Review: Hyatt Herald Square New York

It's weird that this is a regular Hyatt, rather than a Hyatt Place or something. There are literally dozens of these 8-rooms-to-a-floor standard-footprint hotels in New York that have opened in the last few years (the area near the Hyatt has them on many blocks), but most are branded as limited-service hotels like Four Points, Courtyard, Hampton Inn, etc., while generally the full-service brands have been reserved for more "traditional" hotel designs with larger floors and slightly larger rooms.

Hi Ben,

Great review - This is helpful because I am starting to book more Hyatts than anything else. Knowing you're an elite and so I am, I have a question for you and hoping for your feedback on this matter. I recently stayed at the Grand Hyatt Manchester and lets say my stay was just h o r r i b l e. Once I arrived into my room at 6:50am from LA, I knew it was going to be chaotic. My neighbors were yelling, playing loud music and doing everything you can think of. I called front desk to see if they were able to let them know and have them "QUIT" whatever they were doing. Fast forward a few hours in the day and I am back for a nap, and their party got even louder, more yelling, screaming, loud loud music and so on. CALLED AGAIN.......and "Security" was called, they didn't do anything but to "turn it down." It's 10pm, 1am, and now illegal substances odor, plus more yelling and screaming is happening. Security was called again, they didn't open the door to the folks.

Here is what the hotel did for me which I still think they should give me a solid amount of points for this horrible stay. I charge everything to my room, food, drinks, etc. They paid for everything i had on my room chargers and didn't walk out paying anything myself. Will that "justify" their mistake or should I ask for something else aside from that? Maybe points and I can call it quits with them? The stay was horrible, probably one of the worst stays I've had at a hotel all year.

Sounds like a good property. Using a free night from my card for the Park Hyatt after New Years, but can't decide which hotel we should move to after that (can't afford to stay at the Park Hyatt another night!)

Obviously anywhere we go is going to be a let down from the PH, but it looks like the Grand Hyatt and the Hyatt Union Square are the cheapest -- both about $200 a night. Leaning towards Hyatt Union Square because I often find downtown more fun than midtown. Which would you choose?

Ooh, Andaz 5th just opened up for about the same amount of money a night, so that is an option as well....

No lap pool?

Didn't this used to be a Hampton Inn?

Looks like a cheap Ikea hotel. I guess this is their lowest brand.. not the grand or the park.. but cmon marriot does a better job than this..

What were the dates you stayed here and in Times Square for those great rates?

My understanding is that this used to be a Holiday Inn.

Lauren: Of your three options, I would choose either the Andaz or Hyatt Union Square and between those two it would be based on where you plan on spending the bulk of your time and/or your desire to ride the subway. Both are attractively designed and have solid facilities overall. Both also have some quirks in room furnishings based on the designer who did the,

The Grand Hyatt is a fine property, but it is massive and as a result it just more stressful and loud than what you'll find at the other two options. But if you are elite and Regency Club access matters, then go with the Grand. The new Grand Club is quite nice and much more specious than its predecessor.

Thanks Jeffrey C!

I am a diamond, but I doubt we will want to eat free food at the club when we could be eating out somewhere. So, I think I may go with the Andaz on 5th. I had a good stay at the Wall St Andaz in September, and have heard the 5th property is better, so I will give it a try.

I just completed a stay at this property. I picked it since it was reasonably near to where I needed to be and I needed a Hyatt stay credit and the price was OK.

The rooms are small and would be tight for two people. The strangest thing for me is that there isn't really a desk to set up a laptop and work. I usually need that in a hotel room. However what Lucky called a funky end table had a tray that swivels out and when you open that you can set your laptop and work from the couch.

I felt the lighting in the room was a bit inadequate for working. But otherwise the room had everything it needs and was actually somewhat clever in the use of space with the elevated fridge and coffee maker, and at least some cubbies above the toilet since there wasn't much space at the sink.

The agent confirmed that it is not a new build, but a conversion from a Holiday Inn.

I was rushed for breakfast the service was surprisingly slow. Although there was only one other party there when I got there, and I immediately ordered something simple and told her I was in a hurry, another party came and got their food and then she came and told me that they didn't have one ingredient I had ordered. The menu looks OK although $25 won't go very far!