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| - I was sent to Phoenix on business and since I work for the government, I probably could have stayed anywhere. I chose the Hyatt Place. I think had circumstances had been different on my travel I would not have stayed there, but I found it to be alright. Not great, but alright.
The reasons I stayed there was for the free continental breakfast and the fact it had a pool. I had brought my family (2 kids aged 4 and 7). I was hoping it was a little more ritzier, but it suited our purposes.
Since I was teaching a class at the airport, it was so close. I am talking a rocks throw. That was really cool! Also, it was about 3 miles from the zoo. That was so cool, too. There is also a drive thru Starbucks (if that is your thing) on the corner of Priest and Washington, which made it very convienent to stop there before those trips around town..
But all that I mentioned is mostly location... what the hotel is near and what the area offers. Now on to our stay.
Check in was very easy. There was nobody in the lobby when we arrived, but even if there was, they have 2 automated check in kiosks. After checking us in, the gal showed us around the kitchen and lobby area and explained how the breakfasts work.
We got to our room and found it to be nice. We had 2 double beds and I really liked the little living room they had. They have an "L" shaped couch with an ottoman. And the couch pulls out if you need it. We found the bathroom placement a little weird. It was not near the door, as most hotel bathrooms are located, it was on the far opposite side of the room. The little living area had a counter top and small fridge, plus a cabinet door which held a safe and a place for storing ay items you may have. We brought a case of bottled water and it was perfect for that. They also have a pretty large, glass-top desk for you to use. The TV was huge and it swiviled to the living area or to the bed area. It had all of the places you could plug in video games or portable DVD's, etc. Whic made it nice. The TV channel selection want too bad. It didnt have enough kids channels, but if you are not into kids channels, it is pretty nice. The living room was separated by a half partition. I really liked the living area. It was perfect for my son to play with his dinosaurs. Lots of cubbies below the TV and in the living area.
The beds were comfortable and the bedding was nice and fresh. I loved the decor of the room. What I didnt like about the room was the bathroom. It was so small!! The vanity was located outside the room, about 6 feet in front of the beds. The toilet and bath was about 5'x7'. You had to make sure the bathroom door was completely open, otherwise you had to straddle the toilet to get in and then make sure you were all the way in and against the bathtub inorder to close the door. It was very poorly layed out. In my case, having the vanity outside the bathroom really sucked. I had to wake up at 6am every morning to get ready to teach my class, while the rest of my family slept. I had to be as quiet as possible and get ready in the dark, so I wouldnt wake my family. It is practically impossible to get ready in the dinky bathroom, plus there is no mirror. Just try blow drying your hair and not wake anyone!! It was nice to have a small closet, with mirrored doors. I was able to keep the room clean by putting the suitcases in there and shut the door. The vanity had tons of room, which if they could replan this hotel, they should have just put it all in one closed bathroom, and still have room for a sink or vanity outside the door.
I realize this was my choice to bring my family and it was my problem... and more than half of you reading this may not have this problem, but if you are traveling with family and you are the only one who needs to get up... DONT STAY HERE. But if you are travelling alone, by all means, it would suit your purpose.
Another complaint was I had to call the front desk twice and ask them why they hadnt cleaned my room yet. I stayed 4 nights and 3 of the 4 nights they cleaned my room after 3pm. One day, I called and asked then to please have my room cleaned and that I would go to the pool with the family if they would come right away. This was 2pm. By 330 when we came back up, no cleaning yet. We all got dressed and went out to dinner, but I had to stop at the front desk and complain once again. I like to have a fresh clean room when I walk in after being gone all day... dont you?
The continental breakfast is good... Toast, Bagels, English Muffins, Juice, Milk, 5 or 6 different cereals, Cantelope and Honeydew melon and grapefruit slices, and yogurt. No waffles or heated up food. You can order it, but you have to pay... and it is not cheap. I didnt try it out, so I cant let you know if it was good or not, but I saw other guests order from their menu.
So... it aint the Ritz... but it will suit your purpose.
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