Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach Review

I had a big first-world problem. My Hyatt Lvl 1-4 Award was expiring just one week before the Thanksgiving Weekend. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to extend my award by calling the Globalist Hotline. Hyatt’s new rules also require you to check-out by the day the award expires. As I didn’t want the award to go to waste, I had to find a Hyatt Category 1-4 property for which I could use the award. Using an award would also give me one more elite-qualifying night towards my final milestone of 100 nights. As I was in Long Beach and staying at the Residence Inn I decided to use my award at the Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach. There was also the Hyatt Regency Long Beach within walking distance of my current hotel, but I have been there before numerous times. However, I never stayed at the Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach. Valet parking and no self-parking was one of the main reasons for that. All-together the prices are more expensive as at the nearby Hyatt Regency Long Beach. If you stay at the Hyatt Regency you also get access to the rooftop pool of the Hyatt Centric. Just show your room key at the front desk and they will activate the elevator for you.

Location

The Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach is located next to the Pike Outlets Open Air Shopping Mall and just across the street from Shoreline Village and the beautiful Long Beach waterfront. From the Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach, it’s only a short walk to many attractions like the Aquarium of the Pacific, Harbor Cruises, and many restaurants. It’s very easy to navigate the area on foot or use the free Passport Shuttle of Long Beach Transit. The Passport Shuttle brings you to all major attractions in the area and even connects you to other transportation hubs.

As mentioned, the hotel only offers valet parking which is pretty expensive at $34/night. You have the option to self-park in the Pike Parking Garage for a rate of $16/day. However, there are no in and out privileges at the parking garage and you have to pay for whatever hours you parked your vehicle. The hotel will validate parking there for 2 hours complimentary.

For me, it was easy to get there, as I left my car at the other hotel, across the Los Angeles River and just walked to the hotel to check-in and enjoy their amenities for the one night stay.

Check-In

If you arrive by car, you can park straight in front of the hotel to check-in and unload your car. There is only a very small loading and unloading area. So make sure you have a plan, either valet your car or self-park at the nearby parking garage.

Check-in was super easy. I walked into the lobby, which is very dim-lit and straight up to the front desk on the right side. Check-in was a matter of a few minutes and I also had a nice and short chat with the lady while she was checking me in. I received my room keys as well as a small welcome amenity of a bottle of water and some chocolate. The guest elevators are opposite of the front desk and key activated.

Executive King (Room 607)

This room is considered a suite (according to the hotel’s website) but it feels actually just like a regular room. Maybe I am just to spoiled with other suites I usually have. Either way, it’s still a nice room overall. Spacious enough for one or two persons to feel comfortable.

When you walk in you have the living room area right in front of you. There is a sofa against the wall and opposite the sofa is a TV, which is mounted inside a separator wall. This wall separates the sleeping area from the living area and the TV can be swiveled around to either face the bed or the sofa. In front of the sofa is a small cocktail table.

To the left of the room entrance, right in the corner, is a small working area with a desk and office chair. Under the counter to the side of it is a very small refrigerator and on top sits a coffee maker.

The king-sized bed is centered against the wall with a nightstand on either side. Each nightstand comes with a lamp and power outlets. Inside the inner wall is a closet that holds the iron, ironing board, PJ, extra bedding for the sofa bed, and a safe.

From the bedroom area, you can access the bathroom which has a vanity with washbasin and a mirror on top of it. Opposite to it is the walk-in shower. The shower takes up one side of the room and has no door. At the back of the bathroom is the toilet between shower and vanity.

There are two windows, one in the living room and the other one in the bedroom area. There is no real view from the room. Both rooms face the courtyard and there is not much else to see besides the rest of the hotel as it is U-shaped. For more privacy close the curtains.

Public Areas

In the lobby, you find some seating. More is available in the bar area. The breakfast area is usually closed off for seating outside of their hours of operation. An ATM can be found right next to the elevators and there is a stand with flyers of local attractions as well in the lobby. A small business center with two workstations and one printer is located all the way down the main hallway of the lobby.

From there you also can access the fitness center. It’s rather small but well equipped. Great for a regular workout. Close by is also the door to access the courtyard. It was closed during my stay as the hotel was doing some renovation.

The highlight is the rooftop pool which offers 360° panoramic views of the area. Great to watch the sunset or just hang out at one of the few cabanas at the far side of the pool. There is a small rooftop bar that is only open during the spring and summer season. However, you still can buy drinks downstairs at the bar and take it up to the pool. You will be given a plastic cup rather than anything out of glass. It’s the only rooftop pool in Long Beach. The views from up here are amazing and worth checking out. There is plenty of seating around the pool area to just sit down and hang out.

Dining

Breakfast is served at the Bay Street Kitchen, an on-site restaurant. As there is no club lounge, Globalist members get complimentary breakfast at the restaurant. For all other guests, it’s an additional charge. The hotel might offer special room rates which include breakfast, so check before you book and compare prices between how much the breakfast would cost you and how much the room rate increase would be. You can find the menu on the hotel’s website.

Breakfast is a la carte at the Bay Street Kitchen and there is no breakfast buffet. Prices are fair for what you get. It’s been a while since I had such a great and freshly prepared breakfast. It was delicious, everything from the eggs, potatoes and the bacon. Just perfect as I like it. Service was great as well, but I was the only customer anyway. 😉

I am really surprised about their long breakfast hours from 6:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. every day. If you want to enjoy breakfast in your room, there is a menu form in your room to order breakfast during the same timeframe. Just fill it out and hang it on your door by no later than 2 a.m.

For dinner, you can sit down at the Bay Street Bar on the other side of the lobby. They have a decent selection of food besides a huge selection of drinks. I had the salmon for dinner which was really good.

If you are just in for some socializing and drinks, head up to the rooftop and enjoy a drink with spectacular views. Unfortunately, the bar is only open seasonal but you can always take your drink from the Bay Street Bar up to the pool. Just let your server at the bar know that you want to take your drinks up to the pool.

If none of the on-site dining options are for you, just take a stroll down to Shoreline Village or The Pike (Mall), which is right next to the hotel. There are so many good restaurants within walking distance. No matter if you look for fast food or a high-end steakhouse. Everything is just a few minutes away.

Conclusion

Overall a very pleasant stay. This place is perfect for the leisure traveler and a weekend getaway. Lots of attractions are within walking distance or just a short bus or car ride away. This hotel is perfect for a relaxing getaway. Even tho when you live in the L.A. area, come down to Long Beach and treat yourself with some out-time. Every staff member at the Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach was super nice and friendly. Lots of nice people here.

One downside is the view. None of the rooms really have a “good” view. If you want to stay at a Hyatt with good views, try the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, as they have many harbor-view rooms. Up to you! But if you are out and about all day anyway, who cares about the view. At night you probably just want to rest.