Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

With many theme parks and other attractions, Orlando is a popular destination for families. While the local theme parks can be exciting, the hotels can be just as fun without the massive price of admission. The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one of the most family-friendly hotels in Orlando, and you can book a room for just 12,000 Hyatt points per night.

Read our Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress review to learn what you need to know before booking your stay.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is located on the east side of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. So just how far is Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress from Disney World? It is about five miles from the Epcot parking lot and less than 20 miles from Orlando International Airport.

Guests staying at this hotel must rent a car, book a shuttle or taxi, or use a rideshare to get to the hotel from the airport, as it does not offer an airport shuttle. Self-parking is $27 per day, and private valet parking is $40 per day.

When you're ready to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort, you can leave your vehicle behind. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to both theme parks so you can avoid the hassle and expense of parking.

The hotel lobby is a blend of modern architecture and natural plants. As you enter the lobby, your eyes immediately gaze upward at the 17-story open-air atrium and skylights that bring in natural light. On your way to the front desk, stop by and say hello to the parrot that entertains guests.

Most rooms at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort are the same. Rooms are 360 square feet and feature a private balcony with views of the pool or lake. In the standard room, you'll either have one king bed and a sleeper sofa or two double beds.

The hotel also offers ADA-compliant rooms with either a tub or a shower. If you need these features, book this type of room or speak with the front desk when checking in.

There are five suite upgrade options available, but sadly I didn't get an upgrade to any of them even though I'm a World of Hyatt Globalist member. However, I was only there for a few nights, so I wasn't too concerned about it. The upgrade options are:

• Bi-level Suite.

• Executive Suite.

• Junior Suite.

• President's House.

• VIP Suite.

The Bi-level Suite and President's House upgrades look amazing. Consider visiting during off-peak to increase your chances of getting an upgrade.

» Learn more: Which credit cards come with free hotel nights?

One of the best features of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is its pool area. I had such an incredible time here that I can see why it helped the resort rank 9th in the Condé Nast Traveler's 2021 Reader's Choice Awards for Top Orlando Resorts.

The pool is 800,000 gallons and features two pool areas, 12 waterfalls and a waterslide. Guests can relax in one of the two whirlpools, and young children can play in the water jet splash zone. You can even swim between the two pool areas through its grotto. The pool is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., so you can spend all day splashing with your friends and family.

On some nights, the hotel hosts "dive-in" movies so you can cool off in the water while watching a movie.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a 1,500-acre paradise with amenities galore. In addition to the fabulous pool area, there are many other amenities for guests to experience.

• Private lake. For free, you can borrow one of the hotel's paddle boats or stand-up paddle boards on the resort's 21-acre private lake.

• Golf. If you want to book a round, there are 36 holes of Jack Nicklaus Design golf courses on the property. And when you're not so serious, there is an 8-hole pitch and putt course or a 5-hole miniature golf course to enjoy.

• Nature trails. Guests can take a walk or ride a bike on miles of tropical nature trails.

• Gym. The Hyatt StayFit gym features state-of-the-art equipment, including four Peloton bikes.

• Sports. There are 12 tennis courts (five with lights), two outdoor racquetball courts and a basketball court.

• Spa. The Marilyn Monroe Spa features massage therapy and a salon offering facials, manicures and pedicures.

When you're hungry, there are four restaurants and bars. Plus, a market to buy coffee, freshly baked treats, and other necessities.

• Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen: Under a canopy of palm trees and beautiful Florida skies, Four Flamingos offers an immersive dining experience that makes you feel like you are in a tropical oasis. Acclaimed chef Richard Blais provides a tasty menu of fresh-caught surf and fire-grilled turf.

• LakeHouse: This is the hotel's primary restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual setting. Its buffet was quite extensive and had almost everything one could ask for. I made the mistake of coming down for breakfast around 9 a.m. and had to wait about an hour before being seated. Come early to avoid the lines.

• The Lobby Bar: The Lobby Bar is opposite the front desk in the open-air atrium. You can order food and drinks in a sports bar setting with flat-screen TVs to watch your team.

• On the Rocks: When you're hanging out by the pool, order food and drinks from On the Rocks. You can walk up and order yourself or wait for a server to tend to your needs.

As a World of Hyatt Globalist member, I received complimentary breakfast at LakeHouse each morning of my stay.

I booked my stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress during Labor Day weekend. I was in Orlando for a conference at a nearby hotel, so I arrived a couple of days early to relax at the pools and enjoy the hotel's amenities.

During my stay, room rates were $189 plus tax for a room with either a king bed or two double beds. Given all of the amenities at this hotel, that's a terrific cash rate. Room rates vary throughout the week and based on when you're traveling. For example, mid-November 2022 rates are around $300 per night and early-April 2023 is about $380 per night.

Instead of using cash, this hotel is also bookable for just 12,000 points per night. You can use points or a free night certificate that comes with the World of Hyatt Credit Card. At 12,000 points, that's a redemption value of just 1.6 cents per point during my stay.

Using points when the cash rate is so low isn't recommended because we value Hyatt points at 2.3 cents each. However, booking in November or April results in a value of 2.5 to 3.2, respectively, which is a pretty good redemption.

To help you earn points quickly, the World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a welcome bonus that can assist you. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent. There's also the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card to turn your business expenses into points.

And Hyatt is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards® but not American Express Membership Rewards.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Orlando is a popular destination both internationally and within the United States. Orlando International Airport is a major airport served by 35 airlines, including all major U.S. airlines.

Two major airlines that fly to Orlando are Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, making them ideal options for flying to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort from almost anywhere in the U.S.

Southwest offers regular fare sales on both cash and award flights. Its points are tied to the cash price of a ticket at approximately 1.5 cents per point in value. You can rebook flights without penalty if the price drops and each passenger gets two free checked bags, which makes this airline a favorite for travelers who want to save money.

Booking award flights on American Airlines is an opportunity to find outsized value if you can find the right deal. We value AAdvantage miles at 1.7 cents each.

» Learn more: The points and miles guide for Orlando

If you're looking for an Orlando getaway, I recommend booking a stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress resort. It is close to the theme parks, and the hotel includes free shuttles to and from the parks. And, when you're not at the parks, the hotel features many amenities to meet everyone's needs.

There's a fantastic pool with waterfalls and a slide, golf for all skill levels, a private lake, a spa and nail salon, and more. Best of all, you save money on your stay by booking a room for only 12,000 points or using a free night certificate from your Hyatt credit card.

Featured image courtesy of Hyatt.