A Hyatt perk that took our vacation from good to great.
I’m still pretty shaken up from witnessing the almost-drowning of a toddler in the hotel pool yesterday. I dreamt about it all last night and just can’t get the incident out of my head.
So I’m going to write about something more lighthearted to try to shift my focus and re-center. One thing that has given us a lot of enjoyment during this vacation has been the Regency Club Lounge here at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells. This lounge is awesome.
We have lounge access because of Josh’s Hyatt Diamond status, which he initially got through a Diamond Trial. We are going to do our very best to maintain his status (we need 25 stays this year!) because the perks and benefits are very valuable to us as a family. Luckily Josh does rack up 10-15 nights a year for work, but we have definitely become very loyal to Hyatt as a family so that we can keep this great thing going.
The best part of the lounge (at least to us fog-dipped San Francisco folks) is the open-air patio, where you can enjoy spectacular views as you sip cold beverages and nibble on snacks. This is also a fantastic place for kids to be kids.
Here is Josh striking a pose on the patio:
The interior of the lounge is also spacious and comfortable, with many tables and a couple of sofas as well.
The lounge itself is open pretty much all day long. They serve continental breakfast from 6:30 am – 10:00 am. We were really surprised by the selection and variety offered. There were pastries, meats and cheeses, a hot selection such as mini croissant sandwiches, cereal and yogurt, fruit, a bagel bar with both traditional slices of lox as well as huge chunks of smoked salmon, oatmeal, juice, coffee and tea.
Somehow most of the breakfast photos I took got deleted from my camera (grr!) but here is a bagel shot:
Mid-day snacks are served from 11:30-4:00. These are cookies and a fun “mix it up munchies” station complete with cute little cones to hold your mix. I loved this!
The best part was the wall of drinks, which was always available (and complimentary!) This was a wonderful thing in the Palm Springs heat.
Hors d’oeuvres were served from 5:00-8:00 pm. Offerings included a variety of cheeses, salads, and a hot item. Again, I didn’t get any fabulous shots, but here is a teaser.
Appetizers were followed by dessert and coffee from 8:00-9:00 pm. There was cake, cookies, custards, rice krispie treats, mini tarts, and more.
We were lounge regulars, popping in regularly throughout the day. The drink and snack offerings were perfect for keeping our kids happy and hydrated (key to a relaxing and fun vacation). Plus, we saved a ton of money by eating breakfast at the lounge each day, and it was a nice respite from the heat if we just needed a moment in the shade.
I got in trouble when I tried to place an actual dollar value on Hyatt status for my family, but I will say that it really made our stay a lot easier and more relaxing than it would have been otherwise. I HIGHLY recommend this hotel for families. It’s been a fantastic vacation for us.
How about you? Do you get huge value from hotel lounges when you go on vacation, or are they just a nice little extra perk for you?
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hotel status is really valuable if you plan to spend your vacation in hotels.On the other hand if hotels are just places to crash, they are kind of worthless apart from the free internet perk.
Asar – Yes, I always classify my vacations as “hotel-centered” vs. “activity-centered.” If it’s the former, clearly status is really valuable and I try to stay in a Hyatt 😉
If it’s the latter, I’ll just try to get the best deal possible and the brand doesn’t matter much.
I always find it absurd that hotels charge for internet. This isn’t the 90’s anymore guys, get with the program.
I tend to disagree with asar. Status is awesome for families looking to save money on breakfast etc. Or people who like to drink…like me. Or both. I don’t take all my meals in free lounges or restaurants, but I can square away at least one and then explore local cuisine at cost.
Heather – I think you are both right! Status can be either a hindrance (tying you to a certain brand), which doesn’t matter as much if you just trying to get out of the hotel and see stuff…or status can be a HUGE benefit if you are a family, like to drink, both, etc.
We love trying local cuisine as well 🙂
And speaking of internet perks, has anybody used wifi for just one day and then couldn’t get the hotel to stop charging them the daily rate? We just came back from the Atlantis in the Bahamas and we used wifi the very first day. Period. No more. They charged us every day. We got them to remove two false charges but the check out clerk absolutely refused to remove the last false charge. She said that we MUST have used it for the charge to appear.
Really? We spent $3000 for four days at a resort and we’re trying to cheat them out of $21.95?
Anne – What? That’s not okay! I know how you feel about Twitter, but I have to say that is where tweeting a company can really come in handy. Maybe consider dipping a toe into Twitter and giving it a try…it can actually be kind of fun, too 😉
How was your trip? I have been eyeing the Atlantis…
Ah, you opened a can of worms. First, I’m embarrassed to tell you that I know OF twitter but don’t know how to use it and don’t have a smart phone. Secondly, I emailed the hotel after coming home but did not receive the courtesy of a reply. I plan to fry them on trip advisor. I can’t think of anything else to do.
Okay, now a review. It was fabulous fun. Tons of stuff to do, and in 3 1/2 days we only scratched the surface. Probably the most amazing water park attractions I have ever seen. Aquatic exhibits were unparalleled in my mind.
The bad part. You are paying astronomical amounts for a really great water park. Our room in the very cheapest tower was around $550 a night through the Auto Club. Do not believe the tv advertised rates. I had my travel agent investigate them and they are a come on and doesn’t include around $200 a day in taxes. I had a huge budget set aside for eating and other needs, but it still took my breath away to pay $7 for an ice cream bar and $25 for their smallest container of sun screen. Honestly, your kids could have just as good a time at a water park in Cal. I would never recommend this for your average family because of the cost.
Also, Auto Club had given us $150 in coupons to use there and Atlantis refused to honor them saying we were there during a black out date and we didn’t have our Auto Club card with us and the sun was shining on Tuesday and some more mumbo jumbo. We are still trying to sort this one out through Auto Club.
Overall their under handedness left a very bad taste in our mouths.
Anne – You can sign up for Twitter online. I use it while I’m working at my computer all day long! I’ve had lots of success with Twitter when other avenues have failed…so just a thought.
Sounds like your vacation was fabulous but EXPENSIVE. That has happened to me before, and for us bargain-hunters, you’re right – it’s hard to get past the cost, especially when you didn’t budget for or expect it.
I value your opinion and thoughts so now I’m not as excited about Atlantis. See…their bad treatment of you possibly just caused them to miss out on a lot of free publicity (multiple blog posts)!! HA! Take THAT, Atlantis!!
Thank you for this posting (and all of the previous Hyatt Regency Indian Wells postings). I have been looking at this property for a while, but wasn’t sure if it was a good fit for my family. After all of the lovely details you have shared, I think it will absolutely work for a quick getaway (we are also in Northern California and are also Hyatt Diamond). You Rock! Also, love all of your shopping/fashion tips – PopSugar was a great birthday gift idea for my future daughter in law.
Danielle – You bet! And I am not done yet…still have a couple Hyatt Regency Indian Wells postings left in me! Stay tuned…
I love our hyatt status!! We are getting ready to go to Hawaii with some friends and will be spending some time at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. The lounge there is fantastic and you also get access to the spa facilities (which are also amazing). The possibility of a room upgrade is nice as well even if it’s just a slightly bigger or better placed standard room.
I place a HUGE value on our Hyatt Diamond status and we plan on doing what is necessary to keep it.
Erica – Sounds like you feel the exact same way I do. Have a great time in Hawaii!! Woo hoo!
Could not agree more. Saved at least $40 in drinks and snacks in Baltimore this week. Btw, I think the trail mix is standard…seen it in 3 Hyatt lounges in last 3 months. In London the bags have union jacks on them.
Dia – Woo hoo!
Just completed an 11 night mattress run in Rancho Cordova which is probably an hour away for you………a highly recommended source of nights at 71ish………..Olive 8 will finish the Diamond status run and now am wired for Paris, Maui Regency and Andaz , Napa and Carmel………..definitely a great brand that always meets or exceeds expectations……….all points and cash and suite upgrades………just a great program top to bottom….
JustSaying – wow, 11 nights! Were they consecutive?
Hi again:) I love lounge perks! We are at the Radisson Blu in Chicago & the lounge here is great! I love Hyatt lounges too. Free breakfast for a family is a huge convenience and cost savings. When we were at Indian Wells (in summer) the lounge wasn’t open for the season, but we got breakfast in the restaurant (which was fantastic). I wouldn’t necessarily base a stay on it, but I do think it makes life easier when traveling with kids & trying to save $$$ on food (and drinks:)).
Hi Kirsten! Our paths keep crossing – I am staying at the Radisson Blu next month. Can’t wait!
Hyatt really is the best of the big chains for status. If only there were more…
Mitch B – I know, sometimes I try to stay at a Hyatt and can’t.
I like this hotel better in the summer when the lounge is closed so an extra 2,500 Starpoints is gained, plus free breakfast in the restaurant. Booking through Virtuoso or AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts also provides a $100 food and beverage credit.
Mystery Traveler – Oooh, good tips!
Consecutive……drove up on the weekend and checked in……..actually spent the night………drove home…..drove back next weekend and actually spent one night…..do the Turley pickup thang………thought about spending night…..naw….drove home……called to check out once 11 nights were done………
Vendome better be worth it……damn Francophiles………