Category Archives for Trip Reports.
After years of rotating through Washington hotels, I finally tried the Dupont Circle Hotel and came away more impressed than I expected. It is not one of the city’s true luxury flagships, but the combination of a large suite upgrade, polished service, strong food and beverage, and a prime Dupont location made it feel like a genuine standout.
Park Hyatt St. Kitts has one of the best physical settings in Hyatt’s portfolio: huge, low-rise grounds, gorgeous views toward Nevis, excellent pools, strong suites, and a calm that never seems to disappear even when the hotel is nearly full.
Service still does not live up to the Park Hyatt name — but after three stays in two years, I think it is improving and offers enough elsewhere, that I keep happily going back.
Hyatt’s new Wink Hotels partnership quietly doubled its footprint in Vietnam—and the most interesting part isn’t the branding, it’s the 24-hour stay model. At Wink Da Nang City Centre you check out 24 hours after you arrive (Globalists effectively get four extra hours on top of that). $60 bought strong public spaces, a real cowork setup, and a breakfast that overdelivers.
Hyatt Regency Aruba can be an outrageous points value over peak dates—especially with a confirmed suite upgrade and Globalist breakfast at a resort where cash rates can hit four figures. The catch is that it runs like a resort factory: if you want decent beach or pool chairs you need to reserve in advance and be there by 9 a.m., and the stay can come with real operational friction even when the location and room deliver.
I’ve redeemed points for resorts and received upgrades to rooms with $2,000+ sticker prices, but this was my first time on a cash rate at a $1,000 all-in The Peninsula New York. The renovation has the place feeling current, the base room is unusually large for the city, and the bathrooms still feel legitimately top tier. Chase The Edit helped too, with breakfast (including room service) plus a $100 property credit.
I wasn’t sure I’d feel at home at a ‘female empowerment hotel’ – but Hotel Zena (1) gave me a suite as a status upgrade, and (2) has a portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg that’s just awesome.
Spirit’s first class was cheaper than extra-legroom coach on American, Delta, or United — and it was the only way for my whole family to sit together. The booking was a headache, but the flights themselves were surprisingly good, and the math made the decision easy.
It’s sad the depths to which American’s Flagship First Class product has fallen. They are eliminating the product, but the truth is going the other direction wouldn’t have been hard.
The Park Hyatt London River Thames has only been open for 10 months. It still has that new hotel feel. It’s located in the Nine Elms district on the south side of the Thames, and many find it to be an odd location other than proximity to the U.S. Embassy.
I’d say that the hotel’s decor and interiors feels somewhat dated and my room felt very much like a Hyatt Regency that could have been anyway. The bed was good and blackout shades excellent.
But given the beachfront location and that the room was large, plus good food and overall pleasant ambiance I’m not sure I’d rate any Hyatt Regency other than the property in Danang more highly?
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
