Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress: Finding The Best Hotel for Families in Orlando

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel Orlando. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

I travel to Orlando a lot to go to the parks with the family and to attend media events or conferences and even though we have stayed in a wide variety of hotels we had yet to find a hotel that had something for everyone, until now.  After much research and countless hours reading reviews on TripAdvisor our search for the best hotel for families in Orlando took us to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.

Located just a mile away from Disney the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress resort is located on a1,500 acre property that offers families 815 well-appointed guest rooms and suites and a host of amenities and activities that include everything from a half acre lagoon pool with waterfalls and a water slide to bikes, water sports on the manmade Windsong lake, rock climbing stations and 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf.

The lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel Orlando. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

We had pretty high expectations which can sometimes be a bad thing but I have to say up front that from the minute we drove up to the beautiful property we where impressed with the well kept grounds, flowing gardens and waterfalls.  As we entered the atrium lobby the kids gasped in amazement. They entertained themselves looking at the beautiful parrot while we checked in.  We arrived at 9am so of coarse our room was not ready but the staff was very helpful and accommodating providing us with access to the pool and all of the hotel amenities while we waited for the room.

The lagoon pool Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel Orlando. Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

We headed to the pool and as soon as the kids laid eyes on the 800,000 gallon,  free-flowing lagoon pool they could not contain their excitement. My little guy for whom more is always better declared: “Wow! That pool is too big!”. Nestled among lush tropical landscaping and next to 1,000 feet of white sandy beach along the private Lake Windsong the pool boasts 12 waterfalls, heated and non-heated zones, two whirlpools, a rope bridge, walking paths, and expansive, wrap- around decks.

The bridge over the pool at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel Orlando. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all right’s reserved.

As we started exploring the kids where thrilled to discover a water slide that plunges 17.5ft into the pool. After fitting my little guy with one of the complimentary life vests I chose a lounge chair near the slide and had plenty of time to relax while I watched them slide down splashing into the pool with screams of joy.

Having a blast at the water slide in the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel Orlando. Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

Even with a huge dance event going on that weekend the hotel did not feel crowded.  For lunch we ordered burgers and all beef hotdogs that where being grilled poolside.  My husband declared the burger as one of the best burgers he had ever had and he has had his share of burgers from home made to deconstructed burgers in fancy restaurants.

Enjoying the best grilled hamburger poolside at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

After lunch we went up on our room, which was ready way before the 3:00pm check in time.  The view was breathtaking and as we sank into the comfortable beds we had no choice but to take a nap and recharge our energy before the afternoon activities.

View of the pool and gardens from our room at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress . Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

Kids and adults could easily spend all day in the pool, enjoying the waterfalls and the slides but the Hyatt Regency Gran Cypress has countless other options to keep families with kids of all ages entertained and happy: from a water jet splash zone for the little ones to rock climbing walls, kayaks, fishing, bikes and Nine-hole pitch ’n’ putt course.   The kids had fun running around in the splash zone, kayaking with my husband and rock climbing.

Kayaking at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

I was able to steal a few moments to relax and this time I found a cool spot in the caves behind the waterfalls while the kids relaxed in the whirlpools and played in the water jet splash zone.

Water jet splash zone at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel Orlando. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

My husband was thrilled to be able to workout at a hotel fitness center with a great view of the waterfalls and pool as hotel fitness centers are usually tucked away in the worst and darkest places. The 2,500 square feet Hyatt StayFitTM fitness center at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress features the latest in Life Fitness® Cardio equipment complete with personal integrated LCD televisions for 24 hour a day access to state-of- the-art equipment with 8 cross trainers, 11 treadmills, four recumbent and upright LifeCycles, free weights, and strength stations.

A cool spot to enjoy the view of the pool from behind the waterfalls at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel Orlando. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

When it comes to dining the hotel offers a few options from Spanish and Cuban flavors at Hemingway’s, classic American cuisine at LakeHouse Restaurant or small plates and specialty drinks at the new Trellises Lounge. W

After dinner we all took a walk around the beautiful gardens, watched a family movie poolside and even roasted marshmallows in the fire pit. At 10:00pm we enjoyed watching the Disney fireworks from the balcony in our room.

What We Love About the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

• There is so much to do to keep the kids entertained. While the laid back types can sunbathe on the decks, relax under the shade in the “caves” behind the waterfall or read a good book on the beach overlooking the beautiful lake the options for those with a more active lifestyle are endless.
• I thought the hotel was a great value as we had all the fun and entertainment to make for an unforgettable family vacation without spending hundreds of dollars per day on park tickets or hours waiting in line under the swealtering Florida sun.
• In case parents want to spend a kid free afternoon golfing or go out on a date night the Camp Hyatt program offers exciting kid’s activities designed for children 3-12 years old, completely bathroom independent.  You can choose from full day, half day or evening programs that start at $45 per child and 50% discount for each additional child.

Kayaks and sailboats on lake Windsong at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel Orlando. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

Things to Consider

• The hotel charges a $25 resort fee per room which will give you and your family access to enjoy everything from kayaks, bikes, rock climbing stations to golf and shuttles to the parks as well as Wifi.  Although some people might be surprised by this we thought it was a great value as we took advantage of most of the activities offered from kayaks to bikes and would have paid hundreds of dollars if these activities had required individual fees, like they do in most other resorts.
• Self parking is $17 and valet parking is $21 which is comparable to valet parking fees in many hotels in big cities.  However, if you are flying to Orlando there really is no reason to even rent a car as the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress provides a complimentary shuttle to all of the parks and if you are looking for a getaway with your family you don’t even have to leave the resort, not even to go to the parks.
• If you are hitting the parks consider staying an extra day so just to enjoy this beautiful resort and everything it has to offer, it’s a great place to spend a day relaxing and resting in between park visits and away from the crowds and the endless lines.
• For kids to use the water slide they must be 48” or taller or 44” with signed waiver and life jacket. I loved that they gave the option for smaller kids to wear a life jacket but still let them slide as this is not the case in many of the hotels and water parks we have been to and my little guy who is 45” loves water slides.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, view from across lake Windsong. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

It is really no surprise that the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress has been recognized with the Parent Tested Parent Approved Winner’s seal of approval. We all had a hard time leaving and even though we spent a weekend without leaving the hotel we still did not get to explore all of the property or enjoy all of the activities.

[important]Enjoy a summer vacation packed with family fun at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress with the Sunshine on Sale® Package which includes fifth night free through September 30th.[/important]

Take a tour of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress by watching the video below:

For more information you can visit GrandCypress.Hyatt.com
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