Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort — Hotel in Dr. Phillips

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort: An Unforgettable Experience

We recently stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, and from the moment we arrived, it felt like a luxurious retreat. The sprawling property offers breathtaking views, and we were thoroughly impressed with the attention to detail in every aspect of our stay.

Walkability & On-Site Activities

The resort is designed with walkability in mind. With its expansive grounds, you can explore on foot, or even take advantage of the free bike rentals. There’s an impressive list of activities that are all included in your stay — paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing on the private lake. We particularly loved the foosball table under the cave pool area and a hidden basketball court near the golf course. These fun and unique amenities made every day feel like a new adventure!

Nearby Activities

One of the major highlights of staying here is the proximity to local attractions. You’re just a stone’s throw away from Disney World, Universal Studios, and Disney Springs. The resort even offers convenient shuttles to the parks, making it hassle-free to enjoy a day out. It’s the perfect location for families and couples alike who want to be near the action but still enjoy some serenity.

Rooms

The rooms at the Hyatt Grand Cypress are nothing short of luxurious. They’re spacious, modern, and designed with comfort in mind. I highly recommend booking a room with a view of the Disney fireworks — it’s a magical way to end the evening without leaving the comfort of your room. The bed was incredibly plush, and waking up to the serene views was just what we needed for a relaxing getaway.

Dining Options

For those looking for dining on-site, LakeHouse Restaurant was an absolute treat. This casual yet elegant spot serves fun cocktails like the “Fuzzy Mule” and “Flamingo Cooler,” and the menu includes something for everyone — from hearty burgers and pizzas to healthy salads and sushi. We also indulged in their all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, which featured a delicious spread of options, from fresh fruit to made-to-order omelets. The ambiance here is both inviting and relaxing, with modern décor that perfectly complements the serene outdoor views. The bar area was another highlight, offering an extensive selection of wines and craft beers. Whether you’re grabbing a bite after a long day of activities or settling in for a leisurely breakfast, LakeHouse sets the perfect tone for any meal.

If you’re looking for something more upscale, Four Flamingos is the spot to be. This fine-dining restaurant offers exquisitely crafted dishes, seasoned to perfection by expert chefs. Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but every bite is worth it. We had a wonderful dinner here, capping off a perfect evening after spending time at the resort’s stunning waterfall.

Noteworthy Details

One of the unique aspects of this resort is the variety of entertainment options. There’s even a scavenger hunt that my husband and I took part in, adding an extra layer of fun to our stay. We ended up winning a cute little prize from guest services, which was a delightful surprise!

Overall, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress exceeded our expectations in every way. Whether you’re coming for the nearby theme parks, looking to unwind by the pool, or indulging in gourmet meals, this resort has it all. We can’t wait to return and experience it...

My wife and I have visited the Grand Cypress five times since 1987. This was our first visit since 2003.

Much has changed since our last visit. The property is tired and in need of major renovations, but the staff is better than ever.

The service we received from every member of the staff encountered was exemplary, 5-star quality. Special thanks to Paul at the pool deck, Ouisman at the Lakehouse, and our server at the Lobby Bar, I do not remember his name.

I have mobility issues, so when coming in from the pool, I entered through the door of the Lakehouse to use the elevator. A member of the engineering staff was about 20 feet ahead of me. He noticed me approaching and stopped to hold the door for me. I thanked him and asked him where the elevator was. He said, "I will show you where it is." Again, I did not get his name, but that is the type of service you expect at a highly rated luxury resort, and he did not disappoint.

The staff and those who trained them are to be commended.

We stayed in room 902. The room was clean, but the beds and pillows were terrible, no better than a budget motel you stop at on the highway.

The rack in the bathroom next to the sink has rust on it.

The sink drain needs a good cleaning out. It backed up every time we used it.

The shower curtain was not long enough, allowing water to splash out under it, covering a 2-3 square foot area of the floor.

In-room Complimentary coffee - Not sure if it was the pods or the machine, but while it was appreciated, it was undrinkable.

We found it odd that every trash bag in the room was draped over the edge of the trash can, so we had to put the bags in the cans.

I was saddened to see that La Cocina had closed. It was my all-time favorite brunch venue, but I understand that times change. However, it would have been nice if it had been replaced with another restaurant instead of being converted into meeting space. The resort desperately needs at least one, really two or three, more dining options.

We had lunch at the pool. Everything was excellent. The Chicken Quesadilla was possibly the best I have ever had, and the Basket of Fries was on point.

At Lakehouse, we had the Calamari, Braised Short Ribs, and Wedge Salad with Grilled Salmon. The Calamari was outstanding! The Short Ribs and Grilled Salmon Salad were good, but nothing special. I was very disappointed to learn that what was once one of the top pastry departments in all of America is no more, and unfortunately, the dessert menu in Lakehouse showed it. The options were limited, and the quality was average.

When I check into a luxury resort that I am going to spend $1,000 a day at, the main thing I am paying for is convenience, the convenience of not having to leave the property for anything until I check out. Unfortunately, with limited dining options and a complete lack of entertainment, that is not the case at the Grand Cypress anymore.

Other than a family-friendly movie at the pool, which was canceled due to weather, entertainment at the resort is shockingly nonexistent.

The Lobby Bar is basically a sports bar, and there is no lounge where we could have a drink and listen to music or dance. We would have had to take a shuttle or get in our car and drive somewhere else, which, for me, defeats the purpose of staying at a grand...

I’ve been staying at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for over 35 years and have always loved the property but after my most recent visit, I’m sad to say I don’t think I’ll be returning.

We booked a VIP suite expecting a premium experience. What we got was far from it. The room was not clean greasy forehead-like prints on the windows, sticky drip marks on the cabinets, and a peeling, dirty coffee table. The room itself was incredibly basic, with exposed piping under the bathroom sink and a flat-pack wooden shelf holding the towels and amenities. It looked and felt more like a budget motel than a 4-star hotel. We suspect the room was designed for wheelchair access, which we respect but it should not be sold as a VIP suite without disclosure.

Check-in was also chaotic. We arrived at 2 PM, expecting to wait until 4 PM for our room. That was fine. But by 4:40 PM, we still hadn’t received any update. My wife had to chase reception, only to be told the room still wasn’t ready. After a complaint, we were finally given a room which turned out to be the disappointing one described above.

Lunch at the pool was another letdown. After ordering food and waiting quite some time, we discovered our order had been given to someone else. It had to be re-made, with another long delay. During this time, I was also left explaining to my son why the arcade machines were taking his money and showing error messages, why the loungers now had QR codes, and why no staff were available to help.

Later, we asked for our child’s bed to be set up. The housekeeper tried to place it right next to our bed in the tiny bedroom and seemed visibly annoyed when we asked him to make it up in the lounge area instead. He laid down a bottom sheet and left us to do the rest.

Trying to salvage the evening, we had dinner at Four Flamingos, which was great until we paid the bill. The moment the tip was handed over, our champagne bottle (still a third full) was taken out of the ice and placed on the table with a rushed goodbye. It felt like the service stopped the second payment was made.

Back in the room, we discovered we couldn’t use the water. Thankfully we found two small bottles in the fridge for three people. Good thing we brought our own. After a poor night’s sleep due to loud hallway noise and slamming doors, we decided to order a small breakfast via room service. It arrived in soggy cardboard containers, half the order was missing, and after three attempts to fix it, the food was cold and unappetizing. The bacon was freezing, the toast half-done, and the coffee lukewarm. Again, this is not what you expect in a VIP suite or any suite, frankly.

At that point, we packed up and left early, returning to our nearby apartment for some peace and a proper breakfast.

I rarely leave reviews, but felt compelled to share this. It was a truly disappointing experience, especially given our long history with this hotel. Judging by recent reviews, this decline isn’t unique to our stay. A real shame for what used to be a...