Embassy Suites vs. Hyatt Place: Which Hotel Chain Offers the Better Stay?

When planning a hotel stay, two popular mid-range options that often come up are Embassy Suites and Hyatt Place. Both chains offer comfortable accommodations and amenities geared towards both business and leisure travelers. But how do they compare, and which one might be the better choice for your next trip? Let’s take an in-depth look at what each brand has to offer.

Overview of the Brands

Embassy Suites is part of the Hilton portfolio of hotels. The brand is known for its all-suite accommodations and complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast. Most Embassy Suites also offer a nightly evening reception with free drinks and snacks.

Hyatt Place falls under the Hyatt umbrella of hotel brands. It aims to provide a seamless experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler with spacious rooms, 24/7 dining options, and modern amenities.

Both chains typically fall into the upscale or upper midscale segment of hotels. They tend to be priced similarly, though rates can vary significantly by location and season.

Room Types and Layout

One of the biggest differences between Embassy Suites and Hyatt Place is the room configuration.

Embassy Suites: As the name implies, all rooms at Embassy Suites are two-room suites. You’ll find a separate living area with a pull-out sofa bed, armchair, work desk, and wet bar. The bedroom is in a separate space, typically with a door that can be closed for privacy. This layout makes Embassy Suites popular with families or travelers who want extra space to spread out.

Hyatt Place: Rooms at Hyatt Place are more of a studio-style layout. They feature an open floor plan with defined sleeping and living areas, but not separate rooms. Most Hyatt Place rooms have a “Cozy Corner” with a sectional sofa-sleeper. The rooms tend to feel modern and functional.

For solo travelers or couples, the Hyatt Place layout may feel sufficiently spacious. Families or those seeking more privacy between living and sleeping areas may prefer the true two-room suites at Embassy Suites.

Beds and Bedding

Both chains generally receive positive reviews for their beds and bedding quality.

Embassy Suites uses Serta Perfect Sleeper mattresses in most properties. Beds are typically outfitted with premium linens and a selection of firm and soft pillows.

Hyatt Place features the brand’s signature Hyatt Grand Bed. These custom-designed beds aim to provide the right balance of comfort and support. Hyatt Place beds come with soft linens and a mix of feather and foam pillows.

Overall, both chains prioritize sleep quality with comfortable beds and bedding. Personal preferences will likely determine which you find more restful.

Bathrooms

Embassy Suites bathrooms tend to be fairly spacious, often with granite countertops and upscale bath products from Crabtree & Evelyn. Many have separate vanity areas outside the main bathroom.

Hyatt Place bathrooms are typically more compact but efficiently designed. They feature KenetMD bath amenities. Some travelers note that the bathroom layout can feel a bit cramped in certain Hyatt Place properties.

If a large bathroom is important to you, Embassy Suites may have an edge here. But both chains offer clean, modern bathroom facilities that meet the needs of most travelers.

In-Room Amenities

Both Embassy Suites and Hyatt Place provide a standard set of in-room amenities to make your stay comfortable:

– Flat-screen TVs with cable/satellite channels
– Coffee makers
– Mini-fridges
– Irons and ironing boards
– Hair dryers
– Work desks
– Free WiFi

Embassy Suites rooms also include microwaves and wet bars with sinks, which can be convenient for longer stays or families. Some Hyatt Place rooms have microwaves, but it’s not standard across all properties.

Both chains offer USB charging ports and ample electrical outlets to keep your devices powered up.

Food and Dining Options

One of Embassy Suites’ biggest selling points is its food offerings, particularly the complimentary breakfast and evening reception.

Embassy Suites Breakfast: Each morning, guests can enjoy a free cooked-to-order breakfast. This typically includes made-to-order omelets, pancakes, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pastries, fruit, cereal, and more. It’s a substantial offering that many travelers cite as a major perk.

Evening Reception: In the early evening (usually 5:30-7:30 pm), Embassy Suites hosts a complimentary reception with free alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and light snacks. This can be a nice way to unwind after a day of travel or meetings.

On-site restaurants: Many Embassy Suites have full-service restaurants on the premises, though hours and offerings vary by location.

Hyatt Place takes a different approach to dining:

Breakfast: A complimentary breakfast is offered to World of Hyatt members who book directly through Hyatt. For other guests, breakfast is available for purchase. The offerings are generally good quality but not as extensive as Embassy Suites’ cooked-to-order options.

24/7 Dining: One of Hyatt Place’s differentiators is its 24/7 freshly prepared meal options. While not free, you can order hot meals around the clock from a limited menu.

Grab and Go: Hyatt Place properties feature “The Market,” offering packaged sandwiches, salads, and snacks for purchase any time.

Bar: Most Hyatt Place hotels have a bar serving coffee drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails, often with a limited food menu as well.

For travelers who prioritize a substantial free breakfast and enjoy the social aspect of an evening reception, Embassy Suites has a clear advantage. However, Hyatt Place’s 24/7 food availability can be a major plus for those with irregular schedules or late-night cravings.

Fitness and Recreation

Both chains recognize the importance of helping guests maintain their fitness routines while traveling.

Embassy Suites: Most properties feature well-equipped fitness centers with cardio machines and free weights. Many Embassy Suites also have indoor or outdoor pools, which can be great for families or lap swimmers.

Hyatt Place: You’ll find 24/7 fitness centers at Hyatt Place hotels, typically with modern cardio equipment and strength training options. Some Hyatt Place properties have pools, though it’s less common than at Embassy Suites.

Overall, both chains provide solid fitness offerings. If having a pool is important to you, you may have better luck with Embassy Suites, but it’s worth checking the amenities for the specific properties you’re considering.

Business and Meeting Facilities

For business travelers or those planning events, both chains offer options, though the scale can vary significantly by individual property.

Embassy Suites: Many Embassy Suites have extensive meeting and event spaces, capable of hosting everything from small business meetings to large conferences or weddings. The two-room suite layout can also be conducive to small informal meetings in your room.

Hyatt Place: While Hyatt Place does offer meeting spaces, they tend to be more limited in size and number compared to Embassy Suites. However, for small to medium-sized meetings, many Hyatt Place properties can accommodate your needs.

Both chains offer business centers with computers and printers for guest use.

Loyalty Programs

Embassy Suites participates in the Hilton Honors program, while Hyatt Place is part of World of Hyatt. Both programs allow you to earn and redeem points for free nights, as well as enjoy perks like late check-out and room upgrades (depending on your status level).

Hilton Honors is generally considered easier to earn points in, with more properties worldwide where you can earn and redeem. However, World of Hyatt is often praised for offering better value when redeeming points, particularly for high-end properties.

If you’re loyal to one of these programs already, that could be a deciding factor in your choice between Embassy Suites and Hyatt Place.

Location and Availability

Embassy Suites has around 250 properties, primarily in the United States. You’ll often find them near airports, business districts, and popular tourist destinations.

Hyatt Place has a slightly larger footprint with over 400 locations worldwide, including a growing presence in Asia and Europe. They’re commonly found in similar locations to Embassy Suites – near airports, in business-centric areas, and close to major attractions.

The availability of either brand will depend on your specific destination, so it’s worth checking what’s available for your particular trip.

Price Points

Pricing for both chains can vary widely depending on location, time of year, and local events. In general, Embassy Suites and Hyatt Place tend to be in a similar price range, falling into the upper-midscale to upscale categories.

Embassy Suites’ rates often include the value of the free cooked-to-order breakfast and evening reception, which can make it a better overall value if you plan to take advantage of these offerings.

Hyatt Place may sometimes have slightly lower nightly rates, but remember that breakfast isn’t always included unless you’re a World of Hyatt member booking directly.

As always, it’s best to compare specific rates for your dates and destination to get the most accurate picture of costs.

Consistency and Quality

Both Embassy Suites and Hyatt Place generally receive positive reviews for consistency and quality across their properties. However, as with any hotel chain, experiences can vary by location and some properties may be older or in need of updates.

Embassy Suites has been around longer (since 1983) and some of its properties are showing their age. However, many locations have undergone or are undergoing renovations to keep them fresh and modern.

Hyatt Place, launched in 2006, tends to have a more consistently modern feel across its properties. The brand was designed from the ground up for today’s traveler, which is reflected in its contemporary aesthetics and tech-friendly amenities.

Environmental Initiatives

Both chains have made commitments to sustainability and reducing their environmental impact.

Embassy Suites, as part of Hilton, participates in the company’s “Travel with Purpose” initiative. This includes goals to cut their environmental footprint in half and double their social impact investment.

Hyatt Place, under the broader Hyatt umbrella, has its “World of Care” platform, which includes commitments to reduce water usage, energy consumption, and waste.

At the property level, you may notice things like bulk toiletry dispensers to reduce plastic waste, energy-efficient lighting, and water-saving fixtures.

Who Might Prefer Embassy Suites?

– Families or groups who value the extra space of a true two-room suite
– Travelers who enjoy a substantial, cooked-to-order breakfast
– Those who appreciate the social aspect and value of the evening reception
– People planning longer stays who might make use of the in-room microwave and wet bar
– Business travelers or event planners needing more extensive meeting facilities

Who Might Prefer Hyatt Place?

– Solo travelers or couples who find the studio-style room layout sufficient
– Those who value modern, tech-friendly design
– Travelers with irregular schedules who appreciate 24/7 food options
– World of Hyatt members looking to earn or redeem points
– Business travelers needing a comfortable, functional space for short stays

Final Thoughts

Both Embassy Suites and Hyatt Place offer comfortable accommodations with a range of amenities to suit both business and leisure travelers. Your choice between the two may come down to specific factors like room layout preferences, the importance of a free cooked breakfast, or loyalty program participation.

Embassy Suites tends to excel in spaciousness and included food and beverage offerings, making it particularly appealing for families or longer stays. Hyatt Place shines with its modern design, 24/7 food availability, and growing global footprint.

Ultimately, both chains provide reliable, quality stays in the upper-midscale to upscale range. Consider your specific needs for each trip, compare rates and amenities at the particular properties you’re considering, and choose the option that best aligns with your travel style and preferences.

Remember that experiences can vary by individual property, so it’s always a good idea to read recent reviews for the specific hotel you’re considering. Whether you choose Embassy Suites or Hyatt Place, you’re likely to have a comfortable stay with the amenities you need for a successful trip.