Hyatt Regency Sarasota

The Hyatt Regency Sarasota is a large, bright tower of a hotel in downtown Sarasota. In the lobby, light pours in through the ubiquitous floor-to-ceiling windows and bounces off the mostly white and natural wood furnishings, giving the space an airy feel. The wood chairs, with thick white cushions and tropical accent pillows, offer a nice mix of modern and beachy aesthetics. Wicker barrel side tables and free pink lemonade keep the atmosphere beachy and fun, as does the coral wall behind reception. The hotel's restaurant and bar, Currents, has a more understated vibe, maintaining the white and wood furnishings with little wall decoration or other color. Encircled with floor-to-ceiling windows and two-levels of dining space, the restaurant's views of Sarasota Bay are its greatest asset. While Currents offers locally-sourced fare, its menu feels a little uninspired, filled with basics and crowd pleasers. It may be good for a meal or two, but, thankfully, the hotel's downtown location provides a number of other dining and drinking options in the vicinity.

The Hyatt Regency Sarasota is conveniently located in downtown Sarasota. Only about 10 minutes from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, the hotel is set among a number of cultural attractions, including the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center (five minutes by car), Mote Aquarium (15 minutes by car), and shopping at St. Armand's Circle (eight minutes by car). The hotel is about 20 minutes from the beach, and offers free shuttles to Lido Beach, as well as to St. Armand's Circle. Located off the Sarasota Bay, the hotel has a private marina where guests with boats can rent slips. 

The rooms at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota are large and bright, again mixing white and natural wood furnishing to create a modern-meets-beachy aesthetic against the upscale chain's standard canvas. For example, headboards are made of a woven wicker, but the side tables and TV stand come with distinctly modern, thin metal handles. In Standard Rooms, in addition to two double beds or one king, there is a desk space and a reading chair with ottoman. Deluxe Rooms are slightly larger, and the suites have private living rooms. Bright prints on the walls and tropical throw pillows add pops of color. Many rooms have private balconies. Bathrooms, with a sink separated from the toilet and shower, could do with a little more space, but are bright and clean. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi (included in resort fee), a coffeemaker, and an iHome dock. The hotel also has the option of Pure Rooms, which include hypo-allergenic mattress, pillow cases, and a special air filter.

On most counts, the Hyatt Regency excels as a chic upscale hotel without becoming dry or pretentious. While initially the nightly resort fee may feel excessive for a hotel not near the beach, it includes daily in-room bottled water, free Wi-Fi, the use of lawn games in the large, garden, and fishing and water sports at the marina -- including paddle boats, paddle boards, and kayaks. Access to the business center and the 24-hour fitness center, as well as the use of shuttles to Lido Beach and shopping at St. Armand's Circle (frequency varies seasonally), are also included. The fitness center is large and has a diversity of equipment though some of the machines could use updating. The hotel also has a large outdoor lagoon pool with a waterfall and hot tub, surrounded by lounge chairs, cabanas for rent, a fire pit for chilly nights, and the popular Hurricane Hut bar, which provides poolside drinks and bar food all day. The popularity of the pool area can be a bit overwhelming at peak travel times, but the atmosphere is laid back and fun. In addition, the hotel has Currents restaurant and bar inside, which provides decent, if somewhat uninspired, locally-sourced fare.