Grand Hyatt Incheon

Even beside a major international airport, the Grand Hyatt Incheon felt remarkably quiet. I really liked how calm the arrival felt after an international flight. Finding the shuttle was easy, and the roughly five-minute ride to the hotel was frequent. There are other airport hotels nearby, plus small restaurants and convenience stores like 7-11. Inside, the lobby is open and welcoming, and staff were ready to check me in straight away. The room felt more like a luxury apartment than an airport hotel, with a plush bed and a great bathtub. I made it to the huge gym a couple of times a day since it's open 24 hours. The indoor pool, hot tub, and separate men's and women's spa areas were also great for relaxing. The Regency Club had a wide selection, too. I loved my stay and can't wait to come back on another layover.

This is what you pay for: everything works, and the stay feels friction-free. If you're passing through and want a sure win, this is the place. It was great from beginning to end. The Hyatt felt less like a regular hotel and more like a machine designed to make you feel important. The shuttle was waiting when I arrived, and the chocolates were there. The staff were eager and polite. They didn't just take my luggage, they seemed ready to compete for the chance, and they really wanted to get me to happy hour.

Waiting half an hour for the shuttle in the cold winter was no fun, so more frequent buses would be a welcome improvement. Otherwise, my room was extremely spacious and super clean. The staff were welcoming and helpful, and both the bar and buffet restaurant were delicious and well managed.

We only had one night at the hotel while transiting through Incheon on our way home. The staff gave us a warm welcome, and dinner in the lounge and the indoor heated pool were the highlights. I wish we could have stayed for breakfast. Maybe next time. My kid got to burn off some energy in the outdoor playground, even though it was below freezing and getting dark when we found it. The free shuttle runs twice an hour. It seemed very busy on our arrival and departure days, Jan. 1 and 2, and I wondered whether it ever runs out of space and what happens then. Other hotels are close by with their own shuttles, so perhaps overflow guests could try riding one of those and walking over. Our room on the 11th floor had two twin beds and was comfortable, but the bathroom had no shade. At night, its light brightened the rest of the room, so that's something to keep in mind if you need pitch darkness to sleep. Electric curtains for the glass would be a good addition. There was one complimentary bottle of water and a kettle for boiling more water if needed. My only food note is that the lounge dinner could have felt more special with more Korean dishes. On Jan. 1, kimbap seemed to be the only truly Korean dish. We would have liked to sample more, though I understand that many local families also visit and dine in the lounge, and perhaps the international style is meant to cater to them. We enjoyed our stay and would return if we pass through ICN again.