I hate giving bad reviews.
I previously stayed at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo in 2014 and 2015 (see 2015 Review). Although I wasn’t upgraded to a suite, I had no complaints. I was happy with my prior stays: the hotel itself was nice enough, the price (or point redemption) was decent enough (especially compared to the prices of other hotels in Tokyo), I liked the location of the hotel (Shinjuku), and the Regency Club lounge (which I had access to as a Hyatt Globalist) offered good food and drinks and overall, was very pleasant and enjoyable.
I visited the hotel again three months ago. Yes, I chose it because the point redemption for an award stay was very good. It was a category 3 hotel (now a category 4), and I thought it would be alright. I was wrong. Sadly, in my opinion, the only current redeeming quality of this hotel is the price. I can no longer recommend the hotel.
The hotel itself previously felt full of life. Now even the lobby, which once was bustling and elegant, felt hollow, tired and empty. Nor were the employees particularly welcoming or helpful.
The first room I was assigned was dark and smelled awful. I wouldn’t even put down my luggage.
I was switched to another room, which was similar, except it didn’t smell bad. The room hadn’t been renovated since I was there eight or nine years ago. It was worn and dreary. I had just been at the Hyatt Regency in Yokohama which was sparkling with joy. What was I doing here?
The view:
The bathroom, though small, was much nicer and more modern than the bedroom. I think it probably had been renovated.
The Regency Club did not appear to have been modernized since 2015 (note: I understand that it is currently under renovation). The selection of food and beverages was sparse and unimaginative. The employees were not particularly friendly and were slow to serve or replenish empty trays. It all felt so sad.
Breakfast in the Regency Club:
Thankfully, there was salad!
Evening drinks and appetizers in the Regency Club:
At most hotels, I feel happiness in the stay, including coming and going and interacting with employees. I felt none of that here. Plain and simple, the hotel is old and tired.
Those of you who know me, know that most of my hotels reviews are favorable, if not glowing. I’m sorry that I couldn’t give such a report here. This reminds me of the many reviews I read over the years of the Grand Hyatt New York. The opinions and reviews of the hotel declined and declined until the point where Hyatt announced that the hotel would be demolished and rebuilt. Maybe the Hyatt Regency Tokyo needs more than just a facelift?
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
You had a refurbished room on a club level. They are fine and nothing to complain about. The staff in the lounge and the rest of the hotel always seem very nice to me.
The lounge food and drink is probably the worst of all the Hyatt clubs in Japan.
If you are paying on points or a reasonable cash rate, this hotel is a good value.
I agree with a Hyatt Regency Yokohama being fantastic, and I just stayed another eight nights there a couple of weeks ago.
Hi Karim, thanks for your comment. I’d been to the hotel a few times before and was pleased with the stays. However, on this stay, the hotel seemed to me to have declined on every level. I could have just caught them on a bad week, but my experience is my experience.
I stayed there in Sept 2023 also and we experienced the same. The lounge is horrible now, no service and smiles.
This hotel had a huge impact by COVID-19 and recently had an ownership change that may tell why staff are plain and simple. They even don’t know whether their workplace remains on the Hyatt brand or not.
I’ll gladly stay there on the “cheap” points rate since I can only afford the $100 or less business style Tokyo hotels.
Was there in Late May – Early June. Can’t say it was a bad hotel as the location was convenient and the price in points a good deal. My only drawbacks for the hotel involve the Lounge still being under renovation while we were there and the lack of a variety of restaurants and arcade shops. The free observation deck in the building across the street offers excellent views of the city and a gift shop. I would stay there again, although I do prefer the Hyatt in Yokohama.
Sadly this hotel is dying taken over by a group of PE guys with high debt. I say sad good bye to my hotel for 20 years. All old employees are mostly fired and current employees do not see any future .