Anna Smith reviews the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach resort in Florida
Everything seems big in Florida, including the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort with 250 rooms over 17 floors. We’re welcomed into a spacious reception by one of several friendly receptionists on individual podiums. She cheerfully offers us a glass of bubbly before we hop into the lift and show ourselves to our room: this is an unfussy kind of luxury resort.
Our suite is – guess what? – huge, with a large bedroom and ensuite bathroom, plus another bathroom off the living room, which has a second TV in it, just in case we can’t agree on what to watch. The rooms share a large balcony overlooking Clearwater Beach, a comfortable sandy beach that, while popular, never seems too crowded.
Furnishings are subtle – clean, polite and unobtrusive. The bed’s extremely comfortable and the bathroom well-stocked: if it hasn’t got what you want, housekeeping can probably sort it for you (there’s a useful card listing what they can deliver). We also have a kitchen with microwave, fridge and so on – great to have the self-catering option, if you can find a supermarket to your taste. If not, you can dial a pizza or room service.
We opt to dine in the famous Shor American Grill on arrival (well, it is our wedding anniversary), and are shown to our table with a stunning sunset view. We’re served by a variety of hyper-efficient, well rehearsed staff – the kind you really only do get in America. They serve generous portions of quality seafood, steaks and a well chosen wine list. We wolf down a massive bowl of goats cheese fries (allegedly a starter) before a juicy steak and a vow to visit the in-house gym.
Breakfast can be taken in your room, at the Shor Grill or the in-house cafe opposite, which does a brisk trade in coffee, croissants etc. It’s good to see a number of options at this hotel – there’s no sense of feeling pressured into eating at any particular eatery, or indeed eating in-house at all (it’d be a crime not to check out at least one of the bustling beach-side cafes during our stay).
Exploring the hotel, we’re impressed with the view from the hot tub, up on the 16th floor overlooking the beach. Next floor down we find a good sized swimming pool lined with sun loungers and families – mostly American and a few British. There’s a cute little bar up there with drinks deals every day, or if that’s all a bit too public you can reserve a private poolside cabana with TV, restroom, a service button and food.
As we pop in and out of the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach resort during our stay, we find it a very relaxing place to stay. It’s a great base for exploring, and we can comfortably chill out for half a day in our suite if the mood takes us (especially useful in hot weather). We call a taxi to the airport with a tinge of regret.
I want to stay at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort. How much will it cost?
British Airways offers seven nights at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, from £899 per person room only based on two adults travelling from London Gatwick in November. Bookable until 31st October. To book, visit ba.com or call or call 0844 493 0758.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa
301 South Gulf View Blvd, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 33767
Tel: +1 727 373 1234
