Hyatt Regency Wichita, set along the Arkansas River, is a premier luxury Kansas hotel with remodeled guest rooms and is conveniently connected to the Century II Convention Center.
Not the Best Reason to Return to Kansas
The last time we traveled to Kansas, we stayed in Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City, a tropical paradise set in the middle of America’s heartland. Well, this trip was definitely not to visit a Jimmy Buffet-inspired hotel. Instead, it was for a 3-day trip to attend a memorial service. So, it was not a typical travel destination, yet it was an opportunity to visit another city in Kansas.
On a Lighter Note: A Few Facts About Wichita
Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, is located in the south-central portion of the state, and lies on the Arkansas River near the mouth of the Little Arkansas. It’s approximately 140 miles southwest of Topeka. The city’s name, “Wichita,” comes from the original Native American tribe.
If you’re a fast-food connoisseur like me, you’ll be happy to know that White Castle restaurant (and its square hamburgers) was founded in Wichita in 1921 and Pizza Hut was founded in Wichita back in 1958. Of course, we made sure to try out the local White Castle for lunch, and it was worth all the extra calories and a bit of a stomachache.
Before visiting, I had never known that Wichita is recognized as the “Air Capital of the World.” The city is home to many world-renowned aviation manufacturers. If you like aviation, The Kansas Aviation Museum, found in a historic airport terminal, showcases the state’s aviation history.
Hyatt Regency Wichita: Located Along the Arkansas River
This Wichita hotel was recommended by local friends. Well, you might say that the hotel turned out to be the highlight of our trip based on the fact that we were traveling to attend a memorial service.
The minute we arrived at the hotel, we took a good look around at the scenic surroundings of the Arkansas River. The bright blue water of the river makes for such a quiet, serene setting with the birds happily chirping in the background.
The hotel is connected to the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center, which we appreciated as frequent business conference attenders. It’s conveniently located downtown, a great location, close to a lot of things to do and see.
The hotel’s location allowed us to take walks downtown and I’d say it was no more than a 20-minute walk to visit the famous “Keeper of the Plains” statue. Located nearby the hotel is also Equity Bank Park, Riverfront Stadium, and the Historic Delano and Old Town areas.
Appreciating Much-Needed Hospitality
We’ve always liked Hyatt hotels and Hyatt Regency Wichita is considered a premier hotel in Kansas, but the cost was very reasonable.
In addition to the modern décor that we love to see, we also got lucky as the guest rooms had been recently renovated so staying in a newer room was a treat. But most importantly, the Hyatt hospitality is what we appreciated most.
The complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle from the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport was a great start to the trip. It was only a six-mile drive from the airport to the hotel and took barely 10 minutes. The driver was super nice as was the front desk hotel staff upon check-in. When we mentioned we were there for a service and not a vacation or the business conference, we even got a hug from a team member. So sweet.
Hotel Amenities
I’ll start off with a potential con: If you’re a frequent Hyatt Regency visitor, this hotel does not have a Regency Club lounge. There are also no bellmen to assist with luggage. We were more than happy to wheel our own luggage onto the elevator to our 11th floor room.
It was a quick, 2-night stay at the hotel, but we did take advantage of the onsite restaurants and even ordered room service one evening. The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby, restaurant, bar, and guest rooms.
In addition to airport transportation, the free shuttle was also available to take us downtown when we chose not to walk. The hotel has both valet and self-parking along with electric vehicle charging.
While we did not use the indoor pool, it was certainly inviting and tempting as there were two hot tubs calling my name. We did, however, visit the 24-hour Stay-Fit by Hyatt fitness center and although it was quite crowded, we managed to walk on the treadmills.
One hotel amenity at the Hyatt Regency Wichita Kansas that is not a given these days at many hotels is daily housekeeping. Someone making our bed and emptying trash may seem inconsequential but to us it is a great amenity.
Guest Room With a View
We had not set out to stay in a room with a view, but the staff so kindly assigned us one. To say that we were surprised (and humbled) to step one foot inside our room and see the Arkansas River sparkling at us brought a tear to my eye. I recommend you ask for a corner room with a view of the river.
Our 11th floor room had two Queen beds. The room seemed larger than a standard guest room. Perhaps it was the neutral colors of the walls and bedding. The room was quiet and the bed comfortable, so we slept soundly. I will say the room was a bit chilly, so we had to ask for an extra blanket.
There was nothing extra special about the room’s amenities; typical flat screen TV, coffee maker, mini fridge, in-room safe and the iron/ironing board that I don’t think I’ve ever needed during a hotel stay. And there was complimentary shampoo and soap but there were no robes or other free toiletries.
Dining at the Hotel
You can expect a delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel’s Harvest Kitchen & Bar. The menu items served are made with locally sourced ingredients.
Breakfast is offered both buffet-style and a la carte. We enjoyed the Traditional Belgian Waffle with berries, whipped cream and warm maple syrup. The Bagatelle biscuits with jelly were another favorite in the morning.
For dinner, they don’t put complimentary bread on the table but for $6.00 you can order delicious hearth baked focaccia bread with olive oil. The French Onion Soup is a 10 out of 10 and the Margherita pizza will satisfy any pizza lover’s craving. Note: Most of the dinner dishes were a reasonable price but the steaks, albeit probably delicious, come with a hefty price tag from $55.00 up to $76.00.
Perks Market right in the lobby made it so easy to get a quick breakfast or snack and it opens in the early morning at 6am. In addition to Starbucks coffee, you can grab fresh pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and packaged snacks, beverages, and light meals.
Exploring Wichita in One Day
While Wichita features many hiking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas, we were short on time so we could only do a bit of sightseeing. We enjoyed the complimentary ride to downtown.
Here is what we were able to see:
Keeper of the Plains Sculpture – Designed by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin and constructed by Tom Washburn in 1974, this 44-foot steel sculpture can be found at the confluence (the junction of two rivers) of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers. You must go at night as the sculpture is illuminated for 15 minutes each evening. If you look closely, you’ll find the troll who lives near the “Keeper” and keeps him company.
Exploration Place – At first glance, we thought this was a science and discovery center for just kids but to be honest, it’s a hands-on museum for visitors of all ages. We loved it!
Old Cowtown Museum – This reminded me a bit of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, except this museum is a living history museum depicting 19th-century life and the wild west. If you want to step back in time, you will love it! I will be honest and say that I was feeling a bit run down and tired, so we didn’t get to see all that the museum had to offer.
Takeaways/Pros About Staying at the Hotel
If you unexpectedly need to visit Wichita like we did, this hotel is recommended. We would definitely stay at this hotel again, especially if we’re traveling on business.
- Conveniently located next to Century II Expo Hall
- Plenty of self-parking in addition to valet
- Friendly staff, well-maintained property
- Food is great. No need to eat outside the hotel.
- Recently renovated rooms
- Daily housekeeping
- Beautiful views of the city and the Arkansas River.
- Ideal when traveling for business or leisure
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Inn amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.