Athletic-Minded Traveler

After spending a night at this Santa Clara hotel, we believe Hyatt can accurately boast owning one of the healthiest hotels in Silicon Valley. Convention-goers, Great America theme park adventurers and business travelers will appreciate the property's convenient location, tasteful rooms, lively bar and thoughtful service. But it is Hyatt's first class fitness options that really get our heart thumping (pun intended).



The third floor gym serves up a healthy dose of top notch cardio and strength equipment. Generous helpings of Life Fitness treadmills, ellipticals, bikes and a stepper are offered, all sporting attached personal viewing TV screens. Muscle-pumpers are treated just as well with an assortment of five separate selectorized-weight stations that cover nearly every body part and a 5-50 lbs. dumbbell set. The muted shades of brown work well, but we wish there was natural light.  Complimentary headphones and sweat towels are available.



Joggers should seriously consider an outdoor jaunt along the nearby San Tomas Creek Trail, pick up a palm-size route map from the concierge or front desk.



Lap swimmers will want to drive five minutes to the Bay Club ($25/day admission) as Hyatt's outdoor pool, while a perfect respite for catching a few rays or a leisurely dip, is not conducive to meaningful back and forth yardage.



Despite the stellar workout facilities, motivating yourself to leave Hyatt's charming guest quarters will pose a challenge. Modern and contemporary themes dominate the rooms as well as 21st Century technology. Bright and bold tones lift traveler spirits, flat panel televisions, iPod docking stations and high-speed internet keep you connected, and marvelous baths reveal creative design concepts not typically found in hotels.



If you're fortunate or savvy enough to obtain access to the Regency Club, prepare to be impressed. Staff goes out of its way to spoil Regency guests inside the first floor private lounge. Full breakfasts, upscale restaurant-quality evening snacks, and unlimited cocktails will keep your stomach more than satisfied. And, a vast selection of periodicals, three computer work-stations, and several plasma televisions offer for stimulation for the mind. The lounge's location is somewhat unusual, typically located on the same floor as the Regency rooms, but we found the quick elevator rides up/down far from inconvenient.



Bottom Line: After spending a few days here, you may be reluctant to return home.