The soaring glass tower of the Grand Hyatt stands at one of the busiest points in the city and has a permanent hubbub of people around it-good preparation for the crowds in the lobby. You'll be met as soon as your taxi pulls up by doormen sporting a red jacket and smart cap who will take care of your luggage with a smile. Inside, the lobby is immense.
Large areas of seating are pierced by tall triangular pots and their plants while the multiple reception desks, baggage store and theatre and tours desks are arranged around two sides of the hall. On another side is the lift bank whose half a dozen elevators work overtime. In the centre is a water fountain and in the background plays, rather paradoxically, chill out music.There is also a coffee stand for those in a hurry in the morning or for those waiting in the lobby for their taxis. The concierge desk is just next door.
Although not a moment in the day goes by without there being numerous guests around, you shouldn't be waiting too long to be seen to as we found check in quick and efficient (you always have the option of using one of the express self-check-in machines just in front of the reception). At the back of the hall, through a corridor, you'll find several boutiques including a jewellers, a souvenir shop, an art outlet and an antique dealer. The hotel's gym, which looks out onto the street, is very well-equipped with individual screens on the cardio machines as well as plenty of towels and water. Personal trainers can be arranged on demand, as can wellness services.
The business centre, located on the conference floor, offers a full service with PCs, photocopiers and fax machines. Wifi is also available throughout the hotel, but at an extra charge. As you'd expect with a hotel the size of, and a frequency as frightening as, the Grand Hyatt, there are signs of wear and tear around the property, but that is not to say that it isn't clean and presentable. The members of staff we came across were extremely pleasant and good-natured, which is no mean feat when you spend much if your day checking in rowdy tour groups.