Hyatt Grand Central New York

My only complaint was a small one, but it stuck with me enough to lower my rating. At 3 in the morning I woke up very thirsty. I hadn’t bought bottled water that day, and the hotel market had closed at 11pm. I checked online for vending machines but found no information, then called the front desk to ask where I could get water. The only option was a refillable fountain in the penthouse gym. The person on the phone sounded condescending and eager to end the call, as if the question was wasting his time. The staff overall were great, and this was just one gentleman on the phone. Still, it seemed odd that a massive hotel in Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan offered no other way to get water. I went to the gym and drank from the fountain, so it wasn’t a hassle, but it was a strange only option. I’ve stayed in hotels across the country and around the world, and never had this issue before. Water should be available in rooms, even as a charge, or offered at the front desk. I’d have gone out to a convenience store, but it was 4 degrees Fahrenheit and I wasn’t putting on all my winter gear. I hope the hotel considers making some bottles available. The rest of the hotel was great, with a fantastic location, nice staff and rooms that were spacious by New York standards. The front door security was good, and the staff member who checked me in was pleasant.

Check-in was easy, and the doormen were some of the best I’ve ever seen. They were gracious and pleasant, and even stepped into the street to stop traffic so we could pull out our car. Their experience made it a really impressive part of the stay. The rooms were modern, clean, and big for New York. The little market inside is extraordinarily expensive, but that’s expected given the location and convenience. What a great hotel!

The location is hard to beat for a visit to NYC, and the service was great. When I asked the Hyatt team for a room with a better view, they offered me one within a couple of hours because it was available. The rooms are old and the technology is outdated. I couldn’t screen share, and they don’t provide water in the room or have a dispenser, which was a minor inconvenience. The beds, though, are really comfortable.

We got a good rate, and the room had a nice view, which doesn’t happen often in NYC. The interior was gorgeous and the location was awesome. I’d stay again if I can find that same price in the future. When we checked in, there weren’t any pillows on the bed, and the iron leaked water all over my shirt. Housekeeping took about 25 minutes to bring the pillows, which was fine since we weren’t in a rush.