BETHESDA, Md.—Hyatt Regency Bethesda, a landmark in the heart of downtown Bethesda for more than 30 years, has completed a comprehensive, $37 million renovation. The hotel’s 390 guestrooms, façade, lobby, and meeting and event spaces underwent an extensive transformation, along with the addition of The Rooftop Downtown Bethesda, an event space crowning the hotel. In late spring of 2018, the hotel will host an official celebration of the reinvigorated property and introduce new retail offerings including one of the tristate area’s largest Starbucks at 2,600 square feet opening on April 1.
“We’re thrilled to see the iconic Hyatt Regency Bethesda infused with modern design, superior amenities, and innovative services that our loyal guests expect and deserve,” said Selim Soliman, managing director of Hyatt Regency Bethesda. “With the transformation complete, we have a renewed sense of pride for our beacon of Bethesda and look forward to celebrating more milestones for future generations to come.”
Hyatt Regency Bethesda collaborated with architecture, design, and planning firm Gensler to transform the hotel. Gensler used contemporary designs with wood accents and a neutral palette of warm greys throughout the hotel.
“Inspired by the natural landscape of the nearby Potomac River, the renovation respects the original architectural design while providing a remarkable transformation,” said Carolyn Ament, design director at Gensler. “Using a combination of natural materials, lighting, and comfortable, residential-style furnishings, the new design provides a welcoming atmosphere for an enhanced guest experience.”
Lobby Renovations
The hotel has a new exterior façade with modern architecture and an upgraded porte-cochere. Beyond the entrance, is the new lobby and seamless check-in process at the front desk or with the new mobile check-in. Guests will also be offered a complimentary beverage at the refresh station.
The 12-story lobby atrium celebrates the grandeur and proportions of architect John Portman’s original vision for the hotel while updating and brightening the space and bringing elements of the natural surrounding landscape indoors. The new design incorporates American black walnut accents, topography-inspired custom carpets, stone flooring, arabesques’ marble elements, and a glass elevator—all features that reference the natural palette of the Potomac River basin complete with sand-colored accents, white walls, and warm gray upholstery.
The lobby provides space to eat, drink, work, and relax. The hotel has a “Make Space”—a lively work and play area that has communal workstations with modern technology—as well as a designated quiet area for those seeking a calm environment with light music or white noise. Interactive touch screens throughout the property allow guests to make reservations at local restaurants, look up maps and running trails, or review travel itineraries with access to real-time metro schedules and flight information at surrounding airports. Completing the lobby is a redesigned atrium terrace for guest functions, mid-day events, and cocktail receptions, as well as new retail spaces with occupants to be announced later this year.
Updated Guestrooms and Suites
Hyatt Regency Bethesda’s 390 guestrooms and suites, including the Governor’s Suite and Presidential Suite, have been updated with modern décor, a neutral, grey color scheme, and sound-proofing to cancel any outside noise. Additional enhancements include custom-designed furniture and bedding, 55-inch flat screen TVs, expansive wooden work desks with hidden coffee makers, and baths with walk-in showers, marble sinks, and a vanity mirror that displays the time and weather. In-room technology and complimentary WiFi allow guests to stream video on up to six devices simultaneously.
Supplementing the newly renovated guestrooms are 21 new PURE Rooms. Each “allergy friendly” guest room is enhanced with PURE’s patented, seven-step purification process, which treats every surface, removing up to 99 percent of pollutants and irritants and allowing guests to breathe easy. PURE’s air-purification system filters out airborne irritants, and eliminates odors at the source, creating a safe and sterile zone.
New Meetings and Event Spaces
As part of 20,000 square feet of all-new meeting and event space is the The Rooftop Downtown Bethesda, an enclosed rooftop event space with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of downtown Bethesda and the D.C. skyline. This 2,400-square-foot space can host events ranging from an intimate wedding to a high profile corporate event. The venue accommodates up to 180 guests for a reception, 120 for a sit-down dinner, and can host up to 90 persons for an all-day corporate meeting.
The Regency Ballroom has also been upgraded and is available for large-scale events such as weddings, proms, bar mitzvahs, and bat mitzvahs. The ballroom expands to 7,200 square feet with 16-foot ceilings. With private access to parking, this meeting space accommodates up to 550 guests.
The complete event space overhaul also includes 19 newly designed meeting rooms and two executive boardrooms. All meeting rooms have upgraded technology, lighting, and digital displays.
For more intimate affairs, guests can choose from the renovated mezzanine level or the open-air concourse terrace, with natural lighting from the hotel’s 12-story atrium while the Plaza Lawn offers a setting for seasonal, outdoor activities, in addition to the new rooftop event space.
Added Wellness Programming
Hyatt Regency Bethesda added a 24-hour StayFit gym and health club that has strength machines, elliptical and treadmill machines with HD televisions, a complete set of kettlebells and free weights, yoga mats, and complimentary cold towels and water bottles. To further promote health and wellness, the hotel offers maps of local jogging trails, including the Capital Crescent Trail, and nearby public golf courses.
Hyatt Regency Bethesda is owned by The Meridian Group, a real estate investment and development firm, and managed by Highgate, a real estate investment and hospitality management company with more than 100 properties in cities worldwide.
