I’ll never understand Hyatt’s branding. While Park Hyatts are consistently awesome, other than that their branding is very inconsistent. They have Grand Hyatt properties, Hyatt Regency properties, and “plain” Hyatt properties. In theory that’s supposed to be the order of quality (in descending order), though in practice that’s rarely the case. For example, in Tampa the property near the airport is a Grand Hyatt, and it’s at best a decent airport hotel. There’s definitely nothing “grand” about it. Meanwhile Hyatt opened a pretty nice property in New York just recently, which is just branded as a “plain” Hyatt. So what I’m trying to say is that there’s very little correlation at Hyatts between quality and the “brand” (Regency, Grand, etc.), with the exception of Park Hyatts.
Therefore I’ve had pretty low expectations of Grand Hyatts lately, though in many cases not for good reason, especially after the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, which was fantastic.
The Grand Hyatt has a central location on Stockton Street, in walking distance to most places you’d want to visit in San Francisco. On the outside the hotel doesn’t look especially modern.
Hotel exterior
The hotel is presently being renovated, so the entrance is around the back of the hotel, and there are tents covering the exterior area. Nonetheless there were plenty of employees standing around to point guests in the right direction.
Entrance
The lobby felt like a hybrid between an Andaz and Park Hyatt. It felt like a Park Hyatt because of the “library” theme of the lobby, and like an Andaz because there wasn’t a formal check-in desk with employees on one side and guests on the other, but rather you interact directly with the associates.
Lobby
Check-in was prompt and I was informed I had a room with a nice view on the 33rd floor and access to the 32nd floor Regency Club. I was also offered my Diamond amenity, and went with the 1,000 Gold Passport points.
All of the hallways and public areas of the hotel felt fresh/new.
Hallway
I was assigned room 3312, which was at the far end of the hallway.
Room door
The room felt brand new and featured a really comfortable bed (which I find uncharacteristic of Hyatts for the most part), desk, and flat screen TV.
Entrance
Room
Desk/TV
Room from the other side
Most room functions could be controlled from next to the bed, including the legitimate blackout curtains (which I love, and wish more hotels had).
Light controls
The views from the room were awesome.
View from the room
The bathroom was located near the entrance and was on the small side though functional. It featured a large sink, toilet, and large shower with excellent water temperature and pressure.
Bathroom
Shower
The Grand Club was located on the 32nd floor, and physically was one of the nicest club lounges I’ve seen in the US (only slightly behind the Westin Diplomat). It was spacious, modern, and boasted great views of the city.
Grand Club
Grand Club
During the day they had fruit, fresh baked cookies (which were too delicious for my own good), and snack mix and nuts out of dispensers.
Snacks during the day
Snack mix
In the evenings from 5PM till 7PM they had a spread and honor bar. The spread was abysmal, and at a certain point I wonder why hotels even bother. Having a Grand Club to begin with is a huge expense given the prime “real estate” it’s occupying. I realize hotels are probably frustrated that they have to “give it away” to Diamond members for the most part, but I have to believe if they invested an extra couple of bucks per person in food more people might actually pay for it.
The only hot dish they had was spinach artichoke dip, which was really bad (health and taste wise).
Evening spread
From 7:30PM till 9:30PM they had a dessert spread. That consisted of cookies and some small chocolate desserts.
Dessert spread
The breakfast spread was a bit better, consisting of fresh fruit, cereal, pastries, muffins, egg frittata, bagels with lox, etc.
Breakfast spread
Breakfast spread
The hotel also had a nice gym with great views of the city.
Gym
Gym
Anyway, this is a great hotel with a convenient location. In the past I kind of just assumed the hotel was old based on the outside, though that’s not the case. I’ll definitely be back.
I love the view from your room and the guest Grand Club. It reminds me of my years living in a high rise in NYC. The food looks pathetic. If I was you, I would venture out of the hotel for my meals. So many great places to eat in SF.
@ carwag25 -- Nope, didn't used a confirmed suite upgrade and wasn't offered one, and of course wasn't expecting it.
No suite? I stayed there back in June, and the hotel checkin was very, very small and on the other side of the hotel. Things have changed over the last 3 months. Suites are also fantastic and very modern.
I stayed in this hotel before. The rooms are matchboxed size and the bathroom is small also. I loved the location, though.
In fact in the elevator some Aer Lingus flt attendants were complaining that 6 of them had to share one room. I invited them to mine. :)
@ Elvis -- Because the shower head is handheld and can easily be removed when turning on the shower. My frustration comes when you can't turn on the shower without getting in it AND the shower head can't be removed.
@ Gary -- Still not sure what's architecturally impressive about the Grand Hyatt Tampa. :D
@ harvson3 -- Did go to Chinatown for lunch, as it was only two blocks away. Though I think you're...
@ Elvis -- Because the shower head is handheld and can easily be removed when turning on the shower. My frustration comes when you can't turn on the shower without getting in it AND the shower head can't be removed.
@ Gary -- Still not sure what's architecturally impressive about the Grand Hyatt Tampa. :D
@ harvson3 -- Did go to Chinatown for lunch, as it was only two blocks away. Though I think you're being a bit generous in why the hotel didn't offer decent snacks. ;)
I think Mark may be confusing Hyatt with spg regarding the twitter comment
I'm sorry that the evening snacks weren't any good. Perhaps they're encouraging people to go out to eat in the spectacular Chinatown that's just a few blocks away from the hotel? (You did get a chance to sample dining in SF, right?) Also, that's a good northeast view from your window, but I bet the north and northwest views are better.
I agree with Ric that the Embarcadero Hyatt, though slightly worse in location, is better in ambience.
The "Grand" branding - admittedly confusing - isn't meant to suggest 'better' but rather refers to an architectural *style* and scale. Although it hasn't been consistently applied across the brand even.
But it's still the shit SF hyatt due to lack of rotating restaurant.
I stayed here on a Priceline stay before it was renovated and was not impressed. After the renovation, I stayed again, and I really like the Grand Hyatt San Francisco. It has a good location, and the redesign of the rooms is very nice. Staff at the hotel are also friendly and helpful.
The bar on top has one of the best views in the city, looking at the bay, Alcatraz, Golden Gate bridge, etc.
I'm still waiting for Hyatt to build a better property in Las Vegas. Only Hyatt Place there.
Looks nice.
It appears you can't turn on the shower without being in it. Why didn't this elicit your usual shower complaints that you make sure to note on all your SPG stays?
The Grand Hyatt San Francisco is a category 5 hotel for 18,000 points and the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero is a category 4 at 15,000 points.
I have always preferred the Hyatt Regency SF. The Regency Club offers a better food spread in my opinion.
The rooms have certainly been updated at the Grand Hyatt since I was last there about two years ago.
I'll post a reveiw and pictures of the Hyatt Regency this...
The Grand Hyatt San Francisco is a category 5 hotel for 18,000 points and the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero is a category 4 at 15,000 points.
I have always preferred the Hyatt Regency SF. The Regency Club offers a better food spread in my opinion.
The rooms have certainly been updated at the Grand Hyatt since I was last there about two years ago.
I'll post a reveiw and pictures of the Hyatt Regency this week. The balcony rooms are what make Hyatt Regency SF the more favorable hotel for me, expecially on a gorgeous weekend like this one.
I was able to book the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Thursday afternoon on a points award stay for this weekend and I received a top floor patio room.
Perfect for watching the Fleet Week action.
@ mark -- I got exactly what I was entitled to -- nothing more, nothing less. Why would I?
Wow - the check-in area has really changed in the last few months!
@ Ralph -- Whoops, forgot to include that -- roughly $170.
Was there not an opportunity to complain on Twtter to secure an awesome upgrade? ;)
What was the rate?