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!

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!