BETHESDA, Md.
Hyatt Regency Bethesda completed a comprehensive, $37 million renovation. The Bethesda, Md., hotel's 390 guest rooms, facade, lobby, meeting and event spaces underwent an extensive transformation, along with the addition of The Rooftop Downtown Bethesda, a brand-new 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, a global architecture, design and planning firm, to transform the hotel. Gensler used contemporary designs with wood accents and a neutral palette of warm greys.
"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."
An Enhanced Welcoming Experience
A new exterior facade complete with modern architecture and an upgraded porte-cochere welcomes guests. Beyond the entrance, is the new, fresh and inviting lobby with tech-enabled mobile check-in.
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.
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.
All-New Meeting and Event Space (20,000 Square Feet)
The hotel debuted The Rooftop Downtown Bethesda, an enclosed rooftop event space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of downtown Bethesda and the DC skyline.
This 2,400-square-foot space can 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 was upgraded and is available for large-scale events. 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.
Guest Room Redesign and Air Quality Update
The hotel’s 390 guest rooms and suites, including the Governor's Suite and Presidential Suite, boast modern decor and a neutral, grey color scheme. Additional enhancements include custom-designed furniture, 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.
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.
