Digging for gold at the Hyatt
Oct 13 '00
The Hyatt Gold Passport
I have mixed feelings regarding the benefits of loyalty cards but here is one that I can express my satisfaction. Like any other scheme, you are awarded points for each night you stay in one of the chain’s hotels: the more often you stay, the more points you collect. You can earn bonus points from their partners which may be airlines or car rental companies. Additional points can be earned from various schemes at selected hotels around the world or by booking at slower timers of the year.
I joined the scheme three years ago. By dint of luck (being in the right place to take advantage of special offers) I graduated to Platinum status this autumn.
Bookings are made very simply by accessing the Hyatt web site. All hotels are indexed and there is information about location, facilities and rooms available including downloadable sheets in Adobe acrobat pdf format. Hotels usually have floors reserved for members of the Gold Passport scheme. There is often a special area that offers complementary breakfast to Gold members. A choice of room size, bed size and night rate is usually offered and competitive rates may be available for longer stays or stays over a weekend. Most offer other little extras such as dressing gowns. Confirmation of booking is guaranteed by credit card number.
The web site is www.goldpassport.com.
I have stayed in five of the Hyatt Hotels in London and the US. Each has had its own characteristics but serve has been efficient and attentive.
Hyatt Regency at Orlando Airport.
This was the one that started us off. We have stayed here for several overnight stops on arrival in Florida from the UK before collecting our hire car the following morning. The hotel is built impressively into the terminal building and the balconies look down over the shopping concourse. The kids love the ‘all you can eat’ breakfast buffet especially the fresh squeezed OJ and the Belgian waffles.
Hyatt Regency, Downtown Tampa
This hotel was being upgraded when we stayed in the Summer of ’99 but was complete this year. It is the ideal spot for the activities of the downtown area and the waterfront. It is within walking distance of the Tampa Bay Ice Palace, the Convention Centre and the Florida Aquarium. It has an atrium bar alongside a two story waterfall feature. It also serves chilled draft Ybor Gold beer (if you have never tried this brew you don’t know what you are missing!). There is a new restaurant (the Avanzare) that serves excellent steak (dinner for 2 - $ 75)
Last year parking was only by valet. Now you park in the public car park around the corner ($7 a day) and access the hotel from the third floor via the One Tampa Center Building.
We stayed in a two bedroom suite on the 14th floor. This consisted of a king sized master bedroom; a second room with two queen beds and a king size drop down couch in the living room. There was a fax machine and internet point provided. Our 9 year old daughter had her birthday here last summer. She was delighted to find a box of chocolates for her at breakfast.
We also found a box of chocolates awaiting our arrival this time. The rate for Friday through Sunday was less than half the week day rate.
Hyatt, Manhattan
We visited New York for a five day pre-Christmas shopping expedition. The hotel is in the mid town area about equi-distant from Wall Street and Central Park, just off fifth avenue. The foyer is spacious with much running water. The restaurant had a prodigious menu in the evenings (excellent Shrimp with gazpacho) . There was a generous buffet laid out for lunch time.
This hotel had a Gold Passport floor that featured a complementary breakfast room and bar. Snacks were served with afternoon tea.
Hyatt Carlton Towers, London
This hotel is in the West End between Knightsbridge and Sloan Square. Harrods and the V&A Museum are within walking distance; the City of London and Theatre Land a short taxi ride away.
We were greeted in our room with a complementary basket of Port and cheese for our stay.
The hotel has a complementary breakfast served in the Chinoise room off the foyer. Facilities are perhaps a little more cramped and seemed more hurried than the American counterparts.
Hyatt Lowndes Hotel, London
The Carlton Towers little sister hotel is just around the corner from Cadogan Place. Less formal and less facilities but you may use the facilities at either hotel and charge these to your account.
All in all we have enjoyed our stays at the Hyatt hotels. They are not cheap (Hyatt Regency, Tampa this September was $224 per weekday night and $119 per weekend night) for a King room but quality and service are assured. We will continue to collect our points for a dream vacation in the years to come…
… MAUI?
… MARRAKESH?
… JAPAN?
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Epinions.com ID:
AlanCrax
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Member: Alan Craxford
Location: Tyne and Wear, UK
Reviews written: 212
Trusted by: 37 members
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