Recent Renovation means something for everyone
Written: Dec 30 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Close to beaches and San Diego attractions. Waterslides and firepits for kids.
Cons: Some rooms are old. Can get crowded if there's a conference.
The Bottom Line: Great location in the heart of Mission Bay. Recent renovations makes this an attractive hotel with waterslides for the kids, spa for Mom and hot tub for Dad.
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| Uncle_Tippet's Full Review: Hyatt Regency Islandia |
The hotel just went through a $65 million renovation. As a result, the name changed from Hyatt Regency Islandia to Hyatt Mission Bay Resort and Spa. As you can guess, the turned and old restaurant into a spa, added water slides, and updated the rooms.
We stayed there for 6 days in December 2008 and give it high marks with some reservations.
Highlights
Our party stayed in a tower room on the 15th floor. Those rooms on the higher floors have updated carpeting, updated bathrooms and new beds and new LCD TVs. All in all, very comfortable. The tower rooms have lanais/balaconies that either face the ocean or the marina (with a view of San Diego). Each room is equipped with either 2 double beds or 1 king and a sofa. The rooms have refrigerators (the originals were put back in) and ipod docking stations.
What I loved
The grounds were great!! There were 2 firepits (one large, one small) where our kids could make smores. There were 2 big waterslides that our kids LOVED. And one small waterslide (which our baby didn't). You could almost spend a few days in San Diego without leaving the hotel. The pools had cabanas which we used because it wasn't busy but is usually rented out.
The view from the grounds was fantastic and we enjoyed the sunsets especially at the fitness center (don't ask me why the best view we had was from the stairmaster!!).
The service was above average. The wait staff was engaging without being obnoxious. When the ice machine on our floor ran out of ice, the housekeeper offered to refill our cooler on another floor and refused our tip as it was because something was not working. We got directions to a particular church printed out for us by the concierge and they had pre-printed directions to the usual suspects (Zoo, Cabrillo, Airport, etc). We had a large group of 11 in the hotel restaurant and they accomodated us with ages from 72 to 2 beautifully.
What met expectations
The hotel had what I normally expected from a Hyatt. You pay for internet access ($9.99/day). You pay for parking ($20/self, $25 valet). You pay for breakfast ($21.95 buffet). But NO resort fee!!
It also had standard Hyatt features we didn't have to pay for: 24-hour state of the art fitness center with the BEST purified WATER and chilled tours, Wall Street Journal delivered each day, in-room safe, tight security, pool towels, free ice.
What I didn't like
They removed the coffee makers from the room. When asked about it -- the front desk admitted that they were trying to drive business to the on-site Einstein Bagels store. But the coffee maker is available on request so request it if you like to make your own coffee.
Driving to the hotel means navigating through the cloverleaf interchange each time. Bit of a pain having to merge and switch lanes each time.
Lessons Learned
Self parking when it's not too busy is more convenient than valet as the parking lot is right in front of the building. Better still, walk across the bridge to Mission Bay (about 10 minutes) for free parking on the street.
Plan your day around when the water slides are open. Check the hours otherwise your kids will come back from the zoo only to find out that the slides close in 10 minutes.
Drink the water from the StayFit fitness center. The. Best. Ever.
Consider upgrading to the business plan room. For $20 more, you get free internet and free continental breakfast. Plus you're guaranteed the newer tower rooms so you won't get stained carpets.
If the firepits are not lighted, ask for it to be lighted. Makes a big difference if the night is cool. Plus kids LOVE smores.
Consider walking the mile to SeaWorld and then taking a $7 cab ride back. Cheaper than $17 parking and then getting stuck in traffic on the way out (cabs have a dedicated exit lane).
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Uncle_Tippet
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Member: Avon Leong
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Reviews written: 78
Trusted by: 10 members
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