Hyatt Regency La Jolla Review

During a recent trip to San Diego, I had the pleasure of staying at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, a mid-sized resort that truly stands out as a hidden gem. Located just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego and near UCSD, this hotel combines convenience with a touch of luxury.

The property underwent a renovation in 2021, and the results are stunning. The modern and pristine atmosphere is evident from the moment you step in. The spacious rooms are thoughtfully designed and equipped with all the essentials for a comfortable stay. As a Hyatt Explorist, I was fortunate to receive an upgrade to a high-floor King room, complete with breathtaking views of La Jolla—an unexpected bonus that set the tone for an exceptional visit.

Top-Notch Amenities

One of the highlights of this resort is its array of amenities, which cater to a variety of needs and preferences:

• Fitness Enthusiasts: A fully-equipped gym ensures you can maintain your routine while on the go.

• Food and Drink: The delightful onsite restaurant offers a range of options to satisfy any craving, while the cozy café provides the perfect caffeine fix.

• Convenience: The market makes it easy to grab any essentials you may need during your stay.

However, what truly stole the show for me was breakfast at SHOR, the hotel’s restaurant. The food was flavorful and beautifully presented, and the prices were refreshingly reasonable. Starting my day with such a satisfying meal was a highlight of the trip.

Pros

1. Location: Proximity to downtown San Diego and UCSD makes this hotel convenient for both business and leisure.

2. Renovated Property: The 2021 upgrades give the resort a fresh and modern feel.

3. Spacious Rooms: Clean, well-equipped, and designed for comfort.

4. Exceptional Dining: SHOR restaurant delivers a standout breakfast experience.

5. Amenities: A gym, café, and market offer plenty of conveniences on-site.

Cons

1. Limited Resort-Style Features: While it’s a great hotel, it may lack some of the extensive amenities found in larger resorts, such as a spa.

2. Parking Fees: As is common with many upscale hotels, parking is not complimentary, which may add to your overall costs.

3. Noise Levels: Depending on your room’s location, occasional noise from nearby roadways may be noticeable.

Final Thoughts

My stay at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla exceeded expectations in many ways. From the stunning renovations to the thoughtful amenities and delicious dining options, this resort offers an excellent balance of comfort and convenience. Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, it’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to enjoy San Diego in style.

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills | Hyatt's Flagship Hotel Review

Immersed in the heart of Tokyo, my unforgettable stay at Andaz Toranomon Hills was pure luxury. 80,000 Hyatt points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards treated me to 3 nights of sheer indulgence in this skyscraper haven. From the 51st-floor check-in experience with its lounge charm to the expansive rooms on the 48th floor, I was spellbound.

Imagine cozying up in a chic King room that turned out to be a spacious oasis on the 48th floor. Tokyo's cityscape stretched before me, featuring both the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower. The room flaunted chic walnut wood accents, a walk-in closet, and an opulent bathroom boasting both a shower and a bathtub.

And let's talk location: the hotel's unbeatable spot gave me swift access to two key subway lines, meaning Tokyo's gems were mine to explore within 20 minutes. My stay at Andaz Toranomon Hills spoiled me to the core!

Hyatt Place Kyoto | A Free Night Certificate Hotel Review

Are you interested in getting a complimentary annual night certificate at a fantastic Hyatt? The World of Hyatt Credit Card by Chase can help you access amazing global adventures. Although there's a $95 annual fee, the cool part is that the certificate practically covers the fee. Plus, there are zero foreign transaction fees!

I had a wonderful stay at the Hyatt Place in Kyoto. It was a treat! This newly opened gem in 2021 is a great addition to the historic town. My room was spacious and spotlessly clean. While they no longer offer complimentary breakfast, they do provide unlimited Nespresso coffee. One of my personal highlights was the charming School Bus Coffee Shop right there, attached to the hotel!

Honestly, my free certificate covered the annual fee in just one night. Exploring Kyoto's history-packed streets is no joke, and having the Hyatt Place as my retreat was super convenient.

Conrad Osaka | A Hilton Collection Review

Konnichiwa, Osaka, Japan! After landing at Kansai International Airport, I settled into the lap of luxury at Conrad Osaka, an exquisite five-star Hilton property. Using 95,000 Hilton points, I treated myself to this lavish stay—totally worth it for my first night in Japan! Hilton points? They're valued at around 0.6 CPP, so pretty low redemption rate, so I wouldn’t chase after them.

Oh, and here's a savvy tip: Skip the points and consider the Hilton Aspire credit card from American Express. Despite the hefty annual fee, the included annual free night certificate covers it—valid worldwide, even at the Conrad! Smart move, right?

Stepped into paradise on the 40th floor, greeted by sweeping panoramic vistas of Osaka. Day or night, the views are nothing short of spectacular. The attentive staff showered me with care from the moment I walked into the lobby—truly exceptional service.

Picture-perfect rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering cityscape views. Spacious and chic, the room boasts a sprawling bathroom with double sinks—talk about indulgence for a solo traveler! Plus, this centrally located gem provides easy access to the subway and bus lines, making it a breeze to explore Osaka's top attractions. Easily one of my best stays in Japan!

Grayson Hotel New York City | A Hyatt Unbound Collection Review

Had a blast at the Grayson Hotel in Midtown Manhattan! Cozy meets luxury with stunning city views. The wooden accents and gold plated details in the bathroom gave it that extra touch of glam. Thanks to my Hyatt Explorist status, I scored an upgrade to the 26th Floor! The hotel’s got it all - top-notch amenities and a killer rooftop bar, offering panoramic city views. Leaving this place so soon is breaking my heart!

City View Double Room

View from Room

Rooftop Bar

Epic View of Times Square City Skyline

Andaz London Liverpool Street | Centrally Located Hyatt Hotel in London

We spent four nights at the trendy Andaz London Liverpool Street in April 2023, using our Hyatt reward points (a total of 70k, at 2.5cpp). The hotel is conveniently located near Liverpool Street Station and offers a variety of dining options. The breakfast buffet was quite extensive, with numerous options to choose from, including English and American-style dishes. Additionally, it is only a ten-minute walk to Shoreditch, where there are plenty of restaurant options, and there's even a grocery market across the street and an Eataly right next door. The Liverpool Street Station nearby was a lifesaver, as it allowed us to take the underground and overground lines to explore London.

Our room was cozy and had a fantastic ambiance, but we did experience a couple of issues, such as a flooded bathroom and a malfunctioning mini-bar fridge. However, the staff and maintenance team were prompt in addressing and fixing the problems. Unfortunately, as an Explorist member, no room upgrades were available. But daily Happy Hour with drinks and appetizers was a great start to our evenings!

Overall, we had a pleasant stay at Andaz despite the few issues we encountered in the room. The property is quite large and has a maze-like feel to it, but it has a unique old London charm, with stylish and clean interiors and exceptional service.

One thing to keep in mind is that some high-end properties in London have recently started implementing a sneaky 5-15% "discretionary service charge" per day, which is not disclosed upfront during booking. However, you can ask the staff to remove it at checkout. I prefer to tip the staff directly.

The Hotel Lucerne | Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel Review

I am excited to share my amazing experience at The Hotel Lucerne by Marriott, an Autograph Collection! This hotel is located right by Lucerne train station and offers an exceptional stay in the heart of downtown.

When I booked my stay using Marriott points, I opted for a King Room, although it wasn't the most economical use of my points, costing me 0.6 cents per point. However, my Marriott Gold Elite status (which I earned through a status challenge) upgraded me to a Corner Junior Suite! The room was spacious and had a stunning city view. Despite the dark walls and a film scene on the ceiling, the ambiance was mysterious and unique.

Overall, it was a truly personalized and unforgettable experience. Lucerne is the real highlight of the trip. It's unlike any other city in Switzerland, with a lively nightlife and an abundance of restaurants throughout the town. Trust me, you won't want to miss this city!

Park Hyatt Zurich | Switzerland's 5-Star Hotel

My wife and I had the pleasure of staying at the Park Hyatt Zurich in March 2023, and it was an incredible experience. We were treated like royalty throughout our luxurious stay. The hotel was exceptional in every way - the service was outstanding, the staff paid attention to every detail, and the entire hotel was filled with luxury.

Thanks to my humble Hyatt Explorist status, we were upgraded from our regular King room to the Corner Suite, which had a breathtaking view of the city and every possible amenity. The suite was spacious, with a large living room area, a study desk, and a sofa. The King-sized bed overlooking the city with a floor-to-ceiling window was amazing, and the bathroom was large with a bathtub and shower. It was perfect for us, with more than enough space.

The location was perfect. It was in a quiet part of town, and Zurich isn't a large city, so downtown was an easy 10-15 minute walk away. Trams were available to take us to the main train station, which was only two blocks away.

All in all, we had an exceptional stay and were granted late check-out until 2 pm. What's more, we were able to book this lavish suite for just 45,000 Hyatt points, which was an incredible value as the Corner Suite was going for $2700! Our one-night stay at the Park Hyatt was completely worth it!

I'll be sharing more reviews from my travels in 2023, so stay tuned!