Swim Continues to Raise the Bar

By offering a menu crafted around locally sourced ingredients, Swim pool bar and restaurant’s stroke of genius has paid dividends for guests visiting from around the island and across the globe.

Situated on the third floor of Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa’s Ewa Tower adjacent to the inviting, expansive pool, Swim serves up creative cocktails and a locally inspired menu for visitors and kamaaina to enjoy daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“The Swim pool bar was actually redesigned on the third floor here at the resort and positioned right off the pool deck,” says Vince Brunetti, director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. “The whole design is a comfortable eatery coupled with an expansive pool bar designed to cater to our guests and provide them with fresh, local ingredients in the food and drinks as well.”

Swim features a “Made in Hawaii” cocktail menu, which offers drinks composed of locally sourced ingredients in accord with Hyatt’s commitment to sustainability. Ginger Pina-Refresh ($10) offers a smooth blend of organic and locally made Ocean Vodka, Stirrings ginger liqueur, fresh lime and pineapple juice topped with ginger ale. Skinny Mango-jito ($10) refreshes with a blend of Old Lahaina Silver Rum from Maui, freshly-made mango puree, sweet ‘n sour, coconut water, fresh mint and lime. Brunetti notes that Hyatt maintains a garden on its property where fresh herbs and mint are harvested and incorporated in food and beverage selections.

“We do have an array of cocktail servers working the pool deck every day, so guests enjoying the resort get personalized service,” Brunetti explains. “One of our employees has been working as a server at our pool for 37 years. Her name is Barbara, and she’s a real service ace — she is the most recognized server that we have here at the pool, and knows the guests by name and what they ordered five years ago upon their return. We have a great pool bar, but we really take pride in that commitment to service, and focus on our guests.”

Hyatt’s commitment to sustainability revolves around the brand’s philosophy of “food that is thoughtfully sourced and carefully served.” This concept results in the best local ingredients incorporated throughout the menu, as is the case with Big Island Cheese Burger ($15), which is built with Hamakua tomato, Maui onions and Waipoli lettuce. Edamame Hummus ($9) has also become a favorite at the bar, and is served with local taro and sweet potato chips. Locally Caught Fish Tacos ($16), with togarashi, cabbage and spicy mango salsa, and Ahi Poke Nachos ($14), with pickled jalapeno, sour cream and guacamole, provide a glimpse into Swim’s local flair.

In addition, Swim offers live, local music ,including the soothing sounds of Taimane Gardner, who performs every Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. — her six-year run at the Hyatt has developed a loyal following. Friday is also home to “Comedy Night” from 7:30 to 9 p.m., during which local entertainers including Champ and Andy Bumatai perform, while guests also flock to Swim for “Karaoke Night” Saturdays from 8:30 to 11 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa showcases the effort and products of local vendors at its weekly Farmers Market every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Situated throughout the hotel’s beautiful and inviting Great Hall atrium setting on the resort’s ground level, the weekly event features vendors,, such as Spun Paradise — a purveyor of organic cotton candy crafted with intriguing flavors, including coconut peanut butter and Kona coffee butter.

A Hawaiian Beer Garden was recently added to the Ewa end of the Farmers Market, and guests are treated to multiple brews (Kauai Golden Ale, Mehana Humpback Blue and Hapa Brown Ale) from Hawaii Nui Brewing for $5 each.

“The Farmers Market offers a great combination of local farmers offering fresh fruit, vegetables and a lot of vendors in a well-organized environment,” says Brunetti. “We are supporting the local community and local farmers, and that was a big aspect when we were creating this event. We have the ability to support our local vendors in this arena.”

Guests of Swim are also treated to complimentary validated parking for up to four hours, while Farmers Market parking is just $8 for self-parking and $13 for valet.

Swim

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, Ewa Tower, Third Floor
2424 Kalakaua Ave.
923-1234 ext. 59
Daily, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.