It’s tough for a hotel to live up to an experience like the Taj Lake Palace in every aspect. However, full service hotels in India are still extraordinarily good by global standards. All go as far as saying nothing beats Indian hospitality 🙂
Hyatt Regency New Delhi
Hyatt Category 3: 8,000 points per night
Bhikaiji Cama Place, Ring Road, Near Fire Station
New Delhi, Delhi 110066, India
After our brief stay at the Taj Lake Palace, we made our way back to Delhi for a couple of days to spend some time with family. The Hyatt Regency New Delhi doesn’t align well with my dad’s SPG Platinum status, but it certainly helps that it is only a couple of minutes away from my aunt’s house. I think it’s important to mention that you are eligible to use your Hyatt Card Anniversary Certificate at the Hyatt Regency New Delhi if you choose to do so.
At the time of this review (December 2016), I believe my dad had diamond status with Hyatt (while it existed) based on a trial offer so we were entitled to free breakfast, and club lounge access based on that. An amazing value this hotel offers is that if you upgrade to a suite, using a diamond upgrade certificate, transportation to and from the hotel to the airport are included in the room rate.
So when we arrived at the Delhi Airport, a hotel car (a BMW SUV) and a driver holding a sign were already waiting for us in the arrivals area. The ride to the hotel takes no more than 30 minutes during most hours of the day and is a convenient choice even when looking for a Hyatt near the airport.
Upon arrival, our bags were taken straight up to the room and we were escorted through a rather dated, but classy lobby decorated for the holidays. As a note: all club level rooms appear to have check in on the club level.
The Suite:
We were taken directly to our parents’ suite for check in where all the formalities were completed within a matter of minutes. The room was quite large by any standard and featured a massive entryway with the restroom to the left and an convenient end table on the side.
I tried to take pictures of the room quickly, but my sister had already collapsed on the couch. The living room featured a large desk and a large sectional couch.The bedroom featuring a king bed and recliner were right off the living room. Overall, the room was pretty standard design for an executive suite.
Sitting on one of the end tables was a welcome amenity featuring some dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, and a bottle of wine. I called up and asked for the wine to be taken back because it would go to waste, and was brought a massive basket of fruits in lieu of it.
On the desk was a water bottle and a sign listing the WhatsApp contact information for the hotel in case you needed something. It’s always interesting to see hotels innovate new ideas to service the guests.
The suite didn’t feature a powder room, but had a large restroom with both a shower and a soaking tub. The toiletries, however, were from Biotique which you can also find at a Holiday Inn. Definitely not what you expect to find at a full service Hyatt.
The Executive King Room:
The other room we had booked was right next door, and featured a king sized bed. It was pretty much your standard issue luxury hotel room. It also featured a marble bathroom, which smelled a bit weird from the supplies used to clean the marble I presume.
Hyatt Club Lounge:
The Hyatt Club Lounge is located on the 6th floor of the hotel, and is an elegant space featuring some lovely decor and views of Delhi (when it isn’t foggy or smoggy). The lounge has plenty of seating and a dining area, which serves breakfast, and snacks all day. Access to the lounge is available to Hyatt Explorist Members and anyone booking a club level room or using a club upgrades (benefit of Discoverist status)
Evening Spread:
I visited the evening spread one day and found there to be more than enough food to make a light dinner from what’s offered. I only tried the chocolate bundt cake on that particular visit. I apologize for not having a list of drinks available.
Breakfast:
Breakfast is served every morning at the Club lounge from 6am – 10am. Despite having access to the full restaurant buffet downstairs, we preferred to use the lounge because it was a lot less crowded and service was consistently excellent. There is a decent sized continental and hot buffet on offer featuring pastries, yogurt, toast, cereal, fruits, and breads. There is also an A La Carte menu which features omelettes, the Indian breakfast dish of the day, and pancakes with maple or caramel syrup. Since there was nobody there on most mornings, service was extremely attentive and prompt. Food was excellent despite not being as extensive as the restaurant downstairs.
Breakfast at the Hotel Restaurant:
Hyatt Explorist (formerly Diamond) members have the choice between breakfast at the lounge or at one of the hotel restaurants called Cafe. Breakfast is available from 6:30 am to 10:30 am every morning and features a ridiculously extensive buffet, which includes ice cream. The restaurant is usually very crowded during the holiday season, and service was hit or miss both times we were there. One morning, it was so full that we were recommended to go to the lounge instead of waiting in line. 
Overall, the spread was extensive, and encouraged binge eating but quality (esp Indian food) wasn’t quite at the level of the Taj Lake Palace or the Westin Hyderabad Mindspace (which I will review later). Don’t get me wrong, this hotel is still head and foot above a majority of world hotels, but in India the bar has been set a bit higher.
Checkout:
Checkout from the hotel was a swift matter with our ride to the airport waiting for us at the requested time with our bags already loaded (the bell desk was extremely prompt). Pretty much the end to yet another great stay.
Bottom Line:
The Hyatt Regency New Delhi is perhaps one of the best Hyatt hotels I’ve ever stayed in and is a great use for that anniversary Hyatt night. The location is excellent for access to the airport and some of the city’s shopping and attractions. The club lounge is among the best I’ve seen at any Hyatt Regency. And so if I were staying at the hotel, I would definitely go for a room with club access given what that comes with. FYI: these rooms are also available for an extra 4,000 points per night when using points (12,000 points per night). I was out of the hotel for the greater part of my stay so didn’t get a chance to try the gym. Overall, the only complaint I would have about the hotel is that breakfast at the restaurant was not a great experience because of the crowd factor, and volatile service levels. I have noticed on a more recent visit that service has started to improve, but I still very much prefer the solitude of the lounge where I am also not tempted to binge eat 🙂
What’s your favorite Hyatt Regency? Have you stayed at this one?
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