SUMMARY: Large hotel hosting conventions and business meetings. Great views and polite service. Slightly worn around the edges and in need of a few upgrades (flat screen TVs in room). Amazing work out facilities. The place to go on business but too big for special occasions requiring a "personal touch."

Just spent my 30th birthday in my hometown, Seattle, but decided to make it special with a stay in the Grand Hyatt. I checked in around 4 pm and was immediately greeted by a bellhop asking if he could check my bag. Not sure why he was asking the question, I replied, "no thanks, I'm checking in." Not a good start.

After checking in, I went up to my room. We had booked an Emerald Suite (832 square feet, floors 26 - 30) and requested a quiet suite on a high floor and on a corner. I walked into the room on the 28th floor, closed the door and was about to settle into a chair and enjoy the views when I heard the thud of an ice maker, foot traffic, and a lot of thoat clearing. Stepping outside I found the ice machine across from the room and a "hospitality suite" hosting a Veterans Association. I went downstairs and Lara was able to move me up a floor...wonderfully quiet!

The room itself (2922) is on a corner and offers spectacular views of Seattle: Queen Anne, EMP, Space Needle, core downtown, Pike Place, and the water! The furnishing were tasteful and the bed fairly comfortable (not as nice as a Westin "Heavenly Bed" but still wonderful). The bathroom was spectacular with a soaking tub, "waterfall" faucet, and seperate shower. The only distraction to the room was the visible wear and tear such as the dinged up and scratched furniture and the scuffs and dents in the walls. Additionally, the small old fashioned TVs seemed out of place though I have heard they will soon upgrade to flatscreens.

The gym is incredible with a set of LifeFitness weight equipment that rivals most full sized gyms. Additionally, they have many pieces of Life Fitness cardio equipment such as bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals....all with personal TVs.

While I found the hotel a little too impersonal for a special stay, I will not hestitate to recommend to my colleagues, clients, and vendors looking for hotel in Seattle.

My wife and I stayed at the Grand Hyatt on August 7-9, and enjoyed our time immensely. We stayed in room 2722, an Emerald Suite, and were given complimentary access to the Regency Club on the same floor.

Here's the good:
- Very peaceful and quiet - not the place to go for a party.
- Excellent location - just at the E. edge of the central shopping district, probably six blocks (a nice walk) from the Public Market. Plenty of great restaurants (try ICONS - outstanding comfort food).
- Excellent view (NW corner of the hotel) - directly down Pike Street past the shopping district to the Public Market, and Elliot Bay beyond. Also great view to the N. of the Space Needle.
- Large room - size was perfect and comfortable.
- Blackout shades - if you want to sleep in and not be awakened by the light, you'll have no problem here.
- Helpful, courteous staff - we found everyone to be helpful and attentive, especially in the Regency Club.
- Tastefully decorated - very warm, sumptuous appointments throughout. Great sheets and pillows. Great lighting. Great bathtub and shower. NW theme with understated asian influence.
- Regency Club - tasty breakfast (if you enjoy granola and fresh fruit, and pastries), yummy snacks, plenty of papers and interesting books, great place to relax. There's complimentary internet access here also.

Here's the "could have been better" (I'm reaching here, as we loved it and will definitely come back again!):

- Hot water was lukewarm the first evening - no problem throughout the rest of our stay.
- Drop off area is tight. Had to wait probably 10 minutes for a cab when we departed.

If looking for a quiet, centrally located hotel for a getaway with your spouse, this is a great choice!

We stayed at the Grand Hyatt for 3 nights in July 2007. We are a married couple travelling with our 7 month old son. We had a room on the 25th floor with a fantastic view over the water.

The rooms are what you expect from a Hyatt - high end fixtures and decor. The bathrooms are massive with a separate frameless shower and extra deep soaker tup with a waterfall fawcet. The linens and bed a very comfortable and the floor to ceiling window had an electronic blackout shade which could be controlled from the bed. Seriously - it was top notch.

Our only complaint, which isn't really even very fair is that we had recently stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs and it is very hard to beat Fairmont in terms of service and Hyatt just isn't quite there. There are just little things - like the person you call to request your car be brought up - she was very gruff. But really, this is hardly that important. Also, there are no automatic doors - this is a pain for people with a stroller, but would also be a headache for people requiring wheeled assistance.

Highly recommended. The location is fantastic - right across the street from the Pacific Place mall and it is on the major shopping street in town. We'd stay again.

It's now the only place I'll stay in Seattle. After 3 stays / 15 nights, I haven't had one problem. The staff has been frendly and efficient. The rooms, with the blackout curtains, huge bath, and comfortable beds, have been excellent. Because the bath is so spacious, the actual room with the bed could be a little tight for two, but great for solo travellers.