[5] In 1989, the hotel's distinct appearance was described in Building Design and Construction, explaining that it has "an 182-ft. by 182-ft. space frame that is covered by a Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric" and a "glass daylight system ... attached to its perimeter.

"[6][7] The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport had a major interior remodelling in 2016, at which point it had 789 rooms, of which 26 are suites,[6][8] and 120,000 square feet of public space.

It managed to stay open during the quake, though without main power, but had to evacuate staff and guests early the following morning for a safety inspection.

[17] In 2020, it began pilot testing a Google Assistant-based concierge translation device[18] and, along with many Hyatt hotels worldwide, became Global Biorisk Advisory Council certified.

[20] In 2008, Vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin held a fundraiser at the hotel during the presidential debates period, where she gave a speech criticizing Barack Obama.

At the time Trump was due to make his speech, protesters attempted to disrupt it, throwing objects at the hotel and damaging its glass panels.

Protesters included Burlingame High School students in matching tie-dye, topless Free the Nipple activists, and brothers dressed as Mexican-American versions of Captain America and the Winter Soldier.