Hyatt Regency Atlanta [In-Depth Hotel Review]

I’m a big fan of the classic Hyatt Regency hotel with the large, open atrium in the center of the hotel. I stayed at 2 of them recently, and this was the second. Coincidentally, both stays were at properties hosting a conference I was attending.

I spent 3 nights at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta while attending FinCon in October 2024. Despite it being very busy during my stay, I felt welcomed by the staff and enjoyed quality benefits from my elite status, including an upgrade to an excellent suite.

While my stay overall was positive, there were areas for improvement. Here’s a look at the highs and lows of my recent experience at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

Booking Hyatt Regency Atlanta

Hyatt Regency Atlanta participates in the World of Hyatt program, and the hotel was using standard pricing during my stay. As a Category 3 property, that means the hotel was available for 12,000 points per night.

If I’d chosen to pay cash, my 3-night stay would’ve cost $892.35 after taxes.

Spending 36,000 points to save $892.35 provided a redemption value of 2.48 cents per point — well above our average valuation of World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents apiece.

Hot Tip:

If you pay cash for a stay or even just room charges at a Hyatt property, using a card like The World of Hyatt Credit Card or World of Hyatt Business Credit Card can provide up to 9 points per $1 spent on Hyatt stays — 4 bonus points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels and up to 5 base points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Consider using these cards when it’s time to pay.

Hyatt Regency Atlanta Location

The Hyatt Regency Atlanta is located downtown near the Peachtree Center, which includes a metro stop with the same name on both the Red and Gold lines of MARTA — Atlanta’s metro system. These run directly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The hotel is near multiple other hotels and not far from the Centennial Olympic Park.

Coming from the airport, expect to spend about 15 to 20 minutes in the car or about 25 to 30 minutes using public transportation.

Checking In

I arrived at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on public transportation before noon and found a bustling arrival area — both outside and inside.

The hotel was easily identifiable by the sign outside as I walked a few blocks from the MARTA station to the entrance.

There were a dozen people in line for the reception desk, but I was the only person in the separate line reserved for elite members, so I didn’t have to wait long.

I fully expected my room to not be ready yet, and I indicated that to the friendly woman at the reception desk. She confirmed that, indeed, my room wasn’t ready and pointed out the bellhop stand where I could drop my bag until later in the afternoon. She did say that I’d received an upgrade to a Deluxe Suite, however, and confirmed a few basic details about my stay.

Then, she took down my phone number and said I’d receive an automated text message when my room was ready. I asked if there was any type of lounge or coworking space I could use while waiting, and she pointed to the tables in the bar (which was closed at the time) and a few individual seats around the lobby as popular spots for using the Wi-Fi with access to outlets for charging my laptop.

After 4 p.m., I still hadn’t received a text message, so I returned to the front desk to inquire about my room. The other people in line also cited the lack of text messages, so it wasn’t just me.

A friendly employee completed my check-in by taking a credit card for a deposit and providing details about the hotel, restaurant hours, and location of my room on the 18th floor.

Elite Benefits

I have Hyatt’s top status tier, Globalist, which provided several benefits during my stay. These included complimentary breakfast each morning, eligibility for a room upgrade, waived resort fees (which this hotel didn’t have anyway), and complimentary parking, as this was an award stay. I didn’t need the parking benefit since I didn’t have a car with me.

The desk agent also offered a 4 p.m. late checkout, though I told him I’d be leaving at noon on the final day. While making my key cards, he also apologized for the text message system not working and mentioned the location of the gym, pool, and elevators.

The 2 elite benefits I enjoyed most from my stay were the daily breakfast and the upgrade to a Deluxe Suite, which cost $492 per night before tax.

Before walking away, I took a moment to ask about the wall decorations. These were bronze key cards used by Hyatt guests in the past, used to let the hotel know whether you were out or were in your room — left at the desk when you went out.

Deluxe Suite

Guest floors had open views over the hotel’s main atrium, but I didn’t hear any noise from the lobby below, given that I was on the 18th floor. Along the hallway, there were plant boxes that kept the atrium from looking too utilitarian

I was happy to find a sign about quiet hours on the way to my room from the elevator.

The Deluxe Suite had 2 entrances, so my room numbers were 1825 and 1826. My suite was in the corner on the 18th floor, which I assumed would make it rather quiet. However, the neighbor who insisted on slamming the door every time she went in refuted my assumption.

Given that my suite had 2 doors, I could enter the bedroom or living room side with the same key card.

Bedroom

My room was spacious, definitely. That was my first impression.

The room leaned toward minimalism in its decor.

The key feature in the room’s center was a comfortable king-size bed with several pillows that provided a modest amount of support.

Each side of the bed had a nightstand, but oddly, they didn’t match. One nightstand was a round marble table with a lamp, clock/radio, and a TV remote.

The other was a square wooden nightstand with a small stool underneath. This nightstand had a phone and a lamp, though it was a different style from the lamp on the other side of the bed.

On both sides of the bed — and near the desk — I found a set of charging points that included a 3-prong outlet, USB-C port, and 2 USB-A ports.

Across from the bed, there was a desk with a chair and a lamp. I found the chair really stiff and uncomfortable.

There was a TV on the wall here, and a dresser underneath had 4 drawers. Strangely, they were all misaligned.

At the far end of the desk, a sticker provided a QR code for ordering room service.

Beyond the bed, there was a small loveseat with a table, a floor lamp, and floor-to-ceiling windows with blackout drapes.

When I looked closer, I was surprised to find a sliding door to a balcony here. The balcony was empty.

Closet and Minibar

Immediately inside the door, there was a small closet area, though it was “open concept.” I also found an ironing board here.

Shelves above the closet held the iron, and there was a handful of hangers.

The bottom of the closet had a drawer and a cubby space, and there was an empty minifridge next to this.

Above the minifridge, there was a small safe and minibar area with bottled water, an ice bucket, a coffee maker, and coffee supplies.

Beyond the closet, there was a full-length mirror on the wall.

I also found collapsible coat hooks on the wall.

Bathroom

I found the bathroom opposite the closet and minibar. Its small stature felt odd compared to the spacious bedroom and massive living room. The scuffing on the door frame stood out, especially considering the perfect condition of the rest of the suite.

However, the bathroom didn’t lack any necessities. The sink was surrounded by plenty of counter space.

Underneath, I found a bath mat, extra toilet paper, extra tissues, and extra towels.

There was a makeup mirror on the counter, and a pump bottle of Pharmacopia hand lotion was on the wall.

A box of tissues was under the towel rack on the other side of the sink.

The shower was inside a glass box with a sliding door, and pump bottles of Pharmacopia products were mounted on the wall inside. While the water pressure was great, the shower took long enough to heat up that I started feeling bad about the amount of water I was wasting every day — several minutes’ worth.

Living Room

The living room could be accessed from its own door outside or through a connecting door inside the suite.

This door could be closed to turn room 1025 into a standard guest room.

The spacious living room had an L-shaped couch (which folded out into a bed), chairs facing a coffee table, and a large TV on the wall.

Floor-to-ceiling windows ran the length of both walls in the living room, leading to 2 balconies and providing a ton of natural light. There also was an 8-person dining table in the rear of the living room.

Turning past the dining table, there was a bar area with a pair of stools in front of a kitchenette.

Cabinets under the sink were empty, and the counter had bottled water plus an ice bucket.

The room had a Nespresso machine that was stocked with a few pods.

Under the bar counter, I found a microwave.

Next to this, there was an empty minifridge.

Guest Bathroom

A guest bathroom was immediately inside the door from the hallway to the living room side of my suite.

It also had ample counter space, a sink, and plenty of towels.

This bathroom also had a glass shower box, though it was a bit smaller than the shower in the bathroom on the other side of the suite.

Amenities

Fitness Center

The hotel’s gym was available 24 hours a day and accessible with a key card. The fitness center could be accessed from the lobby floor, which then required going down some steps to the equipment, or from a door on the lower level, where conference rooms were located.

The gym had a dozen cardio machines, including ellipticals, bikes, and treadmills.

There also were various weight machines, free weights, benches, kettlebells, and exercise balls.

The gym also had several TVs, and it was possible to hear the audio from these by connecting your headphones to the cardio equipment and then selecting the appropriate audio channel. Moreover, there was a water station and a bowl of complimentary apples.

Meeting and Event Facilities

The Hyatt Regency Atlanta offered 9 different meeting and event spaces spread over multiple floors, including 2 full floors of event space below the lobby. The largest space offered 39,000 square feet, and the foyer space provided ample room for vendor booths.

The smallest space was a meeting room that could hold a maximum of 42 people in a theater setup, while the International Ballroom could hold 1,050 guests.

The Regency Ballroom could be divided into multiple pieces, providing a degree of flexibility.

Elevators

Elevators operated in the center of the hotel’s main atrium.

Pushing a button for guest floors required tapping your keycard.

The glass elevators moved quickly and provided nice views into the atrium during the rides up and down each day.

Unfortunately, there was no seating in the elevator waiting areas.

I loved the glass walls and open views from the elevators, which provide a much more scenic ride than a closed elevator at most hotels.

Internet

I got average speeds of over 20 Mbps in my room using the hotel’s Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the lobby or conference spaces.

When trying to use the Wi-Fi in the lobby or the conference spaces — even with the access code for the conference Wi-Fi — the signal was slow and dropped repeatedly.

Vending and Ice Machines

Each guest floor had a microwave for complimentary use.

I also found signs for ice and vending machines on my floor. However, the ice machine was leaking most of the time I passed it.

Signage

Information stands with signs, maps, and hotel details were located in multiple places on the ground floor.

Complimentary Computers

At the far end of the reception desk, closer to the bar, there were computers for guests to use for flight check-in or other needs.

Shipping and Printing Center

Behind the reception desk on the ground floor was a FedEx Office where guests could use computers, purchase office supplies, send and receive packages, or order printed items like fliers or posters.

Pool

The lower level featured the hotel’s outdoor pool. It had an accessible lift for those who required it.

The pool was flanked by lounge chairs on 2 sides, and there was also a towel station and bathrooms on the pool deck.

Hot Tip:

The pool is open seasonally. It closed for the year on October 31, 2024, and will reopen in May 2025.

Parking

Self-parking was not available at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. However, valet parking was available around the clock for $60 per day, though the price was $65 for oversized vehicles.

ATM

An ATM was located in the hallway behind the reception desk going toward the Peachtree Center and near the gym’s entrance.

Walkway to Peachtree Center

The nearby Peachtree Center had a food court popular for lunch, several shops and businesses, and a connection to the MARTA system. A walkway connected the hotel and the Peachtree Center, and guests were required to tap a key card to get into the hotel.

Food and Beverage

Sway

Sway, which focused on Southern food, was located on the ground floor near the hotel’s main door. I had breakfast here each morning.

Sway offered breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. on weekdays but stayed open until noon on weekends. Lunch was available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 5 days a week, excluding Sundays and Mondays. Sway was closed for dinner on Sundays and Mondays, but it served dinner on the remaining days from 5 to 10 p.m.

There was ample seating, which helped cut down on lines. This was great because it got very popular in the mornings.

There also was a bar in the corner, past the buffet.

The breakfast buffet rotated a selection of hot dishes each morning, including eggs, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, grits, and more.

There also was an entire station dedicated to making avocado toast. It featured a wide range of toppings.

The buffet also had multiple types of cereal each morning.

Pastries — and a lot of them — were made fresh each morning.

Cold cuts and cheeses were available at another station, and there were several types of juice available.

The buffet was included as my Globalist benefit. However, Sway also had a menu with several egg dishes, pastries, pancakes, and more. The menu had indicators for allergens and vegan options.

Staff could provide coffee, lattes, and other drinks upon request. The only self-serve drinks were the juices at the buffet.

Twenty-Two Storys Bar

This bar boasted 17 TVs and served a variety of drinks from 4 p.m. to midnight daily. Seating was available at the bar and at multiple high-top tables in the enclosed space on the ground floor.
Twenty-Two Storys offered beer, mixed drinks, and light bites. Its tables also were popular for people to work on their laptops when the bar was closed in the early part of the day.

Market

This coffee shop with grab-and-go items was open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It was found at the far corner of the ground floor.

In addition to a range of coffee-based beverages, there were pastries and made-to-order sandwiches.

A cooler provided numerous drink options, and individual-sized snacks were available for purchase with cash, room charge, or credit card.

Polaris

Polaris is the hotel’s revolving rooftop restaurant, located on the 25th floor, and accessed by a dedicated elevator. It opens at 5 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday and closes at 11 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and at midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Guests couldn’t access Polaris — not even to look around — without a dining reservation. Unfortunately, reservations were full for every night of my stay before I even arrived at the hotel. If you’re interested in dining here, call 404-460-6425 or book online to make a reservation in advance.

In-Room Dining

Room service was available from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Guests could order items from Twenty-Two Storys, Sway, and Market.

Checkout

When I went to check out, there was nobody in line. A friendly desk agent offered to print a copy of my bill to review a handful of charges from Market and to confirm that my breakfast charges had been erased. Then, he charged these items to the credit card I’d left on file and confirmed that my room was taken care of with points.

He asked if I needed help getting a taxi, calling for an Uber, or any other information for heading on my way. I said that I knew where to find the metro stop for a ride to the airport, and he wished me a safe, pleasant journey.

Service

Service had more positives than negatives, and I left with an overall good impression. However, there were a few areas for improvement.

First, it was strange finding this abandoned dirty laundry cart in the hallway numerous times during my stay.

Second, the fact that multiple guests didn’t receive the promised text message that their room was ready needs fixing. If the system doesn’t work, don’t promise a text message. I’d rather just be told to come back at a certain time rather than create confusion when expectations aren’t met.

That said, I thought the front desk, valet, and bellhop staff were very friendly. They smiled and greeted me whenever I passed, and I don’t doubt maintaining a smile and greeting numerous guests during a busy period takes effort. They did a good job making guests feel welcome.

The breakfast staff at Sway were efficient, which says a lot given how busy the restaurant was each morning. That said, I wouldn’t call them friendly. I struggle to remember seeing any employees at Sway smile, and I’d use that same description for staff at Market. Could they whip up an iced latte quickly? Yes. Did they smile or seem friendly? No.

I skipped housekeeping during my stay, but an employee flagged me down in the hallway to ask if I needed anything when she saw me heading to my room one afternoon. I thought that was a nice gesture.

Overall, my experiences with staff were a bit inconsistent. But were there any major failures? No, and that’s the most important element.

Final Thoughts

While I wasn’t blown away by any single aspect of my stay at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, it was a good stay overall, with more good than bad. I would stay here again if I needed to be in downtown Atlanta in the future.