During a trip to the Philippines, I spent 18 hours at the Hyatt Regency Resort Guam with a Globalist suite upgrade. I was surprised and impressed by what I found and I can’t wait to get back.
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Location
Less than three winding miles from the airport, the beachfront property is located on Tuman Bay nature preserve. While it is close but not quite the most expensive three-mile ride I have had, a regular taxi will cost $25-30, a hotel Escalade $125 roundtrip. There is no Uber or Lyft on Guam so come to terms with how you are going to get around before you book.
Address: 1155 Pale San Vitores Rd, Tamuning, 96913, Guam, USA
Phone: +1 671-647-1234
Property
The Hyatt Regency Resort Guam is a massive complex. Several stores fill hallways with a convention center and six restaurants on site. From fine dining to a deli to poolside bites, the property is a true resort. Renovations on the ground floor appear to be recent, I was surprised at some of the finishes and it reminded me of posh Park Hyatt hotels in China.
Pools/Beach
The cawing you will hear comes from the macaws they remove from their cages and place near the resort center outside where they issue towels. They are beautiful and photogenic, but my own personal encounters with those vile creatures have not been a good one. These macaws kept their distance, as did I – everything was fine.
Towel cards are given out for each guest and must be exchanged for poolside/beach towels. They are returned when the towels are. Many of the pools are connected but their seating areas separate them from each other. While they claim to have just two pools, it’s really more like five because each of the areas was focused on different activities. One frequented by families, another closer to the bar had adults playing water volleyball, a reading section, an area for the waterslide. Everyone should be able to find their own pool heaven.
The beach was stunning with fine white sand and few guests. Low tide made it walkable with water coming only up to my midsection for a thousand feet out from the shore. Lots of kayaks, pedal boats and rafts are available from the hotel in the water. There were just a dozen beach loungers, each paired together. These loungers were for rent at a cost of $35 for the day, less if you could make a deal for a shorter period of time – I’m not sure that’s kosher, just asking for a friend.
This resort does not have a resort fee, a welcome change from the growing trend among the industry. That adds up to a lot of savings for families on a weeklong vacation.
Suite
I was assigned the suite, 1124, apparently next to the owner’s residence. It was at the long end of the hallway and had space for days. When returning with my family, I hope that I am able to secure an upgrade to this room or one like it. Generally, it needed a little bit of an update, they are in the process of renovating the bottom three floors and working their way up.
Living Room
The living room featured a large desk, enough for two laptops, a sitting area with coffee table and a cabinet with a mini-fridge and coffee station. I apologize for some dark shots, I arrived late and forgot to take new photos before I left the next day on my short stay.
Balcony
The balcony extended from the living room to the bedroom, a feature I really like. It offers sweeping views of Tumon Bay and the rest of the property, beach, and pools.
Bedroom
The bedroom had plenty of room for a small family, though on this trip I didn’t need it. On our return visit, we will need the extra space.
Bathroom
The bathroom suite was massive. Behind the dual vanities was a huge walk-in closet, a makeup table, drawers – enough to settle in for a couple of weeks if you wanted. The toiletries were a brand I haven’t seen at any other Hyatt in the world (perhaps there are others but in 100 properties I haven’t seen it.) I liked the Pharmacopia products, they certainly beat KenetMD any day.
The toilet featured a bidet toilet seat (big win) and a closed-door water closet, preferable when traveling with others.
Lounge
On the 12th Floor, the Hyatt Regency Resort features a lounge. Food and beverage are offered on a limited basis between key breakfast and cocktail hours. I wasn’t in residence while the afternoon cocktail hour was available, but I did have a chance to try breakfast.
One thing I really liked about the lounge was the segmentation of the lounge. At the far end of the lounge was a quiet area, separate from the rest. There was also a section where families were particularly welcome, a few open sections with a mix of adult couples, multi-generational families and solo travelers. No one was assigned a section, they simply found their way to a portion of the room that made them comfortable.
Breakfast was also offered on the lounge balcony, where I enjoyed mine. Rommel (manager) and his staff were attentive to the guests and kept the buffet well stocked even up to the end of breakfast, a noble and rare trait.
Value
The property cost between $130-280/night depending on demand. As a points redemption, it fits into Category 4, allowing for both annual free certificates to be used or 15,000 points/night. The hotel was sold out for a period when I attempted to book it, so when I saw availability open briefly I seized the room as an award before it disappeared as an option. This property does not currently charge a resort fee though many extras for the beach are an additional cost, I still prefer properties that operate on normal rates and not tricks for their guests.
I will be back, but next time, with my family.
Have you stayed at this hotel? What about other properties in Guam? How was your experience?
How were prices in Guam overall? The taxi mafia prices bode ill for a reasonably priced stay. Is there much outside the hotel withing walking distance?
Prices tended to be about double what the mainland prices are back in the US for many things, however here and there things weren’t much more expensive at the stores compared to home. Expect resort destination pricing for anything relating to tourist infrastructure, however, and not a ton within walking distance depending on which hotel you choose. I personally think getting a rental car is essential in Guam, and I believe it ran me around $45/day with Hertz.
Fuel when I visited in mid-2017 was about $4.50/gal when fuel on Oahu was running just over $3/gal to give you an idea of the price difference.
Fuel is over $4.50/gallon in Guam right now.
Wish you had better pictures, the ones you posted don’t really do justice to the property.
Thanks GT, that makes two of us.
I’ve stayed here several times. Outside of the neighboring Dusit Thani (the newest hotel on Guam), the Hyatt is generally considered the best on-island. The coffee shop has amazing desserts. Many people on Guam buy their cakes here for weddings and special occasions. The Sheraton probably has the best rates, but it doesn’t have a beach due to the cliffs. It’s also very Japanese-oriented with almost no Western food options. The Westin is also kind of tired. The Marriott was kicked out of Marriott about 4 years ago for failing to keep out; it’s now the dumpy Pacific Star. There are several other independent hotels or Japanese/Asian branded hotels that are unfamiliar to me. Almost all of the hotels on Guam are owned by the same 2-3 people.
The hotel was overall in really good shape, had great grounds – my guest room had excellent bones but needed an update.
I’m heading there for the holidays and can’t wait (was born and raised there and haven’t been back for 14 years)! Hyatt Regency is one of the better properties on Guam — but try Dusit Thani! I’ve heard good things about that one as well. You’ve got to rent a car for sure if you plan on staying longer, you’ll need it to explore and experience the unique culture and nature — hikes to waterfall, remote beaches such as Ritidian Point, historic latte stones, Chamorro Village night market, Inajaran natural pools, etc. The food is another exploration as well, especially if you get the chance to attend a village fiesta. Guamanians know how to eat well 🙂 As a local, our family actually loves going to the Tumon row hotels, especially for brunch buffets such as Pacific Star Hotel, PIC, as well as visiting the beaches there as it is nicer and cleaner. During my young adult years there, I also remember going hotel hopping with friends as the night life is great as well or if you prefer a quieter romantic walk along the beach at night.
Christian — I think prices are slightly cheaper than Hawaii. Even if you don’t rent a car or utilize the taxi, its doable to walk along Tumon hotel row, as there are plenty to do there but just know it is catered to tourists similar to Waikiki. I avoid the Guam taxis like the plague 🙂
The Hyatt (where I also redeemed a suite upgrade) is tired. The new Duset Thai (sp) is lovely… Guam needs a few things, and it looks like it should get them soon. A nonstop flight from the mainland (one of these days, United…), a Target/Walmart (anything more than Kmart!) and refreshed hotels… And it’s going to be ALOT more popular…
I would love a direct flight from the mainland. It crushes me that the fastest routing from the east coast is via Tokyo.
At HR Guam right now…got an Oceanfront Dlx room upgrade. Room itself is spacious and nice. Don’t like the semi L-shape of the hotel. Hotel looks very bulky from the room balconies. Also the pool area is noisy at times (Mad house during day – but the beach was more calm) and the fountain gurgling or what not is annoying – even at night. They need to turn that off at night. In my comment card…
As far as views… the Tsubaki Tower or Nikko hotels have the best location on Tumon Bay…though maybe no direct Tumon beach access…closer to Gun Beach? Many of the other hotels near HR – have risk of no ocean view at all due to being blocked by another hotel…unless you pay for it I reckon.