As I recently wrote about, we’re living in hotels at the moment. We’ve been staying primarily at Hyatts, both because Hyatt consistently treats me well as a Globalist member, and also because I’m working my way towards lifetime Globalist status.
A few months ago I stayed at a Thompson property (which is part of the Hyatt portfolio) for the first time, and I’ve been seeking them out ever since. I think Thompson might just be my new favorite upscale hotel brand, and in this post I wanted to share why.
In this post:
What are Thompson Hotels?
Thompson is intended to be an upper-upscale boutique lifestyle brand, which Hyatt describes as follows:
Expect a passion for design. An obsession with detail. And a joy for creating dining and nightlife destinations that complement our local scenes with inspired luxury, boutique hotel rooms and suites to stay the night.
Hyatt acquired Two Roads Hospitality back in 2018, and as part of that Hyatt took over brands like Alila and Thompson. Looking at Hyatt’s portfolio big picture, I’d view Thompson as being roughly on par with Andaz, while it’s a notch below Alila and Park Hyatt, which are Hyatt’s luxury brands.
Currently Thompson has 11 hotels in nine cities, all in the United States and Mexico. Most hotels are simply called “Thompson” and then the name of the city, though the brand also has a few properties that are branded differently, like Gild Hall, The Beekman, and The Cape.
It’s a small collection of hotels, but it’s growing at a fast pace. It’s my understanding that developers are especially keen to open more Thompsons, and that it’s one of Hyatt’s most requested brands in that regard. So expect many more Thompsons to open over time.
Why I love Thompson Hotels
I’ll have full reviews of several Thompson properties soon, but in this post I wanted to talk about why I like the brand overall. In late 2020 I stayed at the Thompson Dallas for several weeks and loved it, and subsequently I’ve stayed at a couple more of them.
While coronavirus has impacted our ability to fully enjoy the amenities that hotels offer (like indoor restaurants and bars), let me share big-picture why I like the Thompson brand so much, in no particular order:
Legitimately nice decor
Thompsons are consistently furnished and decorated in a tasteful and practical way, including both public spaces and rooms. I love the fact that the public spaces differ between locations, so each feels unique, rather than cookie-cutter.
Thompson Dallas lobby
Thompson Nashville lobby
Meanwhile I love the fact that room design is consistent, so that you know exactly what to expect.
Thompson Dallas suite
Thompson Dallas suite
Thompson Nashville suite
Thompson Nashville suite
Thompson Nashville suite
Great food & beverage outlets
While most hotel food & beverage outlets are borderline depressing, Thompson Hotels seem to have a focus on making these venues popular with locals. I feel like all hotel brands talk about how they want to be a hub for locals, but few actually accomplish that, since it’s hard to make a hotel restaurant cool.
This is an area where Thompson really shines, as the food & beverage venues at all the properties were truly phenomenal and packed with locals, despite coronavirus.
Now, admittedly we didn’t fully get to enjoy them because we were trying to be safe (so we specifically avoided them when they were busy), but it’s at least good to know in general that these venues are popular, because presumably that will still be the case post-coronavirus. Let me just give an example of the venues at the Thompson Nashville, which are pretty representative of what we found at other properties:
- There’s an awesome restaurant in the lobby (Marsh House), which has some charm
- There’s a rooftop bar (LA Jackson) with outdoor seating and a great view of the Nashville skyline
- There’s a legitimately great coffee shop (Killbrew) in the lobby
Restaurant at the Thompson Nashville
Rooftop bar at the Thompson Nashville
Coffee shop at the Thompson Nashville
Usually good restaurants also means a good Globalist breakfast, so that’s nice…
Breakfast at the Thompson Dallas
Extremely dog friendly
Winston gives Thompson two thumbs up, which is quite an endorsement coming from him. Given that we’re living in hotels full time with Winston, hotel pet friendliness is a major consideration. Not all hotels are pet friendly, and pet cleaning fees can also differ between hotels, and add up quickly.
Winston approves of Thompson
Thompson has to be one of the most pet-friendly brands out there:
- All Thompson properties are pet-friendly
- Several Thompson properties (including in Dallas and Nashville) don’t even charge a cleaning fee for pets, which is almost unheard of
- Not only do they not charge extra for pets, but they even offer pet amenities, including a bed, a bowl, and some treats (I’ve paid $200+ fees at some hotels and they still offered nothing for my pet)
A nice welcome amenity for Winston at the Thompson Dallas
Thompson gets that the way to a human’s heart is through their dog, so thank you Thompson, and please never change.
Winston can confirm that Thompson beds are very comfortable
This might sound silly, but I also appreciate that Thompson isn’t obnoxiously dog friendly, which is to say that the brand isn’t promoting how pet friendly it is everywhere. For example, Kimpton is known for being the most pet friendly hotel brand, and as a result there are often dozens of dogs staying at them.
Winston isn’t a huge fan of other dogs (he wants humans all to himself), so he likes how low-key pet friendly Thompson properties are.
Participates in World of Hyatt
I’d probably love Thompson if it belonged to any major hotel group, but the fact that it’s a Hyatt is a massive plus. Why? World of Hyatt Globalist is the best top-tier hotel status, and Hyatt simply does a great job with taking care of guests.
We’ve had nothing but great service at Thompsons (particularly at the Dallas property), and when you combine that with the excellent elite recognition, the ability to use suite upgrade awards, etc., that’s a combination that can’t be beat.
How does Thompson compare to Andaz?
Hyatt has 15 brands, and I’d say that in general Andaz and Thompson are the most comparable in terms of their rates, the general property profiles/sizes, and the types of customers they’re going after. Which of the two brands do I prefer? Definitely Thompson, and here’s why:
- Andaz is an inconsistent brand; while the Andaz Tokyo is excellent and a legitimate luxury hotel, the Andaz San Diego and Andaz Savannah are kind of just mediocre, so there doesn’t seem to be much brand consistency
- I find Thompson decor to be much more tasteful and consistent, and I feel like the brand actually has a consistent design theme, which is surprisingly rare among hotel groups
- Thompson properties tend to have better food & beverage outlets
To those who have stayed at Andaz and Thompson properties, I’d love to hear which you guys prefer.
Bottom line
I’ve been so delighted with my stays at Thompson Hotels so far, and I think it’s my new favorite upscale brand.
We’re currently choosing hotels based on which offer the best living arrangements, rather than where we want to be, and that’s a great reason for us to pick out Thompsons — the properties are beautifully designed, are extremely pet friendly, and have great food & beverage outlets. Add in the fact that Thompson is part of Hyatt, and I couldn’t ask for much more.
If you’ve stayed at a Thompson before, what was your experience like? And which other Thompsons are worth checking out?
im just here to applaud you Ben for adopting Winston, giving him a loving home, caring & giving him lots of love. i cant even imagine what he has been through but i sure am happy you are taking great care of him.
ignore the haters and keep doing what you do, you seem to be a great dog dad! :)
I got a nice room at Gild Hall in late 2019 as an Explorist on a Cat4 certificate (aka: BFD, dude, it's Globalist or nothing, but I guess we can give you a nicer than average room) and thought it was just fine. Huge ceilings and comfortable space, plenty of space in the room (especially compared to some NYC, Tokyo or HK hotel rooms I've been in). It's in a nice enough spot to explore...
I got a nice room at Gild Hall in late 2019 as an Explorist on a Cat4 certificate (aka: BFD, dude, it's Globalist or nothing, but I guess we can give you a nicer than average room) and thought it was just fine. Huge ceilings and comfortable space, plenty of space in the room (especially compared to some NYC, Tokyo or HK hotel rooms I've been in). It's in a nice enough spot to explore Manhattan.
I stayed at the Thompson Beverly Hills as well before it turned into Sixty Beverly Hills- same sort of aesthetic and "cool" design.
It's probably the least shocking thing ever that a trendy hotel with good design, with a good bar and food, and is dog friendly Hyatt (so Globalists are treated well) would be rocketing up the list with a bullet for you, Lucky. It's like you enjoying a Lufthansa first class flight. ;)
Did a staycation at the Thompson Washington, DC this week. Was blown away by the service and the hard product. It’s a few blocks from the ballpark, so might not be in an “A” neighborhood for some. Can’t recommend the hotel enough.
It's nice to see them expand the brand, but nothing I've seen has a real 'wow' factor.
I was at the flagship San Antonio location last week. They have a long way to go in training before they will be a well-oiled machine. It also didn't score points that the eateries were totally out of whack and need management to step in and settle things down.
Bottom line, I'm too used to true luxury hotels in Asia and Europe to bother with 'hip' hotels in the States.
The Thompson Dallas suite looks like someones first studio apartment :-\
Neat to see this, I actually stayed at the Manhattan Gild Hall in late 2019. I didn't even know it was pet friendly at that time, and I was plenty satisfied with the room. Only an Exploderist so wasn't expecting much and was happy with what I got. My only Andaz experience has been the Andaz Tokyo, and Gild Hall was definitely not to that level, but from my (albeit limited) experience not much is...
Neat to see this, I actually stayed at the Manhattan Gild Hall in late 2019. I didn't even know it was pet friendly at that time, and I was plenty satisfied with the room. Only an Exploderist so wasn't expecting much and was happy with what I got. My only Andaz experience has been the Andaz Tokyo, and Gild Hall was definitely not to that level, but from my (albeit limited) experience not much is from chain hotels. Gild Hall was still pretty good though, I liked it a lot and would definitely stay again.
The Andaz San Diego IS pretty terrible.
When I see a hotel describe itself as "pet-friendly," I run the other way.
Stayed at Thompson Seattle and the Beekman, love both of them so much! Thompson Seattle is extremely beautiful during the sunset, the room design is a master piece! The beekman is somehow like an ancient tomb and it is also magnificent beautiful!
Upscale!?!?!? Just looks like an ordinary hotel to me. Similar to a Marriott or a Hyatt or a Hilton.
My wife and I LOVED our stay at the Thompson Gild Hall in FiDi. Granted, it’s a boutique hotel so the lobby, halls, and rooms were cozy. But the opulent decor made the place feel like something out of the glamorous side of the 1920s. The location is ideal for exploring lower Manhattan. Everything is within an easy walk. The general area was quiet at night, which was great for getting a good night’s rest...
My wife and I LOVED our stay at the Thompson Gild Hall in FiDi. Granted, it’s a boutique hotel so the lobby, halls, and rooms were cozy. But the opulent decor made the place feel like something out of the glamorous side of the 1920s. The location is ideal for exploring lower Manhattan. Everything is within an easy walk. The general area was quiet at night, which was great for getting a good night’s rest after a day of sightseeing. The best part? It’s a Cat 4 so you can use that pile of annual free night certs everyone is sitting on! We loved Gild Hall and would return in a heartbeat.
Looks like Winston is faring alright these days! :-) And didn't know about Thompson's pet-friendly policies, that's great to know.
The Beekman is the most special hotel in the USA. A beautiful and historic building combined with the Thompson service and restaurants drawing locals as you described.
Also to add to my comments above, as I have stayed at Thompson brands for years, long before the Hyatt acquisition, the original founder is an interesting guy. A bit of an Ian Schrager type in the hotel world in the early 2000's when he started Thompson. He has long moved on (and why there was so much instability with Thompson for a time) but still is around now with his Sixty hotels. Which often...
Also to add to my comments above, as I have stayed at Thompson brands for years, long before the Hyatt acquisition, the original founder is an interesting guy. A bit of an Ian Schrager type in the hotel world in the early 2000's when he started Thompson. He has long moved on (and why there was so much instability with Thompson for a time) but still is around now with his Sixty hotels. Which often are former Thompson properties. Here is a good article if anyone is interested on his approach and vision if anyone is interested:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jordilippemcgraw/2020/03/11/hotelier-reveals-the-secret-to-not-burning-out/?sh=36c58c604912
Re: Chicago - Thompson has minimal Glob benefits at the moment. No breakfast or valet parking I believe. Read FT for more info.
Hyatt Centric still has full breakfast. Nice property.
Both good locations just different - one more Mag Mile focused, the other Gold Coast (or Viagra Triangle for some, lol)
Oh, and @WR2 is consistently one of the biggest douches commenting across travel blogs, up there with some of VFTW's "finest"
I'm a sort of fan of Thompson for sure. But the brand has had a lot of hiccups over the years with properties opening and rebranding after a year or two. While they were always interesting and well done with interiors I could never rely on one remaining a Thompson for long, just as I got comfortable at a property it became something else. With that said, I am hoping Hyatt gives them some more...
I'm a sort of fan of Thompson for sure. But the brand has had a lot of hiccups over the years with properties opening and rebranding after a year or two. While they were always interesting and well done with interiors I could never rely on one remaining a Thompson for long, just as I got comfortable at a property it became something else. With that said, I am hoping Hyatt gives them some more stability. I am trying San Antonio later this week and interested to see it as Texas is becoming a focus as of late.
I would say they are comparable to Andaz. If you leave out Savannah, which I agree should be a Centric at best.
@Satforlegroom- We stayed Feb 25 (I think it was the first night they accepted guests due to the deep freeze in Texas). I suppose we got lucky with the globalist benefits. two rooms, one night. one upgraded to Thompson suite; other to studio suite. We were also told to order whatever we wanted for breakfast and all was removed from the bill. It was very nice breakfast too.
stayed at Thompson Dallas night prior, while...
@Satforlegroom- We stayed Feb 25 (I think it was the first night they accepted guests due to the deep freeze in Texas). I suppose we got lucky with the globalist benefits. two rooms, one night. one upgraded to Thompson suite; other to studio suite. We were also told to order whatever we wanted for breakfast and all was removed from the bill. It was very nice breakfast too.
stayed at Thompson Dallas night prior, while I'm a big fan of the Four Seasons Hotel Florence gym (2 floors/separate building from hotel/also a movement room), T Dallas (actual gym; not spa locker rooms etc) was the best hotel gym I've been to. The bed was also the most comfortable bed I've experienced in any hotel (definitely on the firm side).
I always thought Andaz averages higher ADR than Thompson
Hotels are for humans! NOT MUTTS!!!!!!
Re: Hyatt hotels in Chicago. I’ve stayed at every Hyatt in downtown Chicago but choose the Hyatt Centric Mag Mile about 80% of the time. It’s the closest to where I need to be and they always take good care of me. Having said that, I’d choose the Thompson over it if they were in the same location. The restaurant at the Thompson is much nicer, so is their breakfast. Their two-level suite is also...
Re: Hyatt hotels in Chicago. I’ve stayed at every Hyatt in downtown Chicago but choose the Hyatt Centric Mag Mile about 80% of the time. It’s the closest to where I need to be and they always take good care of me. Having said that, I’d choose the Thompson over it if they were in the same location. The restaurant at the Thompson is much nicer, so is their breakfast. Their two-level suite is also very nice.
Someone said that their favorite Hyatt hotel in Chicago is the Athletic Association. I really wanted to like it but, unfortunately, it just doesn’t work for me. I’d rather stay at the Hyatt Place River North than at the Athletic Association. Tastes are different.
@Satforlegroom
UCONN all day
Stayed at the Thompson San Antonio last week and still a lot of growing pains. With the women’s final four in a few weeks hopefully they improve things especially for WOH elites. Limited food offerings and times, and my globalist breakfast only covered continental. They also had no interest in checking for suite upgrades at check in even though standard suites were plentiful for booking online.
Love that there is a bottle of water for Winston! How thoughtful. That being said, thats probably a waste of plastic.
I'd say Thompson is on par with PH. Maybe slightly below, but way higher than Andaz.
Eagerly awaiting your Dallas and Nashville reviews.
This reminds me of the Conrad hotels, except the breakfast and evening bbq in Conrad, Pune (India) was out of the world. To give you an idea, they serve 60+ course breakfast options including Indian, Asian, Western and Continental - seeing is believing!
Great review. I agree with you about Thompson hotels. I LOVE the Cape Hotel in Cabo. I just went there last month and had a fabulous time in one of their suites.
I feel like the Thompson tries to be hipster social hubs. I'd say it's like the JW Marriott brand in terms of target demographic. Thompson Seattle always had a crowd and the clientele were younger. I can see the appeal but if you just want a room to relax, the thin walls and non-stop elevator traffic to the (public) rooftop bar aren't going to do you any favors.
@WR2, @lucky doesn't really need to be defended because he can (and did) take care of himself. But as someone who has always had shelter pets, be thankful that you haven't walked in the shoes of many of them including @Winston. Imagine losing your home and family and ending up in a cage with no understanding of what happened to you - twice. How well adjusted would you be?
Few animals, no matter how young,...
@WR2, @lucky doesn't really need to be defended because he can (and did) take care of himself. But as someone who has always had shelter pets, be thankful that you haven't walked in the shoes of many of them including @Winston. Imagine losing your home and family and ending up in a cage with no understanding of what happened to you - twice. How well adjusted would you be?
Few animals, no matter how young, end up in a shelter without some trauma. Sometimes the shelter knows what it is and sometimes they don't have any idea because they were just found on the street. We love them and train them but we can't erase their traumas. @lucky is clearly a great pet parent and @Winston is a lucky dog.
I can't wait to try the new Thompson San Antonio, as it's just a quick weekend trip away for me.
Also, Winston is adorable!
Amazed that COVID ridden US is so lax with travelling and hotel stays. No wonder that MIA etc are hot spots. I may not like the UK rules but then I’d rather be alive
Thompson sounds like Kimpton a little bit. I love Kimpton, though a little less after the IHG takeover. The unique restaurants/bars are the best, and where I made some great friendships with the staff. Thompson sounds the same.
I do find it odd you'd look to stay at a regular hotel, and not an extended stay hotel that specializes in cases like yours, so you could have a full kitchen etc.
Would love to hear your opinions on a Canopy by Hilton hotel. I've never stayed in a Thompson, but I would imagine they are pretty similar. Canopy room decor is remarkably consistent just like Thompson's.
Saying that Andaz is less consistent, with examples including Tokyo and San Diego, and comparing Thompson as being more consistent when there are no properties in Asia is not a fair comparison.
That being said I am not familiar with either brand so I have nothing more to add, but the comparison seems unfair. Nice intro to an unknown brand though for those of us who have yet to discover it.
@Ben, how long were you in Nashville, and how did you like it? It has really grown and upgraded itself since I went to college near there in the 70's. Every time I return, I am amazed. Stay well.
@ChrisW @Bryan @Brandon @Tortuga
Thanks for sharing. So good to get up-to-the-minute insights from Ben’s savvy readers.
I have two upcoming stays: one by myself in May, and the other with my sister and niece in July. Perhaps I’ll have my solo stay at Thompson, and family stay at Centric.
@Ben I see a lot of pictures of suites. For those of also who are not hyatt superstars what are the base rooms like and how do those stack up against Andaz base rooms? I've stayed at Andaz Tokyo a number of times and always enjoyed it. Also, stayed at Andaz Shanghai which I enjoyed.
@ Gio: For me it's a no brainer: Thompson over Centric. Hyatt has always been great but the drawback has been the lack of a larger footprint. Now with all the acquisitions they have made, particularly with the upscale brands, that issue has been overcome. Nashville was always a blank spot for me, loyalty hotel wise. The addition of Thompson to the Hyatt portfolio has changed that for me. A unequivocal thumbs up.
@Gio, I've actually stayed at both the Thompson Chicago and the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile (both in October 2019). Admittedly, I generally prefer more "traditional" and less "trendy" hotels, so I may be biased, but while both were nice, I greatly preferred the Hyatt Centric. A few reasons:
• The Hyatt Centric has a pool *with a hot tub* (not exactly common downtown Chicago), while the Thompson has neither. A hot tub is always one...
@Gio, I've actually stayed at both the Thompson Chicago and the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile (both in October 2019). Admittedly, I generally prefer more "traditional" and less "trendy" hotels, so I may be biased, but while both were nice, I greatly preferred the Hyatt Centric. A few reasons:
• The Hyatt Centric has a pool *with a hot tub* (not exactly common downtown Chicago), while the Thompson has neither. A hot tub is always one of my top considerations when picking a hotel.
• The Thompson doesn't have ice machines or in-room coffee/tea; apparently they're too fancy for that. (The idea is that they're so "full-service" that if you want those things, they'll bring them to you; the problem is that such services aren't available around the clock, particularly coffee/tea - and even midday, I don't want to have to bug someone else [and wait] for ice if I need it.)
• As a Globalist, the Hyatt Centric proactively upgraded me to a legit one-bedroom suite on a high floor. It was huge by my standards and absolutely beautifully appointed. (There was even a little mini-library of books on a shelf by the desk; lots of little touches like that.) The Thompson upgraded me to a "junior" (single-room) suite on a mid-high floor, which was basically a standard room with a small sitting area adjacent to the sleeping area. (I will say that the Thompson's bathroom was much nicer than the HC's, with a large bathtub big enough for an adult to lay down in completely and a separate glass-enclosed shower stall.)
• I thought breakfast was better at the Hyatt Centric (full buffet offering with meats, eggs, breads/pastries, plenty of fresh fruit/yogurt, and so on), although the Thompson had more unique and eclectic offerings on their menu. (Obviously, COVID might affect this...)
• The service just felt better and more personal at the Hyatt Centric.
Again, I don't mean any of this as a "complaint" about the Thompson (except maybe the second bullet point); just an explanation of why, to me at least, the Hyatt Centric is the better option of the two.
@WR2
You are a horrible human specimen to make such a judgmental comment. What an embarrassment you are.
@Gio
I stayed at the Thompson chicago about three weeks ago. As a Globalist, the only thing I got from my status was a free coffee in the morning.
No upgrades, no breakfast of any sort.
Thompsons charge a pretty hefty premium, but in the given world we live in right now, it’s just a glorified bed , and I cannot justify that for the price they are charging right now.
I’m sure it’s...
@Gio
I stayed at the Thompson chicago about three weeks ago. As a Globalist, the only thing I got from my status was a free coffee in the morning.
No upgrades, no breakfast of any sort.
Thompsons charge a pretty hefty premium, but in the given world we live in right now, it’s just a glorified bed , and I cannot justify that for the price they are charging right now.
I’m sure it’s different in nashville and Dallas where things are a bit more loose right now.
I’d love to give it a try in a couple months again, but right now, I would set your bar very, very low.
Save money and stay somewhere else IMO.
@Gio - I haven't stayed at Thompson Chicago so can't speak to it, but we had a fantastic stay at the Hyatt Centric Mag Mile and were upgraded to a corner suite with a great view. Location is also perfect for exploring centrally.
@Ben - I know that Thompson Seattle is one that is excluded from Standard Suite upgrades for Globalists (both upgrade at check in and TSU) as we were informed of this when...
@Gio - I haven't stayed at Thompson Chicago so can't speak to it, but we had a fantastic stay at the Hyatt Centric Mag Mile and were upgraded to a corner suite with a great view. Location is also perfect for exploring centrally.
@Ben - I know that Thompson Seattle is one that is excluded from Standard Suite upgrades for Globalists (both upgrade at check in and TSU) as we were informed of this when booking a stay for June, is this a one-off or are other Thompson's in that bucket as well?
I just want to confirm the mediocrity and generally depressing decor at Gild Hall. It’s adequate but nothing good would be said.
Are you guys driving or flying with Winston?
@Matthew
You are not another dog.
Even after all points and credits you're probably paying $150 per night net cost. $4000-4500 per month should give a great 1-2 bedroom anywhere in Dallas/Nashville, why not do that? Home cooked meals and comforts of home are better no?
@ Greg -- It's a good point and something we had considered, but the reality is that we're not sure how long until our new place is ready, we're trying to maintain flexibility so that we can spend time with my mom, and we also weren't sure how much we'd like Dallas or Nashville, as we had never spent a significant amount of time in either city.
Hi, @Gio. Please take my pronouncements with a grain of salt, as my friends have learned to do. I'm an introverted, middle-aged man -- in other words, I don't fit the Thompson demographic brief. I do enjoy a good boutique hotel, and the Thompson *almost* hit that *for me.* If you are a socially-oriented Millennial, you will most likely enjoy it (because it would basically be a custom fit).
I enjoyed the decor, the...
Hi, @Gio. Please take my pronouncements with a grain of salt, as my friends have learned to do. I'm an introverted, middle-aged man -- in other words, I don't fit the Thompson demographic brief. I do enjoy a good boutique hotel, and the Thompson *almost* hit that *for me.* If you are a socially-oriented Millennial, you will most likely enjoy it (because it would basically be a custom fit).
I enjoyed the decor, the bed, the bathroom, but I found the staff wildly inconsistent and the vibe too see-and-be-seen. Granted, when I was younger I *was* a member of that scene, but those days are far behind. Now, I prefer to sequester myself in a soundproof room with several newspapers and a pulpy Kindle title.
So, Thompsons weren't really made for me, though I kind of wish they were. I suggest that you give the hotel a try and then form your own, uncolored opinion. Cheers!
@WR2: Not true at all. I've met Winston and he is a charming, delightful dog.
@Christopher / @Ben
Our local Hyatt properties in Orlando are all posted "MASKS WHILE ON PROPERTY", and I thought this was Hyatt Corporate policy across the board per their website. I hope this hasn't changed. I am assuming the Thompson Dallas was just Texas being Texas, but can you please clarify? I have been staying in Hyatt properties because of their policy.
I haven't stayed at a Thompson but eaten and been to the rooftop bar at Thompson Seattle (as a local, they hired a local known chef to draw me in) was great, if expensive. Dinner prices were teh same as the Four Seasons but the wine prices were pretty crazy (no bottle under $100).
I feel like Thompson is to the 2020s what Kimpton was in the 90s.
I stayed at The Cape recently in Cabo and had an amazing stay. We booked a Thompson suite and would encourage others to do so as it is a fantastic room with a nice sized balcony that is comfortable to waste away the day on. Service for the most part was solid and I have already booked a return visit, doubling our nights from our first stay. The property is gorgeous and the view from the room is stunning.
"Winston isn’t a huge fan of other dogs"
Translation:. I did a really bad job training and socializing my dog, and I continue to spoil the dog, ensuring the poor behavior continues.
I'm guessing Thompson has a 50 lb limit like most Hyatts. Im getting tired of small, poorly behaved dogs being welcomed while friendly, well trained and well behaved larger dogs have to stay home.
@ WR2 -- Wow, that was rude, way to jump to baseless conclusions. For the record, we got Winston at a shelter and he had been abandoned twice before. He's a resource guarder, with us being his resource, and he is terrified of being abandoned (at least that's what more than one trainer has told us). You have no clue how much time we've spent with trainers trying to fix some of his behavior issues,...
@ WR2 -- Wow, that was rude, way to jump to baseless conclusions. For the record, we got Winston at a shelter and he had been abandoned twice before. He's a resource guarder, with us being his resource, and he is terrified of being abandoned (at least that's what more than one trainer has told us). You have no clue how much time we've spent with trainers trying to fix some of his behavior issues, and how much time we spend on this on an ongoing basis. Sorry if that doesn't fit your narrative.
And thank you Matthew, Winston sends his regards. ;)
@Tortuga I'd love to hear more about your experience at Thompson Chicago. I did like the pool at Centric, though Streeterville felt a little quiet after dark.
I would definitely appreciate these reviews. I was considering the Thompson in Nashville or San Antonio during Memorial day weekend, but instead decided on the Andaz Scottsdale overall Thompson's look great with nice restaurants and decor.
Sorry. "None [was] domestic, so..."
Thoroughly unimpressed by the Thompson in Chicago. Not returning. Coincidentally, I decided to try Centric Magnificent Mile next week. I'm not expecting it to be anything like a Thompson but it has a pool, which sometimes matters to me. My favorite Chicago hotel is the Chicago Athletic Association. Not luxurious by any means, but great for a three day stay. Excellent atmosphere.
Thompson Seattle? Location, location, location. I was unfortunately in town during gay...
Thoroughly unimpressed by the Thompson in Chicago. Not returning. Coincidentally, I decided to try Centric Magnificent Mile next week. I'm not expecting it to be anything like a Thompson but it has a pool, which sometimes matters to me. My favorite Chicago hotel is the Chicago Athletic Association. Not luxurious by any means, but great for a three day stay. Excellent atmosphere.
Thompson Seattle? Location, location, location. I was unfortunately in town during gay pride when everything was slammed, so I'm sure that my negative impression of the staff's efficiency and helpfulness was colored by the drag of a full house. I mean, I couldn't even get the bellboy to give me a decent restaurant recommendation after I'd tipped him crazy dollars to take my bag up. Also, the elevator was always full of drunk people. Every damn time I got in. Not the hotel's fault per se, but still.
My Andaz experiences have been flawless, but none were domestic, so...
I actually stayed a couple of nights at Gild Hall in NYC to reach Globalist with the promotion that just ended, because it is a category 4 Hyatt and could use my free night certs and sub $100 a night rates.
It is a *far cry* from what you posted above. Granted I was in a standard room, but mine was really run down: wallpaper peeling in the corners, noisy and old school AC/heater...
I actually stayed a couple of nights at Gild Hall in NYC to reach Globalist with the promotion that just ended, because it is a category 4 Hyatt and could use my free night certs and sub $100 a night rates.
It is a *far cry* from what you posted above. Granted I was in a standard room, but mine was really run down: wallpaper peeling in the corners, noisy and old school AC/heater (the kind that can only be set to heat OR cold), dark rooms, etc. It looked great on the website but was pretty depressing in person.
The gym was a tiny little room, I didn't even venture in there.
Now I'm sure they have better rooms, and they seem to have some cool suites, but this is not a place I'd like to come back to and would question the brand consistency - it could also be one odd property. It would not remotely compare to any Andaz for me.
@ Clem -- Thanks for the data point, good to know. Guess that shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given how low rates are at that hotel, but still, I thought Thompson was more consistent than that.
So you like Thompson's dog policy better than Kimpton's because you like that dogs can stay there, but you don't want any other dogs there besides your own?
@ Brands -- No, I love Kimpton's policy as well. But I do generally prefer a hotel that doesn't have too many dogs. Winston is a rescue who doesn't play well with other dogs on a leash, so it becomes an issue if there are too many dogs. Nothing we can't overcome, just something I try to avoid.
SIXTY in Beverly Hills used to be a Thompson.
I stayed at The Cape using their crazy promo in August (50,000 points for a 3-bedroom penthouse with 25% rebated back) and loved the property due to Lucky's points above but the manager was a HUGE PITA and didn't want to give free breakfast and transportation. I've argued about it for almost an hour at the end of the trip, so it was extremely disappointing. Eventually they gave in (a few days after I left)...
I stayed at The Cape using their crazy promo in August (50,000 points for a 3-bedroom penthouse with 25% rebated back) and loved the property due to Lucky's points above but the manager was a HUGE PITA and didn't want to give free breakfast and transportation. I've argued about it for almost an hour at the end of the trip, so it was extremely disappointing. Eventually they gave in (a few days after I left) and refunded me and promised that future guests won't have these issues. Lucky, did you go there in January? I know you made plans to go then, it seems like you did given that you've visited many of them.
Since I'm from DFW we tried out the Thompson Dallas for a weekend staycation. Just like your review, Ben, it is a beautifully appointed hotel and we got upgraded to a suite and they are wonderful rooms. The food was excellent too when we had breakfast.
The one con I had was on a Saturday night we walked through the lobby and they had a band and mobile set up right in the middle...
Since I'm from DFW we tried out the Thompson Dallas for a weekend staycation. Just like your review, Ben, it is a beautifully appointed hotel and we got upgraded to a suite and they are wonderful rooms. The food was excellent too when we had breakfast.
The one con I had was on a Saturday night we walked through the lobby and they had a band and mobile set up right in the middle of the walkway in the lobby, which as you know, is fairly narrow. People were all crowding around maskless and dancing in the middle of the lobby so that was a bit uncomfortable. But overall, the property is gorgeous, food excellent, and rooms are fantastic. When we go to visit family in San Antonio, we plan on staying at the Thompson property there too. Nice to see Texas getting so many new nice Hyatt properties.
There used to be a Thompson in Beverly Hills just off of Wilshire Blvd and Rodeo Dr.
Thompson Seattle is genuinely one of my favorite hotels in the US. Service is always impeccable, the location is perfect for exploring the city, globalist breakfast is very good (even during pandemic), and the suites are terrific.
Thompson Chicago is also beautiful and well-situated in Gold Coast, but I've found the service to be inconsistent - perfectly decent during the day, but... less so at night.
I'd say Kimptom hotels are the most dog friendly hotels as they are all pet friendly and don't charge any fees.
@ Ben -- Awesome. Sounds like somewhere fit for a certain Queen!
For over 20 years, I have loved the evolution of THOMPSON hotels (private then became Hyatt).... awesome in so many big cities... always a pleasure to arrive on a Friday night for a big party in the lobby and always grounded in great locations, etc.
Thumbs up.
Thanks, Ben! I'm leaning towards Thompson as well. Hyatt Centric is already serving breakfast for globalists, whereas Thompson is crediting 500 points/night back as their restaurant is still closed. I'm hoping that'll change by the time I visit in May.
I'm really looking forward to the reviews. We plan on booking some stays at Thompson properties and this confirms that idea even more. We were at The Cape for two nights in January and it was our favorite Hyatt location we've been to so far.
Very cool. I have an upcoming stay at the Thompson Chicago and I'm very much looking forward to it. Any insights on that property?
I've been torn deciding between Thompson Chicago and Hyatt Centric Mag Mile.
@ Gio -- I haven't done the Thompson Chicago (yet), but I will be sharing my thoughts on the Hyatt Centric brand in a separate post. Without knowing these specific properties, I'd almost certainly go with the Thompson.
Are the WOH elite benefits the same at Thompson Hotels vs Hyatt brands (i.e. Globalist standard suite upgrade, 4pm check-out etc)? You mentioned breakfast and ability to use suite awards but do all the standard benefits apply?
@ Jon -- Yep! Thompson is fully integrated into World of Hyatt, so it's the same as any other Hyatt brand for those purposes. Sorry for any confusion.