Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport

There’s plenty of room to sit and talk, get some work done, or just look out over the gorgeous lake. The hotel is large, quiet, and lovely, and the staff were the nicest, taking care of needs I hadn’t even thought of. They also have neat little pods you can rent for Zoom meetings or calls.

We picked this hotel because it was closer to the airport, and won’t stay again. We were in town for work, so the destination fee felt like an extra expense; we didn’t use the amenities and basically paid $40 for a day of Wi-Fi and local calls. The lake view from the room was pleasant but underwhelming, and didn’t feel worth the added charge on top of that fee. At check-in, no one greeted us warmly or welcomed us. The room setup also felt cheap: two thin sheets with a thin comforter between them, although the down pillows were nice. Robes and slippers, along with typical extras, had to be ordered through room service. At night we could hear the next-door guest coming and going because of the large gap under our door. We ate at the hotel restaurant. The check-in staff there were welcoming, but service was slow even though it wasn’t busy. We waited 15 minutes for our server, then another 15 for drinks, though the food arrived quickly. When we left, neither set of hosts acknowledged us, so we picked up our complimentary coffee at the market. There are much better hotels in downtown Seattle, only about a 15-minute freeway drive away.

I went to pick up my 80-year-old grandmother, who had been staying at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington. She walks with a cane and needs help. The night before, I briefly stopped at the entrance with the engine running and hazards on, without blocking traffic, so I could get her safely to the car. That parking attendant was gracious and said it was fine. The next morning, a different attendant, a taller, heavier-set white male, wouldn’t let me stop briefly to help her, even after I explained her mobility needs and that I’d been allowed to do it the night before. He said, “They were probably scared to say something to you.” As a Black man, I found that deeply unsettling and was taken aback by the implication. The earlier interaction had been respectful and professional, with no sign anyone was “scared.” The comment felt like an unnecessary, hurtful assumption and microaggression. I still helped my grandmother safely, then told Juan at the front desk what happened and why the remark concerned me. I’ve worked in customer service, including as a manager at Trader Joe’s, and know how much empathy and thoughtfulness matter in making people feel welcome, especially in a stressful moment. This came just after an emotional family event and recent loss, which made it hit harder. Most of the stay and staff interactions were pleasant, but that final encounter put a damper on what was meant to be a supportive family visit. Every interaction matters. People may forget what you did, but they won’t forget how you made them feel.

The lake view made the staycation especially relaxing. We watched the sunset from our warm room, and the little area around the property was lovely for a nature stroll and coffee. We came for a December birthday, starting with brunch since we usually visit for brunch anyway, then stayed overnight. The holiday decor felt cozy, and both the room and service were 10/10.