GRAND HYATT, New Renovations, New restaurant
Written: Oct 30 '03 (Updated Dec 14 '05)
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Pros: Right next to Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building.
Cons: HUGE Lobby that is cold and not personal.
The Bottom Line: Though there was nothing that would make me say don't stay there. There is also nothing that tells me to state that this is a great place to stay.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Grand Hyatt New York |
The Grand Hyatt has had jack hammers, masons, electricians, and other workers in their lobby for a while now. They are now gone from that part of the hotel. The Hyatt is now on an ambitious project to renovate every room by this time next year. You may see workers on some of different levels of this 34 story high building that is now a non-descript sheet of green glass that is a perfect background to Grand Central Station right next door. Stand on forty second street and take this picture. Do it day and night!
LOCATION
Some people say its the best hotel as far as location. It is right next to and also connected by an underground walkway to Grand Central Station. If you happen to be coming into that station, then all is good. All their brochures and the web site tell you that you are within walking distance of the Empire State Building, The United Nations, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square.. That is true in good weather. Though you can walk to these places, it is a bit of a trek.
You are right on 42nd street. You can hop a bus cross town. I'm just not a bus person so I wouldn't. There is a subway line that will take you to Times Square and others that will take you down town. These are fairly convenient. Cabs are all over the place on most days. They are scarce during inclement weather.
If I had my choice, I would rather stay in the Times Square/Theatre District area. This, to me, is the heart of New York. I also feel it is easier to get public transportation to other city points from there.
I do not suggest coming into the city with a car. Parking is available near the hotel, but expensive. The Hyatt hotel is in a very tough location to navigate without losing patience. Remember the words GRID LOCK.
THE LOBBY
The lobby, now that the workers are gone, still seems a bit confusing. It is huge and on two levels. The streets on two sides of the hotel created this problem because they too are on different levels. When arriving you would have to search out the desk.
There is a center point in the huge lobby area of a marble fountain that makes its way from the higher area to the lower. The sounds are to help alleviate the problem of outside street noises. It does so effectively. It is easy to sit on one of the fifteen or so couches or many comfort chairs and get lost in a newspaper while sipping on a cup of coffee from the lobby's coffee bar.
The overall feel of the lobby is cold. There is nothing warm or inviting about it. The light marble and mirrored ceilings along with the glitz just don't make it for me.
I will say it is Grand. But not comforting.
There are plenty of doorman and bell hops around. They are attentive and quick with a smile and service. They were different than the help behind the check in desk. These were people quick to business. They were efficient but not overly friendly.
I must say that, though I saw some tourists, this is a convention and business meeting destination. They do cater to many business people.
There are about ten or so elevators. They come promptly. I also like that some go to particular levels. Our room was on the 30th floor. Access to that level is through five elevators that stop at 24-34. I appreciate not having to have "local" stops.
I mentioned business people earlier. The elevators have screens broadcasting a business news station and the latest in stock market figures are scrolling along the bottom of the screen. You wouldn't want to miss a drop in your portfolio's holdings as you were just going out for a night on the town, would you?
The first few levels of the hotel have many meeting rooms. The halls outside the conference rooms all have open glass views of the lobby below. There are many easily found escalators that can whisk one from one level to another.
The hotel has a business office on these levels. It is has an attendant that can help direct you to use of the computers, faxes, and copy equipment. If you want to check your email expect to pay $.50 per minute! That can add up pretty quickly. The office is open during the daytime until about 9PM. If you need to check email there is a "pay for" stand up computer with Internet access near the check in desk. It also offers free access to check show times and to obtain restaurant information.
The lobby also has a gift shop and a few upscale stores for last minute, big time spending. Hey, they even have an antique shop just steps away from the elevators.
RESTAURANTS
The hotel has two places to dine. I did not try the Commodore Grill or the next door lounge. I did check out the newly opened Manhattan Sky. Access is gained through the far part of the lobby. It has a terrific view of 42nd Street! Though I grew up in Manhattan, and now visit it nearly every week, I am still enthralled by the feel of it and I love people watching.
This is an atrium that was built a few levels above the street. It feels like you are outside, yet you don't hear the street noises or smell the fumes of the busy traffic below.
I suggest trying the place for breakfast or a light lunch. Better than anything the hotel offers is Grand Central Station. Like I mentioned, you can walk to it without ever going out side. The station has many food courts and gourmet restaurants. Be sure to take a walk there. The station is truly a wonder! There are also many places to eat or dine right on the nearby streets.
The ROOMS
After all the GLITZ & GRAND of the lobby, our room was lacking character. We had the lowest price room at $165.00. These are lower NYC rates. The business I was working for was taking care of it. I would be disappointed if I was paying that kind of money.
Don't go by what the web site tells you. They are advertising what is to be and not what is now. Our room did not have a safe, or plasma TV, or in room Internet service. It also does not have a coffee maker, mini-fridge or much in the way of storage for those staying more than a day or two.
It does have an iron and board, 19" TV with plenty of stations to watch, two telephones, Internet ports, and a clock radio.
The room, while very clean, was not very large. It did NOT smell of smoke. It was quite stark. Even the modern art paintings that adorned the walls gave no life to the room.
There can be some great Manhattan views depending on which side of the hotel you are on and how high. If this is important, request "a room with a view" when making reservations. The windows are small.
Our room had a small business area with a desk and comfortable chair separated from the bed room itself. This is also where the closet was. You had to walk from one room to the next to get anything from it. The bed was a king with two night table on each side. That was the total width of the room.
The bathroom was tiny. There was just enough room to stand in front of the sink. It would not be comfortable for anyone who might be dressing in there.
There was a nice looking glass door to the shower, no tub. Be sure to ask for a room with a bath if it is important to you.
Countertop amenities had shampoo and rinse, soap and a cap. It was Portico Verbena brand. I liked the cakes of round soap.
The bath was bare bones otherwise. The towels were OK. There was no heat lamp, exhaust fans, or make up mirror. There is a low watt hair dryer in every bath room and the better level rooms boast bath robes. They may even have a bath!
I also must mention that I have never seen a hotel where the dirty linens from the rooms being cleaned are tossed in so many piles in the halls.
IN CLOSING
I feel this hotel is trying to compete with Grand central Station in its sidewalk appeal. Look big!! Look Grand!! Look important!! All that stuff does nothing for me. It just means longer walks to my room.
For any kind of business meetings I do recommend this hotel. My business has worked with the hotel in reference to business conferences. The staff is wonderful. They are very friendly and professional. They also know how to organize a well structured conference.
I would also be very clear about your preferences for a quiet room. I would think there would be noise from the renovators during the next year. I wouldn't want to be close to any work they are still doing. Maybe it isn't a problem at all.
Here is my thought about booking this place as a tourist. New York has many other choices in hotels. Look for one of them.
NYC reviews by Popsrocks
The Capital GrilleJust a half block away and it's a good one!
Times Square
Times Square Visitors Center
The Empire State Building
Radio City Music Hall A Spectacular place to see a show!
The INTREPID Sea-Air-Space MUSEUM It's a good one!
Museum of Natural History
TKTS half price tickets to Broadway
Aida, the Broadway Play Great show at half price
Thoroughly Modern Millie A 6 Tony award winner Broadway Play
Central Park
Yankee Stadium
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show.
ESPN Zone A sports bar, arcade, and MORE!
Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem
Ollies Noodle Shop one in Times Square and another at Lincoln Center
Grand Hyatt, NYC
Marriott Marquis New York
New York Hilton
Downtown Manhattan reviews by Popsrocks
The Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
Castle Clinton National Memorial
Battery Park Home of the temporary 9/11 memorial.
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT
NY WATERWAY Tour NYC by boat.
Federal Hall National Historic SiteDowntown across from Wall Street, our first Capitol Building was there.
Fraunce's Tavern George Washington ate here. You can too!
Jewish Heritage Museum
St Paul's ChapelA living Memorial to 9/11
Greenwich VillageIt's Hip and Happening
Millenium Hilton., directly across from ground zero. They have reopened!A great location to all that is downtown
W Hotel Union Square
Recommended:
No
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