In many ways, the New Orleans Hyatt Regency was almost enchanting. With nearly 1,200 rooms, this upscale highrise is the largest hotel property in the city and feels like a city in itself. What’s more, it appeals to both leisure and business travelers, thanks to its striking modernist architecture and a wide range of amenities. In fact, it’s part of an imposing complex of connected buildings, including the Benson Tower and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This 1976-established structure suffered severe damage in Hurricane Katrina, and when it opened in 2011, Forbes magazine hailed it as one of the “Top 10 Hotel Renovations.” So, we were excited to experience staying at this Hyatt outpost, and we were pleasantly surprised and delighted, to say the least. Here’s a detailed guide to staying at the NOLA outpost of the Hyatt Regency.
Table of contents
Location
Since we were tourists in NOLA, we were thrilled by the Hyatt Regency’s pretty unbeatable location. It was in the Central Business District, right across the road from the Superdome. Although it sits at the intersection of two of NOLA’s busiest Downtown roads, we could easily explore all the top things to do in New Orleans. Since the streetcar line is right outside and has a stop out front, we had no problems reaching NOLA’s many attractions and places to see. Even the French Quarter was a 20-minute walk away. If you’re going to ride the streetcar a lot, like we did, then consider getting the “Jazzy Pass” for unlimited rides daily.
“We were thrilled that not only were we staying at one of the best five-stars in the city, but we were within walking distance to practically everything!”
WOW Travel
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Great Dining Options
We loved the sheer number of dining options at this Hyatt outpost. The sporty Vitascope Hall was one of the most unique restaurants we’d ever seen. It not only offered seafood, sushi, and drinks but even had many TVs for playing sporting events, which is practically a religion in the city. Next was the farm-to-table 8 Block Kitchen and Bar, where we’d enjoy a hearty and extensive gourmet breakfast buffet every day. In fact, we even had lunch one day here, and they’re also famous for their legendary Sunday brunches. There was even the Bywater Pool Deck and Bar, which served mixed drinks, grilled food, and salads. Finally, there was Starbucks, which was a lifesaver for us with its excellent coffee and pastries.
Interestingly, this Hyatt hotel is known for its throng of virtual kitchens and delivery systems. These include the Pain Frais Patisserie Virtual Bakery, The Beverage Store Virtual Bar, the 8 Block Virtual Kitchen, the Q Smokery Virtual Kitchen, and the Pizza Consegna Virtual Kitchen. We could order room service from all of these places through the hotel’s highly efficient and anytime 601 Delivery experience. We had to dial 54 from our room phone and choose food from these seven exclusive and amazing virtual menus! Do you know they quickly delivered it to our room in biodegradable disposable packaging? Yep. It left us highly impressed.
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Wellness Facilities
For a hotel with such amazing dining facilities, it was not surprising that its wellness amenities were also excellent. After consuming all that food, we felt like we had to work the NOLA calories off at the 24-hour fitness center. The only good thing about it was that the equipment was great and the views were amazing, so we had a great time.
Our favorite place, though, was the heated saltwater swimming pool, which lay on the hotel’s fifth floor. It offered very nice views of Downtown and the French Quarter in the distance. What’s more, there were plenty of free plush sun loungers where we could lie down after a swim. If you want to indulge, you could even rent cabanas, which is the perfect way to spend a day at the hotel. The highlight was that we could order drinks and snacks of all kinds from the Bywater Pool Deck & Bar.
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The Regency Club
The elevators went right up to the 32nd floor of the hotel, which is home to the Regency Club lounge. Select rooms, like our Executive Junior Suite, offered access to the Regency Club, and it was totally worth it. The first thing that struck us was the excellent views from the wraparound windows. What’s more, they offered complimentary meals, including snacks and drinks throughout the day and a wonderful breakfast spread. Think oatmeal, fruits, cereal, toast, bagels, muffins, croissants, and coffee for breakfast. The snacks and drinks spread were even better, with fruits, French bread crisps, cheeses, muffulettas, crudites, dips, roasted veggies, and even a fridge with juices and sodas, a coffee/espresso machine, and an honor bar. Did we mention the lots of lots of gumbo? Yep.
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A Comfortable Stay
We had the choice of nearly 1,200 rooms and suites, all of which were decked out in calming hues and contemporary decor. Think neutrals with a splash of sapphire or cranberry, along with the usual plush Hyatt beds, flatscreen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and iPod docking stations. The bathrooms were particularly spacious, and we were thrilled to see spa-style bath products. And since we were Hyatt Regency Club members, we even got luxurious bathrobes, although Wi-Fi needed to be paid for. The best bit was that our room had very cool, sweeping views of the Superdome.
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Pros
- The rooms were modern and comfortable and offered excellent Downtown views.
- The location of the hotel is excellent, as everything was within walking distance.
- Many dining options include room service and even a pool bar and grill.
Cons
- There was no free Wi-Fi except for Regency Club Platinum members in the room.
Conclusion
After a massive renovation, the Hyatt certainly lived up to our expectations and then some. We loved the plethora of amenities, especially the dining choices, which meant that we could come back for food at our digs at any time. All this, combined with a great location, make this Hyatt outpost an excellent stay.
Read Also
- Travel Guide: Best Time to Visit New Orleans, LA
- 11 Best Family Hotels in New Orleans
- 11 Best Business Hotels in New Orleans
- 11 Historic Hotels in New Orleans
- 11 Best Cheap Hotels in New Orleans, Louisiana
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Hyatt Regency different from Hyatt?
A: Yes. A Hyatt Regency hotel like this one is full-service and includes both a bar and a restaurant. Hyatt hotels usually have lobby breakfasts with grab-and-go snacks.
Q: Why is it called Hyatt Regency?
A: Hyatt Regency is the flagship brand’s first and oldest brand, appealing to both leisure and business travelers.
Q: Does the Hyatt Regency connect to the Superdome?
A: No. While it doesn’t connect directly to the Superdome, it’s located right next door. The NOLA Hyatt House is connected to the Superdome via a second-floor bridge.
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