I’ve reviewed one of my favorite hotels in Germany many times on Live and Let’s Fly, but not since the pandemic begin. This review of the Hyatt Regency Mainz takes a look at the coronavirus precautions the hotel has taken in the context of my recent stay.
Hyatt Regency Mainz Review – Coronavirus Edition
First, let me note that German hotels are not open for tourism during the month of November 2020. Guests traveling for business, medical, or a limited number of other reasons can still utilize German hotels.
COVID-19 Precautions
My stay was the night before the lockdown began. Even then, the sauna, swimming pool, and fitness center were available by appointment only (and no appointments were available) and closed at 6:00pm (usually the pool and sauna is open until 10:00pm while the fitness center is accessible 24/7). For the rest of the month, the pool, sauna, spa, and fitness center are closed. The Regency Club lounge was also closed.
Immediately upon arrival I could see the changes. The bar was roped off (though still open). A sign reminded guests to social distance. Staff were wearing masks and plexiglass shields had been added to the check-in desks.
During check-in, I was asked to fill out a from from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate affirming that I was not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Staff also asked me if I had a negative COVID-19 test. They were fine when I answered that I was waiting for test results, but mentioned they needed it within 48 hours to report to authorities. It ended up arriving hours later.
A couple Milka bars were presented upon check-in…which made me smile because they are produced in my wife’s hometown. I also love German chocolate!
Guest Room
I was upgraded to a room with a view overlooking the Rhein, a river which divides the states of Hessen from Rhineland-Palatinate. It’s a familiar site to me…a welcome and beautiful one. I was so thankful to be back in Germany.
The hot water kettle and mini-bar had been removed from the room. Hand wipes were also placed next to the water bottles. Everything else was the same.
Midnight Walk
I was extremely jet lagged and went out for a walk around midnight. Mainz is such a peaceful city but there was an extra stillness: bars and restaurants were preparing to close for a month.
Note the alcohol in the bar:
The following morning it had all been removed.
By 4:00am I was still awake and absolutely starved. I headed downstairs where the hotel had a few snacks available and I ended up binging on several bags of chips while waiting for breakfast…
Breakfast
Speaking of breakfast, a full breakfast was still served in Bellpepper, the hotel’s main restaurant. But while a buffet was still set it up, it was no longer self-serve. Plexiglass dividers separated guests from food and staff were standing by to hand you what you wanted. Hopefully this won’t be necessary on a long-term basis, but it represents a perfectly adequate, safe solution for maintaining breakfast buffets.
Cloth napkins have been replaced with paper napkins, but at least I did not have to use disposable silverware.
After breakfast I went to Rewe, a grocery store nearby, to pick-up some groceries. It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm autumn morning and the sun eventually broke.
CONCLUSION
The Hyatt Regency Mainz has done a wonderful job adapting to pandemic. Staff wore masks, social distancing was observed, and yet the hotel still offered a full breakfast and did not feel like a prison. I hope that the lockdown this month in Germany is successful. I plan to return here for several days next month with my family, if possible.
I stayed here back in December 2008 during my first trip to Germany. I loved it. It was a lovely place for my first visit.
It’s not the most luxurious hotel (the Villa Kennedy up in Frankfurt is far swankier), but it has become my favorite hotel in Germany over the years.
Why didn’t you kick up a fuss that there is no sauna/pool appointment available and the club lounge is closed? After all you are a Globalist… Should have demanded at least some free room service to compensate.
That would have been nice, but it’s a difficult time beyond the hotel’s control.