Grand Hyatt Incheon, South KoreaWe stayed in Incheon before the new wing opened, doubling capacity to 1023 guest rooms (the largest Hyatt outside the USA) and coinciding with a rebrand to Grand Hyatt.
If you make my mistake, thinking that because it is situated right next to Incheon Airport this is an airport hotel, keep it to yourself or the staff will feel offended. Rightly so because this is far more than an airport hotel. It really does provide facilities, including excellent restaurants which are enjoyed by the local resident community. There is even an ultra-cool cocktail bar with a private Karaoke room for hire. It is also a fantastic convention centre. Reaching the hotel couldn't be easier, you just go to exit 3a or 13b and wait for the complimentary Hyatt shuttle bus. It comes every 20 minutes. The journey is only about a mile though, so if you don't want to wait, a taxi will be cheap too. The entrance lobby is really grand and, in keeping with Hyatt philosophy, houses local art exhibits. My eyes were immediately drawn to the "25,000 year-old man" by Nam June Paik, Korean-American artist considered by some to have been the father of video art. You couldn't be anywhere but (South) Korea. Regency SuiteSo to the suite which has very generous bathroom facilities including the all-important shower cubicle (big enough for two naturally). At 72-sq-metres, it offers more space than you're likely to need on a layover. As we've already implied though, this hotel is a good venue for a longer stay. The mini-bar is well stocked, you can watch TV in the bath, there is enough room in the lounge to entertain a few friends, there's a Nespresso machine, the Hyatt bed is our favourite hotel bed, the Wi-Fi is very fast, there is a good sized desk if you need to work. You also get access to the club lounge if you have a suite. The style is contemporary, some might say blah, but I have come to love the easy, unfussy Hyatt Regency style. LeisureAs we were on an overnight layover before returning to Germany courtesy of Asiana's OZ541 F (thanks to US Dividend Miles), we didn't really have time to try the facilities but a walk around revealed a good-sized pool and fitness suite. The pool though was in use for swimming lessons which, like all self-improvement efforts, are taken very seriously in South Korea. This may please the serious length-swimmers out there but it did not look relaxing to me.
More impressive was the VY bar and Karaoke. Achingly cool blue lighting makes that Margherita or G'nT taste way better. I would really love to get together with a bunch of friends to take over that Karaoke room on a Friday night. They say more people are shot while singing My Way than any other tune, I wonder if they could stand my version. |
Club KingWe had reserved a standard room as usual but as a Hyatt Gold Passport diamond member, I expected an upgrade to a Deluxe Club King. We prefer rooms with a proper shower rather than the puny "over-bath" arrangement. There was a little difficulty making our preference understood. The first room we were given was an ordinary Club King. We decided to speak to the duty manager. After a little discussion about Hyatt group policy and the finer details of HGP diamond benefits (which we know inside out) he graciously offered us a regency suite, which was a 2 level upgrade.
Anyway, the Club King is a good 36-sq.-metre room on a private-access floor offering contemporary decor, plush king bed with goose down duvet, granite bath and generous work area. No separate shower though (only over-bath and Mrs d2t does not like that). Since the hotel is adjacent to a major international airport, you might like to know it is extremely well sound-proofed. Club LoungeGiven the size of this hotel (currently over 500 rooms), this is not a large lounge. On the night we stayed it was very busy throughout happy hour. It is split into a series of smaller lounges and "dining rooms". Food and beverage is, as usual, self-service and located on an island in the centre. Overall, the ambience does not encourage one to linger longer and if you want cosy, sofa style seating you had better arrive early.
With two still white wines and three red, a good range of spirits and mixers and a few beers as well as soft drinks, there is something to please everyone. The food is just about enough for an evening meal. On our visit they had sushi, pasta, potato salad, olives, salmon, breads and so on. They even had some fresh macaroons which pleased Mrs d2t. The new West Tower will have it's own club lounge when it opens in July 2014. I look forward to sampling it. DiningRestaurant 8 at Hyatt Regency Incheon occupies 2,000 sq-m and is undeniably popular. I've seen the evidence with my own eyes. It was heaving with local family and work groups all enjoying the incredibly wide choice of Eastern and Western cuisines on offer at the various buffets and open kitchens. In such a place, the only problem is not being able to eat enough, so having to choose. Ah well, you can always return and it seems that most do.
The largest area in the restaurant was serving Italian fare but there is a also a noodle restaurant, sushi, fabulous meats including wind-dried duck and some of the best-looking BBQ seafood I have ever seen. Next time I visit, I'm staying more than one night. |
Overall Impression
Wow. What a surprise. I expected a good quality airport hotel (it is a Hyatt after all) but found something far more significant. A grand modern hotel and conference centre that just happens to be located next to a major hub airport. Although it was an annoyance not to be assigned a Club Deluxe room, the hotel sorted out a suitable alternative on their own initiative, which makes all the difference. The club lounge was a little cramped, but had a good choice for a Regency lounge with something to suit all tastes.
The second building will soon be opening, offering a greater choice of rooms and apartments, as well as another indoor swimming pool, an outdoor swimming pool and another club lounge. At 8000 Hyatt Gold Passport points/night, the hotel is great value. Our only mistake was not staying long enough.
The second building will soon be opening, offering a greater choice of rooms and apartments, as well as another indoor swimming pool, an outdoor swimming pool and another club lounge. At 8000 Hyatt Gold Passport points/night, the hotel is great value. Our only mistake was not staying long enough.