This is a modern, updated, very welcoming hotel

great pool overlooking small marina

I have stayed here many times and even with priceline booking they are extremely accomodating on room preference, etc.

The staff are super friendly, no snobby vibe like some hotels in the area

youthful feel, good class of guest

decent bar in lobby, very cool one by pool/waterfall

free parking, $10 for wifi (my only gripe)

you can walk to downtown but have to drive to beaches

We stayed here in november 2011. The location was really great. The rooms were very clean and the hotel bars were great. Very friendly staff and will be staying again soon.

We stayed for 2 nights at this wonderful hotel. The hotel staff were cheerful and friendly. Our room was very clean. We had a 10th floor room w a balcony overlooking the marina. The lovely bar and dining room areas had a value packed wine and flatbreads happy hour. The hotel provided shuttle service to the downtown and beach areas (complimentary). The climate and location made our experience tropical like in the midst of the city.

Overall, this hotel really delivers on design, service and quality.

First the good:

The hotel is very well designed, in a Florida style. It may not be to everyone's taste but most people I spoke with seemed to really like it. Bright, pastel colors and lots of neat little design elements that make the Hyatt superior to other hotels in the area. The lobby, halls and rooms were VERY clean which is also a good thing. Our room was literally spotless.

The food in the sit down restaurant and at the pool was above average, and very reasonably priced. The prix-fixe dinner options were really good - the short ribs are excellent - and the wine list, although not extensive, was very well priced. And if you don't like the food, it's a 10 minute cab ride (about $15) to St. Armand's Circle where there are dozens of great restaurants (we especially liked Columbia & Crab & Fin).

The lobby bar was nice and the staff were extremely friendly - in fact, all of the staff was very friendly and when asked anything, seemed eager to help. The girls at the front desk were especially helpful. They have a happy hour starting at 4 PM which was fun.

The pool area is nice, and has a waterfall feature, but to be honest, it's nothing spectacular. It overlooks in little marina which is pleasant. The service was a bit spotty but the server had all of the pool guests to deal with so it really wasn't a big deal. If you don't want to be moving all day in the loungers, make sure you pick a spot that will not be blocked by palm trees. We ended up having to move 4 times as the sun shifted!

Now, the "bad":

I agree with other reviewers that they could fix the room reservation system to deliver the room that you had reserved. We too had reserved a king size bed but upon arrival were offered two doubles. We also had reserved a marina facing balcony room which also wasn't available, however, we liked the extra space in the room (which holds a small couch) where the balcony would have been. The non-marina view is NOT great so be forewarned - although depending on how high you are, you can see water. Ask for a higher floor if you're on that side of the hotel.

Overall, I can't give the Hyatt an "excellent" rating but it fell just short.