Hotel Review: Another Visit to the Hyatt Place Garden City, New York

More than any other hotels, my stays at the Hyatt Place Garden City weren’t about the hotel. They were about emotions and memories and proximity to the home I grew up in. Initially, I chose to stay at the hotel when my parents’ home was crowded with family visiting over holiday seasons. Later, I stayed there when my mother was at a nearby hospital. The hotel was also the place where my siblings from near and far stayed for my mother’s funeral five years ago (see POST), and then again, last year for my father’s funeral.

Although none of us live on Long Island any more, the hotel has come to symbolize times when, through good and bad, my siblings and our families would see one another.  So, when we decided on a date for our parents’ unveiling, it only stood to reason that we would again stay at the Hyatt Place Garden City. (an unveiling is a Jewish ceremony dedicating the memorial headstone at the grave of a loved one).

At the hotel, I was greeted by the front desk staff, but I missed the extra special warmth of the former General Manager, Celeste, who had been there for many years. She was and is a gem, and I wish her the best in her current endeavors.

Everything looked basically the same as the last time I was there, except I really think that the hotel hallways and carpets are showing their age and need some refurbishment. I note also that one of the two elevators was out of service.

Our room looked exactly as it should. It was clean and everything worked as expected. The bed was comfortable. (note: the rooms with two queen beds are more spacious than the rooms with one king bed).

Breakfast was standard Hyatt Place fare, both hot and cold items, which was freshly prepared. I had coffee and a small portion of fruit and yogurt.

I didn’t have time for a leisurely walk or run before breakfast so I headed to the gym, which is very nice and well-equipped with cardio machines and some free weights. To my delight, the hotel now had a Peloton bike!

The hotel also has a nice indoor pool.

In addition to the above, I like the hotel’s proximity to a lot of stores and restaurants. The hotel is currently a category 3 Hyatt hotel (12,000 points per night).