Hyatt Grand Central New York

Just had 5 nights here at the Hyatt Grand Central New York. Stayed at numerous Hyatt hotels as a World of Hyatt member. Stayed at many hotel brands over the world so can make justified comparisons. The hotel says they have had a complete renovation in 2011. The rooms need another overhaul. We were aware of the $45 nightly destination fee prior to booking however is definitely not justified. $15 per night of this fee can be spent in the shop which charges $7.50+ tax for a large bottle of water $4.50+ tax for candy. All of which can be purchased from Target for $1.69+ tax There is no choice to not have the $15 credit to your room account. It's their nickel & dime time. Their website says premium WIFI as the justification for the destination fee, well there is only 1 WIFI at it 6mbs download at best & 2mbs upload.... Definitely not premium. Another nickel & dime time. They will charge for everything. $4 per bag left at the luggage hold. Nickel & dime time. Toiletries in the bathroom the website says as the justification of the destination fee. Well 1 small tube of shampoo & 1 small tube of conditioner & 1 bar of soap in 5 days is just another nickel & dime. Housekeeping is hit & miss sometimes you get the right amount of towels for the number of guests sometimes you don't. Lobby area is very nice, corridors to rooms equally nice but when you enter your room you will find the contrast nothing fancy a little rough around the edges. Sink plug didn't work although least there was a plug our bath tub didn't have one. Toilet was loose on the wall so moved when you sat on it. Security on the door were excellent & always happy. The rest of the staff we encountered were okay but nothing special. The only thing going for this hotel is the location as it surely can't keep on riding on this. There are many others that charge more or less the same but offer a much better experience all round. It's disappointing that the Hyatt Grand Central did not live up to the usual Hyatt reputation, expectations, or honesty & integrity. Being nickel & dimed with this ludicrous destination fee is a rip off. At least Dick Turpin wore a mask. Read less

If you are travelling from JFK, then I recommend you take the Air Train followed by the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Station. It's the cheapest and most convenient way to travel to and from the airport. The lobby of the hotel is quite dark and depending upon the time you check in or check out, the queues can be quite long. My check in was swift and I was assisted by Shannon who looked after me through the whole of my stay. He arranged an upgrade to the Presidential Suite for me and also complimentary access to the Commodore Lounge. Claudine on reception was someone I used to have early morning chats with and she also made my stay enjoyable. Christine and Grace on the Concierge Team were also very helpful and friendly, as I wanted advice on walking around the city instead of using public transport. In the Commodore Lounge, I was greeted by Byrah, who again, chatted to me and looked after me throughout my stay. I also got to know Fatima from the housekeeping team who ensured all of my room needs were catered for. Access to the Commodore Lounge is dependent on Hyatt status or can be accessed for a fee. I have used many hotel lounges around the world and this was a little disappointing as it didn't reflect a premium experience. There was no glassware for juice, no bowls, plates or dishes for food and no metal cutlery for eating. There were pot mugs and metal spoons near the coffee machines, but everything else was plastic or you ate porridge and cereal from a disposable plastic container. There also needs to be a wider choice of healthier foods and snacks. As is the case for the rest of the US, the Destination Fee, is something I completely disagree with. The fee is sometimes included with your room rate, but with my booking it was not incuded. The options vary from state to state and hotel to hotel, but can cost an additional $40 per night per room and sometimes per person!! You are charged for premium wifi and then allowed a credit of $15 per day for items from the Market which is at the side of check in. Please note that the hotel has greatly inflated the prices of items so that you spend more than the $15 and are charged extra fees. I managed to keep any purchase under $15 as a matter of principle. I didn't use the Restaurant in the hotel, but I remembered the Manager Mickey when she looked after me at the Waldorf Astoria 8 years ago, so we kept in touch during my stay. There is also a fitness centre on the 35th floor which I never used as I walked between 12-15 miles each day. My suite was located on the 34th floor and was the biggest suite the hotel offered. It was very spacious, clean and comfortable and some of the furnishings could be more luxurious. However there were no bathrobes or slippers in the room, but were available on request. An umbrella also isn't provided, but you can rent one from the lobby, that's a first for me. The kitchen was well equipped but did not provide any glassware, metal cutlery, plates, dishes or cups, which you'd expect in a top suite. The location of the hotel is great, as you can walk everywhere or just go next door to Grand Central Station to use the subway. When you exit the hotel through the main doors, be aware of people sleeping in doorways and smoking cannabis as it was decriminalised two years ago. Also be aware of the rickshaw riders who can target vulnerable individuals. If you need to go anywhere close by, either walk or use the subway. There was always a police pre scene outside the hotel and Grand Central, so it is safe, just be prepared for the shock of homelessness, which spreads out into parks, streets and doorways across the city, which is a real shame. If you have booked a ticket to the Summit, it is next door to the hotel, so is really convenient, the Chrysler Building, 5th Avenue and the UN are also close by. I would thoroughly recommend this hotel purely for its location and friendly staff and the access for public transport across the city and to and from JFK airport. Read less