I’m currently enjoying a wonderful stay at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, and I’m elated to share an extremely generous enhancement (and give kudos to the hotel)!
As a Globalist, one of my favorite perks is having lounge access when I’m traveling my family, because it enables us to enjoy snacks and beverages throughout our stay. Keeping the food costs down allows us to spend more on attractions in the city we’re visiting.
Prior to my stay, I received what I thought was a standard welcome email from the guest experience manager. A few paragraphs down included a short bit about a new child policy at the Grand Club Lounge.
At first glance, my stomach dropped a when I read the sentence regarding a change in the “child policy”:
Ms. Aucello, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight our recent change in our child policy at the Grand Club Lounge, as we are constantly looking at ways to become better by listening to our guests’ feedback. Children below 12 years of age are allowed up at the Grand Club Lounge up until 05:00 pm.  As an alternative for evening cocktails, we offer the choice of dinner in Oasis (our pool side restaurant) or 10scotts lounge from 06:00 – 08:00 pm for our guest with club access that are travelling with children below 12 years of age. Both offers a more comprehensive selection for dinner than we are able to offer in our Grand Club Lounge, in an environment more tailored for families to enjoy a meal together.
After reading it a few times, it was very clear to me that the alternative options were very positive!
Upon researching both restaurants before checking in, I was set on Oasis, because dining by the pool sounded great. Curious about the “allowance” specifics, I soon learned that Oasis did not offer anything but a poolside barbecue buffet option with unlimited drinks in the evening, and that was priced at 88 Singapore dollars per person!
I was genuinely perplexed because this alternative to bringing the kids into the lounge for evening service sounded too good to be true, but I confirmed with several hotel employees, and they really told me it was a go! Just like the email suggested, Oasis was the perfect environment for my young children and me to comfortably enjoy a meal.
Bottom Line
I am so pleased with this move. The Grand Hyatt Singapore really went above and beyond to accommodate families. For our two-night stay, not only did we enjoy a free breakfast with my Globalist status, but we also got to enjoy an amazing full dinner by the pool that included all-you-can eat oysters, lamb shoulder, paella, and other great food choices. Totally a win!
I’d be interested to see if other hotel properties follow this lead. Any others?
I don’t have kids. Can I elect this option instead ?
You are the hottest travel blogger. Jus saying.
Why would you stay in an American hotel chain in Asia is beyond my understanding. Asia has the most amazing local hotels or regional chains but US travel bloggers insist to stay in a Hyatt property. Missed opportunity in my opinion.
Because we need 55 nights to maintain Hyatt Globalist. It gives us suite upgrades and club access, which is worth it to me. I plan my travel around getting my Globalist nights in (as well as SPG platinum 50 nights).
To each his own, but planning my trips around hotels has taken me to some interesting places I otherwise would not have known about or visited.
Well that really limits what you can see in the world. Hyatt has the worst footprint of hotel properties out there. Also, if you care so much about suites it tells me you like to stay in your room rather than enjoying the place you are visiting. Spend 1 night at a Shangri-La, Raffles, Mandarin, Peninsula hotel in Asia and you may rethink your loyalty to Hyatt. It is like flying UA business class rather than Emirates or Singapore. To each its own.
I’ve stayed at the Grand Hyatt Singapore and can say it’s a great place in a great location (Orchard Road). The chains you have mentioned are without a doubt very nice, but also more expensive than Hyatt’s and Hilton’s and Marriotts. They also have limited footprints in the US and while some have a great loyalty programs, it’s hard for US residents to accrue and use their loyalty points. (Although Accor is incorporating Raffles in June so it may become a possibility). So for example, if I want to stay at Pacific Place in Hong Kong, I’ll most likely pick the Conrad or the JW rather than the Shangri La in order to use and accrue loyalty points and status. Yes, the experience will not be comparable, but it will be less expensive, especially factoring in the loyalty points.
I am a Globalist and have no kids, and expect the same. If not, I will stay elsewhere. This new policy could potentially anger many people like myself.
Yay Singapore Hyatt! My kids are almost adults, but I applaud this pro family policy.
This is a nice gesture, but why you’d travel to Singapore, with some of the best food in the world, and eat paella by the pool at the hotel, is beyond comprehension.
Exactly!!! When I go to Asia the last place I would eat is inside western hotel.
I noticed that on my welcome letter the week before last, but didn’t consider the ramifications. Given that the club lounge is often so busy during the evening, it also helps keep crowding down. I’d imagine that Hyatt would allow the same benefits for members without children.
After reading your review I tried to confirm this with the hotel as I will be traveling with two children and I was simply told that my family and I will be excluded from the evening drinks and canapés. Nothing about the new policy Ben when purssing the staff.
Maybe this new policy is for Hyatt Globalist members only??