Hyatt Regency Chicago: What to expect

I have stayed at many Hyatt hotels in Chicago and it’s no secret that the Park Hyatt Chicago is my favorite. However, it can be very pricey and if I’m in the city more than a couple of days I like to spread my experience around and visit the other hotels to get a feel for different areas (and different hotels).

Now, most of my Hyatt experience is based in Australia and Asia so maybe it’s more comparable to locations on this side of the United States, but I found this hotel to be so big and busy compared to other Hyatt Regency’s I’ve been to. I told my friend who I was meeting for dinner that it felt more like a hotel in Las Vegas with how bustling it was for a random weekday evening. This might just have been more busy than the Hyatt Regency in Athens I stayed at the year before.

When you arrive you have to go up a very large set of escalators up to the check-in area. Depending on the time of day it is wildly busy with luggage everywhere. I’m not used to being around so many people these days that it was overwhelming. But the staff was so helpful.

The welcome mat at the Hyatt Regency Chicago that made me realize I want to become a Lifetime Globalist.

What’s great about the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker

The view

I was upgraded to a room with an iconic view of the river and I could have sat at the window all night staring outside.

View from my upgraded room at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker.

The food selection

There were a few bars and a main restaurant on the street level part of the hotel. There is also a very well stocked souvenir shop that also sells sandwiches, drinks and other snacks.

A few helpful tips before you stay at Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker

·       The air conditioning was loud. I’m just happy that it worked but if you’re sensitive to sounds this may not be your ideal property

·       I found it funny that here the doormen were understandably short with you, Normally when I stay anywhere in Chicago they’re chatty and good-natured but given how busy the place is I could see that they were trying to keep some semblance of order and keep things moving

·       The Regency club felt small, but it was nice it had snacks available most of the time, I had a KIND bar, a pack of chips and a soda. There was also fruit and cereal to be had.

The cozy Club Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. I promise I’m not an almond mom.

·       In some hotels I like to wander around and stay in a lobby to read but I felt more comfortable in my room here because, again it was swarming with people.

My favorite thing to do while is enjoy my hotel room while watching anything on Bravo.

Is there room service at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker?

There was not in-room dining when I stayed but they did have plenty of restaurants downstairs to eat or you could grab something from the little market to bring up to your room if you needed.

Is there a Globalist breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker?

There is not a Globalist breakfast at this property. I was given one $25 voucher per day that I could use at any of the dining areas or market. I opted to use it for a dinner since I was going to have breakfast with a friend the next day.

Used my voucher to buy dinner at the downstairs restaurant.

What is the gym like at the Hyatt Regency Chicago?

There is a gym at the hotel. It’s got plenty of cardio and weight machines. It generally seems pretty empty outside of the early morning hours because people staying at this hotel probably have conventions and meetings to go to during the day.

Cardio machines at the Hyatt Regency Chicago fitness center.

Weight machines at the Hyatt Regency Chicago fitness center.

Points or pay?

Because the Hyatt Regency Chicago is a Category 4 property I used one of my Category 1-4 free nights that was expiring soon. In the off season I would probably pay out of pocket otherwise.