Hyatts in FL
 

I'm looking to burn a few FFN's and have narrowed down the choice. Search feature is disabled so I can't use the board to the fullest. The three that I've narrowed it down to, are:

1. Coral Gables
2. Fort Lauderdale
3. Sarasota

I'd appreciate any information on any of the three properties either as stand alone or as compare / contrast reviews.

I think it really depends on what you want out of the FFN's - Beach, resort or not etc. etc. My 2 cents:

1) Coral Gables is not a resort property. However, for a FFN in Miami I would choose this over the downtown Hyatt.

2) Ft. Lauderdale is not a beachfront property. From what I recall the pool area was small (for a resort) and pretty crowded. Pretty decent otherwise.

Haven't stayed at Sarasota yet.

Thanks mgi...very much appreciated.

Coral Gables is definitely a much better choice than the downtown property--but is still in a business area with some shopping and restaurants. It is by no means a resort, but does have a nice pool on the fifth floor with food available from Room Service. Ft. Lauderdale is labeled a resort property but is older and in need of renovation.

For resorts, the Grand Cypress in Orlando and Coconut Point in Bonita Springs are excellent choices and will give you much, much more FFN value than the other hotels.

The Sarasota property is nothing special. They have a great Sunday brunch, free self-parking and a nice pool, but that's about it. It's not near the beach so you'll have to drive about 2 miles to Lido.

The views from the high, water-facing rooms are pretty nice though.

I personally like the Grand Cypress (Orlando) out of all the FL Hyatts.


Stayed at the Sarasota Hyatt several times. I agree, nothing special. However, high floors with water views are nice and the dockside restaurant is fun. Also, you can walk to downtown which has lots of good restaurants and shops. Also, the Van Wezel Theatre in about a block away and gets many top road attractions and the prices were reasonable.

10 minutes to SRQ and 1 hour to TPA, if you are flying in.

When you talk about Fort Lauderdale, I assume that you are thinking of Pier 66.
The comments so far about this hotel have been way off base.
The pool area is quite large, with three separate sections allowing for almost anybody to find a spot that he likes.
As far as the need for renovation is concerned, the OP being a Diamond will not be put near one of the rooms in the old what they now call the garden section. He will get a room on a high floor in the tower, probably with a sensational view along the intercoastal or out to the sea watching the ships in and out at Port Everglades. This really is one of the finest properties in the area and was always one of my favorites in South Florida, a main stopping point for us before we bought a place down there.

Yes, this is a nice property, and I didn't understand the comment about the smallish pool area -- it's just the opposite.

But, the drawback is it's driving (not walking) distance from the beach.

This is absolutely correct. I should add, that it has one of the best Diamond amenities out there -- a great sandwich with two bottles of beer, I recall.

Of course, there always is my condo down there. ;) But now, I can't use the Diamond amenity coupons I have collected from the above anymore. :(

In addition, a new Hard Rock hotel just opened in Seminole territory in nearby Hollywood, FL and it has a gambling casino of some sort -- have not been to it so can't comment, but it should have some additional night life, over and above what FLL can provide along Las Olas Blvd., etc. -- I can give you plenty of names.

I reiterate my vote for Bonita Springs, as it is not too far of a drive across Alligator Alley from FLL, so you could stay at both! No drop charges for rental cars that I have seen, so can do without trouble.

Tampa Grand Hyatt is at the airport but is quite nice and it has a great Regency Club Lounge.

1) Coral Gables is not a resort property. However, for a FFN in Miami I would choose this over the downtown Hyatt.

I have stayed at this property a number of times for business. Would not be my choice for vacation as it is not on the beach, but there are a number of great restaurants nearby (i.e. Norman's) and it does put you in Miami.

While I have not stayed there, I have read lots of good reviews of the Coconut Point at Bonita Springs hotel. They also seem to run a lot of specials like stay 3 or 4 nights and get the next night free.

I hope to get there soon and see the good stuff for myself.

Of the Hyatts I stay in in FL (Miami Downtown, Pier 66, Coral Gables, Coconut Point, GH Tampa), I would recommend the Coconut Point by miles instead of the other ones.

First, thank you everyone.

I think I'm leaning toward Coral Gables at this point. Mrs. Dingo seems to be leaning that way as well b/c of the shopping available to her in Miami...ooops! Thought it would be a free weekend, but now it looks like it will have a cost component after all!

As for Sarasota and Bonita Springs, Orlando doesn't do it for me and Bonita is booked the weekend I want. We can get to Miami on either miles or $250 round trip; my miles would be USAir so burning several thousand of them sounds very appealing to me at this point.

Thank you everyone, I think I'm ready to book it (Danno).

Agree with positive comments about Pier 66. In fact, I'm headed back there for three weeks, beginning this weekend. The location is rough if one doesn't have a car, though it's a nice walk across the drawbridge to groceries, restaurants and other essentials...provided the weather is nice. Public transport in the area is poor.

Unfortunately, I travel for work, so can't comment on the pool. The gym is adequate. I've heard positive things about spa services, but have no direct knowledge.

Since Bonita is booked, then you should go to Pier 66, it is a fine property and I always have gotten nice rooms as a Diamond -- award stays or not.

As for Mrs. Dingo, I have two words -- Sawgrass Mills!!

Do a google of it and she will be in heaven, although you may not be! ;)

If flying into Miami, then the drive still is not that onerous. In addition to FLL and MIA, PBI could also be an option for Pier 66. :)