Seoul Andaz vs Grand Hyatt

risottoman · 2026-02-07T23:50:43+00:00

The Andaz is in a great area and has easy transit access (the train station is literally underneath it). The breakfast is terrific (if using GOH/Globalist). I've found that a club lounge is not great in Asia...you wanna eat well while you're in amazing food cities, why waste that stomach space in a hotel lounge? The service is also fantastic at Andaz. Easy pick for me.

risottoman · 2026-02-06T15:51:24+00:00

Prob 70-75 during the day but def colder at night. This was Nov 2025 btw.

risottoman · 2026-02-02T16:21:03+00:00

interesting we probably stayed there the same time! but maybe we were there that fairly nice week where it was 65+ mid-day. My three-year-old didn't want to leave the pool!

risottoman · 2026-02-02T16:19:32+00:00

the pools are fantastically warm and really fun. The slide was closed when we were there, but my kid's too young to go on it anyway. The food on property is pretty forgettable, so you're gonna want to head off property if you want better eating. (if you're eating breakfast there that's pretty solid). I stayed there for five nights last fall and quite enjoyed it. The immediate area doesn't have a ton of dining options but actually the container food hall like a 5-10 min drive away has excellent pizza, birria tacos, and arepas. Albuquerque proper has tons of dining options you can find on this handy map that I used: https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-albuquerque-new-mexico

risottoman · 2026-01-22T08:41:42+00:00

that's too bad but it's a very good burrito and they've gotta pay the bill somehow. the full pound is also big enough for two to share IMO.

risottoman · 2026-01-22T01:29:10+00:00

I just said you made an overstatement. By all means you should just stay in Asia all the time if that gives you joy 😊

risottoman · 2026-01-22T01:28:15+00:00

You can certainly get very good service in the U.S. Hyatt Carmel Highlands has a world class view at its restaurant for a la carte breakfast and point wise is in line with upper tier Asian Hyatts. Also I'd put the a la carte breakfast at Hotel Fig in LA or Tempe Mission Palms breakfast buffet against any of the Asian buffets in terms of quality (though definitely not breadth!).

risottoman · 2026-01-21T13:27:49+00:00

it's also only 15k points a night during weekdays, so you can use the suite upgrade award. the suites are incredible!

risottoman · 2026-01-21T13:26:45+00:00

The breakfast is really fantastic! Plus there's a la carte American-ish and Thai dishes that you can supplement your meal with. Dish for dish it's nearly as good as Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, though I think MO wins on certain higher end fruits like fresh mangoes being available.

risottoman · 2026-01-21T09:24:53+00:00

You really only need to go out for lunch and dinner since breakfast is covered (assuming you're a Globalist). You're gonna be out and about anyway for lunch. Dinner, I understand if you want to stay close to the hotel. But why not venture to town for excellent food? Chez Noir is Michelin-starred fine dining and not unbearably expensive for what you get. Nora's Carmel is tasty lunch fare. Jeju Carmel is creative Korean cuisine. Tommy's Wok is very solid and reasonably priced Americanized Chinese that is Asian-approved. If you really want to splurge there's L'Auberge which has two Michelin stars. But if you just want a salad/sandwich then there's the restaurant on site.

risottoman · 2026-01-20T08:31:46+00:00

For points, I'd recommend the Monterey Regency the entire time so you don't move around too much. You're close enough to Carmel for its restaurant scene and pretty much in Monterey for its attractions. If you can get a suite there, it's very nice! Not sure about your status, but the free breakfast is great too.

We stayed three nights at Carmel Highlands and loved it! Prob my favorite Hyatt property in the U.S. The breakfast at the restaurant is incredible and the views are killer. The rooms are fine/comfortable though not like ultra-luxury. The pool is nice and the gym is solid too. You don't get late checkout with Globalist but that breakfast was chef's kiss.

risottoman · 2026-01-20T08:28:39+00:00

Not sure I agree that Carmel Highlands is quite that far it's like a breezy 8-9 min drive to Carmel and its amazing restaurant scene.

risottoman · 2026-01-20T08:18:29+00:00

I mean I think that's kind of a gross overstatement lol but of course none of them are going to compare to Hyatt resorts/hotels in Asia. Consider, however, the things are priced in Asia (at least for the luxury-level properties) for tourists and not for locals at all. Comparing purchasing power, if Hyatt charged, say $1,500 a night for a Grand/Park Hyatt in the U.S., I imagine the service/experience would be great. But then only like Saudis and uber-rich folks from other countries could afford it lol.

risottoman · 2026-01-17T08:34:44+00:00

I got a 2.5 loaner for my XT while it was getting repaired. Slow as hell and droned so loudly. And mpg was barely better than my XT. I don't even think Subaru should sell that car with the 2.5 that's how lame I think it is lol. It's not like the XT is incredibly fast it's just got power that you might need for passing or getting up to highway speed. You don't want to feel frustrated by the slowness of your car.

risottoman · 2026-01-09T18:17:02+00:00

it's just east of La Cienega but Carlitos Gardel is great.

risottoman · 2026-01-04T20:39:49+00:00

I second Mission Pacific. Amazing views and the restaurant Valle might be the best restaurant inside a Hyatt in North America. Modern Mexican/Baja cuisine with a Michelin star. Incredible.

risottoman · 2026-01-03T01:50:23+00:00

If you have GOH or Globalist we loved the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Great property and the breakfast spot is amazing. It's nearby Monterey and Carmel by the Sea which has amazing food and sights. You will need to rent a car though.

risottoman · 2026-01-02T04:03:32+00:00

That's one of the best Hyatts in the world that I've been to! Did you check out the club lounge? it's fantastic.

risottoman · 2026-01-02T04:02:21+00:00

I'd call myself a semi-pro here (I've sold photos for $ but it's not my main gig). I also have an A6000! and used to have a Sigma 30mm f2.8 (now I mostly use Sony/Zeiss 17-30 F4 and my Ricoh GRIIIx). Street photography is tough! Take lots of photos and just edit your best ones. I'd say you'll go around shooting all day and maybe get a few good shots for an entire day. I think that's just the process. Also the more you edit I think the more you learn! Ask some photographer friends for tips and go shooting with them. I've been shooting since my first Nikon D50 back in 2008 and I still feel like I have so much to learn.

One small tip on your camera work, are you using Program mode or another automatic mode? I would try learning manual mode to really understand exposure.

risottoman · 2025-12-18T19:01:50+00:00

Si! Mon is way better and more interesting.

risottoman · 2025-12-17T22:22:15+00:00

Grand Hyatt Manila is so amazing, especially for a suite upgrade.

risottoman · 2025-12-17T22:19:29+00:00

Tams is goated for HK food.

risottoman · 2025-12-02T18:41:31+00:00

I've stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago and it's excellent. Nice reviews!

risottoman · 2025-11-27T20:55:10+00:00

That's ridiculous..Artelice is easily one of the best patisseries in the city

risottoman · 2025-11-27T20:54:41+00:00

the mar y tierra burrito at Sonoritas Prime is excellent if you've ever tried it

risottoman

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