Hyatt Regency Sacramento

The Hyatt Regency has been a hub of activity in California’s capital city since opening in 1988 next to both the State Capitol and Sacramento Convention Center. During the week, it buzzes with travelers attending conventions or conducting business at the Capitol -- while on weekends it becomes more of a leisure travel hotel that hosts a good deal of weddings and other social events. It’s a spacious and cheerful hotel, with banks of two-story windows and modern decorative touches like clusters of colorful chandeliers. Outdoor seating underneath towering palms and other trees adds a festive touch to the Mediterranean-style property, especially on the many sunny days Sacramento enjoys. Arnold Schwarzenegger called this hotel home when he was California’s governor.

The Hyatt Regency is conveniently located between the California State Capitol and the Sacramento Convention Center in the heart of downtown Sacramento. Both attractions can be reached in just a few minutes of walking, and a good choice of restaurants is equally close. The Esquire IMAX Theater is adjacent to the Hyatt. It’s about 20 minutes of walking or taking public transit to Old Town, or a 10-minute drive. The Hyatt is easily reached from the freeway, and Sacramento International Airport is about a 20-minute drive.

Soft gold walls and drapes and ruby red carpet with white geometric patterns are the dominant colors in these tasteful rooms that feature an upscale motif. Abstract art adds primary colors. Wood furniture with a dark finish includes headboards that have white leather padding. The rooms are clean and generally well maintained, but some of the wood furniture in the rooms we saw displayed obvious signs of wear. Standard options include Kings and Double-Doubles, and larger Deluxe Rooms are available. At 375 square feet, even the Standard Rooms offer ample space to include armchairs and desks with leather office chairs. Standard amenities in all rooms include laptop safes, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers. Mini-fridges are available at no charge upon request. Regency Club rooms include access to the lovely Regency Club that provides free continental breakfast and afternoon appetizers.

The bathrooms with roomy glass walk-in showers appear more upscale than those with shower/tub combos. Category doesn’t necessarily dictate the bathroom features, since Standard Rooms vary from shower/tub combos and walk-in showers. Both styles are spacious, however, with nice off-white tiling and large marble vanities. Views of the downtown skyline or the State Capitol grounds are featured in most rooms. 

This large Hyatt Regency has the amenities you’d expect from an upscale conference hotel. Four dining options include a Starbucks and the upscale Dawson’s Steakhouse that has a large, u-shaped bar. Vine Cafe is open throughout the day (including a breakfast buffet for an additional charge) and has outdoor seating. The Amourath 1819 lobby bar features an eclectic food menu. 

The Emperia Spa features a diverse menu of treatments and a sauna. StayFit fitness center features a good choice of Life Fitness cardio equipment, as well as weight-training equipment, showers, and lockers. The spacious saltwater pool is heated and open all year. It’s surrounded by lush landscaping, private cabanas, and a whirlpool. 

Among the hotel’s 28,000 square feet of meeting space is the Regency Ballroom that can accommodate events for up to 1,000 people. The hotel also has a business center (with additional charges for use) and free Wi-Fi. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry. Pets are welcome, but the surcharge is rather hefty. Both valet and self-parking are available at reasonable fees, but the garage can fill up during larger events. Guests are advised to notify the staff, who will reserve spots for overnight guests.