After dropping off the Car I headed to the store to get some supplies and then off to the hotel to check in and drop my stuff (and leave my hat in my bag at this point because I am an idiot). After looking around and finding a half decent rate at this new hotel, I figured I would give it a try. A few months ago the Hyatt Place LAX/El Segundo opened just off Imperial Highway in El Segundo. To be honest its barely off the Airport grounds, it is just outside the little cluster that all the other airport hotels are located, but still close to everything so it’s not a 10-20 minute drive away.
Location wise it is pretty convenient. 2 blocks away from a full on supermarket, about a block away from a Metro Railway Station (the Green Line) and being that it is new build, it is in a quiet street located away from all the traffic on Imperial Highway/Sepulveda Blvd. The hotel is of that usual modernist design that makes it look like an office block from the outside which is kind of weird but hey, I don’t mind as it’s what is on the inside that counts right?
I rolled up and parked outside and as soon as I walked in I was greeted. The lobby looked pretty good and within moments I was checked in and explained breakfast times etc. I headed on up to my room on the 5th floor (the top floor) and I didn’t even bother asking about a runway view, considering the buildings around it would have blocked it and it would probably be dark by the time I got back, who cares.
The room was all the way at the end of the hallway away from the lifts (so at least they do pay attention to Gold Passport requests) and I wasn’t sure if I got this room thanks to the Platinum upgrade or not as it was a corner room and felt big, but then I haven’t experienced a room at a Hyatt Place before so couldn’t say. But it felt like it was a better room to me. Inside the room was nice, and modern. Spacious, yet not overly so.
The bathroom though was pretty good with a big shower and sliding door rather than curtain or moving door so it didn’t impede on anything. My biggest complaint about the bathroom though, was the soaps etc. were on the outside of the shower area more in the main room so if you forgot them when you went for a shower (as I did) you are going to have to traipse all the way back out (and drip water everywhere probably).
Plenty of towels and so many power outlets it wasn’t funny. 4 in total by the side of the bed alone! (Two on either side). A mini bar fridge, but no mini bar inside, is perfect for putting in my water and stuff. Connectivity on the TV including a USB plug and a HDMI port, though when I plugged in my usb, nothing worked (sigh). Free Wi-Fi onsite and it was password protected which was a bit unusual considering it’s offered free for everyone.
An outdoor pool area at the hotel and a 24 hour basic cardio gym were pretty common and a full on guest self-serve laundry rounded out the facilities. The lobby has the breakfast area but during the day this becomes more of a common area and there is a small café/bar area that is served by the check in staff.
The biggest win for me about this hotel was the breakfast the next morning. I grabbed breakfast just before heading off for more spotting so had dropped everything in the car and would then have breakfast, check out and hit the road all within minutes. Breakfast is free at all Hyatt Places and they call it the “a.m. Kitchen Skillet” breakfast. It is kind of a mix of an easy take away breakfast so you can package it up and take it back to your room if you want, or eat it down in the common areas. Starbucks coffee (though not the usual blend) was on offer and plenty of food. The usual continental offerings (Toast, fruit, cereal etc.) and the hot wasn’t bad.
Hot food was a choice of 4 items. French toast, Steel Cut Oatmeal or 2 different kinds of Muffin Cheese & Egg or Bacon and Egg (with cheese as well). This is not your usual 5 star hotel breakfasts but it was good, filling and simple and the oatmeal was freaking awesome! The thing for me that kicked off the experience at breakfast was Kim who was the staff member looking after it all. Nothing was too much trouble for her at all and she was always there helping to get more coffee or fruit or pastries or anything really. Plus being a communal area they had a few big screen TVs with the morning news going on as it was inauguration day in DC and I had a few comments about that game playing that day.
Check out was simple and done quickly. I was soon on the road for more spotting. Pretty simple!