The Hyatt Regency, Lexington, Kentucky.......A Joyless Slab of Concrete in Downtown Lexington
Written: Jul 09 '03 (Updated Jul 09 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Rooms are clean and neat, some staff members are friendly
Cons: Public areas are worn and tired, some staff members are distant
The Bottom Line: There are better places to hang your hat in the capital of the Bluegrass. The Hyatt needs a renovation very soon.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: Hyatt Regency Lexington |
Rumors abound here that the Hyatt Regency Lexington may soon be sold to new owners. If so, it wouldn't be a moment too soon. Opened in 1975, the hotel is ready for a new look. It's not too hard to envision disco pants in some of the tired interiors here. What passed for dynamic modernism in the 1970's only looks tired now. If the persistent rumors are true, visitors may soon be able to look forward to a new look in the not too distant future.
The Building
A sixteen storied slab of gray concrete, the hotel looms over Triangle Park like a block of flats in Zagreb. Only the bulge of the atrium on the front of the hotel might indicate some other, happier purpose for the building. The adjacent Rupp Arena and its attendant shopping mall are being re-fitted with new facades to bring a bit of cheer to the complex. One hopes the Hyatt will soon follow in their wake.
The Lobby
The steamy atrium doesn't look dramatic anymore. It just looks like it needs a nap. Past attempts at renovation have smartened it up here and there, but the look is as dated as a bell-bottomed orange dacron disco suit. At least there are no lighted elevators, a la John Portman here.
The reception area has been cleaned up a little, with sleek paneling and a couple of plaster casts above the desk to add interest. The staff are almost friendly, but in a tentative way, as though expecting the management to emerge from the back office and bite them at any moment. I was given a room on the twelfth floor, sadly not offering a view of the park.
The Room
Instead of a park view, I got a splendid parking lot view. They should almost charge extra for the fine vista of super-sized SUV's and the construction underway at the adjacent Rupp Arena. To be fair, the room itself had been freshened at some point in the last seven years. There were only a few, almost negligible, water stains on the walls, and the carpet only faintly smelled of mold. Otherwise, the furniture looked new, and had a plain, blonde, nearly Scandinavian look. The room was decently large and had a comfortable chair and a large desk.
The desk did have its problems. Why bother to have a lamp at all if it is going to cast a wan, dimly fluorescent halo over the work area. Reading at this desk was enough to give you a headache. The bed was creaky and had those horrible foam pillows which all but guarantee a back ache in the morning. You know the ones I am talking about...as soon as your head hits them, it springs back with enough force for whiplash. Hotels ought to be fined for deploying these in their rooms.
Bath
A study in beige tiles, the bath was just large enough to turn around in. They had made a stab at adding amenities, on the order of verbena soap, and the towels were not bad. The hot water worked well too, though I fail to understand why hotels provide soap dishes which are only large enough for half a bar of soap. Place the soap on it and down it goes....
Dining
I avoided the dining room, the Glass Garden, in the evening, preferring instead to visit a local restaurant nearby. In the morning, I ventured down to the atrium to give it a try. For $10.00, the breakfast buffet wasn't bad at all. The waiter was likely the friendliest staff member there, offering to provide anything from the menu (at no additional cost) I might care to have.
Bar
Occupying another part of the atrium, the bar was dominated by two televisions. As there weren't many people about, the televisions held sway. Maybe it's because I have not owned a television since 1993, but I could not help but be surprised to look over at one of the TVs to find a smiling grandmother waving candy colored sex toys about. I don't know about you, but I was taken aback. The grandmother was taking questions from Canada and had attracted a small crowd right here in the bar. Somehow, I don't miss television.
Pool and Recreation
The pool is on the second floor and overlooks a busy intersection. If you really enjoy breathing automobile exhaust, there's even a sun deck too. Not more than 4 1'2 feet deep, the pool isn't any good for laps either because of its square shape. You can get wet in it, but that's about all.
A small fitness room adjoins the pool, but half the machines were broken.
Service
Except for the server in the dining room, most employees I encountered exuded something less than happiness with their jobs. It's just easy to spot a disenchanted group of people. Maybe the hotel will get a new management team soon and things will improve.
Airport Transportation
One great amenity they offer is complimentary airport transportation. I simply picked up the phone and they had a driver out there in 15 minutes. Not a bad deal at all.
Cost
One cannot really complain too much when the prices are just so outrageously reasonable. I paid only $95.00 for a single on the Gold Passport Floor. Their standard rates are a bit higher, but I found even lower rates on Expedia--$84.00 single or double. Bear in mind that there is no club floor or any type of private lounge here.
Overall
While the hotel is acceptable in most respects, it does not compare favorably with the Radisson Plaza across the street. I checked out of the Hyatt and stayed at the Radisson for the remainder of my stay. The location is excellent, but service and physical appearances need lots of work here.
Hyatt Regency Lexington
401 West Hight Street
Lexington, KY 40507
Tel. (859) 253-1234
FAX (859) 253-7974
Toll free (800) 228-9000
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 684
Trusted by: 441 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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