Grand Hyatt Melbourne To Be Redeveloped | May Cease To Be A Hyatt

[levelnine]

Diversified Singaporean conglomerate Tuan Sing Holdings is close to announcing plans to redevelop its 550-room Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne’s Collins St into a major mixed-use development triggered by the fact the long-held hotel management rights over the complex are drawing to a close.

Grant Hyatt’s contract over the hotel will cease in December but it is understood Hyatt will continue to operate the hotel for at least another year as Tuan Sing continues apace with its plans to demolish the existing hotel to create a mega office tower.

Industry sources close to the deal said the redevelopment would also include a smaller hotel and ground floor retail on the site which is arguably the best position for commercial offices in the country.

...


A redevelopment of the Grand Hyatt deal would create a landmark property at the Paris end of Collins St.

But the hotel management contract is yet to be settled. “The Group is in discussion with various international luxury brand operators including the incumbent,” Tuan Sing said.

One industry player said the owners would likely be talking to Marriott and Hilton about their luxury brands. Luxury independent Asian brands could be brought in but sticking with Hyatt is favoured.

“There is always a risk in changing brands on such an iconic hotel and I understand Hyatt have done a very good job over the last 30 odd years. Therefore, Hyatt have to be favoured to hang onto the management,” he said.

Industry players said the Singaporean company called for submissions from agencies earlier this year on advice for pre-leasing a major office tower and finding a capital partner.

Grand Hyatt Melbourne set for mixed-use redevelopment

The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne’s Collins St could make way for an office scheme and a trimmed down hospitality offering.

www.realcommercial.com.au

 

[MARTINE]

Grand Hyatt Melbourne set for mixed-use redevelopment

The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne’s Collins St could make way for an office scheme and a trimmed down hospitality offering.

www.realcommercial.com.au

Not surprised.
Stayed last month on expiring points and had an event in CBD. It was club lounge access.
It was as if I had an apartment in the city -and I dont mean it felt like home.
Encouraged (and did) pre arrival check in, digital key, no one opened doors, acknowledged us, went straight to room in top floor (which had not really changed since we first went early 90’s).
Next day in Club lounge no newspapers or magazines (‘read them on your phone’).. so we had a basic breakfast/self-checked out and it was as if we were never there….
I fully understand staff are thin on the ground at present but eye contact is free and this is a service business.
I kept thinking thankfully I paid nothing for this.
Conflicted

 

[kookaburra75]

It's never really impressed me as a place to hold functions, or a place to stay, so it's not surprising that they would use the site for something of better value. The Park Hyatt is better, as are a lot of other hotels in Melbourne IMHO

 

[kpro]

My experience with the property is mostly positive. Great location compared to other Hyatt's in Melbourne. Upgrades consistent. Rooms getting a little dated but still holding up.

Encouraged (and did) pre arrival check in, digital key, no one opened doors, acknowledged us, went straight to room in top floor (which had not really changed since we first went early 90’s).

Not sure that I've stayed in any hotel where doors were opened for me since COVID, maybe with the exception of Park Hyatt Sydney.

Next day in Club lounge no newspapers or magazines (‘read them on your phone’).. so we had a basic breakfast/self-checked out and it was as if we were never there….

Lounge staff here have always been friendly to me and seem to remember my face and name across stays, even once when it had been a year since my previous stay. Lounge was closed for only a short while during COVID and alternatives offered for evening canapes. In stark contrast to Hyatt Regency Sydney who have yet to even open their lounge, or provide a meaningful alternative.

 

[MARTINE]

My experience with the property is mostly positive. Great location compared to other Hyatt's in Melbourne. Upgrades consistent. Rooms getting a little dated but still holding up.

Not sure that I've stayed in any hotel where doors were opened for me since COVID, maybe with the exception of Park Hyatt Sydney.

Lounge staff here have always been friendly to me and seem to remember my face and name across stays, even once when it had been a year since my previous stay. Lounge was closed for only a short while during COVID and alternatives offered for evening canapes. In stark contrast to Hyatt Regency Sydney who have yet to even open their lounge, or provide a meaningful alternative.

The main issue I found was the total lack of staff engagement. You are attempting to open a heavy door w luggage etc and no assistance. They did see us. Simple courtesy (Other patrons more helpful). Maybe you got better service being a regular - we did not

 

[zig]

I have enjoyed my past stays here and the hotel location, combined with club lounge suits my needs, so I will be sad to see it go.
My last stay was in March 22 and was a bit disappointing. Breakfast in the lounge was very basic, so I took advantage of the reduced price offered for club guests in the restaurant. The evening wines and spirits were not high quality (Johnnie Walker Red etc), and a very limited range of soft drinks. I also found the lounge staff to be very disengaged, and after they checked vaccination status I was generally ignored for the rest of my visit.
Unfortunately Park Hyatt has chosen to no longer have a club lounge.

 

[Berlin]

Not too sad about this. If you want stuffy old luxury, then the Park Hyatt is better anyway. And if you want something fancy and upbeat, then the Hyatt Centric is the place to be (and has been my choice since it’s opening anyway).

 

[twiningb]

I will say, I walked in from the street to their Bistro Bar on Wednesday, and asked if I could get World of Hyatt points for drinks and snacks while not staying in-house, since I needed activity by late September to keep my existing points active. So they got me my pint and bar snacks, and I had the points (at a fair live AUD>USD conversion on the net-of-GST amount) within two minutes of payment.

I had tried the Centric, which is closer to my office, but they haven't responded to my email after nearly two weeks now, and the clueless front-desk guy said no.

 

[laffer]

I am a fan of this hotel. It has been my hotel of choice when in Melbourne. The location is obviously fantastic. I have, however, noticed in the last couple of stays that the quality has declined and the rooms are in serious need of an upgrade and I have started to question whether it is a value for money proposition. I hope that Hyatt retains management with a significant upgrade. With working from home being the emerging norm, I would have thought there would be a reluctance to create even more office capacity.

 

[nick888]

Used to love this place, stayed quite a bit over the years.

Last time we were there, called room service and asked for a couple plates and some cutlery. "That will be $20". ??? "Ok, don't worry". A while later "Can we please get a bucket of ice". "Sure thing, that will be $10". "I'm sorry what?". They were definitely struggling with post-Covid re-opening issues so I'm not trying to be overly critical, it was just a bit of a change.

Agree with comment above, if you want old-world luxury/stuffy-ness, Park Hyatt is there anyway.

 

[aus_flyer]

Quality of offerings in the Club has seriously declined since COVID. Very disappointing.