Hyatt Place Bethlehem — Hotel in Bethlehem

Update:

All of my criticisms below stand. However, I did talk to the general manager Keith who straightened out the cost issues. I never got an apology and I never heard back from Katie Labor.

Furthermore, the woman who was rude to me at breakfast service and shut it down moments after I arrived without any warning, is named Casey. She is the one who rudely checked me out and definitely has an attitude problem. I wish I could say otherwise. In conclusion: the lobby, overflowing garbage cans, elevator, Air conditioning broken for over a month in the public areas and the atrocious breakfast as well as the check in/check out process discourage me from ever coming back. The room was nice, cool, and Keith straightened out the cost overcharge but it caused a lot of stress and work. Now to my original review.

Where to begin?

Check-in.  Checked in by Kevin who gave me the best rate I found on the internet with my Senior discount.  However, I trusted him and did not double check that this is what he indeed did.  Well I did not get the best rate ($116).

I told Kevin I wanted stay 1 to 3 nights, maybe 5 if I could get the same rate on the weekend (nights 4 and 5).  I verified that if I checked out after 1, 2, 3 nights the rate was always the same.  And that I would make a last minute decision about staying longer, with no cost penalty.  Same price per night for 1,2 or 3 (with 4 or 5 to be checked on).  Kevin confirmed, reiterated this, and even put it in writing (daily cost). I did not ask him to write a treatise with all the details -- we had a clear understanding. Price stable for 1 2 or 3 nights, my plans are in flux.  No reason to not trust him. I confirmed it all verbally with nightly charge in writing.

Presentation:  No functional AC in the hot and humid lobby nor in the sweltering hot elevators or any of the hallways or breakfast room.  Air Conditioner has been broken for at least a month with no ETA to repair it.

Garbage cans in hallway overflowing for hours, breakfast was pathetic.  Choice of Jimmy Dean sausage patty sandwich already factory assembled, and wrapped or Jimmy Dean bagel with yellow crud (egg?), cheese and I think same sausage, prepared.  They just microwaved them in their sealed paper.  Only bananas for fruit, etc..  Got there 8:59.  At 9:00 all gone.  Not even a warning. Water and juice in open pitchers, not sealed containers. Room was nice, spacious, clean, good wifi.

Ongoing checkout and departure:  At 2nd night, informed night clerk I intend to check out tomorrow, and I want to see estimated bill and verify everything is in order so smooth checkout.    Nope.  Price jumped up on the 2nd night almost $30. So I need to see the manager on checkout day.

Manager's name is Katie Labor.  I asked the front desk for manager's contact information.  Katie did not make an appearance today (my last day).  I was previously told that she had the say on extending my promised first 3 night rate over the weekend (I probably would have stayed if price was extended, but not now unless all is straightened out in the morning, which I can not imagine).

What about when I check out and need to deal with her about overcharges?  She will not get in until after 3 PM!  Check-out is however 12 Noon. Therefore no way to resolve, unless people in morning, who probably do not have authority to make any decisions, are deputized to straighten it out.

So I am now dreading the inevitable credit card dispute process, at best, and hours of phone conversations, letters, and the dispute process at worst. I was willing, and still am, to pay exactly what I had agreed to as clearly and as thoroughly as I could establish.

Maybe Katie Labor will straighten it all out tomorrow, but I highly doubt it. I will shoot her an email tonight.  If she does gracefully, I will change my review and return in the future. I will be regularly visiting the Allentown-Bethlehem area in the near future.

Otherwise, I will duplicate this review on the other sites, and send to the hotel...

Stayed here in March 2025 with a friend.

Rooms: Room was pretty spacious and decently clean Bathroom was unfortunately quite small and was a bit uncomfortable as a result

Services/Amenities: Unfortunately this area was quite lacking even after adjusting my expectations due to Hyatt Places usually being on the more budget friendly/low end. I shall elaborate below.

Tiny pool and fitness center: Pool probably couldn’t fit more than 6 people comfortably and the fitness center only had like 2 machines and some weights.

Breakfast: Free breakfast was offered until 9 AM. Just your standard continental breakfast fare, not horrible but nothing special either.

Parking: This is by far my biggest gripe. They charge you $12/day for parking. This is the first and only hotel that I’ve been in that charges for parking while being on the lower end. Usually if a hotel charges parking you’d expect it to be on the higher end and have valet service or something like that which this hotel doesn’t fall into either category. At the very least you should be notified when booking the hotel instead of hiding that information in a separate section of the site. Not to mention every time you leave the hotel you have to get a new ticket validated when you get back. When I checked in the receptionist didn’t validate my ticket which should be the expectation if the hotel insists on the stupid parking policy.

Location: Location was decent you’re in easy reach of Main Street and the historic areas. However the parking garage definitely can give off a bit of sketchy vibes later at night.

Summary: Decently clean and spacious room, but services/amenities were disappointing to say the least. If you’re in the Lehigh valley area and don’t mind driving an additional 30 min, the Hyatt place/house Allentown was similarly priced but blows this place out of the water. It’s a much nicer hotel with a bigger pool/fitness center and a full bathroom.

TLDR: Decently spacious room but everything else was kinda disappointing. If you wanna stay at a Hyatt take the additional 30 min to drive to Hyatt Place/house Allentown and your experience will be...

Centrally located in the historic district with lots of restaurants and specialty shops in walking distance. Parking is adjacent to the hotel and $12 a day charged at check in. The room was large, relaxing with a slight Asian feel to the room design. Firm but plush bed and plenty of plush pillows. Extra pillows and bedding in closet for the pullout sofa bed or if you want to build a blanket fort. The TV is on a swivel and can be viewed from the bed or sitting area. Shower was high pressure and hot with plenty of towels. Iron and board were available and worked. Did not see a hair dryer. Could not locate any USB charging ports. Plenty of ac power outlets. Air conditioning was easy to control and very cold. We were not disturbed by any noise. We had room 421 at end of a hall. The front desk staff were not very well groomed and looked sloppy for what I would expect at Hyatt. They were also not very knowledgeable about procedures or local restaurants. Check your reservation carefully if you book direct with the hotel. In room coffee was better than average 6/10. They also supply Twinnings tea selections. The free breakfast is not worth getting up before 9 to wrestle with other guests over powdered eggs, sad looking sausages, French toast strips, dickensian looking porridge, a sparse offering of low quality pastries, cereals and watered down juices. There are some cute French pastry shops and a true NY bagel shop nearby that are well worth trying for breakfast. There is no real on site dining. A small coffee/liquor bar connected to the front desk is all you'll find here. Although plenty of seating for lounging in the lobby there is no entertainment or amenities offered so it seemed perpetually empty except during breakfast hours. Again, there are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby to suit your needs although it would have been nice to have a cozy nightcap in my hotel before bed. This could be a nicer hotel but the rates are fair and the rooms are relaxing so...