Pittsburgh Airport: Avis, Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Int'l Airport, The Club

October 2021, weekdays, one night

I returned my Avis rental car, and then walked to the Hyatt, which is attached to the Pittsburgh airport terminal via a walkway. I was not familiar with the route between the rental lot and the hotel, and this is not well marked. The Avis employee had told me to take the elevator by the Avis counter and then there is a walkway to the hotel. I saw a sign that said Hyatt before I got on the elevator; however, there was no signage inside the elevator telling me if it was on level 2 or 3. I got off at both levels, and could not figure out where to go. There are no signs on either of those levels, other than the parking garage signs. I took the elevator back down to level 1 where I saw a second Hyatt sign stating that the hotel is on level 3. Back up on level 3, I walked into the parking lot and looked around. I decided to try the unmarked entrance a little ways away (about 400') in the right corner of the parking lot. Inside this entrance, I found the walkway, and a hotel sign. The unclear signage apparently goes both ways; on my way to the unmarked entrance, I overheard two people looking around and wondering what level the rental car lot is on. I stopped to tell them it is on level 1.

Sunset view from guestroom 1129 at Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Airport
Rooftop is view from guestroom 209 at Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Airport 

Arrival and check-in at Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Int'l Airport

I had tried to check in via email when the notification arrived the morning of my arrival; however, I received an error message, so I checked in at the front desk when I arrived. I was initially assigned guestroom 209, which is across from the pool and next to the ice machine on the second floor. Although I was not crazy about this location, I did not initially say anything. I took pictures for my blog, and then sat down at the desk to start working. I did not unpack, or even place my suitcase up on the suitcase bench. It was not long before the ice machine started making a LOT of noise. I walked out into the hall to see if the noise was actually coming from the machine, and it was. I then called the front desk to ask if there was a room available in a quieter location that I could move to. The agent said he had another room, if I did not mind having two queen beds. I said that would be fine, and then I asked him if that room type also has a work desk area, as I had a lot of work to do. He said no, and then he asked if he could call me right back. When he called back, I was reassigned guestroom 1129. 

Cookies and bottled water were available for guests at the front desk when I checked in. The agent did not offer this. I saw the display, so after he completed check-in and directed me to the elevators, I asked if the refreshments were for guests, and he said yes.

Guestroom diagrams on back of door at Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Int'l Airport

Guestrooms 209 and 1129 in Hyatt Regency

Both of these guestrooms were almost exactly the same other than the floor they were on. I have included pictures from both guestrooms along with some info.

Closet and safe in guestroom 1129 in Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Int'l Airport

As I previously stated, guestroom 209 is next to the ice machine. I found out after switching rooms that there is not an ice machine on all of the floors, so the activity outside this guestroom is probably heavy. The pool and fitness center are also located on this floor. The view is not great from either guestroom, which did not really matter to me, as I had work to do and then just wanted to get a good night's sleep.

Bathrooms in Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Int'l Airport
Room 209 above, 1129 below

The bathroom is located just inside the entrance across from a large closet, which contained a safe and other items. There were a couple of minor differences in the bathroom. I assume the silver circle in the bathroom photo for room 209 is a TV speaker, although I never turned the TV on. The vanity counter in room 1129 had been made higher. A second piece of countertop had been added, and the backsplash was taller. This also made the mirror height much higher. I felt like I was standing at a bathroom counter for giants! I am only 5'2" tall, so I probably felt this more than most people.

Empty shower amenities in Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Int'l Airport, guestroom 1129

Shampoo and shower gel pump dispensers were in the shower; however, the canisters in guestroom 1129 were empty.

Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Int'l Airport
Room 209 above, 1129 below

San Antonio, Texas / Hyatt Regency Riverwalk

February 2012, Sunday, 1-night, Executive king guestroom #1063

Diamond amenity

Status perks

We received an upgrade to an executive room, a choice of bonus points or an onsite amenity (we chose red wine and cheese), and breakfast. I had booked the local SAV rate, which included buffet breakfast for two, and the front desk agent said that as a Diamond member, we could order from the menu, if we preferred. She told me to just charge the meal to our room, and it would be taken care of.

Guestroom

Guestroom 1063 is one floor down from the top floor. It has an interior balcony overlooking the atrium. The room and balcony size were not what I would consider spacious for an executive room, although they met our needs. Inside the guestroom, there was a king bed, two night stands, a soft chair, desk and chair, armoire, and flat screen TV. There were two seats and a small patio style end table on the balcony.

It was cold in the guestroom, and the thermostat was not functional when we arrived. After a visit from engineering, I learned that the HVAC unit had been turned off by engineering from the inside panel in the closet at the request of the previous guest. Since there was not a way to turn the unit off at the control panel on the wall, I could understand that request. I often prefer to sleep with the HVAC unit off. The unfortunate thing about this, is that it took forever for the room to warm up! I eventually had the temperature set at 78 (I started at 70 and 72, which is what I wanted). I thought I was going to need to call engineering again because I thought something was wrong with the unit, but then I noticed that the temperature was gradually increasing (the thermostat was digital, so I could see partial degree increments). It took over eight hours for the room to reach 72 degrees.

There was a single sink and vanity in the bathroom, which did not provide much counter space. Fortunately, there was an added towel stand with open space on top. There was a basic tub/shower combination with a shower curtain. There was plenty of room in the bathroom.

I requested a bathrobe because there was not one in the guestroom. Housekeeping delivered one right away; however, it was a thin summer like robe, rather than a plush terry robe. This was a disappointment since it was cold in the room. Turndown service was available, if requested. 

The bed and bedding were both high quality and supremely comfortable. The clock on the nightstand was set to the incorrect time, and we could not figure out how to change it. Every now and then, I come across a hotel clock that does not seem to have clock settings--only alarm settings.

view from our balcony

Food & Beverage

The coffee in the guestroom was not very good quality, and there was no liquid creamer, so I planned to get a good cup of coffee at breakfast. French-press coffee is served at the Hyatt in Chicago, so I was hoping to get the same at this Hyatt. The coffee in the restaurant was the same or worse than what was available in the guestroom. I set my cup aside after a few sips, and told the server I did not want it when she asked if I wanted a refill. I was surprised to see a charge of $2.50 for the coffee on our bill after breakfast. If I had been paying that bill, I would have had her take it off. The multi-grain pancakes were very good, although the restaurant does not offer turkey bacon or chicken sausage. Hash browns were served with the Eggs Benedict, and my husband said this menu item was good. I thought breakfast was pretty expensive for what we received. Our bill was over $35, and the only additional items that I have not already mentioned were a second cup of coffee and a glass of vegetable juice.

The temperature in the restaurant was extremely cold. This was our last morning in San Antonio, and by this time, I had decided that people in this area must like it cold. Another guest was so cold, that he had his jacket hood pulled up over his head, and then he requested a different table with hopes that it would be warmer. I noticed that the thermostat was on the wall behind my husband, so out of curiosity, I asked him to see what it was set at. 62 degrees! And, this was in February when the temperature was only in the 40s - low 60s outside. Brrrr!

Pool area

There is a rooftop pool and bar at this hotel. One reason we decided to switch to this hotel was because of the pool information on the website: Our rooftop pool area is always welcoming with a pleasant, tranquil atmosphere.  Relax with a cocktail at our stylish pool bar or on the inviting, sun-splashed deck, and enjoy spectacular 360° views of the cityscape and historic Alamo. 

After a satisfying workout in the gym, finish up with a relaxing soak in our outdoor, heated pool.  Or just soothe your tired muscles in our calming whirlpool hot tub.

Poolside Dining Hyatt Regency San Antonio also offers poolside dining.  Click here to view our poolside dining menu.

After all the walking we had done the previous few days, and with the cool weather, we thought it would be nice to relax in a nice heated whirlpool with a cocktail our last evening. The website also said that pool renovations were expected to be completed by February 1st. Since it was after that date, and this information was still on the website, I called to ask if the pool area was open, and I was told yes. I did not think to ask if the other information on the website was correct. The pool area had been renovated, and the stairs to the roof smelled of new carpet; however, there is NO whirlpool at this hotel. I had noticed a housekeeper in the area when we walked to the roof, so I found her and asked about the hot tub. She said it was taken out during the renovation. Another disappointment for us.

Overall

This is a plush hotel in an excellent location on the Riverwalk. We experienced a couple minor disappointments; however, overall, this hotel was an excellent choice--especially for $119. It was clean and comfortable.