Hyatt Regency Orlando vs. Hyatt Grand Cypress

BATTLE OF (2 OF) THE BEST HYATTS IN ORLANDO

In June 2023 my son and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for 4 nights.
In December 2023 my husband, son & I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Orlando for 3 nights.

So which is better and why?

HYATT REGENCY GRAND CYPRESS PROS & CONS

PROS

Stunning pool with alcoves, slides, several different sections, and surrounded by lush greenery along the waterfront.
Wonderful customer service – from the check in to the pool staff to the service at the lobby bar – we had excellent service from every one we came in contact with.
If you are Hyatt Globalist you will have access to breakfast in the Lakehouse restaurant – I highly prefer this to breakfast in a club lounge as it’s much more luxurious and relaxing
Several dining options – a high end restaurant next to property, resort casual restaurant, sushi bar, lobby bar & full service restaurant at pools
Our room had a small balcony, which we didn’t use, however, I love this feature so you can get fresh air
Free shuttle that runs to Disney at set times (somewhat limited)
TONS of activities for families – movies by the pool, paddleboats, hydroboats, canoes, small mini golf, bikes

CONS

Bathrooms are somewhat dated
This hotel location is ideal for Disney and not Universal (in my opinion)
Not really walkable to anything
Still has rooms with shower curtains – ew, these need to be banned

HYATT REGENCY ORLANDO PROS & CONS

PROS

Beautiful pool area with a slide and grotto, zero entry and full service – is surrounded by hotel & parking garage so Cypress definitely has the edge over this pool area
Very short drive to Universal Orlando
Very short walk to Pointe Orlando which has restaurants, movie theater & Main Event (with Bowling)
Several restaurants on site, including a market with Starbucks items, high end Italian restaurant, a diner, HUGE fancy bar on the lobby level that overlooks the pool, pool restaurant/bar, and a casual restaurant near pool which has pool tables, golf simulator (however the pool table & golf is 21 & over ALL day which we found weird/frustrating)
Gorgeous lobby with many seating and work areas
Fantastic customer service (except in the Market Place – there, not so much)
Club Lounge – for me this is actually more of a con, as we were there over the holidays and it was PACKED. 2 of the 3 mornings we couldn’t find seats – and in general busy club lounges feel dirty fast
HUGE gym – rows of cardio, weights, plenty of space to stretch – HUGE
Lovely bathroom towels, large & just the right amount of thickness

CONS

Bathroom with shower curtain
Most rooms don’t have balconies
No shuttle to theme parks
They implemented the new pool towel vending machines which means you’ll be charged (I think it was $35?) per towel that isn’t returned – which isn’t ideal when you want to wrap yourself in the towel and head back to the room

HOW WE BOOKED EACH HOTEL

I transferred Chase Ultimate Reward points to Hyatt to book these stays. I find it MUCH easier to earn Chase points than Hyatt. I am strategic with my points/miles and therefore focus on earning Chase points I can TRANSFER to Hyatts for “free” stays.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress:
Category 4 – meaning you can use your annual free night certificate that comes with the World of Hyatt Card here.
Off peak 12K/night, standard 15K/night, peak 18K/night

We were lucky as our dates (in June) were off peak and only paid 12K/points per night.

Hyatt Regency Orlando:
Category 4 – meaning you can use your annual free night certificate that comes with the World of Hyatt Card here.
Off peak 12K/night, standard 15K/night, peak 18K/night

We were lucky and booked this property while it was a category 3 hotel and we booked for 9K points/night OVER the Christmas holiday! Definitely a steal!

As I’ve mentioned before, when you award stays with Hyatt, you don’t pay taxes or resort fees. HUGE savings!

VERDICT?

These are both GREAT hotels with absolutely outstanding value when booking with points.

If you are going to Disney, definitely book the Grand Cypress.
If you are going to Universal, Orlando Regency definitely has the edge.
If you are spending all day at the pool, Grand Cypress for sure.
If you don’t have a car and want to walk to lots of stuff (and aren’t going to Disney), Orlando Regency.

If we were returning and not going to any theme parks at all… I’d stay at the Grand Cypress. 🙂

HOW TO EARN MORE CHASE POINTS FOR HYATT STAYS?

Earn more points for Hyatt stays
Build your Chase Ultimate Rewards Portfolio
Step by Step – How to transfer Chase points

Grab my favorite personal credit card for earning Chase points

HAVE YOU BEEN TO BOTH RESORTS? Which was your favorite?

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.