SIN-FUK-SIN by 772 and Review of Grand Hyatt Fukuoka

[9V-SIA]

Introduction

Fukuoka may not appear on the radar screen of many globetrotters but it has been on mine for the past 12 years.

I attended a conference in San Diego in 1998, stayed at the Westin Horton Plaza, and was very impressed with mall attached to the hotel.

I'm bored of globalization and the sameness of the travel experience wherever I go.

So Horton Plaza was a refreshing change because of the curvy design of the mall. Nice original shops too

( though that was 12 years ago. Don't know what the shop mix is like now ).

Curves is the signature of the architect Jon Jerde and his malls are easily recognizable and I make an effort to visit them.

So I've been to:

• Horton Plaza
• Malls adjoining Universal Studios LA and Osaka
• Namba Park, Osaka
• Roppongi Hills, Tokyo

Finally the planets have aligned...

1. Hyatt FFN
2. Friend has retired to FUK
3. Work slowing down before Chinese New Year

... and I get to see his piece de resistance: Canal City, Fukuoka.

Come back in 2 weeks if you want to see the complete TR. I'm going to take my time over it.

And make sure you view this TR on a full stomach because there's lots of calories on view..

[9V-SIA]

SIN-FUK

Changi was all dressed up for the Chinese New Year.

Since we were traveling the week before CNY, the airport was not very crowded.

This "egg" was closed while we were checking in.

As we walked towards the departure hall, it "opened" to CNY music, revealing the treasure hidden inside.

Quite amusing..



I had a 2½ hour wait till departure which we spent at the DBS Air Treasures Lounge. Quieter than SKL..

It was a long walk to the a/c ( right at the end of terminal ) and the plane was boarding when we got there.

The pilot must have been in a hurry to depart because we left 10 minutes early!

My ride, 9V-SRF. It may be a non AVOD a/c... but I was in for a pleasant surprise...



View from my seat 12F before the doors are closed.



This flight has special significance for me. It will be the last time I get to fly the 772 to Japan..

Soon it will be only A330, A380 or 744.

Looking back. Not a full cabin in J.



The next 2 pics are of the A380 J cabin.

Compare SQ' s old regional J product with it's long haul product.

Apart from the fully lie flat seats in the A380, check out the privacy of your "space". It was a full cabin!





The monitors flip out from the armrest, leaving space underneath for a shelf.

Useful space for my LX3 and headphone pouch.

On NH, the monitor pivots forward to occupy this "shelf space".



Of course, whether it's the SQ or NH, this design limits the size of the monitor.

I prefer the 15.4" seat back monitors found in the long haul fleet.

Question is.. should they be Touch Screen or not?

Well, having flown TATL on BA 744 last June, when the touch screen was not zeroed, I say no to touch screen controls.

The other problem is greasy screens from passengers with dirty fingers.



Nostalgic last look at a non AVOD control

[9V-SIA]

The Seat

Much maligned by everyone, I still like this seat for regional flights that I don't need to sleep.

It is really comfortable to lounge in.

Seat Controls. To me, the ergonomics are still great after all these years



My surprise on this flight. This regional seat , on non AVOD 9V-SRF, is really comfortable to sleep in.

More comfortable than a Spacebed in Z position.

Is it broken? This seat can really recline!

Compare full recline on 9V-SRF with..



.. full recline on AVOD-equipped 9V-SRO I took on the way home



Breakfast

I skipped supper to get some sleep in the super comfy seat.

I woke up to see the sunrise.

Breakfast was served soon afterwards..

Fruit platter



BTC Nasi Biryani, which was... how can I put it politely... bloody awful!!!

So bland. I suspect it has to do with Japanese palates on this flight?



The Menus SIN-FUK





I had a stellar crew on board that night. The service was great.

I wish I had taken their names as they really were outstandingly attentive.

But the perennial problem for me. I can't read their gold-on-black name tags.

I kept thinking to myself, " Sometimes J is F ".

[feb01mel]

Nice Photos, but why are there pictures of the A380 J class seats? Did you fly to/from Tokyo as well?

[9V-SIA]

Nice Photos, but why are there pictures of the A380 J class seats? Did you fly to/from Tokyo as well?

Aiyoh! I had to stop halfway through writing post #2 to work lah!

[soarbeyond]

When are they switching over to the A330 for this route?
I always fly to FUK at the end of every year bearing the exception of last year,had to try the 380
Gonna miss the 777s,though i kinda hate the flight's timing
Grand Hyatt Fukuoka: the best and the most expensive hotel in Fukuoka(the last time i was there)

[SQflyergirl]

Nice report

Note: there is a difference in recline between the Later AVOD birds and the earlier non-AVOD birds - most noticeably is the amount of movement available in the footrest, with the older ones having FAR more ability.

[allmotor_2000]

Any idea which registrations are the older (non-AVOD) and which are the newer? I have a flight tomorrow from CMB-SIN and would be nice to know...

[SQflyergirl]

Any idea which registrations are the older (non-AVOD) and which are the newer? I have a flight tomorrow from CMB-SIN and would be nice to know...

Romeo Juliet onwards is new.

[allmotor_2000]

Thanks - I just searched the site as well. Guess next question is how do I find out which bird makes the SIN-CMB-SIN trip?

http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245

Inflight Entertainment
9V-SRA through -SRI have non-AVOD systems.
9V-SRJ through -SRQ have AVOD systems.

[9V-SIA]

When are they switching over to the A330 for this route?

A330 starts SIN-FUK on 28 April 2010

Gonna miss the 777s,though i kinda hate the flight's timing

Ditto. On both counts.

Nice report

Note: there is a difference in recline between the Later AVOD birds and the earlier non-AVOD birds - most noticeably is the amount of movement available in the footrest, with the older ones having FAR more ability.

Kam Sia

[ycp81]

9V-SRA to SRE has the even older light-blue coloured regional business class seats.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Star-...-ER/0667418/L/

[9V-SIA]

Approach into FUK

This was how we landed at FUK



FUK is situated by the sunlit bay



Note the triangular sliver of land. We'll be flying over it..



Flying over the triangular sliver



FUK is where LHD Toyotas/Lexus are exported to USA



The buildings look closer than in the pic



Airport perimeter



International Terminal



The first evidence that Fukuoka, Kyushu is not Tokyo, Honshu comes when the plane parks at the gate.

Since we arrived at 0730h, we will have to wait 15 mins.. in the a/c.. for CIQ to open!

So do the TG and VN that landed before us.

Meet TG again. Is someone is trying to tell me something? Fly TG ... Fly TG



0745h. 3 plane loads disembark and a mad rush by all to the immigration counters.

A few counters ( 2 for foreigners ) were open.

Only later did more counters open.

Got my bags quickly but then had to queue up at customs.

Everyone is stopped and checked.

No green lane / red lane in operation here.

Very provincial..

Arrivals Hall



FUK is one of the few airports situated so close to the city. Reminded me of Kai Tak..

Next Grand Hyatt Fukuoka

[phaleesy]

No reports on the calories yet!

Looking forward to the rest.

Would be in Tokyo in April. We'd see if you could tempt me enough to go to FUK. I've read about the architecture when planning Japan trips but have not got round to heading that way.

[9V-SIA]

No reports on the calories yet!

Looking forward to the rest.

Grand Hyatt Fukuoka

Hmmm... I had in my head an idea of how this TR would be written.

However, phaleesy can't wait to see the calories..

I have had to rewrite the script.

So imagine a hamburger phaleesy.

Well Grand Hyatt Fukuoka is the big juicy beef patty.

The bun at the bottom is the canal.

The bun at the top is Canal City, the mall.

In between hotel and mall is a "river" that runs the length of the development.

Jon Jerde mentioned the Grand Canyon as his inspiration for this project.

See whether you think he has succeeded.

Bun at the Bottom: The canal

Looking south from bridge over canal.

Behind Meiji sign ( left of picture ) is cineplex & car parks for Canal City.



Looking north. GH Fukuoka right of picture..



The Beef Patty: Grand Hyatt Fukuoka

Entrance to hotel where the bus is



Bun on Top: Canal City

Entrance to Canal City

"Canyon" flanked by GH Fukuoka on left & Canal City on right



River "flows" in the canyon floor

GH Fukuoka on left, Canal City on right in all subsequent pics



Red brick area is the amphitheatre.

Blue brick building behind that is Washington Hotel Canal City.

Many walkways link GH Fukuoka to Canal City



Amphitheatre, named SunPlaza Stage, is the heart of the complex.

At weekends, they hold concerts which were very popular.

Some J Pop band was playing while we were there.

Judging from the screaming fans, they must be famous

No pictures allowed..



And a vantage point is from the Lobby of the hotel, albeit the performance is viewed from behind the performers

See the pipes in the water. A musical fountain performs hourly



Continuing through the complex, this elaborate sky bridge connects the mall to the Hyatt Fitness Club, Club Olympus.

Gym is complimentary but guests have to pay for pool/spa, including Gold Passport members.

Pool/spa free only to Grand Club/Suite guests.

My room can be seen. Extreme right of hotel, 2nd window down..



Finally the other end of the canyon