I was planning a trip to Florida for Spring Break. For weeks I researched hotels, specials and places to go. I planned to visit my college town, St. Pete Beach, which is a beautiful, relaxing, casual and familiar place.
Two weeks before our departure, my husband’s company scheduled an appointment he could not miss—right in the middle of the week! Then my daughter came down with an awful virus. My grand plans for an adventure South (one that included many piña coladas, much beach time and no Disney) instantly evaporated.
All was not lost! I knew that with a change of perspective I could pull off a shorter, but no less relaxing and bonding vacation close to home. After a brief survey of what the kids were interested in and a quick mental inventory of the weather and our budget, I called the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay.
Located on a beautiful stretch of waterfront along the Choptank River near Cambridge, Maryland, the Hyatt features an award winning golf course, marina, pools, huge outdoor fireplace and more family fun in one place than you could find anywhere from Philly to Richmond and from Hagerstown to Ocean City.
The Hyatt is situated just far enough away from Anne Arundel County to feel like you’ve made a journey, but not so far that the ride seems overwhelming. The trip here is just 45 minutes from Annapolis on Route 50. Leaving the traffic, parking lots and a WalMart strip mall to turn onto Heron Boulevard is to instantly feel as if you are in another world entirely.
Opened in August 2002, the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay encompasses 342 acres of prime waterfront property and has 400 rooms with 6 family suites. It is spacious but not sprawling, upscale but not in any way pretentious, inviting but not pushy. From check-in to dining to entertainment, this resort strives to offer convenience, safety, and most importantly – fun. Lots of fun. Carefree time together is what my family prioritizes in theory but needs to make happen in practice.
What we like most about the Hyatt in particular is that it thoughtfully and purposefully offers activities for everyone in the family. Mom wants to sneak off for time alone in the Spa? Dad needs a few pensive holes on the golf course? Kids want pool time? Family bonding over a fervent game of putt-putt? Chill time in front of a huge outdoor fire complete with S’mores? This resort has it all.
Let me say from the start that having stayed at $40 per night motels and at $600+ per night private luxury inns, I have never found such a hospitable, accommodating, generous and caring staff as at this resort.
We arrived at the height of vacation season, when the resort was near capacity with golfers, vacationers, corporate guests and a wedding. Even so, the staff remembered our names. “What can I do for you, Mrs. Love?” was a phrase I heard from the concierge, the lifeguard, even the restaurant staff. When my son made an unapproved dash out of sight, the pool manager redirected him right back to my chair. How did he know who I was? Or where I sat? The Hyatt hires hundreds of employees to welcome visitors, including dozens of lifeguards. Every employee goes through rigorous safety and customer service training. Recreation department staff are required to find out three interesting facts about each family, which means they are going the extra mile to be friendly, engaged and aware.
This sense of familiarity and hospitality made our Vacation-Close-to-Home one to remember. And not to worry, the piña coladas were excellent too!
The Hyatt offers frequent Stay and Play specials. You can find them online and in local magazines and tourism websites. This year’s spring break schedule will feature a variety of activities that the entire family will enjoy from a wine tasting event and sip and paint classes for the parents to outdoor family movie screenings and bouncy houses for children. The resort will also feature magic performances on April 7 and April 8.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HYATT
For time on your own:
Golf – The River Marsh Golf Club is an award-winning, championship, 18-hole course with classic styling, wide fairways, sculpted bunkers, generous greens and tees to reward and challenge all players. Difficult plays include a dock over Shoal Creek, and the 18th hole, a par 5 listed as one of the most difficult in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Spa – A quiet and relaxing respite, Sago Spa features steam and sauna rooms, a modern salon and 13 treatment rooms, including Vichy and other massages.
Kids Club – Pirate’s Cove at Camp Hyatt offers a fun filled half-day, full-day or nighttime childcare program. Parents can drop the kiddos off confident that they will have a safe and an amazing time. We took advantage of the Camp Hyatt half-day program so we could make a dash for the Spa, and again at night so the adults could enjoy a quiet and stunning sunset. The kids made crafts, played games, went to the pool and had a blast. No complaints about the babysitters here!
Fitness Center – Unlike most hotel gyms, this one is open 24 hours and is fully stocked with modern fitness machines, weights and equipment. It is conveniently located above the pool, across from the game room and has a view across verdant landscaping to the river beyond.
Hot Tub – An adults-only zone, the hot tub is a step down and a world away from the chaos of the pool. The indoor hot tub is small, but connects through an underwater passageway to the outdoor tub, which is much larger.
Bird Watching – Blue Heron Rookery is the resort’s private, waterfront wildlife refuge. Nestled between the Choptank River and Shoal Creek, the refuge is home to nesting bald eagles, osprey and herons. A short trail winds through loblolly pines, and is a shady walk along the waterfront. There is a lovely swinging chair perfect for a quiet sit. The refuge is not open when the rookery is active.
For time together:
Water Time – The Winter Garden pool is a glass enclosed, climate controlled pool open year-round. Two outdoor pools feature waterslides, river views, plenty of chairs and importantly, a bar.
Indoor games, Disc Golf, Tennis, Volleyball, Bicycling, Putt-Putt… – Check with the concierge to learn more about activities that are offered everyday, as well as where to find the gear. During our stay, the ballrooms were transformed into giant play areas with inflated bounce houses, corn hole, foosball, video games on the big screen, crafts and more. It was a family wonderland under crystal chandeliers.
Water Sports – Try paddle boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, sailing and motor boating from the marina. There is a nominal rental charge for water sport equipment.
Swim In Movie – Enjoy a family friendly movie every night at 8 PM. My children were elated to watch a movie while floating in the pool. It was wonderful to see their excitement, and even better to appreciate the view from the adults-only hot tub.
MORE FUN NEAR HYATT REGENCY CHESAPEAKE BAY
Downtown Cambridge restaurants and shops
Parks – there are numerous city, state and federal parks a short drive from the Hyatt, including Sailwind Park, Long Wharf Park, Bill Burton Fishing Pier Park and Blackwater Wildlife Refuge
Harriett Tubman Museum and Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
Choptank River Lighthouse
Cambridge Farmers Market and Emily’s Produce
Eastern Shore bicycling routes
Adkins Arboretum
Food. Family. Fun
FFF Meter: 😎😎😎😎 Very Cool. (Based on a system where 1 is terrible and 5 is Excellently Cool
Dog-Friendly
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