Review: The Shay – Destination By Hyatt

Review: The Shay – Destination By Hyatt

The Shay, a Destination by Hyatt hotel, opened its doors in Culver City (In the Los Angeles area) in October 2021 as part of a transit-orientated mixed use development along L.A.’s E Line (formerly the “Expo Line” train). The Shay’s relaxed urban interior boasts thoughtfully crafted details like leather-wrapped handrails, patinated metals, and native hardwoods that alluded to Culver City’s industrious past. A part of the Destination by Hyatt brand, the Shay aims to be a focal point in Culver City’s hotel sector.

At A Glance:

• Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $400
• Loyalty Program: World of Hyatt
• Loyalty Category: 5
• Discount Applied: 25,000 Points
• Room Type as Booked:1 King Room
• Room Upgrade: King Suite (Globalist Upgrade)
• Resort Fee: N/A
• Parking Fee: $50 Overnight Parking

Booking/Redemption

Location & Parking

The Shay was conveniently situated in the Culver City area of Los Angeles. It was located at 8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA, 90232. The resort was adjacent to the Culver City Metro E Line stop, which provided easy access to downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica.

The Shay offered only valet parking for $50 per night in a covered garage on the hotel premises.

FHOP Tip: Although there are a few parking meters just west of the hotel, parking in this part of Culver City can be hard to come by. The best bet is to utilize the hotel’s valet parking.

Lobby

The Shay’s lobby was a warm and eclectic space with many comfy-looking gathering areas. It featured bar, pool table, and a covered fire pit.

The lobby was meant as a spcae that can seamlessly transition from work to play. A property-wide art collection included 35 locally commissioned murals, textiles, installations, and portraits.

Image: hyatt.com

Loyalty Program Benefits

As a World of Hyatt Globalist member, we enjoyed free valet parking and breakfast (for up to two adults) served on the rooftop Canopy Club.

Welcome Package

Room Key(s)

Room Upgrade

At check-in, we were notified we had received a World of Hyatt Globalist upgrade to a King Suite on the 3rd floor.

Elevator Area

Hallway

Room Walkthrough Tour

Room Entrance

The Shay provided air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a shower. All units provided guests with a fridge and a mini-bar with a good selection of items available for purchase.

Bedroom

The bedroom, like the rest of the suite, appeared new and clean, with a comfortable modernist/minimalist decor.

Living Area

The living area, as opposed to the large and spacious bedroom, appeared to fall victim to awkward geometry as the walls shrunk the space with weird and off-center angles.

Some may call this art, I call it making a living room uncomfortable.

Room Amenities

Closet

Bathroom

The suite had a large bathroom with a vanity inside.

The Shay partnered with LA-born craft grooming product company Imperial Barber. I had never tried this brand before, but found it to be high quality and pleasant smelling.

Dining Options

The Shay housed two culinary concepts: Prima Donna, a ground-floor wood-fired eatery, and Canopy Club, a rooftop poolside restaurant serving up an all-day menu and weekend brunch.

Breakfast At Canopy Club

Canopy Club Bar

We had breakfast at the rooftop Canopy Club. The Miami inspired Canopy Club was a great poolside space that offered views of Culver City while guests dined.

The food was very good overall, I really liked the Canopy Eggs Benedict and the coffee.

Lobby Bar

Image: hyatt.com

Image: hyatt.com

Workspace

The Property Interior

The Rooftop Area

 Swimming Pool

The Shay featured a cool rooftop pool, while the pool deck offered panoramic views overlooking downtown Culver City.

FHOP Tip: What’s Nearby

The Shay was located near right next to Los Angeles’s E Line train, which is a great way to get from Downtown to Santa Monica (and everything in-between). The Shay was also next door to a local brewery, Los Angeles Ale Works.

The Petersen Automotive Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum Of Art were nearby in the Fairfax District; the Coliseum, USC, and the Natural History Museum were nearby at Expo Park,  and the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach Boardwalk were just 5 miles west. The hotel was also close to the upscale retail shopping and the bustling nightlife scene of Culver City.

The Bottom-Line Review: The Shay – Destination By Hyatt

The Shay – Destination By Hyatt offered a unique and memorable stay in a new and upcoming spot in Culver City.

The King Suite was spacious and well-appointed and – aside from the awkward angles of the living room – provided a comfortable and luxurious experience. The location in Culver City was ideal, offering easy access to the E Line and local attractions in both Los Angeles and Culver City.

The breakfast buffet spread at the Canopy Club restaurant was a very good – the kind of place I’d go to brunch even if I wasn’t staying there. The overall service was commendable, with attentive and friendly staff. Despite minor areas for improvement, our overall experience was very enjoyable.

THE BOTTOM-LINE 10 RATINGS

• Location: 8/10
• Service/Elite Treatment: 9/10
• Room: 9/10
• Property/Amenities: 9/10
• Luxury Factor: 8/10
• Coolness Factor: 9/10
• Non-Grime Factor: 10/10
• Correct Billing/No Issues Factor: 9/10
• Cash Bang-For-The-Buck: 8/10
• Points Bang-For-The-Buck: 7/10

Final Rating: 8.75/10