I arrived in Zürich after a long flight, ready to rest. I chose to stay at the Hyatt Regency at the airport for its close proximity and rave reviews. The front desk smiled and said, “Due to availability, you’ll be pleased to know you’ve been upgraded to a Regency Suite.”
It sounded generous, but I had to ask; was it still what I requested? A king bed, park view, with Club access? She confirmed, “Yes.” It sounded luxurious, like I would be receiving a gift.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
When I entered the room, a connecting door was open. (I had specifically asked for no connecting doors ahead of my visit in an email.) The lights turned off automatically, and when I went to call the front desk to have them lock the connecting door and fix the lights, the telephone didn’t work. It wasn’t even plugged in, and the handset needed a new battery.
The room was also on a lower floor than the Club. After I went to the desk to report the issues, I stopped by the Club for some light food. When I returned to my suite, the connecting door was locked, but the lights still turned off and the phone still wasn’t working. This felt like a downgrade.
I turned on my phone and cellular data to call the front desk. Exhausted from my long flight and the already adventurous “upgrade” shenanigans, I simply asked if I could have another room. The kind lady said, “Yes, we have another room, but would you rather first see if the issues can be corrected? The engineer will come within three minutes.” I agreed.
“Andy,” the house engineer, came to help and said the lights sometimes turn off before someone checks in, and maybe it was just a delay.
It wasn’t. After he fixed the phone and left, the lights went out again. I called down, requested the room move, and while I was waiting to be relocated, the lights went out once more.
Eventually, I was given the room I originally reserved. A King Park View Club Room on the same level as the Club.
Yes, it was smaller.
No, it wasn’t a corner suite.
And yes, it was exactly what I needed.
After a long journey, proximity, familiarity, and peace were worth more than square footage or status.
I reflect on this because luxury isn’t always in the upgrade. Sometimes “more” means less comfort, less alignment, and less honesty about what was truly available in the first place.
It reminded me of COMO Cocoa Island in the Maldives, where my favorite rooms are actually the lowest category. They’re simple, yet beautiful, cozy, and just steps away from the main jetty and dining. I prefer the bedroom to be on the main level, looking straight out to the sea instead of in a loft. But that’s just me.
Some upgrades, like to Business or First Class cabins while flying, are worth it, especially for long-legged humans. I believe true luxury is about how well a space meets your needs first, and your wants second.
A Note on the Location
Everywhere online, it says the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport is a five-minute walk from the terminal. Yes, but not from baggage claim.
For me, it was more like fifteen minutes outside, though pleasant and easy. The front desk actually recommended allowing fifteen to thirty-five minutes to reach the terminal on departure, depending on how busy the airport is, but it's actually a 5-minute walk to reach the airport.
Still, the walk itself was refreshing, longer than a lap around the plane aisles, with fresh air and a few food options along the way.
Andy, the house engineer, also recommended an organic spot in the terminal food court, worth stopping by on your way to or from the hotel. If you decide to walk back into the airport, it isn’t far.
In the Club, if you don’t see vegetarian or vegan options right away, ask the attendant. Surprises await. (In a good way.)
And maybe that’s the part that travel offers us again and again:
If you don’t see what you like or what you want in front of you, ask for it.
Don’t succumb to what’s simply there.
Speak up, and ask for what you need. 👍
’Til next time, thanks for reading, and upgrade yourself! Ask for what you want, and need!
