During my recent trip to Florida I spent most of my time at the Grand Hyatt as usual, and did one night at Le Meridien Tampa since it was their opening night.
However, it was also my mom’s birthday, so I wanted to do something special for her. She couldn’t take much time off work so we couldn’t fly anywhere (though she had a hell of a birthday trip last year), so I decided to plan a staycation at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach. Clearwater is just about an hour from Tampa, so it’s an easy drive when time is limited.
I booked a couple of nights here using the “My Elite Rate,” whereby elite members receive 20% off the hotel’s Daily Rate. The rate was a bit over $200 per night, which I thought was reasonable, and is cheaper than this hotel is over weekends.
The Hyatt Regency is located directly on Clearwater Beach (as the name suggests), and after self parking we headed into the lobby for check-in.
The lobby was pretty basic, with just a couple of check-in “podiums” and then a couch area in the corner.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach lobby
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach lobby
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach lobby
The main lobby area is on the second floor. It feels an awful lot like a convention property on the second floor, at least in terms of the lack of furniture and long, dark hallways.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach lobby
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach lobby
Anyway, the check-in associate was friendly, and within a few minutes we were given keys to the two bedroom suite we had been upgraded to. Rooms at this property are all large, and I’ve had good luck being upgraded to suites as a Diamond member.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach hallway
Our suite was at the far end of the 15th floor, room 1543.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach room entrance
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach floorplan
The room was massive and well furnished. The rooms do feel a bit timesharey and aren’t ultra high-end, but for a beach property I think they’re quite nice.
There was a small dining area by the entrance, with two chairs and a booth that seats two.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach hallway
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite dining area
Then there was a living room with a couch and love seat. The couch converts into a double bed.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite living room
Both the couch and love seat faced a flat screen TV.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite living room
Then there was a massive kitchen with a full size fridge, microwave, oven, etc.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite kitchen
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite kitchen
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite kitchen
Near the entrance was the second bedroom, which featured a double bed facing a flat screen TV.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite bedroom
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite bedroom
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite bedroom
It boasted nice views of the beach.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite bedroom view
That’s also where the second bathroom was located, which featured a sink and shower/tub combo.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite second bathroom
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite second bathroom
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite second bathroom
The master bedroom was quite a bit larger, with a king size bed, seat by the window, and flat screen TV.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite master bedroom
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite master bedroom
The master bathroom was also quite a bit larger, with two sinks, a shower/tub combo, and a walk-in shower.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite master bathroom
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite master bathroom
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite master bathroom
I do find it a bit odd that they had both a walk-in shower and shower/tub combo, but not an actual soaking tub.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite master bathroom
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite master bathroom
Probably the highlight of the room, though, was the balcony. We were on the second highest floor and had direct views of Clearwater Beach — can’t beat that!
I’m not actually a beach person, as I’m as red as a lobster within 30 minutes of going outside, and also just don’t like sand or salt water. So at beach properties I do love a nice balcony, since I can sit on the balcony with my laptop while my mom enjoys the beach.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite balcony
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite balcony view
And the views really were gorgeous. Especially around sunset.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Two Bedroom Suite balcony view
I mentioned to the hotel in advance that it was my mom’s birthday, so they were nice enough to bring an amenity consisting of sweets and a voucher for some wine/appetizers at the lobby lounge.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach welcome gift
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach welcome gift
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach welcome gift
As far as breakfast goes, it was served in SHOR Restaurant, which is located on the second floor. As a Gold Passport Diamond member, breakfast was complimentary for up to four people, which sure is generous.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant
We had breakfast on the patio both mornings, which overlooks the beach.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant balcony
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant balcony view
You can either have the buffet and still order eggs however you’d like them, or they have a breakfast menu, which reads as follows:
The buffet was quite good. There were a variety of continental options, including fruit, cereal, yogurt, pastries, bread, muffins, etc.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast buffet
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast buffet
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast buffet
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast buffet
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast buffet
Then there were also a handful of hot dishes, including oatmeal, french toast, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, etc.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast buffet
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast buffet
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant breakfast
One evening we used the voucher we had for the lobby bar, which was valid for two glasses of wine and an appetizer.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Skimmer’s Lobby Bar
We ordered the crab cakes and caprese salad, both of which were very good.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Skimmer’s Lobby Bar crab cakes
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Skimmer’s Lobby Bar caprese salad
While Clearwater Beach is a nice area for going to the beach, the dining options are generally quite limited, so we had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant on my mom’s birthday. While it wasn’t cheap, the food was excellent.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant dinner
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach SHOR Restaurant dinner
In terms of the hotel’s other facilities, there’s a pool on the 8th floor. The deck area itself is huge though the pool isn’t especially big.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach pool
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach pool
There’s also a decent gym located next to the spa, which I used both days.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater beach gym
Hyatt Regency Clearwater beach gym
Hyatt Regency Clearwater beach gym
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach bottom line
While I’m not a huge fan of the beach, my mom is, and she really enjoyed this getaway (as did I, even if I spent much of it sitting on the balcony with my laptop looking at the beach, which is my idea of a beach vacation).
Given the rate I paid I thought the hotel was a great value, especially with the upgrade. This isn’t the highest end beach resort in the world, but you can’t beat it for a quick two day getaway from Tampa.
Redeeming points at Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach
The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach is a category four property in the World of Hyatt Program, making it 15,000 points per night. If you want to redeem for a suite you can do so for 24,000 points per night.
You could Earn World of Hyatt Points in several ways, including with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Chase points transfer to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. Here are some of the best Chase card offers available today:
Given that the rate was ~$200 per night when I stayed, paying cash was definitely the best option. That being said, in high season and on weekends rates here can be $400+ per night, in which case redeeming points would be a much better value, in my opinion.
I was born and raised in Florida and I'm not a traditional beach person either. I'd rather swim in a pool or a lake. I like looking at the beach and walking on it though, especially in the off season. I used to love to go to the beach in North Florida in February.
This property suffered an unfortunate onsite shooting incident that led to a lockdown recently, exposing that, regardless of what would seem an idyllic location, the d-bag essence of the bay area is never far away. Wise move to move away, Ben!
Thanks for the review! Have a stay there next weekend, helpful to know what I'm getting into!
Shower pressure ? :-)
@ Chip -- Quite decent!
So you didn't have to use a confirmed DSU to get a 2-bedroom suite?
@ PK -- In this case I didn't. A Diamond Suite Upgrade wouldn't get you a two bedroom suite anyway.
Not a fan of the beach, and you're a born and raised Floridian? Blasphemy!
@ Ben -- Hah, actually only Florida raised. Was born in New York. Does that help? :D
I really like the second toilet.