Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is a large twin-tower resort hotel in the city’s Marina District. Its waterfront location near the San Diego Convention Center makes it a top choice for business travelers, while its resort amenities and (typically) reasonably-priced suites appeal to families.

The iconic Top of the Hyatt cocktail lounge on the hotel’s 40th floor provides guests with spectacular views of San Diego Bay, adding to its allure. This award-winning hotel has received accolades from USA Today, Pinnacle Magazine, Elite Traveler, Meetings and Conventions Magazine, and others. Check to see what amenities are open at the time of your stay as they may differ in 2020 and 2021 from what I describe below.

The Property at Manchester Grand Hyatt

Manchester Grand Hyatt is a huge property, so it can be challenging to navigate the grounds if you’ve never stayed with them before. The complex consists of two towers — the forty-story Harbor Tower and the thirty-three story Seaport Tower. The front desk is located in an opulent foyer set between the two towers.

At check-in, staff typically review a resort map with you, however, some people have noted that this didn’t happen for them. So, ask to review the property map with a staff member to avoid confusion later.

Manchester Grand Hyatt Rooms and Suites

My goal is to make selecting a guest room or a suite from the various categories a bit easier to navigate.

Manchester Grand Hyatt offers 1,522 guest rooms and 76 suites featuring a contemporary design highlighted by the natural beauty of San Diego. Each of their well-appointed accommodations boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that provide extraordinary views of the downtown cityscape and the San Diego Bay.

Guest rooms include signature Hyatt Grand Beds, blackout drapes, 46” HD flat-screen TVs, spacious work desks with ergonomic chairs, nightstands, and stylish seating areas. Rooms also have coffee makers, in-room safes, and individually controlled heat and air conditioning. En-suite bathrooms are spacious and stylish with deluxe June Jacobs bathroom amenities, hairdryers, and magnified makeup mirrors.

With sustainability in mind, the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel takes a minimalist approach to room amenities, but you can upgrade room features to include more. Microwaves, refrigerators, and rollaway beds are all available for a nominal fee upon request. Complimentary features available only by request include Pack N Plays, access to online newspapers, and plush bathrobes and slippers.

Most families who stay here do so because they need suites and these are some of the most reasonably-priced suites in San Diego. Many of the suites below can also be combined with another guest room to create two-bedroom suites. Rollaway beds (and extra fee applies) can be placed in suite living rooms to sleep families of five.

Suites include all of the amenities listed in the guest rooms as well as in-room microwaves, mini-refrigerators, Keurig coffee makers, and iron/ironing boards. Expansive living and dining areas, as well as separate bedrooms, are also included in each suite. Suites vary in size, layout, style of bedroom, location, and views.

Grand Club Access

Any guest room type is eligible for a paid Grand Club upgrade. Privileges include exclusive access to the private club lounge on the 33rd floor, which provides complimentary breakfast, beverages (evening honor bar), and hors-d’oeuvres daily.

Grand Club upgrades are secured in three ways:

• Book into a Club King or Club Double Bed guest room(these rooms also offer premium views).
• Arrive at the hotel and merely pay for access no matter what the room type you have. The price currently is $100/night for two adults and $150/night for a family of four but can vary.
• Globalist World of Hyatt members receive complimentary access.

Suites do not automatically come with Grand Club access. Booking directly into a Club guest room is typically a little less expensive than adding the benefit on at the hotel. If you need two beds, double beds are your only option for Club level rooms (more below).

One King Bed, Two Queen Beds, or Two Double Beds

Rooms in this entry-level category, which lack a specific view type in the name, are typically on the lower floors of the hotel.

These guest rooms offer 340 square feet of space, include standard amenities listed above, and provide partial city or bay views. The only difference between the layout of One King Bed guest rooms and accommodations with two beds is the seating area.

One King Bed guest rooms have a stylish window seat-style couch with a small glass table for relaxing, and Two Bed guest room seating areas instead feature two chic chairs with a glass table situated between them. Also, rollaway beds are only available by request (extra fee applies) in King Bed guest rooms.

Business Plan

Business Plan guest rooms are essentially 340-square-foot One King Bed guest rooms with a business class upgrade. These stays also include one item of clothing pressed or steamed daily, upgraded premium internet, one daily breakfast at Seaview Breakfast Buffet Restaurant, a daily complimentary bottle of water, and a complimentary shoeshine.

City View (One King or Two Double Beds)

These guest rooms include all features and amenities as aforementioned One King Bed rooms and Two Bed rooms, but with guaranteed premium city views.

Bay View (One King or Two Double Beds)

These guest rooms also include all features and amenities as aforementioned One King Bed rooms and Two Bed rooms, but provide guaranteed premium views of San Diego Bay.

King Bed Corner Room

Slightly larger than the standard One King Bed guest rooms, Corner Rooms boast 380 square feet of space and floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls with panoramic views of the cityscape or San Diego Bay. They have the same features and amenities as One King Bed guest rooms.

Grand Club Rooms (One King or Two Double Beds)

Aside from Grand Club privileges detailed above, these guest rooms are located on the highest floors of the Harbor Tower. This means that the upgrade also includes premium views.

ADA Rooms at Manchester Grand Hyatt

The hotel also provides several ADA Rooms to guests who need accessible room features. ADA One King Bed and ADA Two Double Beds guest rooms feature closed caption TVs, cordless phones, and lowered furniture, outlets, switches, and décor. Widened bathroom doors, raised toilets, and grab bars in the shower and tubs are also included. If you’re hearing-impaired, guest rooms also provide safety features like strobe light fire alarm systems.

Signature Suite

These spacious suites offer 700 square feet of living space with an attached 340-square-foot bedroom. You can choose a bedroom with either one king bed or two double beds. The option with one king bed provides a pull-out queen sofa bed, while the two double bed option features an L-shape couch in the living area. Rollaway beds are only available for king bed suites. These suites are located on floors four through nine.

Grand Suite (Top Pick for Families)

Grand Suites offer the same square footage and bedroom options as Signature Suites but are located on floors 29 through 38. These premium suites offer exceptional views of the cityscape or San Diego Bay.

Hospitality Suite

Quite a bit larger than the Signature and Grand Suites, the premium Hospitality Suite option features 1,050 square feet of living space with an attached 340-square-foot bedroom. Guests may choose between one king bed or two double beds.

Presidential Suite

Located in the Harbor Tower, Presidential Suites are on the highest floors and offer 1,050 square feet of space with an attached bedroom that has one king bed. The living area features two unique seating areas and an elegant six-person dining table.

Penthouse Suite

The largest of the suite options by far, Penthouse Suites are only located on the top floors and provide 1,450 square feet of space with an attached bedroom that has one king bed. The bedroom features incredible dual floor-to-ceiling windows with a gorgeous seating area.

---

Dining at Manchester Grand Hyatt

Guests at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego have seven restaurant choices. From the fine dining experience at Sally’s Fish House & Bar to the popular MARKET | ONE 24-hour casual takeout and market, you’ll find a little bit of everything.

You can also indulge in a lavish breakfast buffet, lively gastropub, or poolside grill. Top of the Hyatt on the 40th floor serves cocktails with the best views of downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. Hotel restaurants provide free Wi-Fi.

The Grand Eats service provides a modern and faster spin on room service. Order pre-packaged meals (in eco-friendly containers) and drinks to your door.

Sally’s Fish House & Bar

Sally’s Fish House & Bar is the Manchester Grand’s signature fine dining restaurant. This waterfront restaurant with outdoor seating serves sustainably sourced seafood made with local ingredients. Vegetarians and meat-lovers don’t despair; the menu caters to you as well. Whether it’s sake and sushi you crave, or a crab encrusted New York steak with a glass of merlot, your meal will be enhanced with marina and bay views. (Open lunchtime to late evening.)

Seaview Breakfast Buffet Restaurant

Seaview Breakfast Buffet Restaurant serves buffet-style hot and cold breakfast fare with garden and marina views. Dine in the modern dining room, or on the outdoor terrace. You’ll find made-to-order scrambles and omelets, waffles, breakfast meats, a wide range of freshly baked pastries and breads, fresh fruit, dried fruit, cereals, and other delectable offerings. (Opens at 6:30 a.m.)

Brew30 California Taps

Brew30 is Manchester Grand Hyatt’s casual gastropub serving New American fare. This is the perfect place to drink local and catch a game on one of several TVs. The bar rotates 30 craft beers on tap from San Diego’s best local breweries.

Gourmet burgers, specialty sandwiches, creative salads, and shareables dominate the menu. Vegetarians, the wildly popular Impossible Burger is served here, too.

MARKET | ONE

If you’re looking for a 24-hour dining option, MARKET | ONE is it. You can order deli sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads, baked pastries, Starbucks coffee, and on-the-go packaged foods. Beer and limited cocktails by the glass, and wine by the bottle are also available until 1 a.m. Situated right off the lobby, it’s also a convenient place to grab ice cream treats, desserts, snacks, and specialty deli products.

The Landing

The Landing is the lobby bar that takes its name from the Embarcadero waterfront. (Embarcadero means “Landing Place.”) Expect high-end wine and bourbon, craft cocktails, and light bites.

Pool Bar & Grill (Seasonal)

Manchester Grand Hyatt Pool Bar & Grill is located on the hotel’s fourth-floor adult pool deck and is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Pool guests can order fresh and creative salads, Californian sandwiches, gourmet burgers, and full bar service. Evenings are magical with beautiful San Diego sunsets over the Pacific Ocean followed by cozy seating around warm fire pits that are perfect for making s’mores.

Top of the Hyatt

Top of the Hyatt is a must-do experience. This cocktail lounge is on the 40th floor of Manchester Grand Hyatt, the tallest waterfront hotel on the entire West Coast. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer dramatic views of San Diego Bay, Coronado Island and bridge, the Pacific Ocean, and downtown San Diego.

Come here midafternoon, at sunset, and at night to experience it all. Expect upscale small plates, decadent desserts, craft brews, and signature cocktails.

---

Hotel Amenities at Manchester Grand Hyatt

Fitness at Manchester Grand Hyatt

Temporarily closed. All guests have complimentary access to the StayFit Fitness Center. You’ll enjoy incredible views of San Diego Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows while working out on state-of-the-art cardio equipment.

This includes more than 30 Precor elliptical, treadmill, and stationary bike machines. There are also strength training exercise machines and free weights. Built-in televisions, headphones, filtered water, and towels are provided. You can also rent a bicycle from the front desk; the first hour is free.

The Spa at Manchester Grand Hyatt

Temporarily closed. Located in Harbor Tower on the third floor, the Marilyn Monroe Spa is a full-service salon and spa overlooking the hotel’s pool and beautiful San Diego Bay. The spa provides a wide range of services including signature massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, and pedicures, as well as hair care, makeup, and waxing services.

Manchester Grand Hyatt Pools

There are two rooftop decks with sparkling pools, perfect for soaking up the sun. Both pools feature whirlpools and private poolside cabanas, as well as panoramic vistas of San Diego Bay.

The Family Pool is located on the 4th floor and is open to all ages. It is the larger of the two pools with cool features like the Pool Bar & Grill, and a children’s play area featuring a giant Connect Four game, foosball, Ping-Pong, and Cornhole. This area also has fire pits where you can bring your own marshmallows to roast, or you can purchase a s’mores kit from the hotel.

The Adult Pool is located on the 3rd floor and is only available to adults 21 and over. It’s the smaller of the two pools and has a pool bar, which is open seasonally. The Pool Bar & Grill can deliver food to this pool as well.

Sports Courts at Manchester Grand Hyatt

There are four different sports courts on the property including two tennis courts, a volleyball court, and a basketball court. They also have shuffleboard and horseshoes.

Seasonal Camp Hyatt Kids’ Club

Manchester Grand Hyatt offers a seasonal Kids Camp for guests, age four to 12. It offers a wide range of adventures and activities focused on the city’s culture, environment, and history, as well as arts and crafts. Kids Camp is available only during the summer months. Check with the hotel directly to get firm dates before booking your stay.

Rooftop Cinema Club

One of the coolest features of the hotel is the 18+ Rooftop Cinema Club located on the fourth floor of Harbor Tower. An incredible outdoor cinema, guests can enjoy a screening of iconic movies and cult classics on a giant projector screen with the majestic San Diego skyline as a backdrop.

Open every night except Sundays, Mondays, and when the weather is bad, this outdoor movie venue provides oversized comfy deck chairs and built-in love seats — perfect for cuddly couples. Moviegoers receive complimentary state-of-the-art wireless headphones and cozy blankets, as well as food and beverages for purchase.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and movies begin each night at sunset. Those at the hotel just for the movie will receive complimentary parking in the self-park garage for four hours with the purchase of food and drink.

---

The Downtown San Diego Location

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is conveniently located in the heart of the downtown Marina District. There are a lot of things to do in downtown San Diego within walking distance of the hotel.

It’s next door to Seaport Village, a collection of 54 one-of-a-kind, independent shops in a 14-acre waterfront village. Directly in front of Seaport Village is Embarcadero Park North with an expansive, shaded green space and walking path. It’s the perfect place for the kids to run off some energy, be entertained by regular buskers and fly kites (purchase at the Kite Shop in Seaport Village).

A few minutes’ walk from the hotel in the opposite direction is the San Diego Convention Center, host to popular annual conventions like Comic-Con International, several national medical conventions, and Social Media Marketing World. Manchester Grand Hyatt’s location makes it a great place to bring the family along for a working vacation. The New Children’s Museum is also about a 6-minute walk from the hotel.

Two historic museums are within walking distance of the Manchester Grand Hyatt — the USS Midway Museum and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Both are excellent choices for some downtime for either working adults interested in maritime history, or for families with kids that would like to take a scenic walk along the bay. San Diego Bay cruises also launch from this area on the Embarcadero and the kid-friendly Waterfront Park is across the street.

Nearby downtown neighborhoods offer visitors tons of entertainment options from Little Italy to the historic Gaslamp Quarter to hip and trendy East Village. Little Italy is adjacent to Waterfront Park. To access the latter two neighborhoods, cross the structurally beautiful Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge in front of the Convention Center. Its opposite end is in East Village near San Diego Padres Petco Park.

---

Details, Services, and Fees

Manchester Grand Hyatt has 320,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space as well as 11,000 square feet of premier meeting space. The hotel is famous for its event spaces on the 32nd and 33rd floors, which are the highest waterfront venues in California.

It’s also a pet-friendly hotel. One dog with a weight of up to 50 pounds or two dogs with a combined total weight of 75 pounds are allowed. A $100 a day pet cleaning fee could be charged.

There is an on-site FedEx business center, Hertz car rental, and ATM at the hotel. They provide 24-hour concierge and front desk services, including a tour desk and ticket services.

Baggage storage, currency exchange, and an express check-in and check-out are available. Childcare and babysitting services are offered as well as shoe shining, dry cleaning, laundry, and ironing.

Manchester provides complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour hotel texting service, and self or valet parking for between $35 and $40 per day. The staff is multilingual