Fireplace Lounge at the Hyatt

Kudos again for the live music Friday & Saturday nights. But it can be a bit hard to hear, especially if you’re not right near the band. Maybe the sound system needs to be adjusted or upgraded. Nice atmosphere. Our server (I didn’t catch her name) was friendly, energetic, and very efficient – a nice change of pace from some of my previous experiences there. The food has gone a bit downhill, IMHO. They’ve switched from calamari strips to a more run-​of-​the-​mill rings and tentacles, just like you find most places (maybe this is what people expect), and the sauce isn’t what it used to be. The Naan Fig Bread (caramelized onion, Gorgonzola, fig balsamic) has gone downhill, too. Good texture & flavor, but this last time the Gorgonzola was pretty much non-​existent. Plenty of onions and balsamic glaze, but that didn’t make up for the missing cheese.

Finished dinner next door at Knuckles and decided to stop by for a quick drink. Quiet for a Tuesday night but what do you expect?! Our server David immediately greeted us and took our order. The drinks were tasty and the atmosphere was relaxed. Seating next to the fireplace made it 10 times better as it was warm and very comfortable. Definitely will be coming back before our stay at the Hyatt is over.

This place seriously is one of the most hidden gem lounges. Especially if you don’t want to be in too loud/​crowded of a place and really want to enjoy company. Great night out for drinks with a larger group. Plenty of space, open floor plan, great vibe. You don’t even need to be a guest here to enjoy the lounge. I ordered a special strawberry mojito and it was the best creeper drink ever. Walk outside when it’s still light out and enjoy the view of the golf course right outside of the lounge.

Poor service, only a number of customers but the servers are overwhelmed. Very disorganized. I can see no teamwork amongst the server, lack customer care. No high touch service…

Great chicken caprese sandwich, awesome music, and a good time. Service wasn’t amazing but the ambiance was fun, modern, and the music was fantastic! I will definitely be returning.

This place is okay. The view looking the golf course or on the golf course is nice but the food is loaded with grease. Service is acceptable.

BF and I came here for an evening drink around 9:00 on a Saturday night, and scored the last table. A piano player set a lovely jazzy mood, and with a fireplace burning nearby, this lounge’s vibe is nice. Granted, you are still sitting in a hotel lobby and can clearly see the front desk, plus we also had views into the other nearby restaurants. But if you want to have a cocktail or nibbles without pretense and head up to your room afterwards, this is a good option.
BF had a white russian, and I went with their sangria. Their sangria wasn’t very traditional — white wine, made fresh, shaken not stirred… but it was tasty! We didn’t have any nibbles, but seeing the options like small pizzas at the tables of others, it did look like good quality eats.

We came here for an after dinner drink before turning in. The drinks were pricey, but the pour was really generous!

This place was great. We weren’t here during a busy time but I have to say that it’s really cozy, and the staff was great. The bar pours a good drink too! We love the modern décor of the Lounge and if you sit next to the side of the fireplace instead of in front of it, it’s nice and warm.
We’ll definitely hit up the lounge next time we stay here.

Great lunchtime service with excellent burger (see my photo). I believe it came with onion jam and horseradish cream. One fireplace with seating on both sides. There’s also a large fire pit outside with seating but I don’t know when that’s lit or if food is served there as well.

Nice place but the drinks are very skimpy.

I am complaining about the rude service my friend and I recieved at the fireplace lounge, on June 7^th 2011. First upon arrival, we noticed that Knuckles Bar and Grill was really busy due to some private party for Safeway.
When walking through and not finding a seat, we made our way towards the fireplace lounge, having heard rumors about a «jazz bar» asked the waiters/​bus boy if there was a separate bar. They rudely replied it was around the corner and there is no jazz only on the weekends. I was fine with that answer, I wasn’t looking for jazz per se but something different if they added it, due to the recent remodels.
So after that brief rude encounter, sat at the fireplace lounge and greeted by another rude waitstaff. Her name was «Julie» and I have never felt so belittled and undervalued as a customer in my life. Her tone of voice and her attitude felt extremely offensive and it was like we were the ones who offended her in some way by asking her about the menu. She was very condescending and my friend, who is a very nice and sweet person was appalled as well. Her answers were abrupt, rushed and she rolled her eyes A LOT. Having been in the customer service industry and the restaurant industry, I would be so embarrassed to have her as my employee. As a waistress once myself, I could never imagine being that rude or that condescending to anyone without hearing about it.
Maybe «Julie» was having a bad day, but to ask for a bite to eat and some wine seemed to be «too much trouble» and she seemed upset to be «going out of her way» to serve us. Needless to say will NEVER come here again. Rude staff and your artichoke dip is very mediocre. Tastes like Grilled Cheese. Horrible.

Slowest service possible. Nice about the delays but I died of thirst while waiting to order.

I really enjoy having a glass of wine and listening to live music. My husband and I have relaxed at the fireplace lounge w/​a glass of wine, food and music more than a dozen time.
We always go back thinking maybe we’ll get good service this time?
We have gotten good service ONCE here and that was b/​c we named dropped someone (higher up) we knew who works there.
Its such a bummer b/​c its a convenient location for us and we always enjoy the music there but the service is just disappointing!

Drinks were so so but I visited on the last day of the Monterey Jazz Festival… it was an after party of sorts at the Lounge in the Hyatt. Great crowd and solid entertainment. I even got my photo taken with Diane Reeves. Pretty sweet.

Ambiance: Very chill place with live jazz band and vocalists.
People: Higher-​end feel with older crowd mixed in with late 30-​somethings.
Service: We had a party of 12+ and the wait staff were able to put together 3 tables to accommodate our large group. She was right on cue when it came to taking our drink orders.
Price: A little bit much, but this was no surprise for being located inside a major hotel chain.
Conclusion: We all had fun, with live music, good company, and drinks that kept flowing like water. =D

Service was horrid. Drinks were average. Decent wine list.

This place is located inside the Hyatt Monterey. They have a jazz band playing weekend nights and Sunday mornings. Sophisticated, upscale environment. The martinis were good as was the band. Didn’t have any food, but appetizers and brick-​oven pizzas are available.
If you are looking for a loud, obnoxious night club… look elsewhere.
Worth checking out.