June 5, 2025
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress vs. Hyatt Regency Orlando
Megan
Orlando is packed with hotel options, which is great if you’re headed there with the kids to visit theme parks. On a recent trip, I had the chance to stay at two family-friendly favorites: the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress and Hyatt Regency Orlando. Since I’ve experienced both firsthand, I thought I’d break down the differences to help you figure out which one might be the best fit for your family’s next Orlando getaway.
Both properties are Hyatt Category 4, so if you’re using points, you’re looking at 15,000 for a standard night, 12,000 for off-peak, and 18,000 for peak. That also makes them a great way to use those Hyatt free-night awards. And if you’re more of a listener, we talk about both hotels in podcast episode 123!
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Location
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a quick 10- to 15-minute drive to Disney’s Ticket & Transportation Center, which makes it a pretty convenient base for Disney park days. There is a shuttle to the Disney parks, but the schedule is limited. If you’ve got younger kids who need that midday nap or pool break (which my kids required until they were each around eight years old), renting a car will make life a whole lot easier. Note that self-parking at the hotel is $37, and valet is $52.
The resort itself is massive, with over 1,500 acres of property! There’s a private lake with paddle boarding, bikes to borrow, rock climbing, and even golf courses. If you’re planning to spend time at the hotel, it offers a variety of activities to keep everyone entertained. That said, it’s tucked away, so while it’s peaceful, it’s not walkable to any restaurants or off-property fun. I would personally recommend renting a car or planning to use Uber to explore beyond the resort.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Hyatt Regency Orlando Location
The Hyatt Regency Orlando is a bit farther from Disney, making it around a 20- to 25-minute drive to the Ticket & Transportation Center. Unlike the Grand Cypress, there’s no shuttle to the Disney parks here, so you’ll want to plan on using a rental car or grabbing an Uber to get around. Note that self-parking at the hotel is $38, and valet is $53.
One thing to know: this hotel is connected to the Orange County Convention Center by a skybridge. It’s super-convenient if you’re attending an event, but something to keep in mind. When we stayed at this hotel, there was a huge convention, and the traffic out in front of the hotel was a bit of a mess. I’d recommend checking the convention schedule before you book to avoid any surprises.
That said, one significant advantage of this location is its walkability. There are several restaurants, shops, and entertainment options all within a short walk, providing a nice break from the constant need to drive.
Hyatt Regency Orlando
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Standard Room
Standard rooms at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress come with two double beds. This can be a bit of a squeeze if you’re a family of five like mine. There’s no space for a rollaway, so that’s something to keep in mind when you’re planning who’s sleeping where.
I have Discoverist status with Hyatt, and we were upgraded to a Theme Park View room with a balcony, which was a fun bonus. The rooms themselves feel a bit dated and dark, but they’re perfectly fine if you’re mostly crashing there after long park days at Disney or Universal. They are comfy enough for sleep, but not where I’d want to hang out to relax all day.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress standard room
Hyatt Regency Orlando Standard Room
The Hyatt Regency Orlando standard rooms are huge! My husband and I were traveling without our kids, so we had a King room. If you have to add a rollaway bed to this room, there is plenty of space for it. The rooms were also recently updated and felt clean, bright, and very nice.
The Hyatt Regency Orlando rooms were more modern than the Grand Cypress rooms. It’s a great spot to come back to after a busy day, whether you’re park-hopping or just enjoying some grown-up time in Orlando.
Hyatt Regency Orlando king room
Orlando Hyatt Hotel Restaurants
Both hotels offer a nice selection of on-site dining, which is always a plus when you’re traveling with kids (or don’t feel like leaving the hotel). One big difference to note: Hyatt Regency Orlando has a club lounge, which includes perks like complimentary breakfast and evening snacks. This can be super-helpful for families. The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress does not have a club lounge, so keep that in mind if those extras are important to you.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Restaurants
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress also has a solid list of dining options, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a full meal. One of the highlights is Four Flamingos, a Richard Blais restaurant with a tropical, coastal vibe and a creative menu that’s more upscale.
You’ll also find the Lakehouse Sushi Bar and the main Lakehouse Restaurant & Bar, which is where the breakfast buffet is served. We ate here one morning during our stay. It was excellent and convenient before heading to the parks. We paid $32 per adult and then $16 per child aged 6 to 12. Kids aged one through five are $10.
On The Rocks is a poolside restaurant, perfect for a casual lunch or snacks while the kids swim. There’s also The Lobby Bar for a relaxing drink in the evening, and a market open daily from 6:30 a.m. to midnight for coffee, snacks, and late-night cravings.
Hyatt Regency Orlando Restaurants
One thing I appreciated about the Hyatt Regency Orlando is the variety of on-site dining options. In addition to all the local spots nearby, it’s helpful to have a handful of options right at the hotel, especially after a long day when no one feels like getting back in the car.
Fiorenzo is their upscale Italian steakhouse, located right off the lobby in The Atrium. For something more casual, B-Line Diner offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with big, deli-style sandwiches.
The hotel also has Rocks, a lobby bar that’s perfect for a drink at the end of the day, plus Descend 21, a laid-back lounge with Topgolf Swing Suites (for adults over 21), and plenty of TVs for sports fans. There’s even a small 24-hour market for grab-and-go coffee and snacks, perfect for early park mornings.
Hyatt Regency Orlando Club Lounge
The Club Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Orlando is on the 26th floor and has some pretty views of the city. It is a lovely spot to start (or end) your day. Breakfast is served Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., and a little later on weekends (until 10:30 a.m.). In the evenings, they offer hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by dessert from 8 to 9 p.m. If you have lounge access, it’s a great way to save on meals and snacks throughout your stay . . . especially when traveling with kids who always seem to be hungry!
You can get lounge access in a few different ways: by having Hyatt Globalist status, applying a Club Access Award or a Guest of Honor award, or by booking a club-access room when one is available. It’s worth considering if you’re trying to stretch your travel budget a bit or just want to keep things easy during your stay.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Amenities and Pools
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress goes all-in when it comes to the pools and amenities. The centerpiece is the massive lagoon-style pool with 12 waterfalls, a waterslide (minimum height to slide: 44”), and a fun splash pad for the little ones. The pool is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and wristbands are required.
There’s also a long list of complimentary activities, including water sports such as kayaking, paddleboats, and hydrobikes, as well as bikes for all ages. There’s also a rock climbing wall, mini-golf, fishing, and plenty of sports options with tennis and basketball courts. The 24-hour gym even features Peloton bikes, and the fire pit is lit at dusk, making it an ideal spot for relaxing in the evenings.
Hyatt Regency Orlando Amenities and Pools
The Hyatt Regency Orlando has a great mix of fun and relaxation built right in as well. The fitness center is open 24/7, so you can sneak in a workout whenever it fits your schedule. For adults 21 and up, the Descend 21 Lounge offers Topgolf Swing Suites—a fun way to unwind. Complimentary bike rentals are available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the pool hut—first come, first served.
Outside, there are two great pool options: the Terrace Pool, a nearly Olympic-size heated pool that’s perfect for lap swimming and a little quiet time, and the Grotto Pool, which features a waterfall, waterslide (minimum height to slide: 48” ), and plenty of space to relax. There’s also a small kiddie pool in a separately fenced area, which would have been much appreciated when my girls were little.
Bottom Line
Honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong with either hotel. Many of our readers love the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. It definitely has more family-friendly activities, especially if you’re planning to hang out at the resort. But when we’re in Orlando, we’re usually all about Disney, which means we’re not spending much time on the hotel property anyway.
If I had to choose between the two, I’d go with the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The rooms are bigger, more modern, and the option for club lounge access (hello, free breakfast!) is a nice perk.
Related Posts
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. American Express is a Travel Mom Squad advertiser, but we always show the best public offer even when we don’t earn a commission. Terms Apply.
Leave a Reply
Advertiser Disclosure: Travel Mom Squad has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Travel Mom Squad and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This compensation may impact how or where products appear on this site. Travel Mom Squad has not reviewed all available credit card offers on this site.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
be the first to comment
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.