This Girl Walks Into a Bar: Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Airport
How often do hear about the benefits of a staycation but have yet to actually make it happen in your own life? We fell into that category until a couple weekends ago when we rolled into the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport hotel. The opportunity to meet halfway between our residences in order to relax, enjoy some sister time, and even sneak in some matters of business presented itself and we pounced. The Hyatt Regency is 19 miles from my house and 8 miles from Jocelyn’s home so it couldn’t have been an easier decision to make.
One of my first jobs out of college was for a company called Retail Detail and it involved flying to various cities in the Western United States several times a month. That meant many brief stays at airport hotels. If you mutter that phrase, “airport hotel”, to anyone over the age of twenty-five, images of stark lobbies, dreary restaurants, and dingy rooms will come rushing back. But things have changed a lot over the years and if you don’t believe us just step into the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles.
The lobby is the picture of warmth and hospitality. A huge, spacious lobby with colorful artwork and comfy chairs greet each guest, immediately instilling a sense of calm and happiness. We came in behind a group of pilots and flight attendants (always a sign of a good airport hotel) and quickly got our room from a gracious front desk staff.
Because the hotel is located just steps away from LAX and in between the north and south runways, you’ll get a view of planes coming in and taking off. What you might be shocked by though is that you never actually hear a plane. It’s true! This is because the windows are double-paned and have been air vacuumed to create a sound barrier between the jumbo jets and a good night’s rest.
Eager to take advantage of our staycation, we headed straight to the gym. Situated on the top floor of the hotel with sweeping views of South Bay, LAX, Santa Monica, the Getty, Century City, and of course, the great Pacific Ocean, it has to be one of the best gyms in Los Angeles. There are multiple Elliptical machines, treadmills, bikes, and weights so that you’re never waiting for equipment. They also offer cold bottled water, towels, and fresh fruit. Don’t they say that a good workout is one of the best ways to fight jetlag?
Next up was a visit to their gorgeous pool, which also functions as an event space and can accommodate up to 1,000 people. There are plenty of cabanas to tuck away in and space heaters to keep warm under, all while enjoying the beautiful California sky.
One of our favorite spots in the hotel was the Regency Club. Located on the third floor at the end of hallway with an entrance that almost felt secretive, the Regency Club is an enclave for the frequent visitors of the Hyatt. The day begins at 6:00 AM with breakfast and ends at 8:00 PM with a dessert bar. There’s always fresh food, chilled wine, and in the afternoon, an honor bar. It’s an intimate space with a home-away-from-home feel and clearly appreciated by those who often find themselves in a different city every week.
For those who travel fewer days but still want great, fresh food, the unity market is open twenty-four hours a day. Good luck finding another hotel in this town that offers that! Regardless of what time your flight lands, you’ll be able to find something healthy to eat right away, whether you dine in the lobby or bring your food up to your room. Yes, there’s room service too, but having immediate access to food after checking in is huge for seasoned travelers and families.
For dinner we dined at unity la, the Hyatt’s premier restaurant. Of course, we started with cocktails…the Pomegranate Margarita and the Winter Sour. Both were expertly made by the unity la bar bartenders. Since the burrata & watermelon and scallops & papaya were recommended as great appetizers, we started with those and they did not disappoint. The scallops were perfectly sautéed. And by the way, we’ve got a high standard when it comes to burrata for those of you out there who love cheese as much as we do. For dinner, we enjoyed the grilled skuna bay salmon and drunken noodles, both dishes that are great for sharing. We enjoyed Luna Nuda Pinto Grigio and ended the whole meal with a decadent, Chocolate Caramel Crunch cake, drizzled with creamy caramel and chocolate sauce. Soooo good.
Recharged from a great night’s sleep (as working moms…that’s not something we say often), we finished off our stay with long breakfast at the Regency Club. For those of you who will be flying in for a Rams game, or who need a day room during a long layover, or who just need a good ol’ fashioned staycation, the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles is the destination!
