Fort Lauderdale: Hyatt Pier 66 (December 2002)

My spouse and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six for two nights in late December 2002. The hotel is set amid 22 acres of mature landscaping and royal palms at a world-class marina, Located moments from Port Everglades cruise terminal, the airport, convention center, and Fort Lauderdale beach, the contemporary resort-style hotel offers recreation on land and at sea, deluxe spa treatments, waterfront strolls, boat rentals, and fishing charters. An incredible outdoor courtyard contains three pools and cascading waterfalls, including a bubbling, 40-person hydrotherapy pool, or hop on the water taxi to explore Fort Lauderdale's waterways. Choose from one of our 384 room, each with balcony or patio. Select a Marina View Guestroom that overlooks the marina from our 2-story Marina Building, or pick a Tower View Guestroom that overlooks the Intercoastal Waterway or Atlantic Ocean from our 17-story Tower. Use the state-of-the-art health club, relax at Spa 66, play on one of two lighted tennis courts. The hotel offers five on-site restaurants, from fine dining to poolside cocktails to waterfront burgers at Pelican Landing. For fine dining in an upscale atmosphere, head to Grille 66 and Bar. Visit the sleek Lobby Lounge for panoramic views of the pool area and courtyard, mother-of-pearl tile décor and artisan cocktails. Orchid's Pool Bar offers tapas, cocktails and leisurely dining in the hotel's stunning three-pool "Park 66" courtyard. You'll find a sumptuous breakfast buffet and a la carte menu every morning at Mariner's.

Reponse on Forum:

I have stayed at the Hyatt Pier 66, and there are two parts to the hotel: the tall roundish tower, and the 2-story garden section (which I prefer because it is closer to the pool); I think both have balconies (or patios in the case of the first floor garden rooms). It has a really nice pool area, and a revolving rooftop bar (with the BEST pina coladas ever), but it is not on the beach (but IS near the port). I stayed at the Hyatt Pier 66 last year during the week between Christmas and New Years. According to the guidebooks, it is one of the better hotels in FTL. It was nice, but not luxurious. The rooms were nicely decorated, as were the public spaces. We chose the Hyatt because of the pool area, which was pretty but not spectacular (but much better than some other hotels like the Sheraton Yankee Clipper/Trader, Doubletree). If you are interested in using the pool, you may want to request the lanai rooms (the two story part of the hotel) rather than the round tower rooms (they may be called executive rooms). The revolving rooftop bar makes the best pina coladas I have ever had in my life, complete with a hefty price tag--I think they were over $12 apiece--but well worth it. It's not on the beach, but you don't really miss it. There are plenty of gardens and palm trees; also a good spa (I think it was called Louis XVI). It is on the Intracostal Waterway, so you still have that resort feel. The Hyatt had some great "Holiday on Sale" rates last year--$99 per night, I believe. This hotel is used by departing cruise passengers since the port is right across the street. In the way of restaurants, there isn't much within walking distance other than the hotel restaurants.