washington dc...grand hyatt questions
 

I have made reservations for the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC for April. I am wondering if it is worth the money to stay in the Regency Club there. Could anyone tell me more about there continental breakfast and appetizers offered in the evening. It would cost nearly $40 more a day to stay there compared to a regular room. Since I am traveling with my older Mom there it might be convenient. Has anyone tried the Regency Club lately?
I guess my other question would be is there a good bakery/coffee place very near that we would enjoy? Thanks.

You are aware, I assume, that the old convention center across the street is being demolished all spring, thus the area is a bit dusty and noisy. Hyatt is normally a fine place to stay.

I don't know about the Regency Club but we did stay at the Hyatt a few years ago and loved it. Very convenient to trains and sights.

No, I was not aware of the demolishing of the old convention center....maybe that is why there are lower rates!!Thank you for the information...good to know!

My husband mentioned that the old convention center has already been demolished (his office faces the old site). I'm certain that something will be built in its place, however, so there will still be construction going on in April. Anyways, the Grand Hyatt is in a pretty good location. There is an Au Bon Pain at 10th and Pennsylvania (around 3 blocks south) that has great pastries, sandwiches, soup etc.

Try Reeves Bakery on G St. and 13th I believe. Great pastries, cupcakes, pies, etc.

Actually only a portion, along 10th, is being demolished, but more work will be done along H across from the front door of Hyatt. It's going to be a major construction zone for months according to associates who flew into DC recently and attended a meeting at Hyatt.

Regarding convenience to sights, and ALL the subways lines, as I recall, you'd be better off at the Willard or JW Marriott on Pa. Ave. - right across the street from the Mall, major museums, the White House, etc. - and major restaurants along the avenue. Hyatt is of course very close to MCI, if you're visitng for events, and the arch in Chinatown. There is a subway line next door, but this is not the most scenic area of the city.

My public service announcement for today:
travellaughter = travelplans = blacktie = leone = sobetraveler = no personal experience, most advice based upon his Fodors grudges = ignore.

As I recall from previous stays, the Grand Hyatt has a snack shop off the lobby that serves coffee and bakery items in the morning in a cafeteria style.

I stayed on the Regency Club floor once at this Hyatt. I don't recall there being any measurable difference in the rooms, so you have to decide whether you'll partake enough food and whether the convenience factor is worth it for you.

The Grand Hyatt is near the Penn Quarter, which is the up and coming area of town, filled with good restaurants. By April, the demolished end of the convention center should be a parking lot (seriously--they don't have any new building plans for the site, so it will be a parking lot for the time being), but you won't escape construction all around that area--and it practically all other parts of town.

It's good to know about the construction. Do you need to go through this area to get to restaurants or other popular sites?
Would the Marriott Metro be any different as far as the construction area goes? I'm also wondering about the Hamilton Crown Plaza and it's location. I haven't been to DC for years-and just can't remember the areas well. Thanks.

While the construction is directly across the street from the main entrance, it's fenced off and not that big of a deal now.

It's not dusty or noisy at this point, although obviously it could change. The Marriott MC is definitely unaffected. It is closer to several nice dining spot that the Hyatt, but a block or so farther to the Penn Quarter eateries. I'd give the Marriott a slight edge on location these days -- as for Marriott vs Hyatt in general . . . that's a lot of personal taste.

Marriott Metro Center has the added advantage of being on the same block as the entrance to the metro station, which serves four different Metro lines -- very handy.

true, but that's hardly an edge over the Hyatt, which has its own Metro Center entrance . . . .

Hyatt is fine as are Marriott and Willard, but the major construction is a problem for Hyatt and the streets around it, and as far as location to major areas is concerned, one only need consult a map of downtown DC to see the advantages of Pa. Avenue.

For restaurants, the actual new development is along Pa. Ave from 14th down to 7th, and up 7th for two blocks. Hyatt is neither closer nor farther.

The Metro entrance at Hyatt is not in the best location; other posters' remarks about Metro should be heeded.

Nonetheless, Hyatt is normally a very nice hotel.

Joan, you nailed it on travellaughter.

His/her advice is way off.

When I saw this post, I walked out the door of my office. It faces the Marriott. I walked down the street to the Hyatt -- as I do several times a week for lunch (usually Chinatown).

There is -- and hasn't been -- any problem with the roads near the Hyatt. The construction, which isn't active near the Hyatt right now, is in one fenced-in block across the street. At this time there is no extra noise or dust. There's also another entrance away from convention center.

Then I walked down to double check the Metro Center connection. While it's just a few steps closer than Marriott Metro Center's access, it's all indoors -- a good thing in the rain, snow or steam.

After grabbing lunch, I walked down 7th to Pennsylvania. Of course, the one side of street is almost entirely federal or district buildings. There's little if anything new on the other side of Pennsylvania.

Most of the Penn Quarter development -- including Zaytinya, the star of the boom -- is unquestionably closer to the Hyatt than any hotel on Pennsylvania.

Either Marriott MC or the Hyatt are fine. We use the Marriott for out-of-town business visitors. The Hyatt appears to have more amenities.

If you do choose the Marriott there's a nice coffee place Cosi on the same block. Reeves is good as well. That's where we buy special-occasion cakes.

If you have concerns about the Hyatt, I'd consider the conceirge level at the Metro Center Marriott.

Suggest laurelee obtain a DC Zagats and DC Access guide, and judge for herself. Look at restaurants, their locations, distances and streets you'd use to major sites, all subway lines and their entrances, and any other data pertinent to convenience as you see the city each day. Apparently different people may walk the streets and see different things, such as cranes, but be that as it may, Hyatt is normally a fine hotel. And yes, they have a cute coffee shop, if that's a deciding factor. Anyway, have a nice trip and enjoy DC, a very special city.

By the way, if one were to walk from Marriott to Hyatt and Chinetown on H Street, how does one walk "down" the street ... I believe the saleint term would be "up" given their elevated locations. Oh, just a bit of the local data for those mired in this fascinating discussion, LOL. That is it for me. Have a nice day all.

repete, the troll has a personal grudge against Hyatts so we know not to listen to anything he has to say in that regard.

Oh well, once again then, Hyatt is a very fine hotel! A fine, fine hotel, and we use them frequently, at every opportunity, especially for conferences and when bringing officials into town. Now, since the Fodors code asks us to aid travellers, and in this instance, Laurelee posts she is travelling with her older MOM, I'd not live up to that code if I failed to observe Marriott and Willard will be more convenient, for reasons stated by several posters. Zagats and Access Guide will clarify why, and will serve as excellent tools as you plan your trip. Every good wish to Laurelee and her MOM for a safe and happy journey to a special city.

Thanks to all...I think I'll end it there! Now, if you could just tell me how to get those cherry blossoms to bloom while we are there and get a front row seat the fireworks on Sat. April 2!!!

Scarlett: Thanks for the head's up. This poster is worse than a troll because he posts information that sounds plausible, but is incorrect. It's easier to spot the ``what color sweater for my dog in NYC?'' trolls.

As for the difference in elevation between The Metro Center Marriott and the Hyatt, there is none. It's a level walk -- and even the street numbers decline -- as you head toward Chinatown . . . for whatever that's worth.

That's one problem with the JW Marriott for older folks who want to use the Metro -- it's an uphill climb to Metro Center access unless you wind your way through the basement through the yet-to-be-reopened National Place mall. Still, there are some nice restaurants in that area as well.

I've been thinking about these posts since very early morning..and now I can't decide what I should do. It wouldn't be all that important except that I am taking my elderly Mom with and I want it to nice, convenient and the kind of place that is pleasant to come home to after a day of sightseeing. So...I'm looking at rates for many hotels around there-they are getting really steep. Some of you seem to work in that area-would you recommend the location of the Hamilton Crown Plaza or Capitol Hilton? Or am I better off with the original choices. Thanks so much!

If I were bringing my elderly mother to a vacation in DC that I wanted to be really special, of the hotels mentioned above, I would definitely choose the Willard Intercontinental if it were within my budget. And laurelee, if you are considering the Regency Club and the Grand Hyatt, then it may be within yours.

It is the #1 ranked hotel of all in Washington on tripadvisor.com.
As the traditional place Presidents used to stay the night before their inaugurations (as well as other distinctions, such as that Julia Ward Howe wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and Martin Luther King his "I have a dream" speech there,) it is historic, architecturally distinctive, and nineteenth century ornate, yet luxurious and well maintained by the distinguished Intercontinental group. I think the Willard Room is one of the most spectacular dining rooms I have ever seen. The other hotels discussed are more modern and generic.

The Willard's location in the center of everything couldn't be improved upon, and it appears to have just about every amenity inside.

My elderly Mom lives in suburban Washington and hasn't needed a hotel in the city, but she, and visiting friends and relatives of her generation, have all loved the view from the Sky Terrace at the Hotel Washington right next door to the Willard. Among other reasons to enjoy it, the visitors like being able to go home and tell their friends what really is on the roof of the White House.

Yup, the Willard is wonderful. I like the Lincoln pre-inaugural bill and the note to U.S. Grant that they don't have room for his uncle ...

If money were no object, it'd be one of the places I'd stay (although I'd like to check out the new Mandarin.)

In winter, the Willard has great packages that makes it competitive with Regency level of the Grand Hyatt, but those packages often vanish when the cherry blossoms bloom. Sometimes those offers extend to April and include breakfast (but not the evening snacks -- you could feed on the snack mix at the Round Robin bar).

It's not as convenient to Metro -- nearly two blocks.

As for the Capitol Hilton and the Hamilton CP, both are close to some pretty good restaurants (especially DC Coast) and relatively close to Metro, but not right on it.

Here's a suggestion that might work, now that we know the Regency is on your high end. I'd book a room for the period at a fall back hotel (the Marriott MC or a bargain option might be the Hilton Garden Inn, right across the street from metro), then hunt out the best possible bargains right before the trip. If you did the Marriott, you could take a chance of bumping up to concierge when you arrive.

If your comfort level is OK with this, you might luck out.

One caution on the 14th and K area, late at night, it's worked by the ladies. During the day and the early evening, the area's fine, however.

Thank you-everyone is helpful. I have talked to the Willard and at the end of Jan., they will have a cherry blossom package. I doubt that the package will include a view of the Washington monument(which would be wonderful), but perhaps a "city view." Right now, it is probably more than we should be spending. The
Regency Club is stretching it but may be worth if for convenience with my Mom.
I'll think about these suggestions and try to make a decision-I'm comfortable booking one and waiting it out. If there is anything else-I'd love to hear.
Thanks.

If you need something less pricey than the Willard (as most of us would), among the other places mentioned in this thread I'd tend to steer you and your Mom away from the Grand Hyatt and the Capital Hilton and towards the Crowne Plaza Hamilton. I make the caveat here that I haven't stayed at any of these hotels (I'm a DC area resident)but am judging on having experienced the exteriors, lobbies, and neighborhoods, and reading some of the Tripadvisor.com reviews.

I just found the immediate surroundings of the Grand Hyatt pretty nondescript even before the convention center became a pile of rubble. That location just isn't where I'd want to take my Mom for a special stay. You may also want to read the decidedly mixed reviews of the hotel on Tripadvisor (and especially review #2's comments about the Regency Club) before deciding on it.

The location of the Capital Hilton and the Crowne Plaza Hamilton (they are very close together) is more exciting and attractive, I think. But the Capital Hilton has always struck me as one of the dreariest looking generic 60's-70's type boxes I have ever seen. The Crowne Plaza Hamilton, on the other hand, is a refurbished older building of dignity, charm and character, and has impressed me as a place I'd like to stay. When you read the mostly very positive recent reviews of it on Tripadvisor, it's hard to figure out why it isn't ranked much higher than it is on their list.

You might also want to check out the reviews on Tripadvisor and prices of the Sofitel Lafayette Square, if you think it might thrill your Mom to be across a block of park from the White House. According to Tripadvisor, where this Sofitel is the #5 hotel overall, prices start at $119, although it is clear they can run much higher, and may during the time of your stay.

Traveling with an elderly person, I think you might not want to put as much importance on your hoteel's having Metro access as some posters have. While I agree the Metro is usually wonderful for getting around DC for most of us, for the elderly it is less so. At times, not just at rush hours but sometimes unpredictable times if there's an event going on, it is hard to find a seat, and it's rush and crush getting on. I have found taxis to be cheaper and easier to hail in DC than in any other big city I've visited, and I think with an elderly companion you'd be wise to use them predominantly.

I can get the Crowne Plaza for an excellent rate-compared to the others during Cherry Blossom time-so it is tempting to go there. I just wasn't sure what the area around there was like for restaurants, metro, etc. I am sure getting a lot of info.--Wow. So many opinions! I'm taking it all in.
Thanks.

Johncharles makes good points about the area around the Grand Hyatt, not bad but not a lot of charm.

If needed, cabs are relatively cheap especially in the zone scheme, expecially when visiting most of the main tourist areas. If you do use Metro, you have to cross a wide K Street, but it's only about two blocks to McPherson Square.

The DC Coast restaurant is right across the street, Ceiba and others are nearby and there are numerous lunch options. The area quiets down quickly in the evening.

It's a quick cab trip to Dupont Circle, Penn Quarter and other neighborhoods.

Sofitel is intriguing. I'm sure I've walked by plenty of times and never paid attention to it.

What intrigues you about Sofitel--and the area?

Laurelee,

It's mostly that I haven't noticed it before. That's a great rate johncharles found for that area and Sofitel's are usually good hotels.

But I looked a little deeper, and as jc mentioned, rates at other times might be higher. For the first week of April, the hotel's site showed $199 on weekends and $300 during the week -- much more in line with what I'd expect. It only provided rates for rooms with one king bed. There might be new promotions or discount rates available elsewhere, however.

It's too bad the Hotel Washington isn't a little nicer. I stayed there years ago and it was nice, old style and just a bit musty. The location was good and the delicious full breakfast made it a bargain. But my wife stopped by a few years ago to see visiting friends and it was still a bit dark and musty.

Your mom might enjoy a stop at its Sky Terrace though.

The good thing is none of the places you're considering is bad. All are comfortable options just with a lot of different pluses and minuses that make the final call a hard one. Best of luck.

Are those two blocks that you have to cross on K St. to the McPherson block okay for walking most reasonable times of day and evening. Usually lots of peoplel around.

I would say yes. Now that the convention center is down, street traffic the area around McPherson Square and K St. will be busier day and night than around the Grand Hyatt.

By day, this area is teeming with people--it's in the heart of downtown. By night, it is much less populated, but no means deserted as there are a number of top hotels and restaurants nearby.

I have encountered verbally agressive panhandlers a couple of times at night in this area (and that only a very small percentage of the times I have been there at night), but have never felt particularly uneasy about the potential of actual crime.

Still, if staying in a hotel anywhere downtown, I would recommend that a party such as yours (two women, one elderly) travel by cab at night, as very many people do in DC. You will probably find them lined up in front of any major downtown hotel like the Crowne Plaza. If one wants to enjoy walking around the area of one's hotel at night, the places to stay are the Dupont Circle and West End/Georgetown areas, but these are farther from the big monuments and museums which I would guess are more interesting to your mother than the heavier concentration of restaurants and clubs which give the areas I just named more night time foot traffic.

Thanks..lots to think about here. I'm anxious to hear what the Willards cherry blossom packages rates will be-they'll annouce that after the inaug. week.
Maybe that will be just the answer. Anything else--just let know. Thanks again.