I’m combining previous posts from the Thailand trip in November 2021 into Flights, Nights and Sights to avoid cluttering each post with links to all the others and make it easier for friends and followers to find posts from that trip on similar topics. Nights incorporates posts about the hotel stays.
November 2021 was a time of masking, social distancing, hand sanitizing, vaccine requirements, testing, etc.. It is interesting to look back on these posts because, although Covid-19 is still with us, that time contrasts sharply with the current situation.
I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok and the Hyatt Regency in Phuket. Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency are my favorite Hyatt brands. Grand Hyatt is a brand that offers luxury accommodations in a stately setting. Hyatt Regency is a brand that provides family friendly luxury with a contemporary flair. The hotels I stayed at in Bangkok and Phuket exemplify theses characteristics. Although there were restrictions to put up with, I lucked out on price because of the lack of tourists at the time. These hotels were going for the price of a pre-pandemic U.S. budget chain hotel.
Awards through Hyatt’s frequent guest program provided free access to the guest lounges and breakfast buffets. A really good breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day. In Asia, Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt have outstanding breakfast buffets that are at least equal to other hotels in their class, and Asian luxury hotels have fantastic breakfast buffets.
Grand Hyatt Bangkok
Thailand Trip Part 8b – Grand Hyatt Erawan Breakfast Buffet
Thailand Trip Part 8c – Grand Hyatt Erawan Club Lounge Review
Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort
Final Thoughts
What I did not convey in these posts is the high level of curtesy and pride displayed by the hotel staff. Great service is a skill that can be taught. At these hotels, and much of Asia, the culture of service seems genuine and sincere rather than something that people learned in a classroom.
The Grand Hyatt Erawan is located next to the Erawan Shrine in the heart of the tourist and commercial section of Bangkok while the Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort enjoys a secluded spot on Phuket’s Kamala Beach. These hotels are worth serious consideration if your travels take you to Bangkok or Phuket.
Salsaworldtraveler'sblog 
no doubt about it John – you stayed in style!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Agreed! The price was too good to pass up. Hotels are becoming outrageously expensive now.
LikeLike
Gonna keep these points in my mind whenever I visit Thailand! Thank you for writing this one😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you liked it! Thanks for visiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful
LikeLiked by 2 people
Much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
LikeLike
One day I am definitely traveling and posting it all here in my Blog for you to see. Thank you for your post
❤
LikeLiked by 4 people
Great! Happy travels and blogging!
LikeLike
Sounds like a lovely place to stay. I love the huge Christmas tree in the lobby. How festive.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was the first week of November and many businesses in Bangkok already had elaborate Christmas decorations up. Many countries have imported our commercialization of Christmas. Have a great week. John
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we stayed at that same resort about 6 years ago. Such a fascinating site we visited
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is good to know you liked this hotel, too. Thanks for dropping by, Anita.
LikeLike
I’m jealous. It sounds like a great trip.😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You certainly know how to live, John. I agree that there’s nothing quite like a magnificent breakfast to start the day. I think one of the best I’ve ever had was in Tokyo at The Park Hyatt. And yeah, I always found the service in SE Asia to be virtually unrivalled anywhere across the globe. Nice piece, man I miss Asia.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hotels were so cheap it was easy to be “living large.” I’ve heard that the Park Hyatt Tokyo is a fantastic experience. Thinking of the breakfast buffet there makes me hungry. 😋😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The post is wonderful post and the photos are gorgeous!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for visiting. John
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure 🌹🌹🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true the kindness, warmth and friendliness of Thais is something we could all include in our actions toward others.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I try. It is hard to overcome decades of a culture that too often thinks bullies have the right idea or are funny.
LikeLike
Beautiful hotels with wonderful sounding food! Phuket is one of the places I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s refreshing to know that service can be genuine in some places. We don’t see it that much here in the US.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The U.S. is a great country. That doesn’t mean we can’t learn a thing or two from others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hotel breakfast buffets is the reason why I love staying in nice hotels 😀
LikeLiked by 3 people
At buffets like these, I eat so much I can easily skip lunch. I eat so much it is almost embarrassing. Almost. 😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha…that’s what open buffets are made for 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
We think alike!😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 2021 seems like forever ago! My perception of time is very warped these days haha
LikeLiked by 3 people
The Covid-19 pandemic is something you can tell your grandchildren about, if you remember it. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Well kids back in my day…” Maybe I’ll tell them not to mess with me because I lived at the epicenter of covid in the US
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! There you go. You’ll be a badass grandma.
LikeLike
Yes without having to walk uphill both ways!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like the stairs optical illusion😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that expressions of true warmth and hospitality are products of regional culture.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It shows that U.S. airlines and hotels make a concerted effort to instruct employees on principles of good customer service. I’ve seen welcome improvements in that over the years. There is a noticeable difference, though, when those principles are already instilled by local culture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort looks absolutely stunning! 😍
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Natty! I agree. If you look up perfect tropical paradise, there should be a picture of Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort.😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
To us over here, Thailand is a beautiful and mysterious country.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thailand has a well deserved reputation in that regard, GP. Thailand is sometimes called the Land of Smiles. Tourists are very welcome there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love how you pulled all of this together in one post which looks like the go to spot when I finally get there John. Love that infinity pool!!! I think I would park there but then……..
Love the temples! 💖
LikeLiked by 5 people
The pool had a lounge chair with your name on it, Cindy.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh sweet. Cheers to that 🥂🥂✈️🍾 Lmk when they have a swimming pool too.. haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
I called and the hotel said “done”. They eagerly await your arrival😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am literally laughing out loud .. thanks for the laugh and imagining touching water in my dreams 💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
And with views like that, who wouldn’t want to stay in either of them? That infinity pool … wow!
LikeLiked by 3 people
The pool is very inviting and so is the beach. I’m ready to go back. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful post and beautiful photos! Thank’s for share, John!
Have a great day!
Elvira.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for taking a look and commenting Elvira! You as well
LikeLiked by 2 people
A pleasure visit your blog, John.
Thank’s.
LikeLiked by 1 person