Tried & Tested

Hotel check: Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf

28 Sep 2011 by BusinessTraveller

Background Opened in December last year under Hyatt’s business traveller-focused brand, the Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf is the hotel group’s first property in the German city.

What’s it like? From the outside, the hotel’s uber-contemporary glass façade echoes the surrounding buildings of Media Harbour, but when stepping into the lobby, nature-inspired flourishes, such as floral motifs and a decorated tree, provide a welcoming contrast. Designed by Dutch interior firm FG Stijl Amsterdam, the hotel features warm colours with plenty of natural light and unusual touches such as a water-filled ceiling in the ballroom and a pebble-shaped champagne bar.

Where is it? In the ultra-stylish Media Harbour district, a 20-minute drive from the airport and a half-hour stroll along the Rhine from the city centre.

Room facilities All rooms in the 19-storey building have floor-to-ceiling windows that provide stunning views over the contemporary skyline or the wide Rhine. However, don’t make the mistake I did of opening the windows at night with the lights on – even on the tenth floor, my room became infested with insects in minutes. Standard rooms, of which there are 260 with king beds and 30 with twin beds, measure 31 sqm to 37 sqm and come with muted grey and green furnishings in florals and stripes. Tea and coffee-making facilities can be found in the rooms, along with flatscreen TVs, wired and wifi internet access (free for 30 minutes, then €18 for 24 hours), MP3 docking stations, safes and robes.

The rooms do not come with an iron or ironing board, and I had to ring reception twice to ask for them – in the end they took my dress away to be pressed, which took an hour. The large bathrooms feature rainshowers and separate tubs. Toiletries are ginger-scented – which was not to my taste as it was quite sickly – by Portico Spa. Guests staying in Regency Club rooms and above can access the private lounge on the 18th floor, which includes a bar and a dining area. Here, a free continental breakfast is served, as well as afternoon tea and coffee, and evening drinks and canapés. There are also 13 suites – ten Regency (70 sqm), two Executive (108 sqm) and one Presidential (158 sqm).

Restaurants and bars There are three options for dining – the deli-style Café D, the more formal DOX restaurant and, in summer months, Pebble’s Terrace. On the ground floor, Café D (open 10am-7pm)offers breakfast and light lunches of salads and sandwiches, on a self-serve basis. All the dishes are also available to take away. On the same level, DOX serves modern European cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, made with seasonal produce from local markets in an open kitchen. It also has a sushi bar. I ate breakfast here, which was buffet-style with a good array of food ranging from cheese to cereals and pastries.

DOX bar, which features a menu that includes tapas and speciality martinis, is located on the Catwalk, which connects the hotel lobby with the restaurants. Opposite it is the Lounge, a smoker’s haven complete with a fireplace, next to which coffees, cocktails and light snacks are served. On the floor above, the intimate Pebble’s champagne lounge, with its own terrace, is an ideal spot for a quiet drink. In warmer weather, the Terrace opens as a restaurant specialising in grilled meat and fish, served with fresh salads.

Business and meeting facilities With 850 sqm of event space, including a ballroom and four meeting rooms, the hotel is well set up for functions. The 445 sqm ballroom, with a maximum capacity of 500 people, can be divided into two spaces, and has a separate entrance from the street via an innovative rising staircase. The ballroom features natural light through an unusual water-flooded glass ceiling.

Next to the ballroom are three interconnecting meeting rooms, measuring 40 sqm, 60 sqm and 63 sqm, plus a 62 sqm executive boardroom with a large oak table providing seating for up to 14 people. DOX restaurant also has two salons, overlooking Media Harbour, which can be used for meetings or private dinners for up to 24 guests, or used as one single space for a party of 80 people. A business centre is located on the ground floor next to reception, and has a fax, photocopier, printer and computer for guests to use.

Leisure facilities The 485 sqm Rive spa has five treatment rooms offering massages from 9am to 11pm. There is also a Vichy shower room, whirlpool, sauna, steam bath and an open-air terrace. On the same level is a 24-hour fitness centre with Technogym equipment and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pedestrian bridge that links the hotel to the town.

Verdict An ultra-stylish business hotel in a trendy location, with well-appointed bedrooms, excellent meeting facilities and easy access to the centre of Dusseldorf along the riverside.