Mention Orange County to people outside California and many will immediately think of Disneyland in Anaheim. Others may picture South Coast Plaza, the high-end shopping destination that has drawn visitors nationwide since the 1980s. The Hotel Irvine, which replaced a prior Hyatt, reopened in 2013 and recently underwent another transformation under new ownership.
© Elyse Glickman
In August 2022 Hyatt purchased the property and rebranded it as Hyatt Regency Irvine. The hotel reopened to guests on Aug. 28 and remains in active development, with phased upgrades designed to deliver a modern, convenient and stylish stay for Orange County visitors.
Significant meeting and convention spaces are already operational, and new outdoor amenities are slated for completion by spring 2024. The pool area will include water slides, interactive water features, fire pits and refreshed landscaping. Hydration stations dispensing still and carbonated water are placed throughout public areas. Breakout rooms and conference spaces have been updated with improved technology and business amenities and carry locally inspired names such as Pelican Hill and Trabuco. The Regency Ballroom has also been expanded and now offers about 14,000 square feet of flexible event space.
© Elyse Glickman
Management highlights several recent technical upgrades intended to enhance meetings and events.
“One of the things that we’re super excited about, though it may not be flashy, is our upgraded wi-fi,” said Terrance Frederick, director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Regency Irvine. “We invested $100,000 into Wi-Fi and rigging points with the help of Encore, our in-house AV company. The rigging, located underneath and behind the chandeliers, extends from the front to the back of the ballroom and powers our LED screen features.”
Among the new features is an 18-foot LED screen unveiled in mid-December. The digital wall, produced in partnership with local company Mad Graphics, will display rotating digital art as well as event branding, schedules and messaging for conferences, weddings and reunions. Another unique space is an indoor theater described as a “college lecture hall by way of the Guggenheim,” which combines auditorium-style seating, excellent acoustics and power outlets at every seat for convenient device charging.
© Elyse Glickman
Guest amenities will expand later in the season. A grab-and-go market featuring locally produced food and beverages is scheduled to open in mid-December. A Regency Club for World of Hyatt members will open in January, and later this winter the hotel will welcome an in-house restaurant from Houston-based Warehouse 72—the brand’s first flagship location inside a hotel. While the menu is described as American fusion, it will incorporate flavors and trends inspired by Southern California cuisine.
When the remaining elements are finished, Hyatt Regency Irvine aims to offer a seamless, tech-forward experience that balances business-ready facilities with relaxed, Southern California style—an appealing option for leisure travelers, event planners and business guests seeking a contemporary base in Orange County.