Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

The hotel towers above impeccably manicured grounds filled with tropical flora. In the building's immediate area, paths lead around ponds, fountains, and man-made waterfalls to patios with umbrella-covered seating. The sounds of trickling water make for a relaxing vibe, while the Asian-themed bronze and stone sculptures scattered throughout the property add a touch of art to the grounds. Inside, the heart of the hotel is its cavernous atrium. Somewhat dated by design, the 18-story glass ceiling still has a timeless quality, with glass elevators rising to the tiered balconies above. A pond surrounded by more tropical plants and a parrot breathe a little life into the sparsely furnished open space.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is centrally located right next to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, an area that is 25 minutes south of downtown Orlando. However, no attractions can be reached by foot from the hotel. All of Disney's properties, including Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios, are within a 10- to 15- minute drive away. The hotel does provide a shuttle service to all the major parks, but reservations are required and the buses can get crowded. Those with a car can also easily reach SeaWorld (10 minutes) and Universal Studios (20 minutes) via nearby Interstate 4. The Orlando International Airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel.

The guest rooms at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress are decorated in a contemporary style that combines sleek wood and upholstered cream furniture. The rooms are clean for the most part, though the patterned carpets have a raised texture that can be hard to keep spotless, and some guests have reported issues with housekeeping. Most of the 815 rooms are 360 square feet, with some suites double or triple that size. All have private balconies, either facing Disney or the hotel's own pool grounds and lake. High-tech amenities include iPod docks, as well as adapter panels to play multimedia, which are great for families looking to spend downtime in the rooms. Business travelers may appreciate the work desks with lamps and ergonomic roller chairs, as well as the in-room laptop safes. Bathrooms have large sinks and vanity areas with backlit mirrors and shower/tub combos that feature rain showerheads. Coffeemakers come standard with the rooms.

With 1,500 acres of private grounds, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress has ample space for guests to spread out and take a break from the crowds, especially for those who want to entertain themselves outdoors. Several miles of trails wind around the grounds for guests to walk, jog, or ride on free bicycle rentals, including surrey bikes big enough for a whole family. A wide range of watercraft are available to take out on the property's lake, including kayaks, canoes, paddleboats and sailboats. The lake's white-sand beach features lounge chairs, hammocks hung from a pergola, and a sandy volleyball court. Nearby, the huge, lagoon-style pool has waterfalls and man-made caves sheltering hot tubs. The pool area features a 124-foot waterslide, an interactive water play area, rock climbing, and a large sundeck. Other recreational facilities include outdoor racquetball, basketball and tennis courts, and 45 holes of golf spread across four courses amid the hotel's tropical grounds. For business travelers, the property offers event facilities that total 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, with 45 different meeting rooms. Dining options are a bit on the pricey side. They include one restaurant serving classic American cuisine and another offering steak and seafood dishes inspired by the island travels of literary legend Ernest Hemingway. There are also a couple of cocktail lounges and a pool bar.