If you’ve ever looked into staying near SeaTac airport, you’ve probably prioritized proximity and free shuttle service over views or luxury—which makes sense for an overnight before an early flight. But if you’re planning to stay in the Seattle area for a few days and want to be near the airport or just get away from the downtown hubbub, may I submit for your consideration: the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport.
Photograph courtesy of Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport
The ‘Lake Washington’ in the hotel’s name is more than just a location; the property sits right on the edge of the lake, and the amenities make the most of the view. In addition to 347 guest rooms, 140 of which face the water and four which even come with a lakeview terrace, the hotel also boasts 17 meeting and event spaces, most of which overlook the lake through floor-to-ceiling windows. The three- meal restaurant—aptly named Water’s Table—offers both indoor and outdoor seating year-round, with an enclosed, heated balcony to keep diners warm in the winter, and in spring and summer Dock & Drink, the restaurant on the concrete lakeside patio, can host up to 200 people for lunch or dinner. There’s a dock on the property where guests or diners can tie up their boats while they eat, and the seasonal Dockside Market sells sandwiches and snacks for boaters.
Photograph by Anne Godenham
“And then maybe Boeing will put a plane out for your stay,” says Marketing Manager Dana McKenzie, gesturing to the large aircraft driveway to our left. “And then we have the seaplanes,” she adds, noting that guests can actually arrive by boat or seaplane, and “in August…you can see a lot of Seafair from here, so it’s a great spot to be.”
So the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington is a great place to stay in the warmer months, but what about the winter? Well, I stayed with my family over a weekend in December, and we barely noticed the cold. Not only did our room’s enormous windows bring the view right to us (without the wind chill), but the indoor pool and hot tub area, complete with cabanas and locker room steam rooms, was definitely worth bringing our swimsuits out of storage. There’s also a spa where guests can get facials, massages, and body treatments. The large lobby was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the restaurant was hopping on Friday night—rightly so, if my tender roasted chicken and my husband’s juicy burger were examples of the rest of the menu. The icing on the cake (or, really, the chocolate on the marshmallow) was the Daily S’mores Experience, for which guests can pick up a kit in the lobby market and roast their own marshmallows at the fire pits in the front drive from 6-8 p.m.
Photograph by Anne Godenham
And, of course, all year long, the property has a strong sense of place in the Pacific Northwest, with its contemporary wood paneling and connection to nature. Just to the right of the hotel, Bird Island provides a rest stop for migrating Chinook salmon, and Bald Eagles and Osprey can often be seen flying over the lake. There are also strong elements of Feng Shui in the building, which was constructed in July 2017: its back is to Mt. Rainier and it faces the lake, and the large curve in the roof enables a smooth flow of ‘Chi.’ With some imagination, the symmetrical design also resembles a sitting buddha when viewed from the water. And then there’s the clear Seattle tie-in:
“Fun fact,” says McKenzie, “our hotel is 12 stories tall, which is a nod to the 12th man.” (The Seahawks training facility is just three miles away.)
So if you’re looking for a weekend in the Seattle area that’s not right in Seattle, the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport is a great choice!
1053 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton, 425.203.1234, hyattregencylakewashington.com
