As a part of my evaluation journey, I ended up having two nights in New York, after arriving from Paris and earlier than departing for London. Now, any sane individual would go into the town… however that’s not what I did. As a substitute I made a decision to remain at the Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World New York.
This 400-room resort solely opened in 2021, and has intrigued me endlessly. It’s in Queens, and it’s a on line casino resort that doubles as an airport resort, minus a shuttle. Curiosity received the most effective of me, and so I made a decision this was the proper alternative to test it out, particularly since I used to be primarily simply seeking to sleep, work, and train.
Nicely, I’ve to say that for probably the most half this place actually impressed me. It has wonderful Globalist recognition, stunning suites with Le Labo facilities, an incredible membership lounge (nicely, by US requirements), and pleasant service.
Now, admittedly this resort additionally has its quirks. It doesn’t have a restaurant on-site, and except you need to gamble, there’s not a complete lot close by.
Nonetheless this will probably be my new go-to choice when overnighting at JFK, because it’s infinitely nicer than all the opposite JFK airport accommodations (nicely, minus the TWA Lodge, although that’s priced a lot greater, and I’m additionally not a fan of supporting their nickel-and-diming practices, as a lot because it’s avgeek heaven).
Reserving the Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World
The Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World is a Class 4 World of Hyatt property. For my nights, the property was operating 12,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening, and that’s how I booked. For context, I worth World of Hyatt factors at 1.5 cents every, so to me 12,000 factors are value $180.
As some extent of comparability, the money price would have been $250 together with taxes & charges, so redeeming factors appeared like the higher worth. Word that this resort additionally has a $25 nightly vacation spot price (inclusions listed right here), which is waived for all World of Hyatt members on award stays, and for Globalist members on all stays.
Even when you’re not a Hyatt loyalist, incomes World of Hyatt factors will be fairly straightforward. Along with with the ability to earn World of Hyatt factors with the World of Hyatt Credit score Card (evaluation) and World of Hyatt Enterprise Credit score Card (evaluation), you possibly can additionally switch over factors from Chase Final Rewards.
Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World location
The Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World is situated in Queens, a couple of 10-15 minute drive from JFK Airport. In an Uber or Lyft, the drive prices round $20-25 one-way.
On the one hand, I can’t perceive why the resort doesn’t have an airport shuttle, since I really feel like that might make this resort way more enticing with these overnighting close to the airport (and the resort appeared completely abandoned to me, which makes me consider they don’t get many airport overnights).
Alternatively, I really discovered the ridesharing state of affairs to be preferable to a shuttle. Realistically talking, JFK airport accommodations with shuttles require you to first take the AirTrain to Federal Circle Station, after which you need to await a shuttle. Airport shuttles are notoriously unreliable, so you need to anticipate that you may simply be ready half an hour for a shuttle to reach (by no means thoughts how disagreeable climate will be in New York for a lot of the yr).
So I don’t personally thoughts the property’s lack of a shuttle, for the reason that time financial savings of ridesharing are important in comparison with the standard await an airport shuttle.
Now, there’s nearly nothing within the rapid space of the resort, aside from a large car parking zone and a horse racing monitor.
While you’re going through the constructing, the Hyatt Regency is to the left, after which the Resorts World on line casino is to the suitable.
Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World foyer & check-in
Whereas there’s theoretically a approach to straight entry the Hyatt Regency from exterior, that door was locked throughout my keep, so that you enter by way of the primary Resorts World entrance. As you’d anticipate, there’s a fairly grand entrance, with the on line casino straight forward, and the doorway to the resort to the left.
When you stroll down the corridor to the Hyatt Regency, you’ll neglect that you simply’re in a resort linked to a on line casino.
The Hyatt Regency has a contemporary however generic foyer. The are loads of sitting areas within the foyer, from comfy chairs, to cubicles with tables.
My check-in expertise was seamless. I used to be instantly helped, and was thanked for being a Globalist member, and knowledgeable that I had been upgraded to an govt suite. This resort is nice with proactive suite upgrades for elite members, and there’s fairly a giant pool of rooms to be upgraded to.
The entrance desk affiliate additionally familiarized me with the hours of the Regency Membership, in addition to the fundamentals of the health club, each of which I’ll speak extra about beneath.
The elevators resulting in visitor rooms have been proper throughout from reception. Within the evenings there have been safety guards verifying room keys. I’m unsure why, precisely… maybe that’s simply commonplace for accommodations linked to casinos.
Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World suite
I used to be assigned room 1015, an govt suite on the tenth flooring (additionally the resort’s prime flooring). My room was one of many first ones down the corridor from the elevator, so it was at all times straightforward to go up and down.
Govt suites on the Hyatt Regency JFK are marketed as being 750 sq. ft, and embody two full loos, and a separate front room and bed room. Inside the doorway to the room was a closet to the left, after which the primary toilet to the suitable.
This wasn’t only a half bathtub, however quite consisted of a sink, bathroom, and walk-in bathe.
Previous that was the lounge, which had a settee (with one finish having a daybed), a desk with a chair, and a wall-mounted TV.
Alongside the inside wall of the lounge was a small bar space with a mini-fridge (which had two complimentary bottles of water) and a Keurig espresso machine.
Then the bed room featured a really comfy king measurement mattress, two evening stands (oddly with out retailers put in), and a TV throughout from that. Whereas not a 4 Seasons, I discovered the room design to be considerate and fascinating, between the wallpaper, the artwork, and among the different small touches with the finishes.
The view, alternatively, left a bit to be desired, because it largely simply confronted a car parking zone. On a transparent day, although, you possibly can see the New York Metropolis skyline within the distance.
Then off the bed room was the primary toilet, which was big. It had double sinks, a soaking tub, a walk-in bathe, and a bathroom.
Toiletries have been from Le Labo, and have been in particular person containers. I’m guessing Le Labo facilities are simply out there in suites, besides, I can’t bear in mind the final time I stayed at an airport resort with such high-end toiletries!
A couple of hours after checking in, I used to be delivered a welcome amenity, together with glowing water, Weight loss program Pepsi, a cheese plate, nuts, and a few sweets. I wasn’t anticipating that!
Speak about consideration to element. Perhaps a decade in the past, a Hyatt entrance desk affiliate at a property I frequented famous in my World of Hyatt profile that I like Weight loss program Coke and glowing water, so it’s at all times spectacular if a resort goes into your profile to view that, after which customizes your amenity accordingly.
Wi-Fi within the room was quick and free, and day by day housekeeping was supplied. I additionally need to point out that the resort felt actually clear, from the rooms to the general public areas. You know the way generally you keep at a resort and you recognize your room was cleaned, but it surely nonetheless doesn’t really feel very clear? Nicely, that wasn’t the case right here.
What a deal with to remain right here as a Globalist, between the superb proactive upgrades, plus the good room design.
Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World membership lounge
As a Globalist member I had entry to the Regency Membership on the Hyatt Regency JFK. Visitors can even buy entry to this for $40 per individual per day, and when you’re staying right here it’s possible you’ll need to, as a result of the resort doesn’t have any eating places (which I discover to be odd, although you possibly can dine subsequent door on the on line casino).
The Regency Membership is situated on the foyer degree, simply down the corridor from reception and to the left.
The Regency Membership will be accessed 24/7, and has a wide range of seating choices, together with eating tables, couches, and extra.
The Regency Membership additionally has a pc and printer, in case you’ve got a necessity for that in your keep.
All through the day there have been sinfully scrumptious and large packaged cookies out there for visitors to seize. Truthfully, it ought to be unlawful to simply have these sitting round, as a result of they’ll actually take a look at your self restraint.
You may also assist your self to a collection of drinks from the espresso machine (I discovered the Farmer Brothers espresso to simply be “meh”) any hour of the day or evening.
There are additionally a wide range of non-alcohlic drinks, starting from juice, to Crimson Bull, to soda, to water. For a US membership lounge, I discovered the all-day drink choice to be above common.
Within the evenings, the Regency Membership had a contented hour from 5PM till 8PM, together with complimentary snacks and alcoholic drinks (that’s noteworthy, since most “fundamental” membership lounges within the US simply have an honor bar, the place you’ve got pay for drinks).
I used to be impressed by the choice, as there was a legitimately good salad bar, chilly cuts, and a collection of bread.
There have been three sizzling dishes which rotated nightly. One evening the choices included smoky gouda arancini, beef wellington, macaroni & cheese wedges. Okay, that’s not precisely the healthiest choice, however that’s what the salad bar is for. 😉
Then there have been a wide range of desserts, together with cookies, cupcakes, and little chocolate bites.
Lastly, there was a collection of complimentary cocktails, all of which got here in cans and bottles. This included beer, canned Cutwater cocktails (lima margarita and tiki rum mai tai), and canned Darkish Horse wine (pinot grigio and pinot noir).
I’ve gotta say, the canned wine was surprisingly drinkable. And because it’s served in a 12 ounce can, you’re mainly dedicated to having fun with 2.4 servings of wine at a time. 😉
Within the mornings breakfast was served within the Regency Membership from 6:30AM till 10AM. This included a wide range of chilly cuts, cheese, fruit, and veggies.
There was additionally a collection of bread and pastries, in addition to cereal.
There have been rotating sizzling dishes, which one morning included pancakes full of blueberries, cheese omelets, hash browns, and pork and rooster sausages.
Clearly this doesn’t maintain a candle to a Ritz-Carlton membership lounge or many prime worldwide membership lounges, however for a home Hyatt Regency lounge I used to be extraordinarily impressed.
I additionally appreciated how there was stress-free classical music taking part in within the background within the membership, as so many lounges appear to have TV on at a loud quantity, which to me is the worst sort of background noise.
Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World seize & go market
The Hyatt Regency JFK doesn’t have a restaurant, however quite simply has a seize & go market within the foyer, which is open day by day from 6AM till 2AM. Right here you should buy espresso, and a wide range of different drinks and each recent and packaged snacks.
Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World health club
The Hyatt Regency JFK has a health club on the second flooring, which will be accessed by visitors 24/7. The health club was a superb measurement, with a stable number of cardio and weight gear. There was nobody else within the health club each instances that I used it.
Resorts World New York options & facilities
As you possibly can see above, there’s nothing in regards to the Hyatt Regency JFK that may make you’re feeling such as you’re staying in a on line casino resort. It’s quite odd to me that the resort doesn’t have any eating places, however quite simply has the membership lounge and the seize & go market.
Resorts World does have some eating choices, which you’ll be able to examine right here. I didn’t take any footage, since on line casino safety employees will be bizarre about image taking. For what it’s value, Sugar Manufacturing unit is the primary restaurant, and that’s at present closed, for no matter motive. There was additionally a burger joint and noodle place, so there are some first rate locations to eat, however don’t anticipate to have a Las Vegas-style choice.
I like this resort, however don’t perceive the economics
I loved my keep on the Hyatt Regency JFK, and would return in a heartbeat if I wanted an in a single day close to the airport. Nevertheless, I can’t actually determine the economics of this property, and I couldn’t assist however discover that the resort appeared eerily quiet throughout my keep.
Is that this supposed to be a on line casino resort? In that case, is there adequate demand for a on line casino in Queens to fill a 400-room resort, even on the weekends? Is that this alleged to be an airport resort? In that case, why isn’t there a shuttle?
Like I mentioned, I really didn’t thoughts the shortage of a shuttle, given how inefficiently they usually function. Nevertheless, for a overwhelming majority of vacationers, that’s a deal-breaker when reserving an airport resort. I get that working an airport shuttle isn’t low-cost, however I think about it could improve the nightly demand for rooms by the handfuls. Until the resort really already has excessive occupancy (which my expertise doesn’t replicate), then it looks like they need to put money into a shuttle service.
Anyway, these are simply my unsolicited two cents, in case the resort isn’t doing in addition to the homeowners had hoped, they usually’re questioning why.
Backside line
The Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World is a surprisingly pleasant resort. It has pleasant employees, nice elite recognition, big and properly appointed suites, an above common membership lounge, Le Labo toiletries, and it’s solely a 10-15 minute drive from JFK. The resort is connected to a on line casino, however you wouldn’t understand it once you’re contained in the resort.
The draw back to this property is the shortage of eating retailers, except for a seize & go market and the membership lounge. If you wish to eat something substantial, you’ll must enterprise into the on line casino.
What’s your tackle the Hyatt Regency JFK?
