Guest Author - Julia Reed Zaic
The Hyatt is a chain. Chains = predictability, or at least that’s what the unwritten equation indicates in the further unwritten rulebook on business travel. During a recent visit to Sarasota, Florida, I stayed at the Hyatt Regency looking for just that; something that didn’t involve guess work. Unfortunately, there were a few surprises.
Accentuating the Positives at the Hyatt Sarasota
I was only staying for one night at the hotel, so I opted for the smallest and cheapest room. Just someplace to sleep and keep my bag was all I really needed. The view from my standard double double was quite lovely. There was a nice view of the Sarasota Bay, boats, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center which is lit up in the evening. So far, so good.
Next, the staff could not have been more friendly when I checked in. Everyone was quite lovely and accommodating, which is especially nice when arriving late in the evening after a long drive. The food at breakfast was nice as well.
My room, and the entire facility for that matter, was extremely clean. The furnishings were very modern and the amenities were nice. The location is also terrific. At 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, this hotel is close to the downtown area, and around the corner from the Ringling Causeway which takes you to the local keys (Long Boat Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, etc.).
And, with a chain comes the predictable amenities and rewards systems. This Hyatt had conference space, although my stay did not entail utilization of those facilities. Again, so far, so good.
The Not-So-Positives of the Hyatt Sarasota
When it was time to sleep, I was introduced to one of the two downsides of this property: The beds. They were, well, very hard. It was noticeable on contact. It could just be me, but that is a difficult issue to deal with when you are only there to sleep and move on to your next destination.
Then there was the noise level. The property has very thin walls. Very thin. Thin enough that you can hear entire conversations in which your neighbor is engaged. Not to mention, you can hear all sorts of other things that need not be mentioned here on such a respectable internet site. All I can say is, it wasn’t pleasant.
Overall Impression of the Hyatt Sarasota
For the most part, I have stayed at worse properties. And the reality is, there are not many similar hotels in Sarasota with the same pricing options. There are other hotels, but they either fall in the “budget” category, or the Ritz-Carlton and its prices. So, my recommendation considering the staff was friendly, the location good and the cost acceptable, I would stay again, but only for a short stay. An extended stay at this hotel would not be a comfortable option for this business traveler.
[The author was not compensated for this review]
