Boise's BEST Downtown Hotel: Hyatt Place Review & Hidden Perks!
Boise's BEST Downtown Hotel: Hyatt Place Review & Hidden Perks! (A Very Opinionated Take)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – and the coffee, and maybe even a little bit of whatever's in that poolside bar – on the Hyatt Place in downtown Boise. This isn't your average, sanitized hotel review. This is a deep dive, a rant, a love letter, and a slightly neurotic exploration of a hotel that might just be your new Boise basecamp.
First Impressions (and Why I Love It): Accessibility, Accessibility, Accessibility!
Look, I'm a stickler for accessibility. It's 2024, people! And the Hyatt Place gets it. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with ramps, wide doorways, and elevators that actually work. HUGE points for that. Plus, wheelchair accessible is a big YES. So much better than trying to navigate those weird cobbled streets downtown otherwise.
SEO/Metadata Stuff (Gotta Do It, Right?)
Keywords: Boise hotels, Downtown Boise hotel, Hyatt Place Boise, accessible hotel Boise, best Boise hotel, Boise lodging, Boise spa, Boise fitness center, Boise restaurants, Boise nightlife, Boise airport transfer, Boise family friendly hotel, Boise pet friendly hotel (Even though I didn't see any pets, sorry)
Meta Description: Find out why the Hyatt Place in downtown Boise is the BEST hotel option. We'll cover accessibility, amenities, food, and those hidden quirks that make it a winner (and a few gripes too!). Honesty is the best policy.
Onto the Meat of the Matter: Rooms & Amenities (and My Weird Obsession)
Alright, let's talk rooms. They’re clean, yeah, very clean. The daily housekeeping staff is on point (seriously, they're like ninja cleaners, in and out before you even know it). Loved the air conditioning - necessary in Boise! The Wi-Fi [free] is fast, thank GOD. I'm dependent. And the internet - wireless, internet [LAN], for those workaholics. It's all there. My room had a lovely window that opens, which I always appreciate. Not the best view, but a working window gives me a sense of control in a hotel, y'know?
Now, the details:
- Available in all rooms: This is a comprehensive list. The additional toilet was not present but the air conditioning? ✅ Alarm clock? Yep. Bathrobes? Okay, I confess I didn’t put one on, but they were there. Bathroom phone? Huh. Why? Bathtub? Sweet! Especially after a long day of…well, whatever you do in Boise. Blackout curtains? YES. Sleep is IMPORTANT. Carpeting? Yes, and seemed clean. Closet? Check. Coffee/tea maker? Essential. Complimentary tea? Again, essential. Daily housekeeping is a godsend. Desk? Yes, solid. Extra long bed? I didn't measure, but seemed comfy. Free bottled water? A very nice touch. Hair dryer? Check. High floor? Maybe. In-room safe box? Yes. Interconnecting room(s) available? Possibly. Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, and Ironing facilities? Yes. Laptop workspace? Got it. Linens? They seemed clean. Mini bar? Not the biggest, to be honest. Mirror? Yes! Non-smoking? Thank goodness. On-demand movies? Yes. Private bathroom? Yes. Reading light? Yes. Refrigerator? Yes. Safety/security feature? Yep. Satellite/cable channels? Duh. Scale? Yep, I’m already scared. Seating area? Yes. Separate shower/bathtub? Check. Shower? Yes. Slippers? YES. Smoke detector? Necessary. Socket near the bed? Yes. Sofa? Check. Soundproofing? Needed. Telephone? Yes. Toiletries? Nice, but not the luxury kind. Towels? Soft and absorbent. Umbrella? Yes. Visual alarm? Yes. Wake-up service? Always. Wi-Fi [free]? YES.
A Confession: I'm Gym-Phobic (But the Fitness Center is Good!)
Let's be honest, I mostly judge hotel gyms on their potential. I'm not a gym person, but I peeked in. The Fitness center looked well-equipped. Treadmills, weights, the whole shebang. And you can work out with a view! Again, it gets points. But I spent more time contemplating the Pool with view. It's a beautiful outdoor pool on the roof, which is even better from a rooftop bar perspective.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Good, The Okay, and the "Meh"
The Breakfast [buffet] is…fine. Standard hotel fare. Scrambled eggs, some sad-looking pastries, and… okay, the Asian breakfast options were a nice touch. Not amazing. But not terrible either. The coffee shop is a lifesaver in the morning. There's a Bar and a Poolside bar, so cocktails are on the menu, with Happy hour! This is the important stuff. They also have Restaurants, which are mostly American cuisine, though. The Coffee/tea in restaurant and the Bottle of water are on the front row, that is a good thing.
My Personal Take: I spent way too much time at the poolside bar. It's just… relaxing. And the prices were surprisingly reasonable. They make a decent margarita.
Cleanliness and Security: Feeling Safe (Because, Hello, Anxiety!) I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so cleanliness is HUGE for me. The Anti-viral cleaning products made me feel safe. Cleanliness and safety is definitely up to par. The staff are very serious about sanitizing! The Daily disinfection in common areas is a plus and the Hand sanitizer is readily available. The Hand sanitizer is very important. If there's a doctor/nurse on call? That's another big plus. The First aid kit is also here, so don't lose more than just your sanity. The Individually-wrapped food options are really nice during the pandemic. The Professional-grade sanitizing services seem really present! Room sanitization opt-out available is nice. Rooms sanitized between stays are standard. The Staff trained in safety protocol is great. The Sterilizing equipment is present, which makes you feel safe.
The only thing I’m a little sad about is that they didn’t have a spa. A proper spa. But maybe I got spoiled by my last five-star experience.
Services and Conveniences: The Nitty-Gritty
- Air conditioning in public areas: YES. Essential in Boise summers.
- Cash withdrawal: ATM on site. Phew!
- Concierge: Helpful, but not super knowledgeable about the really hidden gems of Boise.
- Contactless check-in/out: Awesome. Saves time.
- Convenience store: Yes, for snacks! I forgot to mention that.
- Daily housekeeping: Ninja cleaners, I tell you!
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service: Good for those who don’t pack light (me).
- Elevator: Again, thank goodness for elevators.
- Food delivery: Handy for late-night cravings, tho I didn't try
- Gift/souvenir shop: Meh, basic stuff.
- Invoice provided: Yes, which is good for business travel.
- Ironing service, Meeting/banquet facilities & Meetings: All present, which is nice.
- Luggage storage: Check.
- Safety deposit boxes: For your valuables.
- Smoking area: Outside. Obviously.
- Terrace: Nice place to chill.
- Xerox/fax in business center: If you really need to fax something.
For the Kids: Verdict – Family-Friendly (But Bring Your Own Entertainment)
I didn't have kids with me, but the presence of Family/child friendly is a definite plus. I’d say this place leans towards family-friendly, but they don't exactly scream “kiddie paradise”. Important stuff
- Access: They have a CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property.
- Check-in/out [express].
- Check-in/out [private].
- Couple's room – This is where I would go, if I’m honest.
- Exterior corridor.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Front desk [24-hour].
- Hotel chain.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're diving headfirst into a Boise adventure, starting at the Hyatt Place Downtown. And trust me, even I don't know where this train wreck is going to end up.
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Adjustment, and Artistic Aspirations (Maybe)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown in Boise & Hyatt Huddle. Landed, miraculously, without losing my luggage (a small victory!). The Boise airport is… quaint. Kind of like a well-maintained gas station bathroom, you know? Clean, functional, and you're in and out before the boredom sets in. Found the Hyatt Place without too much drama. Okay, maybe a little drama. I blame the rental car GPS, which seems to have a vendetta. Check-in smooth as butter. Room is… fine. Clean. Adequate. Definitely not the "rustic charm" I was secretly hoping for. (Note to self: next time, spring for the boutique hotel with the exposed brick. Or maybe a yurt. Anything but a sterile, but functional, modern box.)
- 2:00 PM: The Boise River Greenbelt Shuffle. Immediately hit the Greenbelt. I'd heard whispers of its gloriousness, a paved path winding along the Boise River. And, oh boy, it's… long. Like, "should I have packed the hiking boots?" long. Got about 10 minutes in before I ran out of steam and had to sit on a bench, pretending to admire the ducks but secretly catching my breath. The ducks, by the way, were judging me. I felt it. They have this superior, "You call that walking?" vibe.
- 4:00 PM: Downtown Doodle-Dee-Do (Or Not). Wander around downtown Boise. So many coffee shops! My initial plan was to be cultured, grab a latte, and sketch the Idaho State Capitol building. (I had visions of myself, artfully capturing the light, the majesty… the pigeons.) Reality check: My sketch abilities peaked in the fourth grade, and I spent more time staring at my coffee than the Capitol. The pigeons were also terrifyingly aggressive.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner Disaster at the Fork (Or Something Like It). Okay, so I had high hopes for The Fork. It was recommended. The place was slammed. "Charming chaos" they call it. I call it "hangry people everywhere." Finally got a table (after a minor squabble with a woman who clearly thought she deserved the table more than I did). Ordered the pork chop. Waited. Waited some more. Got, what I can only describe as, a burnt piece of shoe leather. The waiter apologized profusely and comped my meal (thank God). Note to self: next time, pack a granola bar.
- 8:00 PM: Bedtime Blues. Back to the room. Still a bit grumpy about the dinner situation. Flipping through channels, found some kind of local news show where some dude was talking about the potatoes crop, I don't know, I was tired. Crash.
Day 2: Breakfast Blunders, Brewery Bliss, and the Bogus Basin Boo-Boo (Maybe, Maybe Not)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast Buffoonery. Hyatt Place breakfasts are usually pretty standard. Waffles, sometimes sausage, that kind of thing. This morning? Disaster zone. The waffle maker looked like it was constructed by a mad scientist, and kept spitting out half-cooked, misshapen things. The coffee pot was gurgling ominously. I settled for a stale blueberry muffin and a cup of lukewarm joe. (I really need to start bringing my own travel mug.)
- 9:00 AM: Brewery Bonanza. There's a ton of breweries in Boise! I love this. I'm not a super big beer guy, but, I love a good time. Spent an hour bouncing between a couple of them. These were delightful. I actually really enjoyed myself. I got a little… chatty? I think I may have accidentally told a stranger my life story. Oh well.
- 12:00 PM: (Attempted) Bogus Basin Pilgrimage. Okay, plan was, get out of the city, some views, some hiking. Bogus Basin is the place to go. (Apparently.) I rented a SUV, because the website said the road can get rough. I drove up, and, let's just say, my definition of "rough" and the mountain's definition of "rough" are very different. The ascent was a nail-biter. Gravel, potholes the size of small planets, and a few questionable turns. Ended up getting about halfway before turning around. I'm not sure if it was the car, the road or my own fear that did me in, but I eventually gave up. Maybe next time.
- 3:00 PM: Downtown Redemption. After the Bogus Basin fiasco, I needed comfort food and retail therapy. Found a cute little bookstore in downtown Boise. Bought a book about Bigfoot. (Don't judge.) Then found a little diner. A classic burger and fries did the trick. Good.
- 6:00 PM: (Another) Dinner Debacle. Went to a restaurant. It was recommended. Waited. People. Hangry people everywhere. Service was slow. It all just felt hard. Left.
- 8:00 PM: The Hotel Room Hang. I felt like I needed to rest. Watch some TV. Eat a bag of chips. Read for a while and then crash.
Day 3: Museum Musings, Airport Angst, and Boise, Goodbye.
- 9:00 AM: Idaho Historical Museum. I didn't really have any expectations. It was fine. I learned about Idaho history, the history of the potato, and the importance of irrigation to the state.
- 11:00 AM: The airport. It was fine. Airport food is airport food.
- 1:00 PM: Home.
Boise's Best Downtown Hotel: Hyatt Place - The Good, The Bad, and the Perfectly Imperfect!
Is the Hyatt Place Boise Downtown *really* the best in town? Everyone's saying it!
Okay, deep breath. "Best" is subjective, y'know? Like, do you *love* extra avocado on your burger, or are you a purist? Same deal with hotels. But... yeah, for *me*, lately? I'm leaning hard towards "yes." And I've stayed in enough Boise hotels that I'll be blunt: the Hyatt Place… well, it usually delivers. I've tried them all, seriously. From the grand old Owyhee (stunning, if a bit… creaky at times) to the modern, but sterile, Hampton. But for a solid, consistent, enjoyable experience, the Hyatt Place is my go-to.
But, let me be clear! It’s not perfect. We'll get to the "wait, what was THAT smell?" moments. But overall, it’s a strong contender. Keep reading for why, and when it might drive you slightly nuts. I'll tell you about one particular stay later...
What are the "hidden perks" everyone's raving about? Spill the beans!
Alright, the secrets! Well, it's not like they're *super* hidden, but they're definitely under-appreciated.
- The Breakfast: Okay, the free breakfast is usually decent. Eggs, some sort of meat product (sausage, bacon -- fingers crossed!), oatmeal, fruit. The coffee is surprisingly good, and the staff is always hustling to keep things stocked. But, honestly? Sometimes the scrambled eggs felt suspiciously like... well, *pre-made*... you know? But, hey! Free is free. It's a lifesaver when you're running late for a meeting.
- The Pool (and the view... sort of): The pool is small, but it's indoors and heated! I’m not a huge swimmer, but it's a nice option, especially during those Boise winters. The "view" is mostly rooftops, but it's pleasant enough.
- Proximity to Everything: This is HUGE. Seriously, the location is gold. You're steps from the Basque Block (hello, pintxos!), the Idaho State Capitol building, and tons of great restaurants and bars. You can ditch the car almost entirely which saves a ton of time and money on parking.
- The Friendly Staff (most of the time): I've always found the staff to be genuinely friendly and helpful. Sure, you get the occasional grumpy person (we all have bad days!), but generally everyone goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. They remember your name! Which, honestly, feels weirdly amazing sometimes.
Okay, but what's the *bad* stuff? No hotel is perfect!
Alright, let's get gritty. It's not all sunshine and roses. Here's the stuff that might make you roll your eyes (or worse):
- The Elevators: Ugh. Sometimes, getting up or down can feel like a *quest.* Especially during peak hours. They’re slow and it's not uncommon to wait an agonizing amount of time. I've seriously considered taking the stairs, and I am *not* a stair-taker!
- The Noise (Sometimes): Downtown Boise is lively! Which is great, until you're trying to sleep. Depending on your room location, you might hear street noise, late-night revelers (especially on weekends), or the occasional delivery truck. Pack earplugs, just in case.
- The Occasional "Mystery Odor": I'm not going to lie. I've encountered some... *interesting* smells in the hallways. Nothing truly offensive, but occasionally there's a lingering... something. Could be anything from cleaning products gone rogue to, well, who knows? It adds a certain *je ne sais quoi* to the experience.
- The Parking: It can get a little hairy. The parking garage is not the biggest and the hotel rooms get filled fast. If you're arriving late, be prepared for a potential wait, or even finding yourself parking down the street.
The Rooms! Are they comfortable? What’s the deal with the layouts?
The rooms are generally solid. The layouts are very standard. The beds are comfortable, which is the MOST important thing, in my opinion. They're consistently clean, and the bathrooms are well-maintained (although the water pressure sometimes leaves something to be desired). They use the same basic setup, like, all the time but they have rooms that will face the mountains and some with a view that are on the top floor and that's important! I have been given a room with a bad view several times, and I really wish I could have paid more to get a better view. Next time I will.
Tell me about a specific stay! Give me the *juicy* details!
Alright, buckle up. Let me tell you about *the* stay that really solidified my fondness, and my mild reservations, for the Hyatt Place. This was a couple of months ago. I was in town for a conference. It was going okay, except by the morning of, I was exhausted. I needed caffeine, big time. I was also battling a nasty cold.
So, I stumble down to breakfast. The usual suspects: lukewarm scrambled eggs, questionable sausage, and... the coffee. Disaster. It was the weakest, most anemic excuse for coffee I've ever tasted. My cold was going to win today. I decided to head back to my room, take a long shower, and then hopefully get some work done.
But, as I walked down the corridor, a smell hit me. I kid you not, it was a potent mix of stale french fries and... something floral. My allergies instantly flared up, and I started sneezing. I tried to ignore it and go, but it was *everywhere.* I went to my room and was just... overwhelmed. The view from my room was the back of another building. I was just having a bad day. And the hotel...well, it contributed.
Okay, so then the shower. *Perfect* water temperature! I finally felt good. Then... I heard the elevators. One of them was *screeching*, like a banshee on a carousel. It was loud, and frankly, a little terrifying.
Despite all of that, here's what's weird…later that day, I started to feel better. I ended up having a productive afternoon and spent the night comfortably. And the breakfast, by the next morning? Totally fine. It’s just... that that was my day. It was the sum total of the positives and negatives. And ultimately even with all the problems, the hotel was still wonderful.
Is there a "best time" to stay? Tips for snagging a good room or dealing with potential issues?
Okay, pro tips!
- Book in advance: Especially if you're visiting during a popular event or holiday. Boise gets busy, and you don't want to be scrambling.
- Request a high floor: For a better viewFind Secret Hotel DealsHyatt Place Boise Downtown Boise (ID) United States
Hyatt Place Boise Downtown Boise (ID) United States
Post a Comment for "Boise's BEST Downtown Hotel: Hyatt Place Review & Hidden Perks!"