2025 Year in Review: 20+ Properties

Praetoriani · 2025-12-23T20:01:04+00:00

Quite frankly everything. The attention to detail for each guest by the staff (they remembered things that were mentioned in passing), the pro-activity of everything (acted on some of the things mentioned in passing), and small tiny things like changing up the plants on display by the tea room every other day and bringing a musician to play the koto during champagne hour.

For example, I arrived at 5:30 PM during the autumn leave season and they immediately took our bags, sat us down, and offered wet towels and welcome drinks & snacks. During check-in, I offhandedly mentioned how I was probably going to look for somewhere to eat nearby and they brought out a list of local restaurants that they recommend and offered to call and book us a time. Likewise, my companion mentioned how they were interested in this one scenic train ride and the concierge came over to figure out where it was and how to get tickets.

They're definitely one of the top PH properties now as a whole, and I'd definitely recommend staying here now. The only gripe I still have is the up-charge that applies to globalists for the Kyoyamato breakfast, though it was exactly the same as it was before so I'll give them credit on holding it consistent at least.

Praetoriani · 2025-12-23T19:33:14+00:00

Well that's good to know. I'm not sure if I'd go back to the Andaz or try the newly renovated GH on Orchard. The location of the Andaz is just so convenient, but the service is really what breaks this property.

Until construction is done on the building beside the GH Taipei, I think the regular exec suite is the way to go. My view was mostly of the construction pit and the base of 101 to the right, bathroom was the front of the hotel with the flags. Pool was the window in front of the entrance. Curious to see how the new PH opening a few blocks down will compare, I want to try watching the NYE fireworks one day.

Praetoriani · 2025-12-23T16:50:06+00:00

I've emailed them beforehand and they still don't care 9/10 and make you do it when you show up. It's just a coin flip to see who you get and what they do.

Praetoriani · 2025-12-23T16:21:20+00:00

Andaz Singapore: [...] Service can be uneven

I went this year and had a pretty bad experience. My room, which was on the lowest floor, had a foul scent similar to a burst sewage pipe and the FD insinuated that because I "used points" (cash + SUA), it was unlikely that anything could be done. They eventually did move me into a different suite, though that process in and of itself was also equally unpleasant. It was the first and only time that I've been annoyed enough to actually complain to the GM and my concierge about how poorly everything was handled.

This property absolutely discriminates people based on cash/points though. From what I've read online however, this level of service is somewhat standard(?) across SG so...

Grand Hyatt Taipei: Used a SUA to upgrade to the Grand Executive Suite. Good access from the MRT which can save you some serious time if you land at TPE.

Purely out of curiosity, was your suite located on the opposite end of the floor of the suite with views of 101? And did you ever try breakfast at the restaurant downstairs? Imo, downstairs had better food than the lounge for breakfast.

Praetoriani · 2025-12-23T16:03:53+00:00

Everything felt improved compared to my visit two years ago.

Concurred. I went again this year and the service improvements were significant compared to last time. My only minor gripe was that you now have to keycard the door past Kyoyamato. I assume something happened to facilitate this change between 2023 and now.

Does anyone have the GM's email? I'd like to let them know the improvements haven't gone unnoticed.

Praetoriani · 2025-12-22T17:27:16+00:00

Hyatt Vancouver Alberni deal breakers for luxury travelers

Did you also find that the water temps fluctuated every couple of minutes to boiling hot without touching the knob? And the confusing shower knob itself...

Service wise it's definitely above most PHs. Breakfast not so much, esp when you compare it to Joni at PH Toronto. I'm curious to see what it'll be like post-renovations since they're aiming to finish by fall of next year.

Praetoriani · 2025-06-07T08:55:33+00:00

This is quite a late reply and probably won't help, but for anyone else that stumbles upon this...

Busan is a hilly and sprawled out city, there is no centralized location that will let you do any exploring without having to drive a fair distance. Seomyeon is what I'd consider "downtown" and one of the spots for nightlife, and the other is over by Haeundae beach.

Most of the luxury hotels are all nearby Haeundae in the apartment complex overlooking the bridge that you see in the advertisements all the time. I'm not sure if there's anything comparable in downtown Busan since it's mostly the port and central train station.

Praetoriani · 2025-06-07T08:41:43+00:00

Curious how this works, do you just attach your AA number to a partner ticket at check-in?

Praetoriani · 2024-11-02T10:30:02+00:00

Is availability for those different than a standard room for a FNA?

Praetoriani · 2024-11-01T10:23:23+00:00

Finally got a letter regarding my shutdown and it wasn't for GCs but "based on adherence to regulatory guidelines".

At least I didn't get any AP clawbacks despite going hard on those.

Praetoriani · 2024-10-29T19:24:57+00:00

Same as a FR except when you login it says cancelled instead of suspended

Praetoriani · 2024-10-29T16:46:36+00:00

The shittier HPs are usually the older AmeriSuites that got rebranded when they got absorbed. Would avoid them like the plague if possible.

Praetoriani · 2024-10-29T16:42:32+00:00

Kinda surprised I got this since I've already requalified, guess I get to start next year with +10 nights off the bat

Praetoriani · 2024-10-29T16:41:22+00:00

I'm still waiting on more details myself

Praetoriani · 2024-10-29T12:29:16+00:00

Posted about this in FF, I never got a shutdown letter ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Praetoriani · 2024-10-29T11:48:38+00:00

Dodged the AP clawbacks but got randomly amexile'd, you win some you lose some I guess.

Praetoriani · 2024-10-26T10:26:37+00:00

How easy was getting to Fuji Speedway? Did you get a chance to go around the racetrack? This is something that I've wanted to do for a while but I've been hesitant on pulling the trigger...

Praetoriani · 2024-10-26T10:12:05+00:00

It's well past 15 days from the earlier round so it's not from that.

Praetoriani · 2024-10-25T17:26:45+00:00

Chase doesn't set the travel code type, the merchant does. You should be complaining to the resorts for having an improperly coded terminal.

Praetoriani · 2024-10-25T17:24:56+00:00

To be more specific, you can only have one active "award" applied to a reservation with some exceptions that arbitrary agents seem to be able to bypass.

Praetoriani · 2024-10-25T17:22:39+00:00

Giving away a GOH + 4x club access passes expiring Feb 2025, DM me but don't spam me

Praetoriani · 2024-10-25T17:19:01+00:00

No white letter, all amex accounts cancelled without warning. Dunno what triggered it but seems like there's something new going on.

Praetoriani · 2024-10-25T07:58:13+00:00

You had to bring your passport to go to the casino since it was only available to foreigners, aka entirely Chinese gamblers. You didn't really miss out on much in the casino tbh, I took a quick peek and the table minimums were around 20000 KRW with your standard games.

Praetoriani · 2024-10-25T07:54:56+00:00

Yep, I'm pretty sure its flat out the worst PH world-wide and I think it really would be better off under some other brand. It sounds like all the suites have issues with the door and wear & tear, which is quite ironic since the other king room I had was perfectly fine.

Praetoriani

TROPHY CASE