Bethesda, MD (February 16, 2018) – Hyatt Regency Bethesda, a prominent landmark in the heart of downtown Bethesda for more than 30 years, announced today the completion of a comprehensive, $37 million renovation. The hotel’s 390 guest rooms, façade, lobby, meeting and event spaces underwent an extensive transformation, along with the addition of The Rooftop Downtown Bethesda, a stunning rooftop 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 Gensler, an acclaimed global architecture, design and planning firm, 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.”
“We believe that this comprehensive renovation of the Bethesda Hyatt Regency Hotel will make it the top hotel in Montgomery County, once again. The top-quality finishes, combined with its unparalleled location, food and beverage options at Morton’s Steakhouse, the Daily Grill, and Starbucks, and new rooftop ballroom, should attract the discerning traveler,” said Bruce Lane, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Meridian Group, the owner of the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.
A Social Atrium with Modern Enhancements
A new exterior façade complete with modern architecture and an upgraded porte–cochere welcomes guests and signals the striking evolution of the iconic hotel. Beyond the entrance, is the new, fresh, and inviting lobby designed with today’s traveler in mind. Guests are ensured a seamless check-in process at the front desk or with the new, technology-enabled mobile check-in while enjoying 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 features American black walnut accents, topography-inspired custom carpets, stone flooring, arabesques’ marble elements and a glass elevator. These features all reference the natural palette of the Potomac River basin complete with sand-colored accents, white walls and warm gray upholstery creating a relaxing atmosphere throughout.
As a hub of activity with plentiful space to eat, drink, work or relax, the lobby features “Make Space,” a lively work and play area offering 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 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.
Contemporary Guest Rooms
Hyatt Regency Bethesda’s 390 guest rooms and suites, including the Governor’s Suite and Presidential Suite, boast modern décor and a neutral, grey color scheme complementing the serenity guaranteed by exceptional sound-proofing to cancel any outside noise.
Additional enhancements include custom-designed furniture and luxurious bedding, 55-inch flat screen TVs, expansive wooden work desks with hidden coffee makers and spacious baths with walk-in showers, marble sinks and a unique vanity mirror that displays the time and weather. In-room technology and complimentary Wi-Fi allow guests to stream video on up to six devices simultaneously.
Supplementing the newly renovated guest rooms 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 allowing guests to breathe easy. PURE’s leading air-purification system filters out airborne irritants, and eliminates odors at the source, creating a safe and sterile zone.
Over 20,000 Square Feet of New Event Space and a Rooftop
For over thirty years, Hyatt Regency Bethesda has played host to the city’s most important events, from black-tie galas to global conferences. Now the hotel reaffirms its status as the area’s leading destination for corporate and social events by offering more than 20,000 square feet of all-new meeting and event space.
Topping off the evolution of the Hyatt Regency Bethesda is the debut of The Rooftop Downtown Bethesda, an extraordinary enclosed rooftop event space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of downtown Bethesda and the DC skyline. This 2,400-square-foot space is ideal for an intimate wedding or high profile corporate event. The venue accommodates up to 180 guests for a reception, 120 for an elegant 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 highly coveted ballroom expands to 7,200 square feet and boasts 16-foot ceilings. With private access to parking, this grand 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 feature upgraded, first-class technology, innovative 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 plush setting for seasonal, outdoor activities, in addition to the new rooftop event space.
New Year, New Workouts with StayFit™ at Hyatt Regency Bethesda
For guests with wellness on the mind, Hyatt Regency Bethesda offers a 24-hour StayFit™ gym and health club featuring state-of-the-art equipment for all levels of physical activity. This new addition includes 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 conveniently located at 1 Bethesda Metro Center (7402 Wisconsin Avenue) in the heart of Bethesda, Maryland’s arts and entertainments district with close proximity to over 200 restaurants, theaters, galleries and boutiques. In addition to a thriving urban district, Bethesda is also home to the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine, and The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest and most renowned military medical centers. The property sits atop the Bethesda Metro station on the Red Line, and is just minutes from the Central Business District in Washington, DC, providing easy access to the most exciting attractions in the nation’s Capital and is a quick 25 minutes from Reagan National Airport.
Hyatt Regency Bethesda is owned by The Meridian Group, a real estate investment and development firm, and managed by Highgate, a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company whose growing portfolio includes more than 100 properties in gateway cities worldwide.
For more information visit bethesda.regency.hyatt.com or visit (301) 657-1234.
