Here’s an airport hotel rebranding I’m looking forward to…
In this post:
Novotel Taipei Taoyuan Airport becomes Hyatt Regency
Media in Taiwan is reporting that the 516-room Novotel Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) will soon be rebranded as a Hyatt Regency. The hotel has been branded as a Novotel since 2009. The contract is up for renewal after 15 years, and the owners have plans to change the branding to a Hyatt Regency.
Employees have reportedly been made aware of the change, and the expectation is that the rebranding could happen in the coming weeks. So far the hotel isn’t bookable through Hyatt channels, but I imagine that will be changing shortly.
The property is actually owned by SkyTeam carrier China Airlines, as it’s located at the carrier’s headquarters, and is right near the airport train station. The hotel has long had the China Airlines name in its branding, and that could continue when Hyatt manages the property.
This will be Hyatt’s fifth property in the Taipei area. The original was the Grand Hyatt Taipei, which first opened in 1990. Then there’s also a Hyatt Place, plus two JdV by Hyatt properties (branded as EPISODE). Hyatt is also working on opening an Andaz and Park Hyatt in Taipei, but that project is a bit delayed. I’ve reviewed the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan Airport in the past.
I’m excited about this Taipei Airport hotel rebranding!
Taipei is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to quality airlines, as there are three major airlines based at Taoyuan Airport — China Airlines, EVA Air, and Starlux Airlines. It’s always a pleasure to fly with these airlines to and from Asia, and I find myself passing through the airport quite a bit.
For situations where you have a long layover, it’s handy to have access to a good airport hotel, especially when getting into the city can be a bit of a trek. Along those lines, it’s also useful when an airport hotel is associated with a loyalty program you have status with. As a World of Hyatt Globalist member, Hyatt is my favorite major hotel group with a points program, so I’m happy about this.
So whether it’s earning or redeeming points, or taking advantage of elite perks, I’ll definitely be more excited about staying at this property in the future.
I have to give Hyatt credit big picture for having some really great airport hotels around the globe, ranging from the Grand Hyatt San Francisco Airport (SFO), to the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport (ZRH). This should be a nice addition as well. Here’s to hoping that the hotel eventually undergoes a bit of a refresh, as it’s overdue.
Bottom line
The Novotel Taipei Taoyuan Airport is expected to be rebranded as a Hyatt Regency in the near future. The 516-room property is owned by China Airlines, and based on my own loyalty program preferences, I’m mighty pleased to see this becoming a Hyatt, and look forward to staying there.
What do you make of the Novotel TPE being rebranded as a Hyatt Regency?
Andaz Taichung
I am pleasantly surprised that this will become a Hyatt Regency, but the hotel is not quite up to a "Hyatt Regency" standard. It is not bad, but the hotel needs to upgrade a bit in terms of rooms and amenities. The lounge is good so they just need to rebrand it a bit. The rooms though need some updates and I hope a major renovation project is eventually going to happen.
Most importantly,...
I am pleasantly surprised that this will become a Hyatt Regency, but the hotel is not quite up to a "Hyatt Regency" standard. It is not bad, but the hotel needs to upgrade a bit in terms of rooms and amenities. The lounge is good so they just need to rebrand it a bit. The rooms though need some updates and I hope a major renovation project is eventually going to happen.
Most importantly, the restaurant is really terrible and I am not really that picky but even I find the breakfast and dinner buffets to be lacking. They are better than most North American hotels but not up to standard for Asian hotels. I hope the hotel restaurant will also get a refresh menu.
Now I just need a Hyatt brand hotel in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport and then I don't even need to keep my Accor silver status.
Novotel is more like IHG's Holiday Inn or Marriott's Delta. Basically, a Hyatt Place with a real restaurant and some more services.
Was this hotel brand new when it opened as a Novotel in 2009? Or was it a rebrand?
It was a brand new hotel, when it opened in 2009. I just can't believe that 15 years have passed!
Thanks for the info. anyone knows what happened to the CKS Airport Hotel? Did it rebrand or is it shuttered?
As an Accor Platinum Member, I'm a bit disappointed with the re flagging lol. It was a solid hotel when I stayed there and the executive lounge was nice too.
Without a significant room renovation and overall elevation of service and amenities, I'm not sure Novotel to Hyatt Regency is a good conversion. To me, Novotel is more like somewhere between Hyatt's Hyatt Place and IHG's Holiday Inn or Marriott's Delta.
@Lucky, The news article cited is from China Times, a Taiwan-based newspaper. Why did you say it was reported by "Made in Taiwan"?
@ernestnywang
‘Media in Taiwan is reporting that the 516-room Novotel Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) will soon be rebranded as a Hyatt Regency.’
Lucky did not say write made. He wrote media. The link is to the China Times.
I read to quickly, sorry!
I have stayed there in the past.
Weirdest thing where ladies sitting in lobby and their job was to entertain the guests. Seriously they had a sign saying that
Delta has used the Novotel for passengers when flights are cancelled. I wonder if the Hyatt will be deemed too expensive and then passengers directed to the best non-airport hotel in Taoyuan, which is the Monarch Skyline Hotel, a 20 story hotel that looks like it has not been updated since it probably opened in the 1990's. That hotel is not bad but a little worn.
There is also the Hyatt House, an Episode hotel (also Hyatt) in Taipei, and an Episode hotel in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. So to suggest there is only one Hyatt in Taiwan is inaccurate.
Article is still wrong even after the edit. There are more than five Hyatt hotels in Taiwan; there are only five (including this one) in Taipei.
Oops, I guess this is actually correct. All the SLH left so now there are only 4 total, this is the 5th. Used to be 7 Hyatt options in Taiwan :(
There is also a Hyatt Place in New Taipei City. Nice property
I was just there a few months ago. The property itself was nice, but I thought there was not much around it at all, and it was a bit of a hike from the metro station in 100 degree weather. At least the airport express metro does stop at that station though!
This is so perfect, I was planning on staying there anyways for a stopover. Now I can get extra EQN that I need.
Lot more than just two Hyatt hotels in Taipei these days
Hyatt has more than just the Grand Hyatt in Taiwan. There is a Hyatt Place, plus 2 JdV properties (EPISODE branded).