Review: Hyatt Regency Toronto

Ben Schlappig
July 27, 2016
13

Late last week I spent a couple of nights in Toronto, which was planned fairly last minute. Hotels were outrageously priced, most going for $500+ per night.

During my previous trip to Toronto I stayed at the Park Hyatt, where I got the hotel’s one renovated room. Otherwise I’ve heard the rooms are past their prime, and not really up to Park Hyatt standards. However, all rooms should be renovated pretty soon.

This time around I decided to try the other Hyatt option in Toronto, the Hyatt Regency.

Why? Because while all other hotels were outrageously priced, the Hyatt Regency was available using a Points + Cash rate. Since this is a Category 4 property, a redemption cost just 6,000 points plus 75USD per night. That’s a much better deal than outright spending 12,000 points, since I’d basically be saving 6,000 points per night for 75USD, plus I’d be earning elite night and stay credits, which I wouldn’t earn for an outright points redemption.

While the Park Hyatt is located in the more swanky and exclusive Yorkville area, the Hyatt Regency is in the downtown entertainment district, which has more bars, coffeeshops, etc. It’s also near Union Station, so the hotel is within walking distance if you’re taking the UP Express from Toronto Pearson Airport.

The lobby felt pretty sterile, given that it’s shared with an office building and a couple of other businesses, so it didn’t feel especially welcoming.

Hyatt Regency Toronto lobby

Reception was located to the right of the elevators to the rooms, and there was no wait when I arrived. The guy who checked me in was exceptionally professional, and did a good job balancing “the script” they have to read for Diamond members, with still making it sound sincere and personalized.

Hyatt Regency Toronto reception

He explained that I had been “upgraded” to a room on a high floor. Furthermore, since the hotel doesn’t have a Regency Club, he said that I’d receive complimentary breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant.

I took the elevator up to the 15th floor, where my room was located. Upon exiting the elevator I turned left, and then left again, where my room was located on the left.

Hyatt Regency Toronto hallway

I was assigned room 1558.

Hyatt Regency Toronto room exterior

Hyatt Regency Toronto floorplan

The room itself was reasonably nice, in a cookie cutter Hyatt Regency kind of way. The room featured a comfortable king size bed, chair with side table, and a desk with an office chair.

Hyatt Regency Toronto king room

The TV was wall mounted and across from the bed.

Hyatt Regency Toronto king room TV

To the left of the TV was a coffee machine as well as two bottles of complimentary water.

Hyatt Regency Toronto king room coffee machine

Hyatt Regency Toronto complimentary bottled water

The desk had several conveniently located outlets, which I appreciated (it’s amazing how many hotels fail with such a basic thing).

Hyatt Regency Toronto king room desk

The room had a nice view of the surrounding downtown area, though due to the shape of the hotel, the view was less than 90 degrees.

Hyatt Regency Toronto king room view

The room’s bathroom was back near the entrance and on the small side, and featured a sink, toilet, and walk-in shower.

Hyatt Regency Toronto king room bathroom

The shower was extremely poorly designed. For one, the only way to turn on the water was using a handle at the far end of the shower, and you had to be in the shower in order to turn it on. So you’d get drenched with cold water immediately. Furthermore, there was only half a partition between the shower and the rest of the bathroom, so water splashed quite a bit. Lastly, the water pressure and shower head aim weren’t very good.

Hyatt Regency Toronto king room shower

Toiletries were provided by KenetMD.

Hyatt Regency Toronto KenetMD toiletries

Overall I thought the room was fine. It was in perfectly good condition and well designed in terms of the location of outlets, etc., but otherwise cookie cutter and boring.

The hotel had an outdoor pool on the 17th floor, which is a pretty unique (and seasonal) feature in Toronto. I didn’t use it, though did take a look.

Hyatt Regency Toronto pool

The views from up there were pretty good as well.

Hyatt Regency Toronto pool view

The gym was also located on the 17th floor, across from the pool.

Breakfast was served at King Street Social Kitchen from 6:30AM until 11AM on weekdays. The restaurant itself was fairly nice, though there were no views from it.

Hyatt Regency Toronto breakfast restaurant