Review: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Very impressive toilet. Thank you.

Isn't there a resort fee here?

Never mind, that's the Hyatt Regency. Oops.

@ mark -- Thanks for being such a loyal reader. The speed with which you consistently comment about toilet pictures is nothing short of impressive!

Lucky, I had a totally different experience there this past October when I was there for a conference. I'd used a suite upgrade certificate and thought the suite, while enormous, was totally non-functional (e.g., the couch faced away from the TV, and the only way to watch the living room TV was on two individual chairs bolted into the carpet). The squarish pleather furniture throughout the room was uncomfortable and everything just seemed a little cheaply done. I will say that the service was phenomenal for a hotel of its size, but beyond that, I just didn't see any charm, character or luxury in the place.

Bottom line, America needs more Park Hyatts!

I always look at the toilet pics.

@Ben -- Have you reached the owners of this property? Unless they have sold, I won't be staying there.

@ Gene -- I believe they sold the property in 2011 so it's not the same owners anymore. Agree otherwise.

@Gene and @Lucky-- I understood that nominally it was sold but that there's still a substantial interest. There's a reason his name is still attached to the property... I have to imagine one of the reasons the sale took place (I think Hyatt corporate bought it first, then re-sold it?) was to shake off any of the post '08 controversy attached to the hotel previously.

@Ben -- Glad you understood that "reached" meant "researched"! And, I have had my coffee... 🙂

I never been to San Diego but I am not impressed with the hotels there after reading your reviews. The W was an "Ikea" hotel that just damages the brand. Now this huge Hyatt that reminds me of Las Vegas. And the shower looks so cheap that you can get in any Fairfield Inn or Comfort Inn by a busy highway. Not what I would expect from a Hyatt.

Marriott Host owns this property now

What is the story with the previous owner(s)? Were they torturing blind kittens with cancer or something?

@ wwk5d -- Here's the issue:
http://laist.com/2008/07/10/hyatt_hotel_owner_donated_125000_to.php

@Santastico -- there's actually a totally charming luxury hotel in San Diego, the US Grant, which is a Starwood luxury collection property. It's historic, well kept up, and the rooms are sumptuous and historically appropriate while also being modern and unfussy.

I have a feeling is news about what hotel owners donated to, or what their politics were, we'd be boycotting half the hotels in the world lol

Er, is news, not is news.

I stayed here over the holidays this year and while it was nice overall the elevators were obnoxiously slow. We wait 10 minutes for an elevator, and other people were waiting longer! I mentioned it to the front desk but they didnt have much to say about it. Big problem.

Good review. It captures the place pretty well, in my experience. The rooms were nothing to write home about, but the lounge was up there among the best I've been in in the USA. The front desk was pretty poor for my stay. I had a minor issue and they really didn't care.

True story. My sink was full of someone else's whiskers when I checked in. I asked for the sink to be cleaned while I ate dinner. When I returned the sink was clean but there was a single pube resting in the exact center of the toilet seat.

I was there in April for a large conference and had a virtually identical room in the Harbor Tower (other side of the hall). I thought the room was nice (bathroom nothing to write home about), staff were exceptional, and the Grand Club was great. The club is also a great place for plane spotting, if I recall correctly.

Thanks for the review! I was wondering, were you provided access to the Grand Club b/c you were a Plat member? Just curious since you mentioned that your room was on the 31st floor and the Grand Club was on the 33rd; in other Grand Hyatts I am used to seeing guests on floor of the club (and above) being granted access. I will be staying there for a conference in May and would love to visit without having to pay extra!

Ah my apologies, you're a Diamond! Doubt the access will be given to platinum members, then...

@ Curious George -- Yep, indeed, am a Diamond member. Let me know if you have any other questions about the property!

Is there a concierge in the club lounge? Or is that a desk for staff checking in guests? I saw a desk and monitor in one of the pictures.

Also, would it be a good hotel for a two year old? Thanks,