Hyatt Regency Seattle, which debuted in December 2018 and is currently the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest, reopened to the public on Oct. 1 for the first time since closing its doors in March when the pandemic began.

Just 15 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and two short blocks from the Washington State Convention Center, Hyatt Regency Seattle and sister properties Grand Hyatt Seattle and the boutique Hyatt Olive 8 are part of what is now called “A Seattle Collection.” Here are the highlights.

Property Highlights

The design elements throughout the property give it a light, airy feeling. From the expansive glass walls, high ceilings and non-traditional lobby with check-in desks featuring reclaimed wood to the guest rooms with their floor-to-ceiling windows and public space areas with oversized furnishings and artwork, Hyatt Regency Seattle is visually stunning. Pairing function with form, it also happens to be the only LEED Gold-certified hotel in the city.

The sleek guest rooms feature astonishingly comfortable beds. Guests can book city-view rooms or water-view rooms that look out over tranquil Elliott Bay. And for those who like to relax in a hot bath at the end of a long day of meetings and walking, the luxurious oversized soaking tub featured in Hyatt Regency Seattle’s suites is worth the upgrade.

Another upgrade (or perk for those who often stay at Hyatt properties) is access to the Regency Lounge. Hyatt Regency Seattle goes a step beyond the usual club lounge with a large outdoor patio with firepits, perfect for staying toasty while enjoying cool Pacific evening breezes.

Meeting Space

Hyatt Regency Seattle has more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space. The Regency and Columbia Ballrooms are the two largest in the city, measuring just over 19,000 square feet each. Two junior ballrooms, eight pre-function foyers and 45 individual meeting rooms comprise the rest of the hotel’s extensive meeting space. Got an executive team that you want to have special treatment? Put them in the Deschutes executive boardroom, which can hold up to 24 people and has its own private balcony. The team at Hyatt Regency Seattle points out they’re taking the utmost care and precautionary measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their guests and employees, following Hyatt’s standardized cleaning policies.

The hotel’s meeting room names may sound like characters from fantasy novels — Elwha, Bogachiel, Duwamish, Quilcene, and Kachess are a few examples — but in actuality, they are named after bodies of water located throughout Washington state.

With its proximity to the WSCC, Hyatt Regency Seattle is also perfectly positioned for overflow or ancillary convention meetings, when larger gatherings resume. The convention center’s new Summit building, which is due to be completed in Spring 2022, is a mere block away.

Dining

The hotel also offers several on-site dining options. In casual Italian restaurant Andare Kitchen, choose from options such as wood-fired pizza made or amazing house-made meatballs. Planning activities for a small event group? Pizza making is a fun activity — and everyone benefits from the delicious results.

Daniel’s Broiler Steakhouse has temporarily suspended operations, but in regular times, it offers more upscale dining for three meals a day. And the bar next door has a secret back room featuring an impressive variety of aged whiskies and a birds-eye view of the hotel lobby. For those on the go, The Market offers quick takeaway menu items including the perennial Seattle favorite, premium coffee.

Things to Do

Hyatt Regency Seattle is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, museums and entertainment including the famed Pike Place Market. Being so close to all that downtown Seattle has to offer, planners have numerous choices for group activities. And, attendees who want to strike out on their own, perhaps spending an extra few days pre- or post-event, will have plenty of sightseeing options. Arm yourself with a fresh cup of joe from the craft coffee shop of your choice and get moving.

Known for its fish-throwing fishmongers and arts and crafts, Pike Place Market offers a wide array of shopping and dining options. Explore the market’s narrow walkways and staircases; peruse everything from used books and records; snap a selfie with Rachel the life-sized bronze pig; and grab some hot mini doughnuts from Daily Dozen Doughnut to tide you over til it’s time for lunch. Then take a quick walk down to the Gum Wall, just to see it for yourself.

The hour-long Argosy Harbor Cruise (which has been temporarily suspended, but set to resume in spring 2021) takes guests out for a narrated tour with breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline. Longer cruises and excursions to Blake Island Marine State Park are also available, and charters and group tickets can be organized.  

Take the elevator to the top of the Space Needle, currently open with limited capacity, to see for miles. The recently renovated Needle features the world’s first revolving glass floor — step out on it (if you dare) and watch the world at your feet.

Seattle has museum options to appeal to all kinds of art lovers. Stroll through the breathtaking glass art exhibits and gardens at Chihuly Garden & Glass (also open with limited capacity), get nostalgic at the funky MoPOP (by advance ticket reservation only), explore the Asian Art Museum (advance tickets required here, too) or wander the halls of more traditional Seattle Art Museum. 

From fresh seafood to comfort food, cheese, ethnic offerings and more, there are many restaurants that can hold groups of all sizes, either for buyouts, private dining, or semi-private dining. We recommend the fresh, local and sustainable dining options at Aerlume (reservations required for socially distanced dining), which can be paired with a cocktail like an old-fashioned Milk Punch or a Washington wine, sipped while looking out over the harbor. Seattle is also home to one of the popular Din Tai Fung Taiwanese restaurants, which offers soup dumplings to die for.

Looking for a great welcome gift for planners for your meeting attendees? Consider CityPass. This book of coupons offers significant cost savings on many of the most popular tourist attractions.