Following its reopening in October 2024 after its $40 million renovation, Westfair’s cultural writer and luxury editor Georgette Gouveia wrote at length in the Journal how the major refurbishment represented a new chapter in the life of the 38-year old hotel. You can read her story here.
For my occasional series on top local hotels, I recently had the pleasure of being hosted at the Hyatt Regency, where I spoke with its general manager, the dynamic Sherry Hicks Buckles. Here are some highlights from that conversation.
JW: Let’s start at the beginning: can you remind our readers about the renovation project?
Buckles: “We’ve had a head-to-toe transformation. We started back in October 2023 with our pool and fitness center and then we went in to the lobby and the transformaton of the atrium, as well as a couple of the smaller meeting rooms. Then, summer 2024 was when we went in to the 374 guest rooms and suites guest rooms – in total, a 13-month transformaton.”
Well, it’s a superb transformation, it really is – the hotel is looking spruce and hugely attractive – but in an industry where space is always at a premium, how do you justify the atrium size?
“Coming out of the pandemic we had the opportunity to evaluate our customers and what our true needs are. And the atrium is the perfect amount of space. When conventions are in, the gardens are a great selling feature. (That’s to say) it’s always summer at Hyatt Regency Greenwich. Even if it’s a very, very cold January day, you always enjoy this lush greenery. So, we use it to our benefit and our groups love it. Everyone wants to go to a warm climate, but if they can stay local and have their group or meeting here and go into this wonderful light-filled atrium, it works out really well for them.”
You’re certainly not short of flora – in fact, I’ve been enjoying using my “Picture This” plant app to identify some of it.
“We used to have 1,900 plantings, but now there are over 2,500 plantings in the lobby. Some of these trees are 35 years old.”
That’s exceptional. And now with all this space, I’m guessing you do meetings of all sizes?
“We have 30,000-35,000 square feet of meeting space. And a just-under 10,000-square-foot ballroom. We have meeting rooms, break-out rooms and can host anything from a large convention to a group of 10 in their own room. Plus, all of the space is on one level.”
And groups come in from all over?
“Natonally, from all over the country, and also internationally. We have the lift, the accessibility. We’re right off I-95, we have Amtrak at Stamford and Westchester County Airport just a few miles away.
(But) “we cater to the local, non-business market, too. We have day-use arrangements and a choice of family packages. You’ll always see families and children in the atrium. And we’re excited to be adding a movie theater to the property which will be another facility for families.”
And, of course, I know you’re on a historic site here. Can you fill our readers in with a bit of background?
“This was the original footprint of Condé Nast Publishing (where they published) from 1929 to the mid-60s. It was an entitre campus. The water tower remains – at that point they had offices in the space and the functioning water tower actually served the plant.
After that there were a couple of other entities on the site, between the 1960s and 1980s, and then, in the 1980s, they divided up the campus and said this part wil be a hotel, this will be an office building, this will be residences, etc. And in 1986, the Hyatt Regency Greenwich opened and it’s been operating here ever since.”
Am I feeling a bit of that history here now, with the renovation?
“Absolutely. The designer is Curioso out of Chicago, and they really leaned in to the Condé Nast history, with throwbacks or references to fashion, and rich fabrics throughout the property, using colors that were very popular through the Condé years – a lot of this is visible in the atrium and guest rooms. Plus the design of the atrium is also reflected in the design of the guest rooms.
But now, lastly, please can we talk about the important subject of food? I’ve been eating so well here, with the salads and sandwiches from Glenna’s Market (Hyatt Regency Greenwich’s food market and general store.) Can you tell me more?
“We named Glenna’s for the Connecticut-born golfer Glenna Collett-Vare . (Born in New Haven in 1903, Collett-Vare was the greatest amateur golfer of her day.) We took the idea as a nod to the heritage, as a nod to golf – a very big thing in the area – and then came up with the name of Glenna’s for the market. The Townsend bar occupies the same footrint as the prior bar, but has been modernized, and it has the signature halo (a vast, luminous hoop, suspended above the bar) which gives a beautful glow throughout the whole lobby.”
I have to tell you, and want to put on record, that I’ve been absolutley bowled over (to use a non-golfing metaphor) by the quality of the food at Glenna’s, which I gather is all made in-house, as well as the utterly inviting look of the place. Definitely a roll-out! And following that thought, I know that like great general managers, you yourself started in food and beverage, right?
Hyatt is a brand that has always placed a great deal of emphasis on its food. And we embrace that here, whether it’s a cappuccino, a salad or a banquet for 600 people. We’ve also brought back our famous Sunday brunch – the second Sunday of every month – as well as holdiay brunches for Easter, Mother’s Day, things like that. It’s been very successful. Coming in on a cold Sunday morning for brunch, it’s transporting.
I must try it.
You must. And by the way, have you tried our pistachio latte yet? It’s….amazing.
I did, and it was.
