First look: The Private Suite Dinner program at Philadelphia's Hyatt Centric Center City
Editor's Note
Like many of you, my suitcase has been collecting dust in the closet and my passport has laid dormant since the pandemic began last year. Any change of scenery these days is welcome and appreciated.
So, a recent invitation to try out one of Hyatt's new Night In programs first-hand in my home city of Philadelphia basically sounded like two weeks in the Maldives.
Hyatt bills its Night In program, available at over 120 of its properties around the world, as a "collection of signature hotel experiences allowing travelers to plan a short escape or staycation in a socially distant setting" — and that's exactly what my husband, our pug, Ruby, and I experienced as the world marked the one-year anniversary of COVID-19.
While there are numerous iterations of the program from property to property -- from Bubbles and Bubbly at Andaz Napa to Charcuterie & Craft Cocktail Making at Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor -- the offering at the Hyatt Centric Center City in Philadelphia was the Private Suite Dinner. Hyatt describes the experience as a chance to "take in breathtaking city-center views while enjoying a private dining experience for two in one of the hotel’s premium suites." The views from our suite on the 13th floor were literally breathtaking (turns out I've developed a slight fear of heights during lockdown), the dining experience scratched our long-overdue restaurant itch, and the room was palatial.
Pricing starts at $394 per night (+$64 in taxes and fees) for a Corner Suite or $569 per night (+$93 in taxes and fees) for a Presidential Suite.
Night In stays are eligible for standard World of Hyatt benefits, including earning points and Tier-Qualifying Night credits, as well as points redemptions — in this case from 40,000 points per night under the “Premium Suite Points Per Night” in World of Hyatt’s award chart.
Related: Your complete guide to the World of Hyatt program
The service
First and foremost, I need to give a shoutout to the Hyatt staff, who from the moment my reservation was confirmed to the moment I checked out, was incredibly friendly and attentive.
Prior to arrival, a Hyatt team member called — with the hotel's chef — to finalize dinner options. Upon checking in, we were met with friendly staff at each point of contact along the way. I didn't realize how much I missed the hospitality aspect of travel until our staycation.
The room
The Hyatt Centric Center City opened in October 2020 and still has that new-hotel feel. The second-floor lobby, with built-in wood cabinetry from wall to wall, has a modern, trendy vibe. There's plenty of open seating and a beautiful bar room to have a drink — one day. All the usual COVID hotel precautions are in place: plexiglass barriers when checking in, hand sanitizer stations throughout the property and mask-wearing required.
(Editor's note: Hyatt has since updated its mask guidance for fully-vaccinated travelers as of May 2021.)
We stayed in the 750-square-foot Presidential Suite on the 13th floor as mentioned. The corner room was decorated in a lively color palette with modern fixtures and design elements. There was an outdoor space with a table and chairs that we might have used for dinner had it been summer, but too chilly for our stay. The best part was the pet station set up for Ruby: custom dog bowls on top of a personalized mat.
Related: The most pet-friendly points hotels in America
The room was spacious and included a mini-fridge/coffee area, an area for dining, a living room, balcony, massive King bedroom with walk-thru closet, and two bathrooms. Plenty of windows provided sprawling city views.
The food
A dining table was set up in the room, adorned with fresh flowers and ready for a feast. We were offered the choice of dining indoors or outdoors and had the option of the meal being served in courses or all at once. We opted for everything in one fell swoop to keep contact minimal.
Dinner was three courses. There were two options for each course, which made it easy to simply order one of each so my husband and I could try all offerings.
For the salad course, the choices included Caesar salad or a mixed greens salad with marinated artichokes, olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and a champagne vinaigrette. Entree options included Chianti wine-braised short ribs with fried shallots, parsley smashed red potatoes, and honey tri-color carrots or rosemary-crusted salmon with parmesan polenta, asparagus, cherry tomato and lemon confit and a basil pesto sauce.
For dessert, you could choose between chocolate bread pudding with caramelized bananas, candied pecans, and a bourbon Anglaise or ricotta cheesecake made with a gingerbread snap crust and blackberry compote and white chocolate sauce.
There were two wine options in the room so we tried both: a 2016 Yulupa cabernet sauvignon and a 2017 Louis Jadot pinot noir. The meal was more than enough food so come hungry.
Bottom line
My definition of "travel" has changed a lot this past year, and so has what matters when it comes to travel. It's amazing how a change of scenery and some good hospitality can make you feel a million miles away from home — even if you're just down the block.
Hyatt's Night In program runs through September 12, 2021. If you're ready to get your suitcase out of the closet but not quite ready to jump on a plane, a staycation is a great way to scratch that vacation itch. And if you're looking for a way to make it a little more special, splurging for a COVID-friendly Night In package may just be what the doctor ordered.
All images courtesy of the hotel
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.