjoyed many evenings talking with other guests.

I was able to return about 2 weeks ago for the first time since the property’s refurbishment. The lobby wasn’t finished when I stayed, and so I shall look forward to going back when I can to see the finished product.

I used a Diamond Suite Upgrade to secure one of their suites – and Executive Suite – room description here.

The Room

Living Room

Bedroom

The bedroom had a large flatscreen TV, a sofa that converted to a sofa bed and desk with chair. Wired and wireless internet was available. There was also a full bathroom with tub leading from the living room.

The bedroom, had its own bathroom with a shower and wet area, a second TV, chaise long, and a super bed!

Bath

Bedroom bathroom

The room was freshly appointed, light and airy. The old decor was full of dark wood, so the contrast was significant. However, I did enjoy the new look – very Hyatt. The wash hand basin was of a novel design:

Wash hand basin

The only issue really was that the water pressure was pretty poor. This might have been a water saving device but it was noticeable.

The view from my room was the worst of the four available. Bearing mind that I was on a low rate with an upgrade cert, I did not mind too much. There were control buttons throughout the suite. The window curtains operated electrically and you could raise and lower the bedroom and living room separately.

Grand Club

The Grand Club on the 32nd Floor has been totally renovated. Still with stunning view of the city, it has been expanded to a further bedroom making it much larger, and there is more space for food. It now features hot food at breakfast and hors d’oeuvres times.

The club is also open 24/7 which means you can pop in for sodas when the club is not serving food, as well as printing boarding passes. There are two Macs there for guest use.

Operating times are from 0530 on Monday to Friday and 0700 on Sat/Sun. They finish breakfast at 0930 on Monday to Friday and 10am on Sat/Sun. The evening service is from 5pm – 7pm for Hors d’oeuvres and 7.30pm to 9pm for Dessert.

Grand Club view

Grand Club breakfast

Grand Club Seating

Grand Club breakfast - with hot option

The staff were superb! Helpful, friendly and attentive. When I went up early on the Sunday, at 6am they have everything laid out and were more than happy to have me start before the official time.

Summary

One of my favourite properties has re-earned its place in my heart – and I have to say I think they really are doing a superb job renovating it. Classy, modern and fresh. I shall look forward to going back.

I did a quick stay at the Intercontinental San Francisco last week, just before New Year’s Eve.

The hotel is relatively new and is located two blocks south of Market Street, in central San Francisco.

I arrived on the BART from SFO ($8.10 on way, and operates every 20 minutes). A short walk South from Powell Street lead to the hotel. The entrance is located on Howard Street and once through the front doors I was able to join the queue for Reception. It was abut 2pm and people were checking In and Out at the same time.

The Agent, who was manning the ‘Ambassador Check-in’ desk, greeted me and asked me for my ID. She then found the registration card and informed me that I had been upgraded to the Intercontinental Club. This was fine, except that I had reserved for the the Club already. She then replied ‘If you will let me finish, I have given you an Executive Room’. I am not sure whether I had really interrupted her, or whether she was trying to undertake a save. Anyway, I know that other Ambassador Guests have received Suite Upgrades but accepted that with New Year’s Eve around the corner there might not be any available.

I went up to the room, which I have to say was pretty nice.

Executive Room

The room has two full height windows which offered spectacular views of the City Hall and South of Market Areas. The bathroom was large, with its own full height window, slightly oddly positioned next to the toilet! (There is a blind for privacy).

Bathroom

Night time view

Daytime View

At around 4pm I went down to the Club for ‘Afternoon Tea’.

My key did not work in the door and so I returned to Reception. The gentleman who helped me, again after a wait in line, refused to recode the key unless I produced ID. I explained that it was in my room, and he insisted that I be escorted by a Security Guard to my room, prove that it was my room and then show him (the Guard), my ID before I could have a new key. Talk about make me feel like a criminal.

The Club space is pretty small, although there is a very large outside area which would be nice on a warmer day. There was no food left out although the service should have continued for about another 90 minutes. Empty plates remained in the serving areas and there were no china cups, just paper. The staff were friendly enough, but the room was full of kids, some attended and some unattended who had clearly been parked by their parents. Food did appear after about another 30 minutes and was finished in about 10 minutes. There was free WiFi in the Club and the password is available from the very friendly staff.

I did not try to attend for hors d’oeuvre as I was concerned about seating space.

The bedroom was quiet, and the bed comfortable.

I did go for Breakfast the next morning and there was a real lack of space as it was too cold to sit outside. There were scrambled eggs and bacon as well as good selection of pastries, croissant, ham/cheese etc.

Everything was OK at check-out with the internet provided free as an Ambassador.

(Flyertalk Master Thread.) (Video Review from MilePoint)

Generally an OK stay, but didn’t find the staff very pleasant (except the Club staff). Would I stay again? No.

I ask this, relatively, controversial question after two experiences using them last year.

I ask this based on two experiences last year. The oldest in Berlin was rescued by the Hyatt by crediting back the upgrade suite for the stay where I had the problem, and the next stay. In addition they guaranteed the suite on the second occasion and duly delivered.

I raise the question today as I had a remarkably similar experience to that in Berlin, when staying in the Hyatt Regency at San Francisco Airport. I should start by saying that I have stayed at this property on dozens of occasions, and probably at least six times in 2011. In addition I have paid for suite upgrades as well as received free upgrades here before.

When you check the Hyatt web site you will see that the HRSFO only has two types of Suite:

These are the Business Suite and Peninsula Suite.

I booked my Suite Upgrade via my Private Line Agent about 2 weeks ago, but the hotel did not seem to have any problem confirming space. However, now I check-in I find they are now calling the ‘Executive Parlor’ room a Suite. The Agent at check-in told me that all Suites were on the Second Floor – not true – I have had Suites on several floors here – notably the 8th or 9th Floor.

A Suite?

The other coincidence is that the room at HRSFO is almost the same as the Grand Hyatt Berlin was trying to call a Suite.

My only other issue appears to be that I am right above their Sports Bar – Knuckles. As I have a flight at 0700 tomorrow, I wonder how well I will sleep?

Room with a view, and noise?

So I ask, are Suite Upgrades just a way of upgrading Diamond Gold Passport members to bigger rooms, when calling them a Suite?