Hyatt Regency Returns to Irvine
On a recent August afternoon I toured the soon-to-be-reopened Hyatt Regency Irvine. Photo credit The Vine
Irvine's largest hotel, formerly the Hotel Irvine, has new owners and is getting a makeover. The property was previously a Hyatt Regency hotel and transformed into Hotel Irvine by the Irvine Company in 2013. The Jamboree Business Center-based property is now owned and operated by Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. The hotel chain plans to bring the space into the future by incorporating some of Hyatt Regency's newest designs and features.
That transformation is being overseen by a large team and enormous construction crew. My tour guide, Terrance Frederick, serves as Director of Sales and Marketing for the hotel.
Previously with Andaz of West Hollywood, Frederick plans to bring some swagger to this formerly staid property. On a recent tour, Frederick explained how this 516-room hotel will meet the needs of business travelers, park-hopping families, and the local community.
Our first stop was the lobby, which will ditch its single massive front desk in favor of more intimate spots to connect with hotel staff.
“We’re going for front desk pods,” said Frederick. “It makes for a more interactive check-in experience.”
After construction is finished, the lobby will provide guests with a warm welcome, complete with cozy seating in front of a fireplace.
From the lobby, we headed to a cavernous room that is being transformed into a large co-working space. Ample seating and power outlets will accommodate guests, conference attendees, and locals seeking a place to work.
“We don’t anticipate guests will have to wait a long time for their rooms,” said Frederick, “but they’re welcome to settle in here if they arrive before check-in.”
Adjacent to the co-working space will be a grab-and-go market with snacks and drinks sourced from local restaurants. The hotel is still finalizing partnerships for the market, but beer, wine, and other beverages will be available for thirsty visitors.
While anyone can enjoy the co-working area, only Regency Club members will be admitted into the next spot on our tour. A members-only indoor and outdoor space with beverages and snacks will be located behind frosted glass doors.
Beyond the club, visitors can look forward to the hotel’s restaurant, which will be operated by a third party. The hotel plans to open the restaurant in spring of 2024.
Also opening in the spring will be the only hotel pool with waterslides in Irvine. The Hyatt is putting $4 million into renovating the pool area, which will also feature splash pads, water features, and eight to ten cabanas.
This rendering shows the water slides, splash pads, and cabanas that will all contribute to a resort pool-like atmosphere. Image credit Hyatt Regency Irvine
“We are bringing a resort pool concept to the heart of Irvine,” said Frederick, who hopes Irvinites will enjoy the pool as well as guests. “Locals can buy a resort pass to enjoy the pool for the day.”
After a dip in the pool, guests can retire to newly renovated rooms. The hotel has put just as much effort into updating the guest rooms as it has into the pool.
The rooms at the Hyatt Regency Irvine will have a new feel and a new look. Gone are the traditional closets, replaced by an open rack and drawers. A long leather bench covers the drawers, providing a place to sit or set down luggage. The side of the bench features three outlets to charge any device a traveler might bring. Additional outlets are on the side of the cabinet that contains the room safe and mini fridge. The mini fridge has a clear door to showcase its contents and simplify the accounting process for hotel staff.
The hotel chose to invest over $300,000 in top-of-the-line pull-out couches in anticipation of a large number of families and traveling sports teams who are all counting on a good night’s sleep. They also plan to delight their youngest guests with rubber duckies for the tub.
From the guest rooms, we headed to the gym, where new machines had just arrived. Frederick said that by removing extraneous furniture, installing a two-tone floor, and brightening the furnishings, the gym is now lighter and airier.
From the gym we headed back down to the first floor to tour the hotel’s massive entertaining space. The Hyatt Regency Irvine will boast the largest conference space in the city. The modular space with removable walls can be transformed into numerous configurations, from five smaller rooms to one gargantuan ballroom, and anything in between.
From the conference room, we headed for the entrance, which will be completely redone to reflect the hotel’s modern aesthetic. Gone are the “jungle gym” structure and wide lawn island. Instead, explains Frederick, the hotel will welcome guests with a porte-cochère and water feature to create a grand sense of entry.
“We’re creating something different,” explained Frederick. “Atmosphere. That’s key.”
The Hyatt Regency Irvine will open its doors later this month, and provide special perks to visitors during the ongoing construction. The hotel's earliest guests will have access to a pop-up relaxation space available to enjoy throughout their stay. Dubbed the Zen Den, this wellness area will offer mini chair massages, aromatherapy diffusers, spa-like lighting, and more.
All guests will be placed on the first three floors to allow a buffer between the finished rooms on the lower floors and those still undergoing improvements on the upper floors.
The hotel is currently taking room and event reservations.