As a long-time Globalist and 39 year member of Hyatt’s FF program, this was my best personal stay at any Hyatt -ever. Saying that still surprises me but it is accurate.
Because what originally was a planned one night stay that turned to two because of a miserable experience with an Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines cancellation (after hours waiting and stranding me after midnight in Korea), the GH ICN stepped up in a huge way and saved my brief visit.
First impressions:
When I stepped into the beautiful lobby of the Grand Hyatt Incheon after taking the airport shuttle that is a huge tour bus, immediately the quality of friendliness, welcoming attitude and superior customer service. From the check-in later than I expected to the flexibility of upgrading me to a suite so I could spread out and work for the one planned night. The hotel was beautiful. The artwork excellent. The rooms were spacious. But the service - off the charts!
Best service:
All-star employees include Nico and Bin Yun (the best customer service I have ever experienced in my 39 years staying at Hyatts), Jimmy Kim, Susan and Reus at breakfast, Olive, Pearl at lunch, Julie F&B (wow!) and Yoohan at Front Desk. And believe me, everyone else who welcomed and took care of me. One of my shortest stays ever traveling that far but my best one!
Problem solved:
This stay morphed into coming back for a second night after the HA rescheduling. Miraculously, the night crew found me a room in a sold out situation after my ICN>SEA flight was cancelled. It was a spectacular demonstration of treating a Globalist with first-class care. Bravo!
Why to stay here:
The location is the bomb! A short walk to the amazing Paradise City complex with its massive display of public art (research this!), there is a higher end food court, a casino, entertainment complex, an indoor amusement park, great restaurants and high end shops - and a hidden convenience store. Despite the fact that the now separated Hyatt Regency next door in Paradise City has just been remodeled, the GH service is stellar and worth the stay. The GH has he best staff, and yes, while the rooms need updating they are incredibly roomy (both has bathtubs, suite was a giant separate one) and beds are very comfortable (stayed in a Suite 1 night and King the next for the unplanned night). AS/HA failed again the next day, not telling anyone that the 2 pm flight had been moved to 7:30 pm. I would have taken a 4pm checkout but left for ICN at 11 am because HA software was down and could not print a boarding pass. Nico came to the rescue and picked me up in the hotel van so I didn’t have to wait 30 min for the next shuttle I had just missed. Customer service manager Bin Yun set up an area for me to work out of in the Club until I had to leave for my rescheduled flight. What was a nightmare airline experience because a treasured Hyatt stay. Because of the chaos with Hawaiian Airlines, Nico ended up taking me back and forth several times: he is the epitome of Hyatt service with a smile and welcoming attitude. Among the very best I have ever encountered.
One moment defines my experience:
So this may be the best example of any Hyatt going the extra mile. Stay with me.
My favorite Hyatt in Seattle is the newer Hyatt Regency - and we've stayed at all the Hyatts in downtown Seattle and the surrounding area. After COVID, the breakfast moved back into their downstairs restaurant but at breakfast, there were no English Muffins, which I love as a breakfast staple when traveling. Nearly every Hyatt I had ever been to have them. They did not. I mentioned this to the manager - and I wrote about it in my Trip Advisor review. It was the only critical item as everything else I love about the HR Seattle.
At breakfast the first morning at the Grand Hyatt Incheon, the hostess asked me for my room number. She immediately knew who I was and said, "I understand you like English Muffins?" I almost passed out: How did SHE know this? It was my first stay at the Grand Hyatt Incheon and I was 5,000 miles away from home.
I said "I do" and then it hit me that I had written about this a few years ago in a review. I was blown away. The next part, is now an unforgettable memory and the best example ever of "going the extra mile" - service that is unbelievably above and beyond. The Chef has made me English Muffins from scratch! The waiter came over with several stacked on a plate! One was more than enough and they were EXCELLENT! I took a photo to capture that moment but it is now an indelible picture locked into my memory.
Thank you one at all at the Grand Hyatt Incheon: simply the best service, best experience, and again that's a VERY high bar as I am a Globalist for many years (100+ hotel credited nights per year) and have spent nearly 4 decades staying with Hyatt!
