by Shanna F. Jones
Situated in the heart of downtown Cleveland the Regency Hyatt forms part of The Arcade. A stunningly beautiful ornate historic building with grand sweeping staircases and an 85 foot high glass ceiling make The Arcade a must-see on a trip to Cleveland. Boutique shops, cafes and restaurants are situated along the balconies with . The hotel is close to the bustling Fourth Street restaurant scene and can be used as a base for visiting sporting events, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or Playhouse Square.
Then
The Arcade was originally built in May 1890 as America’s very first indoor shopping centre. The spectacular building was modelled on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy. During the Victorian era the Arcade became wildly popular with Cleveland’s middle classes, quickly being nicknamed ‘Cleveland’s Crystal Palace.’ Its location between Euclid and Superior Avenues mean that it became the heart of downtown Cleveland.
Over time the gorgeous building began to deteriorate, which posed the question of its financial future. After some time the Hyatt Development Corporation teamed up with another company to restore the architectural masterpiece to its former glory to the tune of $60 million.
Now
Today the Hyatt Regency hotel occupies a large part of the building with rooms right on the balconies. The hotel has 293 guestrooms which feature historic vaulted ceilings, Hyatt’s signature beds, huge bathtubs and a small sitting area. The décor is suitably old fashioned in style but tasteful and the size of the rooms makes them feel distinctly glamorous.
On the second floor the Morengo Luxury Spa aims to pamper with massages and all personal grooming services available. Next door the 24-hour gym is available for guests to use with a range of cardio equipment and free weights. Although the gym is fairly small there is plenty of equipment there and it rarely gets busy. For those who prefer to exercise outside the reception desk will provide maps of the local walking and jogging trails.
The hotel’s 1890 restaurant is on the Lobby level balcony. The food ranges from small dishes such as the aged cheddar and apple flatbread, polenta fries and Ledante’s mac and cheese all popular at lunchtime to larger evening meals like the grilled New York Strip and Pan Seared Salmon. The lounge serves cocktails looking out onto the balcony so you can sip sundowners while feeling as though you’ve stepped onto the set of an old fashioned movie.
For more information: Hyatt Regency Cleveland
Photo: Hyatt
Shanna is a British freelance journalist covering travel and international human rights. She craves the freedom of hiking and camping in the rain just as much as the luxury of silky hotel sheets. Follow her on Twitter: @ShannaFelicia
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