Our experience at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington.
Above image courtesy Hyatt Regency Bellevue
Modern, clean and manicured, Bellevue is a scenic city just a 9 miles east of Seattle, nestled between Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. With 100 parks, Bellevue is dubbed “a city in a park” with plenty of green space and beautiful, welcoming neighborhoods. Designated by CBS as one of the happiest cities in the country, Bellevue’s a great place to stay if you want close access to downtown Seattle while enjoying a quieter atmosphere.
While maintaining a small-town atmosphere, Bellevue is home to the national headquarters of over 145 companies, including Microsoft, Expedia, T-Mobile and Nintendo.
A few distinctions Bellevue has earned: Ranked #4 “Best Place to Live” by CNN, the 9th “Safest City in America”, and one of the “Coolest Suburbs Worth Visiting” by Travel + Leisure.
Things To Do In Bellevue
Image courtesy Seattle PI
Bellevue is home to one of the highest performing retail markets in the country. Blending boutique culture with upscale retail, Bellevue is the Northwest’s premier shopping destination. The bustling Bellevue Collection boasts 250 stores and 45 restaurants and lounges. The Bravern (pictured above) brings additional fashion icons to the city, including the region’s only Neiman Marcus, and high-end designers Louis Vuitton and Hermes, among others.
Bellevue is located just minutes away from numerous outdoor adventures, including boating opportunities on Lake Washington, skiing at Summit and Stevens Pass, kayaking down the mountain rapids of the Skykomish, teeing off at one of the nation’s best golf courses with panoramic views of Mt. Rainier and the downtown skylines, and zooming down a 458 foot long zip line 80 feet off the ground.
Above images courtesy visitbellevuewashington.com and bellevue.com (click links for more information on Bellevue and events)
Amidst the city’s attractions, my husband and I recently stayed at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue to enjoy some couples time while our kids enjoyed a break from us to soak up some quality time with the grandparents.
The Hyatt Regency is the largest hotel in Bellevue with 732 guestrooms, including the 1,500 sq ft Chairman Suite. It has over 70,000 sq ft of meeting spaces, one of the largest ballrooms in the Pacific Northwest, and a state-of-the-art auditorium. In fact, our first introduction to the Hyatt Regency Bellevue was when my husband attended a medical conference there a couple of years ago and invited me along for the entertainment portion. You got it – food!
The hotel Hyatt Regency Bellevue is stunning in its design, showcases numerous regionally- and nationally-acclaimed artists, and enjoys a variety of amenities.
Let me take you on a virtual tour of our experience.
Hyatt Regency Bellevue: Premises
With its majestically high ceilings and skylights, the Wintergarden is beautiful and inspiring. Soft lighting and a multitude of greenery create and atmosphere that is simultaneously cozy and grand.
A walk down the hallway will allow you to enjoy a few of the many pieces featured throughout the hotel by numerous regionally- and nationally-acclaimed artists. And speaking of art, if you’re musically inclined like my husband and I are, you’ll appreciate the classic 1899 Steinway on display.
The hallway toward the Wintergarden and the front desk.
The lounge has a cozy fireplace and something I had never seen or heard of before, a massive “media table” as big as the sofa.
Hyatt Regency Bellevue: Amenities
We enjoyed access to the 25 meter heated indoor swimming pool and 7,000 square foot fitness center.
Swimming pool image courtesy Hyatt Regency Belleuve
There are several shops located within the Hyatt that you can browse through at your leisure: Art, jewelry, flowers, gifts, drinks, clothing, etc.
More shops within walking distance of the hotel include Burberry, Nordstrom, Hermes, Neiman Marcus, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo, Macy’s and more.
There are several restaurants and lounges within the hotel complex to choose from. They include Eques (more on that below), Suite, Koral Bar & Kitchen, Joey Bellevue and Daniel’s Broiler. Other fabulous restaurants within a block or two of the hotel include Wild Ginger, El Gaucho and Pearl. Many more restaurants are accessible within a short distance of the hotel.
Hyatt Regency Belleuve: Guest Room
We stayed in the 505 square foot Executive Suite, featuring a separate living area with panoramic views of Mount Rainier, Lake Washington and Bellevue. The bedroom had an ultra-comfortable king-size bed and its own 32″ flat screen HDTV. The separate living area featured a queen-size sleeper sofa, an additional 32″ flat screen HDTV, an iHome stereo with iPod docking station, and your choice of wired or Wi-Fi internet access.
Bedroom image courtesy Hyatt Regency Bellevue (ours was a king bed)
The bathroom featured Kohler fixtures (I have a thing for quality showers) and a full line of KenetMD bath products.
The room’s separate living space – with us in it. Yes, a rare peek of the Killebrews. Here’s us singing duets together. We actually do that for fun. Yes, we’re a little nerdy.
The view from our room with Lake Washington in the distance.
Hyatt Regency Belleuve: Eques for Breakfast
Now, let’s talk FOOD!
We enjoyed breakfast the next morning at Eques, located on the second floor of the Wintergarden at Bellevue Place.
Their website’s description captures it perfectly:
“Eques serves up fresh a la carte breakfast and an American-style buffet seven days a week using high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant not only aims to revive Bellevue’s power breakfast, but also focus on providing a thoughtfully-created menu that combines classic comfort dishes with exciting Northwest flavors. The 129-seat eatery…provides Eastside executives, visitors and locals with a bustling café atmosphere to start the day.”
Eques offers a sumptuous breakfast buffet highlighting locally produced regional specialties with plenty of options to choose from.
Here are some of the options we enjoyed: Locally smoked salmon, salami, Beecher’s cheese, fresh fruit and berries, and creamy yogurt for our morning dose of probiotics.
Their hot selection included everything from bacon and scrambled eggs to gourmet sausages, roasted potatoes with peppers and onions, and pancakes (I believe they were apricot almond pancakes – yum!). You can also select from bagels, croissants and traditional cold cereals.
The variety was both pleasing to the eye and palate.
I couldn’t get enough of those amazing little sausages. And the scrambled eggs were perfectly light and fluffy. I also loved the condiment trays on each table, featuring mini jars of Tabasco sauce, ketchup and Bonne Maman jams and honey.
While I enjoyed the buffet, Todd ordered one of his all-time favorites: Eggs Benedict, one of Eques’ signature dishes, with your choice of shaved prosciutto, locally smoked salmon, or Alaskan Dungeness crab. Todd chose the salmon and it came served with tempura lemon and caper cream.
Beautifully arrange and prepared perfectly, Todd was in heaven.
Eques not only features healthy options, but also provides several sweet indulgences. We couldn’t leave before trying two of their other signature dishes and the chef prepared a small sample of each:
Blueberry Graham Cracker French Toast. Featuring macrina brioche, mascarpone, blueberry compote, vanilla bean cream, almonds and Misty Mountain lavender honey.
I can’t even get past that description without drooling. Just look at it!
We also enjoyed the Banana Split Pancakes featuring mascarpone cream, strawberries, bananas, roasted peanuts and chocolate shavings. Really, does breakfast get any better than this? Soft, chewy, crunchy, creamy, sweet…the sinful indulgence was oh so worth it.
Dessert for breakfast? You won’t have to twist my arm!
We enjoyed a very comfortable stay with a thoroughly satisfying breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue.
Planning a trip to Bellevue? Right now the Hyatt Regency Belleuve is offering a couple of special package deals right now for those interested in experiencing Washington wines as well as a special offer for Canadian residents. See their “Offers” section for more details. (Offers change periodically, check for updates)
For more information visit their website: Hyatt Regency Belleuve
900 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004-4272
Tel: (425) 462-1234
*Disclosure: The Hyatt Regency Bellevue provided us with a complimentary stay and breakfast with no obligation to write a positive review. I only share products and services with my readers that I personally like and, as always, all opinions are entirely my own.
Gaby says
I’m in Seattle ALL THE TIME – a trip to Bellevue needs to happen. It looks like such a fun weekend getaway
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
It totally needs to happen, Gaby! And if you’re into shopping, The Shops At The Bravern in Bellevue are as posh as it gets!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Bellevue sounds right up our alley for a vacation destination–city if we want it, and a lot of outdoor activities. Although, with all the amenities of the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, you’d hardly need to leave the property. LOVE the photo of you singing with your hubs.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Haha, Kirsten, thanks! :) We don’t always bring the guitar with us on our getaways, but we do have a lot of fun singing together :)
Deborah says
I love the idea of taking a weekend in a smaller city like Bellevue. As much as I love Seattle, it looks like there is so much to do here, without all the crowds! The Hyatt is gorgeous – and it sounds like the location can’t be beat!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I agree, Deborah. Bellevue is just minutes away from downtown Seattle and it’s so nice to escape back to a quieter setting away from the stress of the big city. Plus, Bellevue has some super great restaurants, activities and attractions of its own.
Anita says
If I could stay in a fancy hotel in every place I visited, I would. This one looks so pretty, such a great home base for exploring Bellevue!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
It really truly is, Anita!
Sandy @ RE says
LOVE your experience and this hotel is gorgeous! We’ve stayed several times downtown Seattle, LOVE the state of Washington. :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
We love Washington, too, Sandy! :)
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
Panoramic views of Mt. Rainier?? I want a room with panoramic views of Mt. Rainier! The Hyatt Regency looks absolutely amazing- the perfect home base for a visit to Bellevue. :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I know, Carrie, we couldn’t have asked for better views and it was awesome having a room with two walls of windows!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Beautiful! Looks like it’s in a terrific location for getting to everything too!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I have never been to Bellevue, but it looks like a great trip! We love staying at Hyatt hotels, and this one looks wonderful!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
This really is an exceptional Hyatt, Erin! If you come to Bellevue, which I hope you do, the Hyatt will take very good care of you!
Jennifer says
I haven’t been to Seattle since I was a kid. And that zip line sounds right up our alley!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Seattle and Bellevue are fabulous destinations for a getaway, Jennifer, I hope you make it over this way again!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
Wow, this hotel is like a miniature town. Everything you need is built right in! Sounds like this is somewhere I’d like to stay and I need to make my way back up to Washington as we really loved it the first time we visited.
Those breakfasts were definitely not what’s usually offered at hotel restaurants, goodness! So many options, it would be hard to decide! No wonder you tried a few. Looks like a great hotel!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
It really is an awesome hotel, Christina, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay! The indoor courtyard area is just beautiful, especially with that gorgeous ceiling dome. I know, the breakfast was really outstanding, probably better than any other hotel breakfast we’ve ever had. Everything was so scrumptious!
Tanya says
Beautiful hotel. And that french toast and pancakes. WOW. So, when are you going to post a recipe for your version of those? :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Haha! I know, ever since devouring those I’ve been craving more! I’ll definitely need to work on some breakfast desserts :)
Gail says
I really enjoy your restaurant and hotel reviews, always so thorough and informative. I really appreciate all the pictures, those tell a much more accurate story than words alone do. I like to SEE what a hotel and restaurant look like, not just READ about it. Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I really appreciate that, Gail, thank you. It takes a lot of work and time but I like to be thorough in order to give my readers as accurate of a picture/portrayal as possible. Thanks for reading!
Celeste says
Love, love, LOVE Bellevue! Great review and gorgeous pics!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Celeste, glad you enjoyed it! And yes, Bellevue is a beautiful city and area.