Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa

The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa is located right on PCH across the street from the beach.  There is a walkway over PCH that gives one direct access to the beach.  Since real estate in this area is very coveted, it is valet parking only with in and out privileges at $29 per night if you choose to park at the hotel.  You can also park across the street for $15 per night, or there is metered parking directly in front of the hotel and free street parking over ¼ mile away.

As you enter the hotel from valet, check-in is to the left.  Check-in was friendly, quick and efficient.  All Hyatt Diamond benefits were clearly explained, as well as various areas of the hotel.  There is a $25 resort fee which includes free internet, 2 bottles of water, access to the Fitness Center, and access to the Pacific Waters Spa to include use of the locker room, shower facilities, sauna & steam room, along with other minor benefits.  Hyatt Diamond members get a $5 discount on the resort fee.

I used a confirmed Hyatt Diamond Suite Upgrade on this stay, and was upgraded to the So Cal Suite (also known as the Sunset Suite or Director’s Suite on their website).

Upon entering the room, there is a full bathroom directly on the right.  There is a shower/tub combo, sink and toilet.  The bathroom is fairly large for a second bathroom.

Guest Bathroom

There is a small bar area with coffee maker and refrigerator.

Coffee Maker & Refrigerator

The room opens up to a fairly big living room with sofa, sitting chair, desk and flat screen TV.

The bedroom is fairly big with a King bed, lounge chair, dresser and TV.  There is a small vanity area.

The master bathroom includes a Jacuzzi tub, double sinks and toilet.

Master Bath

Jacuzzi Tub

Master Bath

There is a long balcony that runs the length of the room.  There was a partial ocean view from the room I was given.

Balcony

Perhaps the best news about the bathrooms is the introduction of the new bath amenities by Kenet MD.

Kenet MD Bath Amenities

Kenet MD Bath Amenities

The Club Lounge is not all that big, and was empty whenever I went there.  In the afternoon, there were grilled vegetables, vegetable spring rolls and crudité.  Non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary, and there is an honors bar for beer, wine and spirits.

Club Lounge

Veggie Spring Rolls

Roasted Veggies

Crudite

There is a small workout room, and guests have access to the sauna and steam room at the spa.

Staff is very friendly and treat all guests well.  I would definitely staff here again, but rates can approach $500+ per night during the summer.

Marriott Megamiles Promotion

Marriott has announced their Megamiles promotion running form February 1, 2013 through April 30, 2013 in which you can earn double miles with every stay, starting with the second stay.

While not a great promotion, if planned Marriott stays are already in your future this may not be a bad way to earn some extra miles.

SPG Power Up Promotion

Starwood Preferred Guest has announced their first quarter promotion for 2013, SPG Power Up.

With this promotion, you will earn an extra 2,000 Starpoints for every four eligible nights which maxes out at 8,000 Starpoints after staying 16 nights.

You will earn an extra 10,000 Starpoints for staying 20 nights during the promotion, which runs from January 15, 2013 through April 15, 2013.

While not a promotion that will make me change my hotel stays during this period, it is a good way to earn extra Starpoints on stays that are already planned.

For almost reaching Platinum status by having 20 one night stays, the max of 18,000 Starpoints hardly seems worth it.

Best Rate Guarantee Success - Andaz Wall Street

Hyatt's Best Rate Guarantee provides 20% off the lowest rate one can find on the exact same date and room.  If the reservation is more than one day, you will receive 20% of the entirety of the stay.  The specifics of the reservation must be exact, including promotional or extras such as buy two nights get one free, free breakfast, etc.

One thing that is both good and bad about Hyatt is that you have to call in to get the Best Rate Guarantee.  Good in that you will get a decision right away, but bad because you will generally get put on hold for at least 5-10 minutes.

Another frustrating thing about Hyatt is that it appears that their corporate office blocks some websites from their employees when checking Best Rate Guarantee inquiries.  I have found lower rates on several occasions only to have a representative tell me that the website was loading or working on their end.

When making reservations for the Andaz Wall Street the lowest rate on Hyatt's website was $225.00.  Not a bad rate for New York, but this location generally has lower rates on the weekends since Wall Street is closed.

I found a rate of $138.65 on Get A Room.com and called into Hyatt about a Best Rate Guarantee.  The customer service representative was very friendly, and quickly said that my inquiry was eligible.  My final rate after the 20% discount was $110.92.

Although Hyatt can be difficult to deal with on Best Rate Guarantees, it can certainly pay off when finding one that gets approved.

Hyatt's New Bath Amenities

After much speculation and recent fanfare, Hyatt has finally unveiled the new Kenet MD bath amenities.

I think it has taken a while for some of the properties to go through their existing supply of the Portico products, as I have been to several Hyatt properties since the "announcement" only to be sorely disappointed by the sight of the old Portico products.

The new Kenet MD products have a slight citrus aroma.

Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap

Body Wash, Lotion, Soap

I think this is a step up, as hotels have really started to step up their bath products.

Hilton has products by Peter Thomas Roth, Double Tree features products by Crabtree & Evelyn, Four Seasons features L'Occitane, Ritz Carlton usually features L'Occitane or Bulgari,Marriott features Bath & Body Works, JW Marriott features Aromatherapy Associates, and many Starwood properties feature Bliss products.

Even Hyatt's own Andaz brand features Lather products.  Park Hyatt properties seem to carry different products, but they are usually upscale.

Although a small change, a welcome one nonetheless.

Andaz - San Diego

Stayed at the Andaz San Diego on the Hyatt “Free Time” promotion in which you got one night free with two paid nights, plus breakfast each day and a 4 PM check-out.  With my Hyatt Diamond status, which includes breakfast daily and a 4 PM check-out the only real benefit was getting one night free, but one I was very happy with.  I also used a Suite Upgrade during this stay, and was upgraded to a Large King Suite rather than the King Suite which is the usual upgrade when using the Suite Upgrade Certificates.

The Andaz is located in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, so numerous shops and restaurants abound.  The back side of the hotel is located across the street from the Salvation Army, so there are more homeless people and vagrants in the area.  Although they generally leave you alone and I had no problems, some people may feel a little unsafe or concerned about the immediate surrounding area.

The lobby of the Andaz is more like a lounge with numerous couches and sitting areas for guest to relax in.  There is a small reception area, however “hosts” assist you with the check-in process using iPads and don’t use the reception area.  A welcome drink of wine, coffee or water is offered at check-in, which is a nice touch.

The Large King Suite, located on the 6^th floor is at the end of the hallway and only borders one other room.

As you enter the room, the mini-bar instantly greets you.  There is a Keurig coffee maker, along with a tray of snacks.  Unlike other Andaz properties, not all snacks are complimentary.  There is a small basket on the tray, which are complimentary and included a granola bar, Toblerone candy, and some chips.  The refrigerator was fully stocked, but not all non-alcoholic drinks were complimentary.  Water, soda and juice were free, but Rockstar energy drinks could be had for a small fee.

Mini-Bar

Snack Tray

Free Snacks

To the right is the living room, with a small table/desk and four chairs.  The view overlooks the Salvation Army, not the idyllic view one would like.  There is a couch ~12 feet long and could easily seat six people along with a large coffee table.  There is dark wood flooring throughout the room with the exception of the bedroom where there is carpeting, and the bathroom which contains stone tiles.

Living Room

Although I had chosen points as my amenity, I was also provided with a welcome amenity including a cheese plate and bottle of wine.  Nice!

Cheese Plate & Wine

The bathroom is extremely large and includes a glass encased shower.  Water pressure in the shower is not all that great, as there is only a small hand held shower head.  The bathroom sink is a glass covered table with stainless steel sink.  There are ample towels with Lather bath amenities.

Shower

Sink

Toilet

Lather Bath Amenities

The bedroom features a long narrow desk situated right under the TV with a small lamp.  Lighting in the bedroom is rather sparse.  There is a small couch near the desk, and at the foot of the bed sits a dresser.  The king bed is a platform bed, so with the combination of sharp corners on the dresser and platform, situated close to the couch, shin guards are a great idea to avoid scrapes, bruises or broken knee caps.  Dangerous during the day it gets especially lethal at night in the dark.

Bedroom Desk

Bedroom Couch

King Bed

One of the big drawbacks to the room is the lack of outlets and minimalist lighting.  I can live with minimal lighting in the bedroom, but the lack of outlets in any hotel these days is inexplicable.

Breakfast is served on the rooftop restaurant/lounge/pool area.  Service is great and attentive, but the menu is somewhat limited.    We were allowed to order an extra entrée per day, as the banana crème brulee French toast is not to be missed.  On one day, we were brought the wrong item and the manager took it off of our bill.  Even though we were on a breakfast package plus my Diamond status, this gesture was a welcomed surprise.

The gym is rather small and includes three treadmills, a few recumbent bikes and a Universal gym.  There are some small hand weights and Thera-bands to get in a quick work out.

Service was great throughout the stay.  Often greeted or recognized by name.  All employees were friendly and cheerfully willing to assist.  I have read that noise has been an issue at night because of the Ivy night club, but I did not notice any noise from the club during my stay.

The main downside with the Andaz is that valet parking is $35 per night, but there are lots in the area as low as $10 per night.

Embassy Suites - Palmdale

As you enter the Embassy Suites Palmdale, the entry way opens up to a large atrium that is well appointed.  The front desk is located to the right of the entrance, which are actually several kiosks from which front desk agents work.  The front desk was a little under staffed, as there was only one employee working at the time of arrival with several guests waiting to check-in.

Upon entering the one bedroom suite, there is a small mini-bar to the right with a sink, small refrigerator and microwave oven.  There is a small dining table/desk with four chairs.

Mini Bar

Desk

Living Room

The room opens up to the living room, which has a sofa and TV.

The bedroom is large and contains a dresser, TV and beds.  Having two double beds, things were a little tight trying to walk around the bed.

View from Living Room

The floor plan is somewhat open, as one can access the bathroom from both the front door and bedroom.

Bedroom

From the bedroom, there is a large bathroom with a large vessel sink, bathtub/shower combo and toilet.  The water pressure of the shower is great, one thing lacking in many hotels.  The layout is somewhat odd, in that the toilet is next to the entry way door, but does prevent guests from having to go through the bedroom in order to go to the bathroom if having guests over.  There was a large water stain in the shower.

View from Entryway

Bathroom

Toilet

The hotel seems relatively new, as the faint smell of paint was noted throughout the hotel and room.

Embassy Suites offers guests a free breakfast, which includes hot options such as scrambled eggs, cooked to order eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles and oatmeal.  Cold options include cereal, breads, pastries, fruit and yogurt.  Service is very attentive during breakfast.

There is also a Manager’s Reception in the evening providing complimentary wine and snacks, unfortunately I arrived too late to see what options were available.

Another great thing about the Embassy Suites Palmdale is the number of outlets.  You will not have to search far to find an outlet which is a big plus in the gadget friendly world we live in.

This is one of the nicer Embassy Suites that I have been to.  If looking for a hotel room in the area, this is a great option.