OC Family Friendly Staycation: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
Staying at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Spa Resort is a dream come true if you are looking for a family friendly hotel in the Orange County, CA area. Complete with spacious rooms, beach access, and a kid’s water playground, this hotel in Huntington Beach is a total score whether you are looking for a getaway or a staycation.
Our Stay At the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
For Mother’s Day weekend this year, we booked a 2-night staycation just 45 min south of LA in Orange County’s Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach is also known as Surf City and it’s an absolutely beautiful destination. It's a mix of surfer, hipster, and family-friendly.
If you’re traveling to Orange County with your family, I highly recommend the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach. This resort is breathtaking with so many fantastic amenities including a bridge walk that connects the property to the sand directly for easy beach access. Easy beach access is so important when traveling with littles.
You can also check out beach chairs and sand toys at the desk before you go. The resort itself Is a massive property, with a Lagoon-style swimming pool, three spa pools, and a kid’s Water Playground. While this isn’t an all-inclusive resort, it might as well be because you wouldn’t even need to leave the grounds if you didn’t want to.
Their main restaurant, Watertable, is excellent with wonderful service. I had their Garden Benny, Trace had the Corn Beef Hash Benny, and Connor devoured eggs, bacon, and fruit, and even got some hot cocoa. Their casual and most family-friendly restaurant is Pete’s Grill. It’s a good spot for earlier dinners/lunch. Next to Pete’s is a little market and convenience store where you can grab s’mores kits to use by the fire pits at night.
My Best Travel Tip: Park directly across the Huntington Beach bridge for overnight beach parking instead of paying the $ 45-a-night hotel charge.
What it is like to stay at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
It was a beautiful sunny day as we rolled our luggage across the Huntington Beach Bridge onto the Hyatt property. We initially were surprised by the massive acreage of the Hyatt Regency, but we quickly got used to navigating around the resort.
Upon check-in at their massive but beautiful lobby, the front desk staff were incredibly helpful and accommodating. When we booked, we chose an ocean view suite with 2 beds so that Connor could have his own space, so after check-in, we went up the elevator to our room.
Our room was so spacious and pristinely clean, and the ocean-view balcony did not disappoint. The bathroom was almost as big as the room itself (half joking) and had a separate tub, a shower, and his and hers sink. Connor loved taking bubble baths there.
Needless to say, the beds were as comfortable as ever and we all slept wonderfully throughout our stay.
The first thing we did when we got to our room was get into our suits to explore the property. This resort has three pools and all pools have hot tubs and cabanas for rent with couch seating and TVs.
We spent the most time ironically in the hot tub or in the baby pool with Connor (about 1.5” deep) which is by Slyder’s kiddie + the most family-friendly pool.
A good tip: Slyder’s often has special events such as movie nights so definitely check with the front desk about when those occur!
Connor absolutely loved hot tubbing and floating around with no particular agenda, unless it was to break for fruit on the lounge chairs. Trace spent a lot of time doing laps in the main pool which is a lagoon-style pool and if hungry you can order food from the grill right from your lounge chair which we did often.
If you are without kids, there is also an adult-only spa grotto with three hot tubs which would make such a relaxing experience, I am sure.
All the pool time made us hungry so this brings me to the restaurant options. On the property is The Village Courtyard and inside are home to a couple of casual restaurants such as Pete’s Sunset Grille, Tower 15 Pizzeria, a grocery store, shops, and live music on weekends.
I can honestly say that Pete’s is the most family-friendly on the property and we ate dinner here twice simply because of the atmosphere. Right outside of Pete’s is a sprawling grassy green with fountains that Connor liked running around on while waiting for his meal.
As a parent, ample areas to run around in to distract a hungry toddler is so appreciated! The food itself at Pete’s isn’t to write rave reviews about, but you can’t go wrong with their fish tacos and classic burger while watching the sunset.
Watertable, however, is the main restaurant at the resort and it is fantastic. We ate breakfast here and the service is still memorable to this day. I had their Garden Benny, Trace had the Corn Beef Hash Benny, and Connor devoured eggs, bacon, fruit, and even got some hot cocoa which was such a treat for him. I would happily eat here again and hope to try their dinner service one day.
If you just need something convenient like a quick coffee or a snack, Surf City Grocers is also in the courtyard and you can even purchase s’more kits to use in one of their many fire pits around the resort.
Speaking of fire pits, I highly recommend this fun activity because Hyatt really takes this activity quite seriously. Guests can reserve a private fire pit for six people by the resort’s main pool. For large parties, you could reserve a private bonfire on the beach for 10 with beach chairs, hot cocoa, and s’mores kits (check the front desk for prices.)
Or if you are like us, you could simply sit by a large fire pit on the lower deck of the main pool and have dessert there!
Speaking of beach activities, you do not need to schlep your own beach equipment. Grab some beach chairs, sand toys, umbrellas, and towels located at the end of the bridge walkway from a hotel staff member. It’s free of charge and you only have to put your room number down.
Just over the bridge walkway from the resort is Huntington City Beach and it’s an 8-mile-long beach, so you never have to worry about finding a spot to sit. Connor loved the beach toys they provided and it was indeed a luxury to not have to unpack and carry beach accessories back into our car.
Ultimately, we loved our quick getaway. With so much to do on the property, a minute from the beach, and its great dining options, we would happily stay here again. This was one of my favorite family trips to date and I hope it is for yours as well!
Also, here’s an idea: if you are ever planning to go to Disneyland in Anaheim, it’s about a 30-minute drive to Disney park and would be a great stay option if you wanted to stay in a different area other than the Disney Resort.
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Rooms
The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach offers a comfortable and inviting atmosphere in their rooms. Here's a brief overview:
Spacious and Well-Appointed: The rooms at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach are spacious and well-appointed, providing a perfect blend of style and comfort.
Breathtaking Views: Many rooms offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean or the beautiful resort grounds, allowing you to wake up to a stunning vista every day.
Modern Amenities: You'll find all the modern amenities you need for a relaxing stay, including flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and cozy beds to ensure a good night's sleep.
Private Balconies: Some rooms feature private balconies, ideal for enjoying your morning coffee or watching the sunset.
Luxurious Bathrooms: The bathrooms are elegant and equipped with premium toiletries for that extra touch of luxury.
Impeccable Service: The Hyatt Regency is known for its exceptional service, ensuring your stay is as enjoyable as possible.
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Features
The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach offers a fantastic array of features that make your stay truly memorable. Here's a quick rundown:
Oceanfront Paradise: This stunning resort boasts a prime oceanfront location, so you're just steps away from the sandy beaches of Huntington Beach, perfect for a leisurely stroll or some fun in the sun.
Pools and Water Fun: You'll find not one, but two gorgeous pools, complete with waterslides and poolside cabanas, making it a haven for relaxation and enjoyment.
Dining Delights: The resort offers a variety of dining options, from beachfront eats to fine dining, ensuring you can savor delicious cuisine right on-site.
Spa and Wellness: Relax and rejuvenate at the Pacific Waters Spa, offering a range of treatments and a fitness center for those who like to stay active.
Family-Friendly: The Hyatt Regency is family-friendly, with a kids' club and activities that ensure the little ones have a blast while parents can enjoy some well-deserved downtime.
Meeting and Event Spaces: If you're here for business or a special event, the resort provides versatile meeting spaces and event planning services.
Breathtaking Views: Everywhere you turn, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the resort's lush grounds.
Exceptional Service: The staff at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is known for their warm and attentive service, ensuring your every need is met.
Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or a mix of both, this resort has something for everyone.
If you are thinking about taking a trip to Huntington Beach- I would highly recommend it! Let me know, where is your next trip going to be?