Hyatt Regency at Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport Review
Picture yourself sipping a cool beverage at the lakefront restaurant in your hotel. Across the lake, but outside of earshot, you see numerous airplanes on approach to the local international airport. Much closer, you see single-engine airplanes taking off and landing at the local flight school. Not to be outdone, several floatplanes arrive and begin taking off and landing on the lake, which for most of your time at the hotel is as still as glass.
Last, but certainly not least, within 100 yards to your left, Boeing airplanes sit in storage and await delivery to their new homes. Say what?!?! This isn't an avgeek's dream, it's just reality at the Hyatt Regency south of downtown Seattle. While the hotel is perfect for aviation geeks, the property is fantastic for anyone.
Location
The Hyatt Regency is set on the southeastern shores of Lake Washington in Renton, Washington. It is conveniently located only 15 minutes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) and less than 25 minutes from downtown Seattle. Traffic can impact travel times, so give yourself plenty of grace if trying to make a flight. If you are there for a short stay, or a long weekend, a car is not necessary, but it will be more convenient. There are shops and restaurants within reasonable walking distance as well as a full mall complex less than a mile away to keep you occupied
Hyatt Regency at Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport : Typical Booking Cost
While everyone may be flocking to downtown Seattle hotels for the normal tourist routine, this hotel is a hidden gem as a category 3 in the World of Hyatt program! That means you can book this hotel for $95 (annual fee) from your World of Hyatt credit card anniversary certificate. Here are the award costs for each room type:
Standard Room
- 9,000 points off peak
- 12,000 points standard
- 15,000 points peak
- All are bookable with a category 1-4 free night certificate
Standard Suite
- 17,000 points off peak
- 20,000 points standard
- 23,000 points peak
Premium Suite
- 18,000 points off peak
- 24,000 points standard
- 30,000 points peak
Cash rates can vary greatly by time of year but tend to run in the $200-$350
Hyatt Regency at Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport Review: Rooms
The hotel features 347 rooms and suites. When it comes to rooms, this hotel can provide some amazing lake views. Rooms will vary in layout, exact furnishings, and views if you go that route. Standard room offerings are a king room or two queen rooms. Some rooms, as pictured, have two small sofas, whereas other rooms have had more of a chaise lounge chair.
Two Queen Room
When I travel with the kids, I opt for two queens. There's no pull-out sofa option here, so larger families could have space issues. Typically the room will have some kind of sofa seating area and I have seen this vary by room type and location as well. Due to the hotel being shaped in somewhat of a U, the views can vary greatly. Additionally, the hotel hosts events, so there is an outdoor area below many of the rooms which can contribute to noise until 10PM during events.
The living space has a refrigerator, coffee maker with k cups, and safe. There is plenty of room to store bags or items. The room comes stocked with two reusable and environmentally friendly water bottles. You will find water filling stations throughout the property.
The bathroom in a two queen room is pretty standard with a traditional tub/shower combination and has a separate private toilet area within the bathroom.
King Bed Lake Corner Room
If not traveling with the family, this room provides extra space that makes for a unique experience with some amazing lake views.
While it boasts many of the same set ups as the traditional rooms, you will notice much more space.
The bathroom in these rooms provide a bit more luxury feel as well. It has a large soaking tub as well as a separate shower area.
Property/Amenities Review
The property features on site relaxing activities as well as nearby outdoor activities to enjoy, making for an enjoyable and relaxing experience.
Be sure to check your information card they give you at check in. Since the hotel has a resort fee (waived on award stays and for Globalists), there are some nice benefits like a complimentary beverage at the bar (bring your card with you). You also get a $10 credit at the market and can also enjoy a smores kit by the fire pits.
Pool & Spa
A family favorite here is the pool area. It has a very large hot tub and a nice pool with lounge chairs around it for comfort. Typically the hotel has some water toys on hand as well and the kids can be occupied for hours here. Large bathrooms, a sauna and a steam room, as well as a spa, make up this area on the lower level. Additionally, the area is close to the elevators so there is no tracking through the hotel lobby.
Dining
Dining can vary slightly based on the time of year here. The dining staples offered year-round at this property are the Waters Table restaurant and the Market.
The Market provides easy grab and go food as well as limited food menu prepared while you wait and a full coffee option serving Starbucks coffee. A nice selection of some local swag is also available. You can order ahead as well. My recommendation is to grab a morning coffee and walk outside and enjoy the early morning peacefulness of the lake.
Waters Table offers upper level dining with indoor and outdoor seating. It also features a full wrap around bar. They offer fully digital menus on tablets for your viewing.
The food offerings are great and although staffing and service may lack at times, it has always been friendly. I highly recommend a reservation if you know when you are going to eat. It can get busy here, especially at weekends for breakfast, when locals also come to enjoy the brunch.
Dock and Drink is a seasonal offering. It is located on the hotels lower lake level. Here you can enjoy a wide variety of food and beverages outside with the lake views.
You can either relax at the bar or grab a table and enjoy the views. There isn't anything quite like this when it comes to a lakefront experience and it truly is unique and a must do in the summer.
Hyatt Regency at Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport Review: Elite Perks & Status Recognition
I always like to say I have a long love hate relationship with this property. As a local I have experienced many changes and last minute devaluations. The moral to that story is to make sure you check the latest benefits and perks to verify, because this property does like to change things on a dime without notice. That being said, this property has excelled over the last couple of years and continues to provide a great experience.
As a Hyatt Globalist, the best upgrade plan here is to strive for a lake view room. The standard suites have no lake views, and getting an upgrade here has been a battle at times over the years. I have managed to get automatically upgraded to the Lake View Room for all of my stays in 2024.
Parking
As a globalist complimentary valet parking is available on award stays as is self park. The self-park garage is privately owned and operated, but the hotel does still provide complimentary parking for Globalists. You have to download the app and have the front desk add your vehicle each time you leave. This can be a bit of an annoyance, but I appreciate the self-parking option here.
Globalist Dining
As we were first to report the Regency Club has closed here. The complimentary breakfast is now at the Waters Edge restaurant. This was a favorable change of return for me, but make sure you have reservations if you're on a time crunch. The hotel hosts events and weddings, so breakfast can get crowded.
Hyatt Regency at Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport Review: ToP thoughts
Hyatt Regency at Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport is a true gem for Hyatt in the Pacific Northwest. Stunning lake and aviation views should not be missed here, whether passing through or enjoying the area. It still provides fantastic value for a category 3 hotel. It might even be worth a free night certificate during peak dates.
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