I’ve stayed at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki a couple of times this year, and as the UK Bank Holiday coincided with the US Memorial Day holiday, the hotel was packed. In fact, and probably for the first time every at Hyatt, they were so sold out that I could not secure and upgrade. In fact the Friday and Sunday were full with rooms available on the Saturday on sale on the day. (You can read the review of my previous stay here.)

The impact is very simply that ‘I got what I paid for’.

Typically booking the cheapest Mountain View room secures a Partial Ocean View room as a Diamond Gold Passport member. This was my view from the 39th floor on my visit earlier in the year:

This visit I had this view from the 28th floor:

In truth it was interesting in itself as I was able to see the clouds descend over the hills, which was pretty amazing:

 

The bad news was the noise – the construction work you can see in the first picture started fairly early and despite being on the 28th Floor, it was noisy until quite late. They also worked on Saturday morning.

I have been lucky enough to get rooms on floors in the high 30’s in the Diamond Head Tower in the past and so this was a contrast.

Having said that, the balcony was nice to sit out on and the room was renovated so had the large sofa, big colour TV and fridge now standard at this property.

The lifts are often an issue here as there are only four in each tower and waits can be lengthy. In fact it wasn’t too bad during this stay. There were waits but I always managed to get on the first one that arrived.

The location of the room is closer to the supermarket and bus stop which saved a few minutes walk than if I had been in the other tower. Of course it is further to the Regency Club which is the downside. In fact, the queue for breakfast in the restaurant, which you pass on the way to Regency Club was the longest I had ever seen, going back to the shop. Luckily, although busier than on previous stays, the Regency Club itself always had seats both inside and outside when needed. The staff cleared tables quickly making sure that the arriving guests were welcomed.

I did have trouble both mornings with my key not allowing access to the Regency Club and having to go back to have it recoded by the Front Desk. Luckily there was only a short wait and the hotel has since reached out to make up for this. Nice.

On the morning after my arrival, a package that I had arranged came and I mentioned this to the Regency Club staff to confirm that I could collect it from the Bell Desk. I then went down to the desk and explained who I was, well I tried ‘Ah, Mr MilesFromBlighty?’ , the BellMan said. ‘Yes’ I replied.

‘Well Fred has gone off to get your package already’.

Unbeknown to me the Regency Club staff had called down to say I was coming and they were ready for me when I go there. Great Service.

The lines at the Front Desk were large at check-in and check-out, with a 10-15 minute wait on both occasions.

The hotel could not offer a late check-out beyond 2pm on the last day, but offered to store bags and give me access to the Regency Club until I was ready to go to the airport.

 

For my next visit, at the end of July, I have managed to apply a Diamond Suite Upgrade for two of the three nights I am there so that should provide a super room – I hope.

This property has its own rhythm and seems to have a real mix of visitors – some businessmen and women, lots of holiday makers primarily from Asia or the US and then some singles and families making their own way. It all sort of gels well and the decent weather always makes people happier.