Hospitality at the Hyatt

Each November, the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association (OHLA), hosts its Annual Conference & Gala. Last year, we were unable to gather in-person, so this year’s conference was more important than ever. The event was a huge success in large part to our host venue, Hyatt Regency Columbus.

The Hyatt Regency Columbus is a staple of downtown Columbus’ convention infrastructure neighboring the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Nationwide Arena. It’s notable location at the corner of Nationwide Blvd. and High St. is just a short walk to the downtown business district, Short North Arts District and the Arena District.

Hyatt Regency Columbus

Hyatt has certainly embraced the holiday season with a statement, beautifully appointed, Christmas tree in the foyer and other décor throughout such as ornaments, greenery, wrapped gifts. If you need a boost in your holiday spirit, perhaps you need to spend a few minutes in the lobby or the Big Bar on 2.

The property has been undergoing a sleeping rooms renovation and the updated rooms are stately with muted hues of creams, grays, and accents of light pink and gold. One of my favorite features in the sleeping room is a nightlight that is built into the base of the bed and operates on a sensor. When I awoke in the middle of the night, the moment my feet hit the ground a dim light was triggered. (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stubbed my toe trying to maneuver my way around a dark hotel room!)

Hyatt Regency Columbus

Amenities are abundant throughout the property. My personal favorite is the Perks Coffee quick-service outlet. I frequented this a few times to get my caffeine fix. However, they also have great to-go snacks, meals and sundries. You can even call ahead your order if you are on the go!

For our Annual Conference & Gala, we utilized extensive event space including the third floor’s Regency Ballroom. The entire Hyatt team was such a joy to work with, so very attentive and understanding of our needs. They always had an answer, a prompt solution or creative option, and went over and above to make our event a memorable one.

The food & beverage was a 10/10. We appreciated their unique view of what event food & beverage is and should be. We enjoyed a donut peg wall on a cut-out of Ohio, an “Afternoon Tea” featuring scones and tea sandwiches, macarons in our brand colors and a Mediterranean spin on a luncheon salad just to name a few.

The service standard is a high one at the Hyatt Regency Columbus and we are proud to have hosted our 2021 conference here. (A BIG thank you to the whole team for making our event so special!).

Hyatt Regency Columbus

Emerging Brands, Oh My!

Many of you are familiar with our handy, dandy, OHLA Brand Guide which offers a great breakdown of brands across all tiers in our industry. Each year the guide is reviewed, edited between tiers, new brands added, other brands removed, and every single year… we are surprised (and excited) by the changes and additions we see.

Here is a quick review of the changes we made to our brand guide for 2020:

Thompson Hotels – In October of 2018 Hyatt acquired the luxury line of Thompson Hotels and in March of 2019 the 8 existing Thompson Hotels were transitioned as part of Hyatt

Signia by Hilton – In February of 2019 Signia by Hilton was announced. This brand offers a new approach to your standard rooms to space ratio with a meetings & events focused approach.

 

Aiden – Best Western added this brand to reflect a casual, eclectic, and trendy boutique hotel to their portfolio.

 

SADIE – Also by Best Western, this boutique brand will help capture the playfulness of travel and embody the creative and unique culture of the neighborhood of where each property sits.

 

 

MOTTO by Hilton – City life encompassed within small rooms with flexible furniture set-up to offer a true urban experience.

 

Miraval – An all-inclusive wellness resort dedicated to their guests finding balance and their best selves

(In addition to these brands being added to the guide, other brands moved within their chain scale. If you’d like a copy of our brand guide to see everything in the big picture, please send me an email at Lauren@ohla.org!)

Though we aren’t seeing any of these brands in Ohio currently, it does not mean we won’t see them in the future. Just think, it was not all that long ago that brands like AC by Marriott and Tru by Hilton were emerging and here we are… with close to 6 of each within the state either opened or underway.

We are looking forward to another year of growth and new potential.

 

Until Next Time,

Lauren