Hyatt Place Manati

Like Hyatt Places all around the world, this property is readymade for business travelers, and packs all of the necessary conveniences into a relatively small package that keeps things from feeling overwhelmingly large. From the street, the Hyatt Place is marked by a circular drive way, the Hyatt symbol, and palm trees. Once inside, the open-floor plan makes the lobby seem even more spacious, especially with its high ceilings. With plenty of common areas around the lobby, there's no problem finding places to read quietly or socialize, and during our visit there were plenty of people hanging out, coming, and going. The lobby bar opens in the afternoon and into the evening, and it’s not uncommon to families and corporate travelers grabbing dinner from the 24-hour cafe. Soft pop music plays in the background throughout the lobby, helping to create a relaxed, but lively vibe, and the busiest time in the lobby is during the end of the breakfast rush. While families and business travelers are the most frequent guests, groups also pass through for larger scale event in the area.

The Hyatt Place’s location along Route 2 in Manati is one of the hotel’s strengths and one of its weaknesses. The highway provides easy access to and from the main cities along the northern coast of Puerto Rico, however, the busy road doesn't allow for easy walking to many locations. Travelers will need a car or taxi to get around. The popular Playa Mar Chiquita is a 15- to 20-minute drive from the hotel, and features a spectacular white sand beach, and live music and local food vendors on the weekends. The Laguna Tortuguero Natural Reserve is a 25-minute drive from the hotel, which offers glimpses of stunning flora, bird watching, and nature. Otherwise, the immediate area feels decidedly suburban, with big box stores and chain restaurants like Longhorn Steakhouse for neighbors. Like many hotels in Puerto Rico, there is no airport shuttle service available, and travelers should allow an hour or more (depending on the time of day) to get to Luis Munoz Marin Airport in San Juan. 

Across all categories, rooms at the Hyatt Place have a modern and simple style. Colors throughout are muted grays and beiges, with only a few decorative flourishes like artsy photography and tree-branch silhouetted panels separating the seating and sleeping areas. All rooms are spacious, with plenty of room to walk around plus wardrobes and writing desks. Travelers can expect king, queen, and double beds with mattress pads for added comfort. Light wood-veneer furniture looks fresh and includes side tables with ample outlets for charging. All rooms have flat-screen TVs with cable, powerful air-conditioning, single-serve coffeemakers, bottles of water, and mini-fridges. Spare blankets and sofa beds are convenient for families or small groups.The suites are a nice upgrade and include a separate bedroom, a dining area with table and chairs, and kitchenette with a sink. Rooms on higher floors tend to have better views of Manati, but none will be considered exactly scenic.Bathrooms are spacious and well-appointed. Many have glass stall showers, but a few have shower/tub combos. There's plenty of counter space, and some bathrooms have extra powder room area. Bathrooms come with hairdryers, plenty of towels, and KenetMD bath products.

There are plenty of thoughtful extras on offer at the Hyatt Place, including fresh fruit at the front desk. The pool terrace in the back of the hotel is small, but private, with a fence and foliage surrounding it to keep things quiet despite the busy area. There are a handful of black chairs with striped cushions available for lounging after a swim. A small fitness center is also at the back of the hotel, with a few modern cardio machines, free weights, core balls, hand towels, and water. The lobby provides ample common areas with contemporary chairs and tables in yellow, orange, and black. Plenty of high-top tables with wooden bar stools, as well as a few long banquet tables. The Gallery is the 24/7 restaurant that's more like a cafe or deli, and serves soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastries. A free breakfast buffet is available for guests every morning and includes breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, yogurt, eggs, pastries, coffee, and french toast. Guests should note that breakfast can get pretty busy and isn't served very late. It also lacks any local options, and reviews are mixed. A small lobby bar is situated in the middle of the common areas with plenty of seating.Ample outdoor parking is available for free at the hotel, as is Wi-Fi. There's also a small business center across from the front desk and a few meeting rooms that can be rented. The Market has various sundries available for anything that's been forgotten.