I took the bus from the Park Hyatt Seoul to Incheon Airport at around 6:30PM, and got there by 8PM. At 9PM check-in opened for my 12AM flight to Abu Dhabi, though as check-in opened we were informed of our 14 hour flight delay.
After spending hours trying to get rebooked and dealing with the general chaos of the cancellation, I got booked at the Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport (Etihad Airways gave me an airport accommodation voucher, so they covered the cost of the room).
I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Incheon Airport before it was rebranded. It was a perfectly fine airport hotel, though the club lounge was lackluster.
In the past year the hotel rebranded as the Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport, and on September 1, 2014, they opened the new west wing of the hotel.
After being given my voucher I headed down to the arrivals level, where the Grand Hyatt’s shuttle leaves from. It leaves from stop 14C, which is at the far end of the arrivals hall.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport bus
On the shuttle bus there was an announcement that there would be two stops — first a stop for the west wing, and then a stop for the east wing. We were told to check our reservations for which wing we were in. Since I didn’t have a reservation I wasn’t sure which wing I was in, so just got off at the west wing.
The exterior looked much more modern than the old property. I hadn’t realized that when they rebranded they also doubled the size of the hotel, from ~500 rooms to ~1,000 rooms.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport exterior
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport entrance
The lobby in the west wing was massive. While I’m a big fan of simplistic and understated design, this lobby bordered on sterile and unfinished-looking, if that makes any sense. But it was still a beautiful lobby, especially for an airport hotel.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport lobby
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport lobby
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport lobby
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport lobby
Reception was located right across from the entrance. At check-in I presented my voucher, credit card, and Hyatt Diamond card. I apologized to the agent in advance because I wasn’t sure which wing I was supposed to be in.
The associate was super friendly, and had me checked in within a few minutes. She explained that my room rate was covered and that I’d still get Diamond benefits. She upgraded me to a Club King room, and explained I’d have club lounge access, free internet, etc.
She apologized that the restaurant was closed, though said she could still get me a Diamond amenity, and suggested sending up a bottle of red wine and some fruit. I responded “any chance we could make that Diet Coke and some chocolate instead? It’s one of those nights.” She chuckled and said that would be fine.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport reception
I took the elevator up to the 12th floor, where my room was located.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport elevators
The curved hallways were sleek, and my room was located just a few rooms from the elevators, on the opposite side of the floor as the Grand Club.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport hallway
I was assigned room 1243.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room entrance
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport floorplan
The room was pristine — not only did it feel fresh and almost like it had never been stayed in before, but I loved the decor. Much like the lobby it felt understated, though unlike the lobby it didn’t feel sterile.
My Club King featured a king size bed, and then by the window was a lounge chair with ottoman and the desk.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room entrance
The room was high tech, and all lights could be controlled from the bedside, which I always appreciate. There was also an iPhone charger there, which even had the correct prongs for the iPhone 5/6.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room nightstand
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room desk & TV
The desk and TV were on a single console, and the TV could swivel slightly to face the bed or the desk.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room desk & TV
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room chair
Unfortunately the room didn’t have airport views. While the other side of the hotel has direct views of the airport, this side just looked at… well, nothing.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room view
Back towards the bathroom was the minibar, and on top of that was the teapot.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room minibar
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room tea machine
The bathroom was large and featured a sink, high tech-toilet, and a pretty nice shower setup.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room bathroom
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room bathroom
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room bathroom
The “shower area” had both a walk-in shower and a bathtub.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room bathroom
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room shower
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room tub
The toiletries were Portico branded, though not the completely unbearable ones Hyatt used to have at US properties.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Club King Room toiletries
About 15 minutes after I got to my room they delivered a Coke Light, a box of chocolates, and some fruit for good measure.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Diamond welcome amenity
By the time I was settled into my room it was midnight, and I worked for a couple of hours. I ended up going to sleep at around 2AM, and then woke up at 6AM the next morning.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club
At 7AM I went to the Grand Club for breakfast. Physically the Grand Club is a beautiful space. It’s huge, bigger than necessary, I would imagine.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club
And the best part was that it had direct views of the tarmac and runways, which was pretty awesome.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club view
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club view
The breakfast spread was underwhelming, at least for an Asian Hyatt property. I don’t know what it is about this hotel, but based on my recollection from my previous stay, the evening spread wasn’t good either.
There was cheese, salad, hard boiled eggs, pastries, cereal, fruit, muesli, yogurt, etc.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Then there was a coffee machine and a fridge with all kinds of soft drinks and juice.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast spread
Then there was a small menu with three hot options, which were the only hot options on offer.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Grand Club breakfast menu
Service in the lounge was reasonably attentive, though not especially friendly. Then again, I’m not necessarily the best judge of service before I’ve had five cups of coffee. 😉
In terms of the hotel’s other facilities, there’s a large spa with a fitness center and pool.
The fitness center was large with good equipment, and was open 24 hours per day.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport gym
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport gym
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport gym
There was also a lap pool, open daily from 6AM till 10PM.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport pool
Then there was a hot tub, which is the type you’d expect to see as a prize on The Price Is Right.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport hot tub
Across from the hot tub were some daybeds, which were a bit quirky for an indoor pool, in my opinion.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport pool area
I spent a total of about ten hours at the hotel, so that’s as far as I got. At 10AM I took the shuttle back to the airport, ready for some more Etihad excitement.
Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport Bottom Line
The new west wing of the Grand Hyatt is a huge improvement over the old facility. The rooms are now actually gorgeous, as opposed to just being acceptable, as was the case before the rebrand.
As was the case before, though, the Grand Club food spread was lackluster, and there’s nothing to do around the hotel. Of course I didn’t care there wasn’t anything around the hotel since I was only there for 10 hours, but I’d generally shy away from this place with a layover much longer than that, since you’ll be stuck at the hotel.
Have you stayed at the new Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport? What was your experience like?
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