Guests are first greeted in the atrium lobby by a polished, white, automated piano banging out up-tempo numbers. A giant sculpture by Yaacov Agam nearly touches the ceiling. Hyatt amenities include a staffed business center, more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space, outdoor pool, sundeck and fitness center. In addition, guests can nab discount passes to a health club near the Hyatt. For shoppers and strollers, the Riverwalk and Bayside Market are just steps away. For a taste of upscale Pacific Rim cuisine from Japan, Thailand, China, Hawaii and South America, guests can check out the hotel's Japengo. They'll find a more casual atmosphere in the Riverwalk Café, which offers gourmet take-out, and can mix with the locals at Currents Lounge.

In their rooms, guests will enjoy contemporary South Beach-inspired decor, with light wood furniture, oval mirrors, streamlined lamps, and tones of beige, gold and blue. They can marvel at the views of the city or Biscayne Bay out their floor-to-ceiling windows, especially the manatees putting on shows in the Miami River. Most rooms have balconies with tables and chairs. Amenities include dial-up and wireless Internet access, cable TV, premium channels, pay movies, coffeemakers, refrigerators, designer toiletries and safes.

The hotel draws a mix of business and leisure travelers and often hosts headliners performing at the Knight Center. The manatees also don't charge admission for their shows.