Review: Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa Executive Regency Suite

At the conclusion of my East Africa trip, I wanted to end on a high note. When I began searching for hotels, the goal was to find a hotel I could redeem some points or a free night certificate in a good location in Addis Ababa. When I came across the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa, I knew it made sense, so I went ahead and booked it.

The Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa is a gorgeous hotel in a great location within the city with comfortable accommodations and an incredible staff. Here are some of my thoughts:

This article is part of my Trip Report: Starting Summer in East Africa including:

• My Comically Bad Luck Flying to Africa
• No Compensation for an Involuntary Business Class Downgrade?!?
• Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge IAD
• Review: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge IAD
• Review: Lufthansa B747-8 Economy IAD-FRA 
• My First Flight on the Queen: My Thoughts
• Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge FRA
• Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA 
• Review: Lufthansa A330 Business Class FRA-NBO
• Review: DoubleTree by Hilton Nairobi Hurlingham
• Review: Air Kenya into the Safari
• JW Marriott Masai Mara Review: Luxury in the Savannah, a Truly Unforgettable Safari
• Is the JW Marriott Masai Mara Worth $3k a Night?
• Review: Aspire Lounge Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO)
• Review: Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ E190
• Exploring Tanzania: My Thoughts on Zanzibar
• When Flights Don’t Go as Planned: Delayed in Zanzibar
• Review: Air Tanzania ZNZ-ARK
• Mt. Kilimanjaro Day Hike: My Thoughts
• Exploring Moshi, Tanzania: What Everyone Gets Wrong
• Review: Twiga Lounge by Aspire Lounge Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Weirdest Flight Delay I Have Ever Had… 
• Review: Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa Executive Regency Suite
• Exploring Addis Ababa: My Thoughts
• Review: Ethiopian Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge Addis Ababa
• Review: Ethiopian Cloud Nine B787-8 Business Class ADD-IAD
• My 18 Hour Odd Business Class Experience: A Stop in Lome, Togo?

The Room

Although I booked a standard king bedroom, I received an upgrade to a Regency Executive Suite at check-in. I was not expecting this upgrade, so I was thrilled. Upon entering the room, there was a small hallway with a tiny bathroom to the left, the first of two in the suite. Straight ahead stood a desk behind a couch in the living room. 

Turning the corner, there was a coffee table and another comfortable chair. Despite having no recessed lighting in the living room, it was well-lit thanks to the variety of lamps. In the front of the room was a massive TV above an elegant TV stand.

On the left side of the room was a small dining area with four chairs. This is where some water was left, as was where the coffee machine was located. 

Behind the desk were two sliding doors that opened to the king bed in the bedroom. I do have to say that it was a very comfortable bed. I thought it was odd that the nightstands didn’t match, though.

The bedroom also had a TV as well as a chair. The TV did pivot to face the bed, but you could have also watched on the living room TV, albeit at quite a distance. Along the back wall of this room were the closets, including a safe.

Behind the bedroom was the primary bathroom, which was undoubtedly a highlight. Wrapped in marble, with a free-standing tub, separate shower, and double vanity, it was a gorgeous bathroom.

The Hotel

According to my tour guide, the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa is the nicest hotel in the city, and it showed. The lobby was expansive, with elegant marble check-in desks and beautiful wooden pillars. 

In the back of the lobby was a small market, followed by The Kitchen, an on-site restaurant. This is where breakfast was located, although I did not get a chance to try it. Along the right side of the lobby were windows facing out onto a large courtyard with plenty of plants and seating areas. 

Heading towards the elevators in the back right of the lobby was the Regency Club, which offered some lite snacks and drinks in the evenings. It was a small club but had a nice spread. However, I did wish they had provided breakfast. 

Up one floor was the pool level. This was where the gym and spa were located. The gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the courtyard was popular with guests. There was a pool bar for drinks and snacks.

The Service

The Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa service stood out the most to me. Not only personalized, but all the staff I interacted with were truly professional and kind. 

Despite arriving late at the hotel, maybe 9 pm or so, the check-in agent was particularly friendly. We discussed the top attractions I would have to see in Addis Ababa, as well as the different amenities of the hotel. She thanked me for being a Hyatt Explorist member and was kind enough to upgrade me to the Executive Regency Suite. 

The following day I was supposed to go on a tour which I had booked online. However, I was never contacted by the tour operator, so I asked if the concierge could call them and check. Unfortunately, the guide I had signed up with was mourning the loss of a loved one and not planning on operating the tour, rightfully so. 

The concierge said don’t worry, let me make a call, and instructed me to come back in about 5-10 minutes or take a seat. He had connected me with another operator who would take me on a private city tour customized for the highlights I wanted to see, such as the markets, cathedrals, and parks.

Sure enough, my guide arrived 20 minutes later and not only took me on a tour of Addis Ababa but went above and beyond to show me a good time. I have to thank this concierge for genuinely making my experience in the city excellent. 

Booking the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa

During my two-night stay, the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa was selling for around $210 per night. While this is reasonable for this hotel’s quality, it was more than my student budget was willing to pay.

I redeemed 21,000 Hyatt points for my two-night stay since this property was a Category 3 World Of Hyatt property. The first night was off-peak, coming in 9,000 points, with the second night being standard at 12,000. Peak nights are 15,000 points.

I transferred 21,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt to make this reservation. 

Note that this is also a Hyatt Prive property, which means that if you book through a travel advisor, you can get elite-like perks such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and other amenities during your stay at the same price. Feel free to fill out a contact form if you are interested in booking a Hyatt Prive rate. 

The Last Point

I am glad I got to stay at the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the property. The suite was gorgeous, with lots of space and a beautiful bathroom. This hotel also hosts one of my favorite city-hotel pools.

I would happily revisit this property if ever in the city. It was a great redemption that I am thrilled with. Now, only if I can confirm that upgrade again.