As the hospitality industry navigates recovery, hotel operators are faced with fresh challenges to remain competitive. They must evolve along with changing travel patterns and identify new ways to expand their reach and appeal. With its acquisition of Hotel Irvine — an aging property in one of Orange County’s fastest-growing cities — Hyatt set out to establish a unique presence in a new market for its Regency line and bring much-needed activation and community connection to the neighborhood.

Seeking to transform the former Hotel Irvine with the classic Hyatt Regency brand ethos, Hyatt worked with Gensler to design a space that would appeal to residents and those traveling for business and leisure. After analyzing the hotel’s Westpark community, the design team transformed the outdated public spaces with an aesthetic that marries Southern California approachability with urban sophistication. Today, Hyatt Regency Irvine has a distinct sense of place that emphasizes local craft and amenities for versatile, everyday V.I.P. experiences.

The boutique, amenities-forward ground floor of Hyatt Regency Irvine reinforces the hotel as a destination of choice for the city’s influx of business and leisure travelers. It also welcomes and represents the vibrant community it inhabits by acting as an inviting after-hours and weekend space for locals. The hyperlocal approach is a new vision for the future of the Regency line, giving it a unique differentiator in a crowded market. With thoughtfully planned and flexible offerings, Hyatt is meeting new and evolving expectations of the guest experience.