Deja vu; another fun summer weekend stay at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. We stayed here a couple weekends ago and enjoyed it so much we stayed again this weekend, and booked 3 more weekend stays this year, including the last Saturday in August, Halloween weekend and New Year’s Eve. 
These overnight stay-cations are wonderful and allow us a mini-vacation close to home without using work vacation time for me (Dos is lucky and retired!), and we can have a nice meal out.
We checked into the Hyatt in the early afternoon and as our room wasn’t ready yet we stored our luggage with Laird at the bell-stand and went to lunch. He would later deliver our luggage to the room, and he has to be one of the nicest bellman we’ve ever had. He gave us a few tips to see around the area, which as locals we really appreciated.
The hotel did have other rooms available when we checked in, but we had booked one of the Metropolitan Suites we had last time, and I wanted one with a balcony on an odd-numbered floor, facing Disney. (No, I’m really not that picky, but it’s really a great view!) Per Orlando building code, the balconies end at the 24th floor, although the hotel rises to the 30th floor. They had us booked on the 29th floor which would have outstanding views, however we wouldn’t have a balcony which I really wanted, so it was worth waiting for another room to come open. There are two of Metropolitan suites on each floor, but I like the one on the odd floors due to the closed ‘walled’ balcony fell vs the more ‘open feeling’ balconies on the even floors with gate-like safety bars aligning the balcony. If you look at the photo at the top of the page, you can see what I mean about every other floor’s balcony being either ‘open’ or ‘walled in’. I guess I’m a bit scared of heights even though I fly all the time, but somehow the wall feels a bit more secure for me, although the other balconies would offer a more unobstructed view from the living room of the suite.
After storing our luggage, we walked to the adjacent Pointe Orlando area,
and had a nice pub lunch at “The Pub“.
We had a great window seat overlooking the sidewalk and Tommy Bahama’s restaurant, and was perfect for watching passers-by.
I had a burger while Dos had the more traditional Shepherd’s Pie. The Pub was quite a modern and fancy place with high ceilings, huge bar area, and some 34 brews on tap. I had a European pale ale and Dos even had a Guinness!
The Pointe Orlando area is at the lower end of International Drive near the convention center, and right next door to the Hyatt, so it’s super convenient staying there and having so many fine dining options close by.
After lunch we went back to the Hyatt and checked into our room on the 17th floor. Although the room was identical to the suite we had last stay, it faced the back of the hotel instead of the front, which I had requested, but unfortunately wasn’t available this stay. It really wasn’t a big deal, as it still had a view of Disneyworld and you could even see Downtown Orlando in the distance. It directly overlooked the original Peabody hotel tower, which is now referred to at the Hyatt as Tower 1, while we were in tower 2. From this view you can also see Sea World and the sky tower and the roller coasters, just past the convention center.
Since I had recently become Hyatt Diamond, we also had access to the Concierge Lounge, so we went there for a couple bottle of water and soda, before walking around the property. 
The views from the 26th floor Concierge Lounge are outstanding, and overlooks the main Tower 2 pool below. You are so high up, you are actually higher than the helicopter tours that fly by the window! If you enlarge the photo below you can see the helicopter in the distance, and barely make out the Four Seasons Resort and Contemporary Resort at Disneyworld.
The lounge is well stocked with soft drinks, bottled water, and offers various snacks throughout the day. In the evening they offer beers and wines at a minimal charge of $3 and $4; quite a bargain.
There were four weddings today so it was interesting seeing people dressed formally through out the day and evening; especially the wedding party from India who had some really fancy and unusual (to us anyway) clothing, with the long gowns for women, and robes for men. I wanted to take a photo, but didn’t want to offend anyone.
For dinner we dined at the Capital Grille which is just a block from the hotel. We had eaten there two weekends ago so we knew to ask for our same waiter named Ryan. As with last time we were there Ryan provided us with outstanding service, including a little too much vino with the summer ‘Generous Pour’ promotion for $28 a person.
Dos and I shared three appetizers: jumbo shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, and a cup each of the best lobster bisque we’ve ever had.
For our entrees, I had the incredibly delicious bone-in Rib Eye, (and yes I did ask for raw horseradish on the side)
while Dos had the huge Dry-Aged Porterhouse.
We had a nice leisurely meal with the different wines Ryan served us, and met a nice couple sitting next to us who had just moved to Orlando, and were celebrating their anniversary. We ended up the meal sharing a decadent chocolate dessert and Aspen coffee for me, decaf for Dos.
As we are coming back the last weekend of August and wanted to make sure Ryan served us again, he walked us up to the entrance counter on the way out, and made sure we got our request in for him on our return. Thanks Ryan, for the outstanding service! We both are well traveled, and really appreciate and notice excellent and genuine service.
After dinner we went by the Rosen Hotel located right across the street, and had a nightcap beer (for me) by the pool. Dos had had enough Vino, and I had too, but hey we were on our Stay-Cation and not driving!
After a good night’s sleep, we awoke to have breakfast in the Concierge Lounge, before walking around the convention center area over to the Hilton Hotel to get some morning exercise.
Although we had requested our 4pm late checkout, courtesy of the Hyatt Diamond perks, we left the hotel around 1:30pm and headed for home, stopping by our favorite local Mexican restaurant, Habaneros.
‘Twas a wonderful weekend stay-cation in Orlando. In the morning, it’s back to work; flying out to Alexandria, Louisiana via DFW.