Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront has a good downtown location beside the St. Johns River. The 19-story hotel has 968 guest rooms and convention space. There is a rooftop pool and hot tub. An attached parking garage offers free parking for hotel guests and $15 per night for others.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront seen behind the Monument to the Great Fire of 1901.
My room was located on the 17th floor. The rate for a Saturday night was $99 normally, however, Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum and Diamond members have access to “My Elite Rate” for a 20% discount.
My Elite Rate at $79.20 is 20% discount on Hyatt Daily Rate.
Adding up the bonus points
Some frequent guests of Hyatt plan their weekend stays at hotels where the Club Lounge is closed. Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront club lounge is not open on weekends, As a Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond member I received 2,500 bonus points for the lounge being closed and a breakfast certificate for the lobby restaurant.
I also received 1,000 bonus points as a Diamond member Welcome Amenity.
So while my $79.20 rate earned only 396 base points for the stay, and 30% bonus points for a total 514 points, I received 3,500 additional bonus points as a Diamond member for the closed lounge and welcome amenity.
During periods of high demand access to the Regency Club or Grand Club lounge may not be available; therefore Diamond members will receive 2,500 bonus points per stay plus daily complimentary full breakfast inclusive of one entrée (or standard breakfast buffet), juice and coffee (tax, gratuity and service charges included) for each registered guest in the room, maximum four (4) people.
I earned 4,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points on a $90 hotel stay after tax. Buying 4,000 points from Hyatt Gold Passport costs $96, so this was a good value stay.
Room with a River View
The high floor balconywith a patio door allowed fresh air on what locals were calling an unusually cool day. Heavy rain showers had passed through the city a few hours before. The next day was the start of a weather phenomenon called an anticyclone weather pattern by meteorologists that gripped the southeast in cloudless skies and high temperatures in the mid-90s for early May over the next five days.
St. Johns River at night seen from Hyatt Regency Jacksonville room.
The rooftop pool in the early morning looked relaxing.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront rooftop pool.
Lounging on the pool deck for a few hours was an option if I wanted leisure, but my plan was to drive 40 miles south and visit St. Augustine, followed by driving north to Savannah, Georgia where my reservation at Andaz Savannah awaited me. Hotel Review: Andaz Savannah Suite (May 11, 2014)
The gym is also on the 19th floor with views of the riverfront looking west.
The restaurant in the hotel lobby offered a full buffet. The service was exceptional as the waiter seemed to read my mind and show up with the item I needed just as I desired it. I was impressed and kept thinking to myself that this young African American guy will be a general manager some day if he stays in the industry.
Final thoughts: There were several low cost hotel options in Jacksonville for a Saturday night stay. I had a reservation at Aloft Jacksonville Airport, a Category 1 Starwood Hotel for only 2,000 points per night. Then, I booked Marriott Jacksonville on a Best Rate Guarantee for $76.23 after tax.
I cancelled both of those reservations for the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville. I paid a higher rate at $90 after tax, but that was worth it considering the one night stay earned 4,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points.
View from Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront across the St. Johns River to the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is a Hyatt Gold Passport category 2 award for 8,000 points per award night.
Related post:
Jacksonville and the St. Johns River (May 4)
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Ric Garrido of Monterey, California is writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler.
Loyalty Traveler shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. Check out current hotel loyalty program offers across all the major chains in Loyalty Traveler’s monthly hotel promotions guide.
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