Renovations, New Venues, Convenience Highlight Miami’s Hyatt Regency 25th Anniversary
 Billing itself as the largest, most convenient convention hotel in Miami, The Hyatt Regency in the Downtown Miami business district and directly connected to the Miami Convention Center is completing a $20 million facelift.
The refurbishment coincides with the facilities 25th Anniversary celebration.
Located on a Metromover station, the Hyatt Regency includes 612 guest rooms, an outdoor pool, a fitness room, room service, restaurant, sports bar, and deli for quick meals.
Other features include onsite car rental, check-in kiosks (simply swipe your credit card at the kiosk and you can check in and receive your room keys-you can also check out at the same kiosks), full service business center, and an airline boarding pass print out station.
 The hotel recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with an 80's themed gala attended by over 300 leaders, clients, and other guests. There was a band which sung 80's hits from stars like Madonna and Prince. In addition, demonstrating the attention to guests and the loyalty of the staff, 8 employees who have been with the Hyatt Regency Miami from the beginning were honored.
By February, 2008, all 612 guestrooms will be refurbished with new furniture, carpeting, fixtures, and flat screen televisions. They will also feature the signature Grand Hyatt Bed and ergonomic work stations.
Besides the rooms, the lobby has already been upgraded with new furniture, carpeting and fixtures as well. The Currents Sports Lounge in the lobby is also slated to get a facelift. About 1/3 of the guest rooms are completed to date, and all renovations are scheduled to be completed in February 2008.
Features also include an outdoor pool, a fitness room, room service, restaurants, sports bar, and a deli for quick meals. Other features include onsite car rental, check-in kiosks (simply swipe your credit card at the kiosk and you can check in and receive your room keys-you can also check out at the same kiosks), full service business center, and an airline boarding pass print out station.
The hotel is very focused in promoting its large amount of function space as well as its connection to the convention center with over 100,000 square feet of function space, including banquet halls and smaller breakout rooms.
It is also connected to the 5,000 seat James L. Knight center, and the Miami Convention Center. While the Convention Center is run by the city, the Hyatt Regency Miami is its biggest customer. The Hotel is reportedly in talks with the City of Miami to buy the Convention Center.
With its rear gardens sitting directly on the Biscayne Bay, business groups have a variety of breakout areas available and clients can even dock a boat outside.
One of the best features of the hotel, in addition to the meeting space, is the accessibility to public transportation.
There is a free automated “tram” transportation system called the Metromover, which services downtown Miami with 20 stops. With a station directly connected to the hotel, the need for a car if guests are planning to remain in the downtown vicinity, the need for a rental car is eliminated.
Should a car be needed, there are rental services right in the hotel
Attractions that are accessible by the Metromover include the Bayside, a waterfront enclave of shops and home to Island Queen Cruises where you can board a boat and get a narrated cruise of “Millionaire’s Row”, and see the Miami skyline, Fisher Island, and Miami Beach.
The Mary Brickell Village is also accessible by the Metromover. This village is a new enclave of fine dining and great bars and lounges and is often touted as an alternative to the South Beach enclave for guests staying at the hotel who are without a car.
The closest beaches to the hotel are on South Beach and Key Biscayne which are both about 15 minutes away by car.
by David Gottesman
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