7 Reasons to Make the New Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Southport Your Next Staycation

Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport

I’ve lived in Renton for the past 7 years. I’ve never been more excited for a business to open than when I heard we were getting a Hyatt.

Not only is it a nice hotel, but it’s also home to waterfront fine dining. I think people forget that Lake Washington extends to Renton and the view is incredible.

I was so eager to learn more about the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington that I met with Jeff Ouradnik, Hyatt Regency Director of Sales and Marketing and toured the space.

Parents Night Out

While volunteering with PEPS, I realized that many new parents don’t take overnights away from their babies/toddlers. Most parents noted that they didn’t want to be too far away from their kids.

This is why I think the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington is a gold mine for South Sound parents.

It’s close to home (so you won’t waste precious staycation minutes driving) and yet you’ll feel a world away.

Family Staycation

I also think it’s a great “tester” spot for families who are nervous about traveling with babies or toddlers. Jeff showed me a new option for families.

Basically instead of traditional connected rooms (which they still offer), they have blocks of hotel rooms that have a private entrance.

So, you’d get a key for the main door and then inside, there would be locked doors to two separate rooms.

This would be ideal for families who would like a kids room and a private room for themselves with the option to close both doors.

Additionally, it’s a cool option when traveling with grandparents. It’s like having a guest room in your hotel room.

Jeff also mentioned to me that the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington is now a stop on the Argosy Christmas Ship route!

So, families can check into the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, hop aboard the Argosy and get the kids immediately into bed once they’ve docked. Then, they can enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Water’s Table.

The Rooms

Enjoy complimentary wi-fi in all 347 guestrooms. That’s right, no extra charges to check your email or post a photo of the view on Instagram.

Speaking of views, enjoys the scenery of Lake Washington, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, or the Seattle skyline.

The Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport offers a plush Hyatt Grand Bed™, 65” flat-screen HDTV, and modern work space. Their high-end suites offer the extra luxury of an outdoor terrace.

Do you unpack your suitcases when you travel? We don’t. And I have a hard time using those portable luggage racks. Usually, our suitcases end up on the floor by the bed and we trip over it multiple times a day.

When Jeff showed me this open closet, I thought it was brilliant. What a great way to see what you’ve brought (and make sure you don’t leave hanging clothes behind!)

I’m usually disappointed by hotel bathrooms. I was seriously caught off guard with how large the bathroom is at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington.

We usually don’t get double sinks, so I was drooling over the counter space. For those of us who are nursing babies, counter space is crucial for drying pump parts!

The showers feature products from C.O. Bigelow. Instead of tons of little shampoo bottles, hotel staff simply refill large bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

The Market at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington

The Market at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington is open 27/4. Not only can you get coffee but they offer fresh grab-and-go items like gourmet salads and cut-up fruit.

And chilled wine and beer. And pastries from Creme de la Creme (where I got my wedding cake!)

My husband has a saying, “I’ve never met a gift shop I didn’t like.” Even he would be blown away by this hotel market/cafe/gift shop. It’s really well thought out.

There is plenty of seating for families eating breakfast, friends grabbing coffee, and co-workers holding a meeting.

Jeff told me they have been working with local businesses to highlight Pacific Northwest products. I noticed products from Green Lake Jewelry, Sahale Snacks, Seattle Pickle Co, Joe Chocolates, Union Wine Company and more.

They really want to create community partnerships with local shops.

Water’s Table Restaurant

I have to mention it again. This VIEW is incredible. There’s not many places to find waterfront dining like this, especially in South Seattle.

They have tables right next to the large windows overlooking Lake Washington. They also have outdoor seating available.

The menu at the Water’s Table is Asian-inspired. Jeff told me the chef had traveled throughout Asia learning from home cooks to get the flavors right. They even offer Chinese congee (or jook) rice porridge for breakfast.

The food is farm to table and features fresh seafood, sushi, dumplings, steak and more. There’s something for everyone.

What I personally love about the Water’s Table restaurant is that it has a separate entrance from the hotel. So, for those of us who live nearby, we don’t have to walk through the hotel lobby to get to the restaurant. Instead, we can valet our car and walk in the separate entrance and enjoy the restaurant.

It’s a great way to have a romantic dinner date without trekking to Downtown Seattle (giving couples time for dessert and saving money on the babysitter.)

Tranquil Waters Boutique Spa

Even though the Tranquil Waters Boutique Spa isn’t quite open yet, I got a sneak peak. It’s a boutique spa because there are just three rooms. But, as long as you’re in one of those rooms, that’s all that matters.

The spa offers facials, aromatherapy, body wraps, nail care, massage and specialty treatments.

For pregnant mamas on a staycation babymoon, try the Mother-to-Be Harmony Massage that is aimed at relieving tension and improving circulation with a Chinese geranium infused oil.

For couples, they have a Couples Suite for massage treatments. I’m most intrigued by the 80 minute Heaven & Earth Aromatherapy Facial that includes a scalp massage and cooling foot treatment.

Hyatt Regency Lake Washington Pool

The ladies locker room was really sleek and featured sinks, lockers, toilets, two showers and a steam room.

Once I entered the pool area, I saw the largest hot tub I’d ever seen before. I mean, there was an island in the middle, making it doughnut shaped.

There’s also a saline lap pool. I toured before the pool furniture had arrived, but Jeff told me there would be places for people to lounge by the pool.

Those ovals on the back wall are windows to the hallway. I love how private the pool area feels.

Gym

I’m not really a gym person. I usually just walk through them on the way to the hot tub.

However, it’s worth mentioning this yoga room. It’s versatile and at some point, they may offer classes. I’d definitely do a yoga class here.

The only machines I’ve ever used at a gym are the treadmills. The weather here in the Seattle-area can be a bit wet and chilly (in case you haven’t heard.) Here, guests can stay out of the rain and not sacrifice the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

What’s cool about this set-up is that guests can work out inside the gym and then walk directly outside and do a cool down jog around Coulon park.

Event Space

In my life before kids, I was a special event manager. I even have coordinated a few weddings. So, I was really stoked to see what the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington could offer brides.

I can’t emphasize the view enough. The hotel is just steps away from Lake Washington, which is such an iconic PNW landscape.

It’s also perfect for a travel-inspired wedding location because it’s next to Boeing and you can watch them build airplanes! Had it been built when we got married, we would have seriously considered this venue. Here’s why:

Wedding guests can drop their car with the valet and pass by a waterfall as they head up the outdoor staircase.

Then, they could grab drinks and find their seats for the ceremony on the patio overlooking Lake Washington.

Cocktail hour would commence a bit further on the patio and then guests would head inside for the reception.

After a night of dancing, everyone could just head right upstairs to their water view rooms.

I used to also coordinate fundraising auctions and the ballroom here would be perfect for auctions and galas. No need to blast tables with sound because it’s evenly disperse in with speakers in the ceiling. There are also screens that wrap around the top portion of 3 walls.

7 Reasons to Make the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington Your Next Staycation

1. The View. I just can’t stop talking about the view because it’s stunning. My photos were taken during a major smoke incident across Washington State so they really don’t do it justice.
2. The Regency Club Lounge. We upgraded to the Club level on a recent stay at a Hyatt in Vancouver, BC and it was the best decision. We stayed at the lounge chatting with friends for hours and hours. The Regency Club Lounge here is the nicest one I’ve seen. I could see throwing a big Seahawks viewing party here.
3. Tranquil Waters Boutique Spa. I always check hotels to see their spa services. It’s such a great activity for couples or a nice break for Mom.
4. Water’s Table Restaurant. You don’t have to get in your car to enjoy a romantic waterfront date night. In warmer months, opt to sit outside.
5. Private Dock. Not only is the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington located steps from the water, but it has a private dock. The dock is private property just for Southport residents and hotel guests.
6. Huge Hot Tub. It’s the largest hot tub I’ve ever seen at a hotel.
7. Christmas Ships. The Christmas Ships are a Seattle tradition and it’s so cool that they will dock at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in 2017.