Hyatt Place Bethlehem

It’s a nice city to visit, with plenty to see within walking distance. Parking was in a garage right across the street. During my two-night stay, I found the shower never quite got warm enough. I also liked being able to connect my own device through HDMI on the TV, which has become a must for me.

The hotel is clean and in a great location, so if that’s all you care about, it’s a good place to stay. Customer service and basic decency are another matter. My wife and I are Hyatt Discoverist members and usually stay with Hyatt, but Pam at the front desk was probably the rudest woman in hospitality I’ve ever met. It was honestly mind-blowing, and we’re seriously thinking about canceling our Hyatt membership.

Pamela and Krishna at the front desk made our stay enjoyable, and we slept well in a large, clean room with good heating and cooling. The lobby was lovely, with seating, the front desk, breakfast dining, and an on-site eatery and bar. Breakfast looked great, though we couldn’t get up early enough to try it. My girlfriend and I usually love Hyatt, but this property had some problems. The location is hard to beat: quiet, but right by Bethlehem’s Main Street and the heart of town. Guests can park free in the garage across the street with validation. The bathroom was a letdown. The inside door handle was broken, the shower was cramped, and its odd half-door let water onto the floor even when angled right. The water got warm but never hot. The fitness center was underwhelming, and we skipped the pool because its milky water looked sickly. On departure morning, a housekeeper knocked at 10:30 while we were still sleeping, despite our “do not disturb” sign. Checkout wasn’t until noon. I think she was checking that we’d be up in time, since she didn’t knock on anyone else’s door. Later, I couldn’t pick up my girlfriend because six vehicles were blocking the small entrance and exit. One SUV stayed there for over half an hour, even though the parking sign says 15 minutes. We’d give the property another chance because Hyatt hotels are usually a step above.

I stayed one night on New Year’s Eve and paid my bill. Three weeks later, a $22.50 charge appeared on my card. The front desk couldn’t explain it when I called, and after 20 minutes on hold, the manager dropped off the call. I was then told there had been an issue with my tax exemption card and that they needed a tax exemption form. I’m a foreign diplomat with federal tax exemption. I gave them the card and my diplomatic ID at check-in, told them to copy them, and they did. They accepted the documents, as everyone else has, including when I bought a car. Without contacting me for more information, they charged my card weeks after giving me a printed receipt showing the bill was settled. There was no explanation. That isn’t professional, and the manager should find a different job.