New Hyatt Brand for China - UrCove
#122
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#123
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If anyone's really curious, they could contact the hotel.
lsquare I can almost guarantee you that they are not deliberately singling out Americans.
Last edited by moondog; May 16, 2023 at 11:25 am
#124
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Can’t find email to the hotel. Maybe we sure not updated
#126
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Mars
Posts: 142
[email protected]
There’s a great chance they won’t reply in time. If they do, expect crappy grammars or poorly translated content. Staying in the Grand mitigates you from any of those troubles, but god knows when they will decide to open their renovated rooms.
If you’re looking for “budget” options relatively close to the happenings, the JdV property at Sanlitun is alright.
There’s a great chance they won’t reply in time. If they do, expect crappy grammars or poorly translated content. Staying in the Grand mitigates you from any of those troubles, but god knows when they will decide to open their renovated rooms.
If you’re looking for “budget” options relatively close to the happenings, the JdV property at Sanlitun is alright.
Last edited by tailorgiven; May 16, 2023 at 6:51 am
#127
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 43,259
[email protected]
There’s a great chance they won’t reply in time. If they do, expect crappy grammars or poorly translated content. Staying in the Grand mitigates you from any of those troubles, but god knows when they will decide to open their renovated rooms.
If you’re looking for “budget” options relatively close to the happenings, the JdV property at Sanlitun is alright.
There’s a great chance they won’t reply in time. If they do, expect crappy grammars or poorly translated content. Staying in the Grand mitigates you from any of those troubles, but god knows when they will decide to open their renovated rooms.
If you’re looking for “budget” options relatively close to the happenings, the JdV property at Sanlitun is alright.
#128
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Mars
Posts: 142
It’s not unfair to assume the receptionist won’t know English at all, and I don’t expect the managers to be any better.
Either way just stay in the Grand or the JdV. UrCoves except for the new-builds aren’t worth your time.
Either way just stay in the Grand or the JdV. UrCoves except for the new-builds aren’t worth your time.
Last edited by tailorgiven; May 16, 2023 at 10:14 am
#129
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Location: Shanghai
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Oh, I'd certainly plan on speaking Chinese when calling them.
#130
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Mars
Posts: 142
Well it wasn’t you who’s asking for the email or phone numbers. I’d imagine a hard time for OP should they not speak Mandarin or have trouble finding someone who does.
Last edited by tailorgiven; May 16, 2023 at 10:14 am
#131
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Agreed. Emailing Chinese hotels is very hit or miss so I would not bother trying to go that route. I would absolutely call rather than email for a Chinese hotel with someone that can speak mandarin.
#132
Join Date: Jan 2017
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The Grand will have the best English speakers at operator followed by the JVD. I have spoken in Engkish and Chinese in both. Same with Park Hyatt. HR Wang Jing Chinese as relatively few foreigners stay there.
It is doubtful the URbcove will have good English speakers orally. Written should be fine but they might be slow in responding.
It is doubtful the URbcove will have good English speakers orally. Written should be fine but they might be slow in responding.
#133
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Mars
Posts: 142
For UrCove whose demographic are primarily Chinese-speaking, I’d imagine further communication hiccups upon arrival. I’d strongly against any foreign national with little experience in Mandarin to stay at any UrCove (even if you do there’d be potential issues with document registration): they’re basically conversions of Home Inns, a local budget chain, and the properties have little connections with Hyatt despite the “UrCove by Hyatt” badge. If you’d really like to try one for brand explorer, the four properties in Shenzhen might be a starting point — they’re all new builds and accept foreign document holders.
TL;DR: it’s not worth your time and hassle.
Not really — quite a few Mercedes executives stay extendedly in the property, along with a decent number of Korean guests and other Mercedes employees. They were hiring Korean-speaking receptionists a while back. Overall their English capabilities is far above average.
The Grand, the Park, HR Wangjing and JdV BEI Zhaolong all ensure English-speaking capabilities and foreign guest registration. Hotel Éclat (SLH) is another great option and a deal at 9-12k points.
Location wise the Grand is undoubtedly the central most, but since attractions scatter around the main town, you won’t lose out much at either Park or Hotel Ećlat. JdV get you close to the hustle and bustles of Sanlitun, though admittedly the bar scenes are a lot worse compared to pre-COVID. HR Wangjing might be pretty off for tourists, but the property itself is decent with convenient public transport.
If you’re budget conscious, your best call would be the JdV BEI Zhaolong: competitive cash rates and redemption values, great surroundings with adequate shopping, dining and bar options, easy access to the Subway (Hujialou) and around 25 minutes to Tian’anmen square. The property itself has a few downsides, large and small, and it can be difficult to hail a taxi on weekend nights. Any upscale or above Hyatt in Beijing takes foreign documents, and if you don’t mind 30-minute+ subway rides in town the HP Daxing is also conceivable.
TL;DR: it’s not worth your time and hassle.
Not really — quite a few Mercedes executives stay extendedly in the property, along with a decent number of Korean guests and other Mercedes employees. They were hiring Korean-speaking receptionists a while back. Overall their English capabilities is far above average.
Location wise the Grand is undoubtedly the central most, but since attractions scatter around the main town, you won’t lose out much at either Park or Hotel Ećlat. JdV get you close to the hustle and bustles of Sanlitun, though admittedly the bar scenes are a lot worse compared to pre-COVID. HR Wangjing might be pretty off for tourists, but the property itself is decent with convenient public transport.
If you’re budget conscious, your best call would be the JdV BEI Zhaolong: competitive cash rates and redemption values, great surroundings with adequate shopping, dining and bar options, easy access to the Subway (Hujialou) and around 25 minutes to Tian’anmen square. The property itself has a few downsides, large and small, and it can be difficult to hail a taxi on weekend nights. Any upscale or above Hyatt in Beijing takes foreign documents, and if you don’t mind 30-minute+ subway rides in town the HP Daxing is also conceivable.
Last edited by tailorgiven; May 16, 2023 at 4:14 pm
#134
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EWR Ionosphere Club, LAX Clipper Club, Still Traveling Global, yearly BIS miles
Programs: EAL Silver Wings, I-Club, Flying Colonels DL, WorldPass PLat from the olde Meatball and PE SMARTbank
Posts: 2,008
WOW great info!
How is the UrCove Beijing International Exhibition center location? Is it close to public transit? Is it a viable option for tourists?
How is the UrCove Beijing International Exhibition center location? Is it close to public transit? Is it a viable option for tourists?
Not really — quite a few Mercedes executives stay extendedly in the property, along with a decent number of Korean guests and other Mercedes employees. They were hiring Korean-speaking receptionists a while back. Overall their English capabilities is far above average.
Agreed — just get a friend who speaks Chinese on the phone with them if you can’t.
For UrCove whose demographic are primarily Chinese-speaking, I’d imagine further communication hiccups upon arrival. I’d strongly against any foreign national with little experience in Mandarin to stay at any UrCove (even if you do there’d be potential issues with document registration): they’re basically conversions of Home Inns, a local budget chain, and the properties have little connections with Hyatt despite the “UrCove by Hyatt” badge. If you’d really like to try one for brand explorer, the four properties in Shenzhen might be a starting point — they’re all new builds and accept foreign document holders.
TL;DR: it’s not worth your time and hassle.
The Grand, the Park, HR Wangjing and JdV BEI Zhaolong all ensure English-speaking capabilities and foreign guest registration. Hotel Éclat (SLH) is another great option and a deal at 9-12k points.
Location wise the Grand is undoubtedly the central most, but since attractions scatter around the main town, you won’t lose out much at either Park or Hotel Ećlat. JdV get you close to the hustle and bustles of Sanlitun, though admittedly the bar scenes are a lot worse compared to pre-COVID. HR Wangjing might be pretty off for tourists, but the property itself is decent with convenient public transport.
If you’re budget conscious, your best call would be the JdV BEI Zhaolong: competitive cash rates and redemption values, great surroundings with adequate shopping, dining and bar options, easy access to the Subway (Hujialou) and around 25 minutes to Tian’anmen square. The property itself has a few downsides, large and small, and it can be difficult to hail a taxi on weekend nights. Any upscale or above Hyatt in Beijing takes foreign documents, and if you don’t mind 30-minute+ subway rides in town the HP Daxing is also conceivable.
Agreed — just get a friend who speaks Chinese on the phone with them if you can’t.
For UrCove whose demographic are primarily Chinese-speaking, I’d imagine further communication hiccups upon arrival. I’d strongly against any foreign national with little experience in Mandarin to stay at any UrCove (even if you do there’d be potential issues with document registration): they’re basically conversions of Home Inns, a local budget chain, and the properties have little connections with Hyatt despite the “UrCove by Hyatt” badge. If you’d really like to try one for brand explorer, the four properties in Shenzhen might be a starting point — they’re all new builds and accept foreign document holders.
TL;DR: it’s not worth your time and hassle.
The Grand, the Park, HR Wangjing and JdV BEI Zhaolong all ensure English-speaking capabilities and foreign guest registration. Hotel Éclat (SLH) is another great option and a deal at 9-12k points.
Location wise the Grand is undoubtedly the central most, but since attractions scatter around the main town, you won’t lose out much at either Park or Hotel Ećlat. JdV get you close to the hustle and bustles of Sanlitun, though admittedly the bar scenes are a lot worse compared to pre-COVID. HR Wangjing might be pretty off for tourists, but the property itself is decent with convenient public transport.
If you’re budget conscious, your best call would be the JdV BEI Zhaolong: competitive cash rates and redemption values, great surroundings with adequate shopping, dining and bar options, easy access to the Subway (Hujialou) and around 25 minutes to Tian’anmen square. The property itself has a few downsides, large and small, and it can be difficult to hail a taxi on weekend nights. Any upscale or above Hyatt in Beijing takes foreign documents, and if you don’t mind 30-minute+ subway rides in town the HP Daxing is also conceivable.
#135
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Mars
Posts: 142
The property’s neighborhood is nothing special, just your run-of-the-mill middle-class residential blocks in Beijing. The property itself is a conversion from Home Inn, and I’ve heard mixed reviews on Chinese sites though I’ve never personally stayed there, nor am I sure whether foreign document holders are accepted. Try calling in if you have a friend who speaks Mandarin, and again the usual warnings of low English capabilities when you’re in-house (a small trivia on UrCove: they don’t use the standard Hyatt-flavored Opera or Colleague Advantage as their PMS, but a modified one based on Home Inn systems that’s entirely in Chinese).
Yeah I’d say it’s pretty viable for tourists if you’re fine with the mild inconveniences of getting to the subway, the boring neighborhood and the usual English warning. If the rates for the dates you chose are close, I’d recommend the BEI Zhaolong. It’s pretty sub-par for full-service hotels in China, but it’s much better than any UrCove. They use Opera for Hyatt as their PMS with no concerns for EQN and point credits, and I’m pretty sure the receptionists and operators can speak English!
Last edited by tailorgiven; May 16, 2023 at 1:35 pm