Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Merida

Overview of Hyatt Regency Merida

The Hyatt Regency Merida is considered a luxury hotel but can often be booked at a super reasonable price point (with points and with cash). It has 289 elegant suites and guestrooms, all with large windows and modern amenities.

Overall, I feel that this hotel feels like a mid-size to large property. You experience the quaintness of the accommodations, but the amenities are second-to-none, and you can relax and enjoy yourself.

While some hotels are focused on a specific type of person, this one isn’t. Therefore, couples, partiers, relaxation-seekers and families can all enjoy what it has to offer. Whether you want to get rowdy or prefer a quiet space, it will meet your needs and do so well. Let’s dive into the review and get into the nitty-gritty.

How I Booked Hyatt Regency Merida

Before getting too involved, I want to talk about how I booked my stay at the Hyatt Regency Merida. I booked a Double Room for $72 per night. The hotel is also bookable using Hyatt points, and as a Category 1 property, it costs between 3,500 and 6,500 Hyatt points per night.

My dates were mostly standard dates priced at 5,000 World of Hyatt points per night, and since I value my Hyatt points at around 2 cents each, it made more sense for me to book the cash rate.

Because I have Hyatt Globalist status, I was also able to apply a Suite Upgrade Award to upgrade my entire seven-night stay to a Regency Suite. These suites are bookable for 6,500 to 9,500 points per night and typically cost $300 or more.

A Category 1 property can be booked with the free night certificate offered by The World of Hyatt Credit Card and The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. Both of these cards offer a great way to earn Hyatt points as well. Because Category 1 properties can be booked from only 3,500 points per night, it’s not the best use of your free night certificate unless it’s going to expire.

Hyatt is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, so you can also earn points needed to book this hotel with the following Chase cards:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Hyatt Regency Merida Location

The Hyatt Regency Merida is located north of the city’s center and about one block from Paseo Montejo. You can’t miss it—it’s actually the tallest building, and you’ll spot it while walking along Calle 60.

The address is Av. Colon 344, and it’s located in the Paseo Montejo zone. However, it’s actually Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

It’s a convenient location for sightseeing around Merida on foot, but taxis are also plentiful and inexpensive.

Best Parts of the Hyatt Regency Merida

The Hyatt Regency Merida has many things to like about it, and here are a few of the top ones.

Welcoming Staff

When you walk around the property, you’ll invariably run into a staff member working. They’re always friendly and welcoming, asking if they can help you with anything.

Excellent Amenities

All hotels boast of their specific amenities, and they’re generally the same (pool, spa, workout room, etc.) While the Hyatt Regency Merida had them all, they seemed to be even better than I’ve experienced anywhere else.

Lobby Bar

While many hotels have a bar in the lobby, this one went all out. I expected a few “normal” cocktails, but I was impressed by the cucumber margaritas. Who would have thought to add cucumber? It made it refreshing and unique in its own right.

Breakfast

The breakfast, which is included for free for those with Hyatt Globalist status, is simply epic. A huge number of options, delicious, and it runs all the way until noon so you can extend it into lunch instead.

Hyatt Regency Merida Drawbacks

Reviews should always contain the “cons,” but the Hyatt Regency Merida didn’t have many. I noted the following things.

Noisy Air Conditioner

You’re in Mexico, so it’s pretty hot all year round. While you’re out playing in the sun, you expect to be hot, but you want to cool off when you’re in your room. Though the A/C worked and kept us nice and cool, it was a little noisy.

Few English-Speaking Channels

Most U.S.-based people don’t go to Mexico to watch television, but when you’re relaxing after a long day, it’s nice to turn on the TV and enjoy a show or two. However, most of the channels were in Spanish.

Spotty Wi-Fi

Every room features free Wi-Fi, but it can be spotty at times. If you’re staying on a business trip, you might have a few slow uploads or downloads.

Getting to Hyatt Regency Merida

There are a few airports in Yucatan, but you’re most likely to find flight options into Merida, Cancun or Cozumel. We had already spent some time in Playa del Carmen, so we took the ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Merida in about four hours for $32. There are also bus options to Cancun.

Flights directly into Merida are likely to be quite a bit more expensive than flying into Cancun, but also significantly more convenient, especially if you aren’t traveling for a long trip.

Check-In

I was greeted at the door and went to the service desk. Upon giving my name, they thanked me for being a Globalist almost right away. After telling me about the complimentary breakfast and access to the Regency Club, they confirmed that I had been upgraded to the Regency Suite.

The double room, which I had originally booked, is 344 square feet (32 square meters) and has a workstation and two double beds. It has excellent amenities, including:

• Wireless and wired internet access
• Telephone
• In-room safe
• Coffee/tea maker
• Iron and ironing board
• Hair dryer
• Robes
• Air conditioning
• Blackout curtains
• A 55-inch flat-screen television
• Staycast TV streaming

Alternatively, the Regency Suite was 797 square feet (74 square meters) and featured a modern style with a walk-in shower, king bed, separate lounge and a dining area. Likewise, the amenities were a bit more lavish and included:

• In-room safe
• Wired and wireless internet access
• AM/FM clock radio
• Coffeemaker
• Minibar
• Iron and ironing board
• Hair dryer
• Robes and slippers
• Guest restroom
• A 65-inch flat-screen television in the bedroom and living room

My boyfriend and I were both working during our stay, so it was great to have the extra space.

The Room at Hyatt Regency Merida

The vibe from the Regency Suite was welcoming and highly sophisticated. Even though it was larger than the original room I’d booked, the layout was inviting. We initially walked into the living and dining area, and that leads into the bedroom where you immediately see the large bed.

There’s also a small couch underneath the large picture window.

Overall, the room is pleasant without being too bright or dark. There are large box lights over the bed, small reading lamps that can be adjusted and inlaid lights in the ceiling. Plus, the lamps are strategically placed.

Here are a few things I truly liked:

• The air conditioner worked well, though it was noisy. Mexico is scorching hot, but I was comfortable most of the time.
• I didn’t hear any noise from the other guests, so I believe the room was insulated. Likewise, the blackout curtains kept out the morning light so that I could sleep in.

Within the Regency Suite, the marble bathroom was solid. It was spacious with a nice shower. Plus, the water pressure was nice, and there was plenty of hot water to relax and unwind after a long day. However, I had been hoping for a bathtub, which the Regency Suite did not have.

All Hyatt hotels use the KenetMD Signature Collection for their toiletries. It was specifically designed to smell like eucalyptus and lemongrass.

Though the room amenities weren’t write-to-mom amazing, there was a coffee maker that could boil hot water for tea and coffee. Likewise, I was happy to see the many outlets to plug in my phone. They are right by the beds, so each person can have their phone with them at night.

Overall, I believe the room lived up to the quality I’ve come to expect from Hyatt.

Food and Drink

I didn’t dine or drink at the hotel other than using the complimentary Globalist breakfast, which is something to write home about. With so many delicious options available, it was one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve ever encountered.

It’s possible to eat all of your meals on site, and there’s room service 24/7, so you don’t even have to leave your accommodations (but of course it would be sad to miss out on all of Merida’s amazing food if you don’t leave).

The Peregrina Bistro is where you get breakfast, but the Spasso is an upscale Italian restaurant right in the hotel.

For those who don’t get free breakfast or want something different, the Papillon Bakery & Market is a traditional pastry shop found at the Hyatt Regency Merida. It’s been recently renovated and has artisanal pastries, gourmet food and drinks, and much more.

The Regency Club also had a nice selection of food available in the evenings and free wine and beer. However, the club wasn’t open throughout the entire day.

If you’re like me and want to experience the culture through food, you’ll likely want to visit Mi Viejo Molino Santa Lucia. It’s a small little Mexican café a 20-minute walk away that offers gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Those who miss America can visit Chili’s on Plaza Americana. It has more of a bar/pub feeling, but it serves American food and alcohol. If you’re a little nervous about trying Mexican food or need a break, this is the place to go. It’s about a block away.

Amenities

The biggest reason to go to a hotel is to enjoy the amenities it offers. Most people don’t have pools and spas in their homes, and this is a great way to do something different.

There’s one hotel pool, and it’s situated on the third floor, which is actually the roof. It’s a great place to relax after being in the Mexican sun all day. However, I would say it’s not as large as it could be with the many rooms available at the Hyatt Regency Merida.

You’ll find a poolside bar available, which is open in the evenings and afternoons. Plus, there are a few lounge chairs here and there, and you get to see the amazing sky.

The fitness center is also small but efficient, and it’s open 24/7. You can also find tennis courts on the rooftop, but they may or may not be available—it didn’t seem like they were during my stay.

Hyatt Regency Merida Family Friendliness

I didn’t see any children while staying at the Hyatt Regency Merida other than at breakfast. The restaurant is open to the public as well, so it’s unclear if all the people dining there were guests. Although it seems quiet, I’d say it’s more for business people, couples and older people. It doesn’t ban kids, but there are no special activities or places for them to go.

Final Thoughts on Hyatt Regency Merida

You can’t go wrong with the Hyatt Regency Merida in terms of value. It might not be the fanciest hotel I’ve ever been to, but it was the right choice for my trip. The breakfast was delicious; the rooms were nice; and the staff was excellent. It’s often possible to book reasonable cash rates, so it’s a great place to pick up some elite qualifying nights for Hyatt status.