Hello Hyatt & Thanks for the status match!

A few weeks back I traveled to Belgrade , Serbia and when looking for a hotel I noticed there was not many 4 or 5 star international chains in the city. There is a Holiday Inn, but the reviews were not too favorable and the location was not the best. I did find some small hotels with good reviews in good locations, but the Hyatt Regency Belgrade was getting the best reviews but also the highest rates. So I joined Hyatt Gold Passport and emailed them for a status match from my Hilton Diamond status. My plan was if I get matched I would go for the Hyatt.

        I got matched in a few days too Hyatt Diamond (their top tier). I then booked a package called “shopping weekend” the rate included full breakfast and a 20% off pass for the mall across the street from the hotel. As a new Hyatt Diamond my account was credited with 4 suite upgrades for the year. So I called and requested the upgrade to a suite, but I required a room with 2 beds, as I was traveling with a friend. I was told that the free upgrade would be to a Jr. Suite but all the suites were Kings only. The very helpful Hyatt agent told me he would call Serbia and chat with the Hotel. I was placed on hold, then about 2 min later a different agent picked up to “give me an update”told me the other agent was on the phone still, the she started some small talk. After about 7 min total she told me that the hotel would make a special arrangement for a suite with 2 beds. Not more then 20 min later I get an email from “The Director of Rooms” for the Hyatt Regency Belgrade. (I love that title) telling me that they will provide me with a full suite with a connecting room. I was very impressed with this! From the call center agents and the hotel, I have never experienced anything like this from Hilton. I also did get an email “updating” my booking, it included a second room at the rate of 00.00 (zero).

       One thing I really liked was the Hyatt e-concierge, a link the lead to a web page asking for my booking number and last name. Here I could request food items, items in my room, like a DVD player (for a fee) and a way to book tours or an airport transfer. I booked the airport transport for 18.00 Euro per person per way. (as Serbia is well Serbia I was willing to pay more for this service, I like to walk out and see my name on a sign). This is what happened walked out baggage there was a Hyatt employee with a sign, I could see the Hyatt van outside also. The airport was full of funky dudes asking if I wanted a taxi… I hate that.. Got to the very new van, with leather seats, there was a DVD player in the van playing Hyatt propaganda. We get to the hotel, at the same time as our crew from the Lufthansa flight who were also staying at the Hyatt, the crew recognized me and had some small talk. They all were telling me the love getting the FRA-BEG route as they overnight at the Hyatt. “Ve Love das Hotel” one FA said.

        I check in with a very Serbian looking man, who was nice but robotic. I had to ask him about the package I booked, he did not know anything about it.. told me someone will get with me. I then asked him about the Regency club lounge. He told me it was open today (Friday) but closed Sat and Sun. Well at this point I was a little upset, but oh well. The room was a promised, a suite with a connecting room. (VIDEO OF ROOM) The rooms were dated but clean and nice.

   The TV’s were very very old Sony’s. The remote control was the size of a VHS tape. I also had a mini-audio-system with a turn table, and double cassette deck with auto reverse. Welcome to 1989! That night I went up to the lounge, it was nice but everything was served by wait staff. Some finger food came out and it was on par with Hilton lounges in Europe. As I was sitting in the lounge a man walked up to me, hello Mr.. Damian I’m the Director of Rooms! Welcome to the Hyatt. He was very helpful, when I asked about the mall coupon he told me that they do not have any. He was so so sorry. I really did not care much about it, he then offered me and my buddy a free spa treatment each.. or as he said “anything to make up for it” gave me his card and told me to email him with our wish. I quickly remembered the 72 Euros we would be spending on airport transfers, emailed and asked for that. Emailed me right back “no problem” he would comp the transfers.

          On Saturday morning there was an envelope under the door it was vouchers for the bar that night, 3 free alcoholic bevs each, a plate of finger foods and soft drinks from 6-8pm. This was because the lounge was closed. Per Hyatt policy for diamonds if the lounge is closed the hotel must provide points or vouchers like this. I was very impressed with this hotel, fresh flowers in the room each day, there was a welcome bottle of local wine, bottles of water each night, and over all very good service. Then just to impress us more, as we were checking out the Director of rooms came out, with 2 wine bags, that had a local liquor in them. The bottle was clear glass with a frosted Hyatt Belgrade logo and city sky line on the bottle. A very cool lookin bottle and cool gift. I’m sold on Hyatt. I do not know if this was just a very good hotel or what I have to look forward too. I have a stay coming up at the Park Hyatt in Hamburg Germany in March, and also a Hyatt outside Chicago this week.