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  • Solid and Scenic: The Hyatt Regency Cologne

    Solid and Scenic: The Hyatt Regency Cologne

    I’ve used an image of this property for years as a file photo for all things Hyatt, but I only last week got to finally experience the Hyatt Regency Köln (Cologne) for myself. My expectations were admittedly not the highest, as several others in this space have written some pretty scathing pieces on this property in the past, citing maintenance issues and the property just generally showing its age. But I needed to be in Köln, and it’s been an incredibly slow travel year by my standards; without the elite nights from this stay, I would have needed to mattress run to renew my World of Hyatt Globalist status. So in spite of the negativity surrounding this property, I decided to give it a try.

    Location

    If scenic views of Köln are what you’re after, you’re going to be hard-pressed to do better than this property. I would estimate the Hyatt Regency likely has THE most prized and expensive views in the entire city. That said, in terms of actually being centrally-located, the property leaves a bit to be desired. It sits not in the city center, but across the Rhine in the borough of Deutz. From Köln’s central train station, you should expect to walk 10-15 mins to reach this property. It’s a very beautiful walk, around the cathedral, then crossing the Rhine via the famous Hohenzollern Bridge. But if you have heavy luggage in tow, and are okay with foregoing a breathtaking first impression of the city, you would be better served choosing a train that serves Köln Messe/Deutz Station, only about a 5 minute walk to the hotel; this station is served by many ICE trains direct from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) Terminal 1. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to make that walk later, sans luggage. As far as local transit options go, look for tram lines 1, 7, and 9 from the Deutzer Freiheit tram stop, also about a 5 minute walk away.

    Pricing

    This property is World of Hyatt award category 4, meaning you’ll pay 15,000 World of Hyatt points for a standard award night, 18,000 for peak award nights, and 12,000 for off-peak. During Christmas market season, it is quite common to see cash rates go north of €300, making the use of points an even better value proposition this time of year. This property can be a great place to burn those Cat 1-4 free night certificates, which seem to get devalued every March as all the good redemption options seem to slowly migrate to Category 5. Out of my six-night stay, three of those were peak pricing; luckily, I had the same number of Cat 1-4 certs banked, and had my concierge strategically place those on the peak nights for maximum value. This was the first time in a while I’ve been able to get the full 18,000 point value out of those certificates; as I no longer go out of my way to maximize those, my lowest point was burning one on the then-Category 2 Hyatt Regency DFW Airport just days prior to expiration.

    One could make the argument that this property likely offers the best possible view that can be obtained utilizing the humble Cat 1-4 certificate anywhere in the world, and I fear that if this property remodels in the future, it may move to Category 5 or even Category 6, rendering those certificates useless here.

    Arrival and Globalist Recognition

    I have gotten quite good (if I do say so myself) at navigating the logistics of traveling to Europe over the years; I gave my Hyatt concierge an ETA of 10:00am about a week prior to my arrival, and she worked with the hotel to try and have a room ready by then. As I walked through the doors at 10:01, I was quite impressed with myself for estimating my arrival time a week prior within a 120-second margin of error! While my room was cleaned by this time, it had not yet undergone Hyatt’s QA process. Being from the U.S., I fully expected to be told to go pound sand for a couple hours. However, I was granted access by the cheery front desk agent to wait in the Regency Club, and eat breakfast in there while I waited – and when my room finally was ready, the keys were personally delivered to me in the Regency Club, so I did not have to return to the lobby!

    I did not receive an upgrade, nor did I really expect to, as the hotel was (verifiably) sold out at least one night of my reservation. However, the staff that I interacted with were incredibly kind, welcoming, and helpful.

    Rooms and State of the Hotel

    Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. There are some criticisms floating around about how dated this place feels. And there is some validity to that! The guest room floors feel like the year 2010 called, and asked for its hotel back. The power socket placement is… odd, and if you don’t have a Schuko (type F) plug adapter with USB ports on the side, expect any cords plugged into the front to be bent and possibly destroyed by proximity to the mattress as you toss & turn in bed – luckily, I’m to the point now where I always seem to have multiple travel adapters of varying styles in my backpack. Every lamp in the room seemed to have a different mechanism to turn on/off. I had to upload a picture of the rather antiquated thermostat to ChatGPT to figure out how to use it (meanwhile, the HP Frankfurt Airport had a QR code with instructions on how to use their much simpler digital thermostat… cue eye roll). The bathroom door wouldn’t stay shut unless I slammed it. The Wi-Fi could be better, and logs you out after precisely 24 hours, even if you are actively connected.

    But all that said, it was spotlessly clean, and perfectly adequate! In fact, dare I say that I actually kind of liked that it was a little bit dated. Hotels in Western countries have been in a race to the bottom for years, featuring ever-smaller rooms, weird “barn” doors (or no doors at all) on bathrooms, and eliminating closets and storage in favor of open-air “landing zones” for your luggage. It seems that memo has not reached Köln yet. The rooms were spacious, even by American standards; in fact, I am having a hard time thinking of a standard room I’ve received in Europe larger than this one. The bathroom was large too, featuring a separate bathtub and shower (with some of the best water pressure I’ve ever had, albeit lacking a handheld sprayer like most European hotels). But perhaps the most unique feature was the walk-in closet with a little bench to sit on. As I was staying for a week during a German winter, having this closet enabled me to fully unpack, organize myself, and truly feel at home; contrast this to my most-frequented property in EMEA, where I’d be living out of my suitcase and packing cubes due to the open-concept “storage.” And as I previously mentioned, I like being able to burn my Cat 1-4 certs here; a remodel would likely trigger a change to a higher category.

    My one small complaint about the housekeeping: once I ran out of shower gel, it was never refilled. None of the housekeepers seemed to check if it was empty, and even when I specifically requested more, it never came. Luckily there was good ol’ fashioned Pharmacopia bar soap left near the bathtub (and this was replaced daily!), so I was still able to shower and get clean, albeit not in the way I preferred.

    Food and Beverage

    This is one of those rare properties where Globalist members can choose whether they want their complimentary breakfast at the Glashaus restaurant on the mezzanine level, or in the Regency Club. In practice, I suppose you could have both, as there’s no real enforcement mechanism here. That said, the spread is largely the same core items in both locations. The restaurant has slightly more variety, but you’re not going to be missing anything major if you opt for a quieter breakfast with a better view in the Regency Club. Despite Hyatt being an American brand, this specific property seems to serve largely regional guests, and the breakfast reflects that; while a few hot items such as (very good!) bacon are on offer, you should expect a more continental breakfast focused on bread and fruit, because, well, you’re on the continent. Contrast this to someplace like the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam, which has an incredibly diverse selection of items on offer to cater to a more global audience. All that said, the quality of everything was very much on-par with expectations for a European Hyatt.

    It appears Hyatt knows the location is rather out-of-the-way, with few off-site dining options nearby… and they charge “captive market” prices accordingly for F&B. Of course you’ll pay €39 for breakfast (if not Globalist or Guest of Honor), because going out to eat locally is going to require a good trek, likely to the city center. Expect any food & beverage not comped via elite status or access to the Regency Club to come with some of the most egregious price tags I have ever seen from a Hyatt – even worse than most in the USA. And keep in mind, trams to the city center are available behind the hotel every few minutes, even if this isn’t immediately obvious approaching via the bridge… so you’re not as much of a captive audience as it might initially feel! There are lots of great local dining options in Köln; go into the city center and take advantage (if it’s Christmas Market season, go get a steak near the Cathedral and thank me later).

    Regency Club

    The Regency Club is located on the 6th floor of the hotel. The layout is a bit odd, as instead of a discrete room, the club is really just the elevator lobby for the hotel’s club level; this means you have guests passing through with their luggage, and housekeeping passing through with carts, especially at peak hours. That said, the views of the Rhine from the Regency Club are absolutely incredible, the staff are very helpful, and even at the busiest times, I was always able to find a clean table near the windows. Access is available 24/7, though most food and beverage is promptly put away by 10pm.

    Bottom Line

    Do you need to manage your expectations a bit? Perhaps. Is it nearly as bad as some bloggers say? Absolutely not. Hyatt spoils us, and it leads to some just looking for something to complain about. Even the worst European Hyatts are probably better than the ~30th percentile of American Hyatts, and it’s important to keep that in perspective. Köln is an absolutely wonderful city, and the Hyatt Regency is a perfectly serviceable option with spectacular views to stay while visiting. In my opinion, it is one of the best remaining options to burn those Category 1-4 free night certificates we all seem to accumulate each year, and for that reason, I kinda hope they don’t remodel or change for a while. All of the shortcomings here are really relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, and I mention them not to complain, but purely in the interest of giving an honest, transparent take. None of these issues are show stoppers, and I’ll definitely be back.

  • 2024 Hyatt Award Category Changes: What You Need to Know

    2024 Hyatt Award Category Changes: What You Need to Know

    Once a year, usually around late February, Hyatt announces a slew of hotel award category changes. So far, unlike their competitors which have all gone to fully-dynamic award pricing, Hyatt still maintains an award chart, and opts to make changes all at once, one time per year. This can lead to outsize value, particularly during peak times and large events.

    I predicted this would be the year Hyatt went fully dynamic, and luckily, Hyatt has disappointed me in the best of ways. Hyatt has released its annual list of category changes for 2024, and while undoubtedly, like most years, this represents a devaluation of the program, it’s not as bad as I think many of us were bracing for.

    At first glance, this sounds bad: 137 hotels are going up in category, and only 46 are coming down. However, the segments getting hardest hit aren’t the aspirational properties that are typically the target of these category changes. In fact, it seems to be the lower end of Hyatt’s portfolio getting impacted the hardest this time – which will be painful for me, as there will no longer be any Category 1 mattress run opportunities here in Tulsa. Hyatt Regency Tulsa and Hyatt Place Tulsa/Downtown both go up from Cat 1 to Cat 2, while that horrible old Hyatt Place in South Tulsa exited the system entirely to become a “Hyad” or a Homewood or something (a recent drive-by suggests it will be the “Hyde Park” and the cheap signage doesn’t exactly inspire confidence).

    These changes go into effect March 26, 2024 at 8am Central. Some key points to remember here:

    • Hotels moving from Category 4 to 5 will no longer be accessible using a Category 1-4 free night award – unlike Marriott, Hyatt does not allow “topping off” a free night certificate with points
    • Hotels moving down from 5 to 4 will become accessible using a Cat 1-4 certificate
    • Apply this same logic to Category 7 and 8 for the Cat 1-7 award certificates

    This means if you have any of these Cat 4 or Cat 7 properties on your radar that are going up a category, you should book now before the changes take effect and lock in the lower categories (and therefore the ability to use your FNCs). Just pay attention to any relevant cancellation policies.

    Some notable changes:

    • Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego from 4 to 5 (ouch)
    • Thompson Madrid from 5 to 6 (double ouch)
    • Grayson Hotel in Manhattan 5 to 6
    • GH Denver, HR Denver Convention Center, and HC Denver/Downtown all 3 to 4
    • Lost Pines & Gainey Ranch both go from 5 to 6
    • Thompson Chicago from 4 to 5
    • HR Lake Tahoe drops from 6 to 5

    I’m probably missing some but these are the ones that stick out to me at first glance. There are some that sting here, but am I the only one that was bracing for worse?

    First of all, I think Hyatt is still in damage control mode from losing SLH and MGM. That shrank their footprint… a lot. Mr. & Mrs. Smith should mitigate the loss of SLH a bit, but Hyatt needs to mitigate the perception that their program has been gutted. They’ve done about as decent of a job as I think any of us could have asked for on that front.

    The other thing is the economy, and broadly travel demand. The recent wave of layoffs and hiring freezes has sent a chilling effect through the travel world, causing demand to slow. As a result, there’s less need to artificially chill demand through devaluation.

    What do you think about these changes? Comment below.

  • Hyatt’s New Promo is Pretty Meh; Here’s How to Make the Most of It

    Hyatt’s New Promo is Pretty Meh; Here’s How to Make the Most of It

    Hyatt has announced its first global Bonus Journeys promotion of 2024, which runs from March 1st through April 30th. While Marriott’s promo offered 1,000 points and double elite credits per night, Hyatt’s new promo is pretty lukewarm by comparison. But there are still some ways to maximize your earnings and get some value out of it.

    The Details

    With Bonus Journeys, World of Hyatt members can earn 3,000 bonus points for every three qualifying nights (up to a total of 21,000 bonus points). This is valid at all Hyatt properties globally, including Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), which are still part of the program for now (though that’s changing).

    If you have either the World of Hyatt Credit Card or World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, you can earn an additional 1,000 bonus points for every three nights at properties in 18 international destinations. These include: Australia, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

    Registration is required prior to your first eligible stay, and is open between February 22nd and April 15th. There is zero harm in registering, so even if your plans don’t include a Hyatt stay, we’d recommend everyone go ahead and register as soon as it opens so you don’t forget. The promotion is valid on your first stay. The good news is that nights are cumulative. You don’t need to stay three nights on one stay to earn the bonus points. Award stays count as well.

    Analysis

    If you max out this promotion over 21 nights in the selected international destinations and have a Hyatt credit card, you could potentially earn up to 28,000 bonus points. This is not enough to get excited about, but I value World of Hyatt points at approximately 2.0 cents per point, so if you are in a position to max out every requirement, you could potentially milk ~$560 in value out of this. I imagine most of us realistically won’t come close, if nothing else because the full value requires an extended international stay.

    This is a slower time of the year for travel. Hyatt knows this… that’s why these promotions tend to come at inconvenient times of the year. Sure, you’ll have the spring break crowd, but most of these people aren’t going to be spending 21 nights in Macau.

    We probably shouldn’t expect to ever see the Bonus Journeys promos of 2020 ever again. High inflation, high labor costs, and persistent demand for Hyatt’s quality product means there just isn’t an incentive for Hyatt to invest much in marketing anymore. I shudder to think about what this year’s category changes will look like, assuming they don’t go all-in on dynamic award pricing (which I think Hyatt very well might). We should know this relatively soon.

    Bottom Line

    Hyatt’s new promo is not very impressive, but it’s better than nothing. If you have some Hyatt stays planned in the next few months (or even if you don’t as there’s no penalty to register), you might as well register once it opens and earn some bonus points. But don’t go out of your way to chase this promo.

  • Hyatt Dumps SLH, Hilton Picks Up The Pieces?

    Hyatt Dumps SLH, Hilton Picks Up The Pieces?

    The past year has been rough for Hyatt on the partnership front. First MGM dumped Hyatt for Marriott. And the losses continue…

    Hyatt has just confirmed that it will end its partnership with Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) in the near future, while Hilton simultaneously announced a new partnership with the group of boutique and luxury properties. This is a huge loss for Hyatt loyalists, who could use their points and enjoy elite benefits at over 300 SLH hotels around the world. Some of these hotels were truly aspirational, such as the Grand Hotel Victoria in Lake Como, Italy, or the Calala Island resort on a private island in Nicaragua.

    At this time, World of Hyatt members can still book participating SLH Hotels on Hyatt’s booking channels, and nothing changes as of now for existing World of Hyatt member reservations. More information on the end of this relationship will be shared with guests and members in the coming months.

    Quote from Hyatt spokesperson (ht The Points Guy)

    The writing has been on the wall for some time that Hyatt and SLH would eventually break it off, especially with Hyatt’s acquisition of similar platform Mr & Mrs Smith (causing the company to cut ties with IHG), and now last month’s announcement of SLH’s new partnership with Capital One Travel. This alone seemed like an odd partnership, given SLH is undoubtedly a premium travel brand, and “premium” usually isn’t what comes to mind when we think about Capital One or their target audience (though admittedly they do seem to be trying with the Venture X?).

    But Hilton!?! I’ve written ad nauseam about the decline of what was once one of my favorite travel brands. Pre-COVID, I was all-in on Hilton, but the brand’s standards declined to the point where I switched to Hyatt and never looked back. The quality delta between Hilton and Hyatt, at least domestically, is tough to overstate. It really seems like Hilton has given up on competing with Marriott and Hyatt, and has instead decided to go duke it out with Wyndham, Choice, and Radisson, much like a struggling NCAA team moving to a lesser conference where they can easily beat the crap out of their new rivals.

    Hyatt says that it will focus on integrating more hotels from Mr & Mrs Smith, after announcing last year that the platform would be integrated into World of Hyatt in “early 2024.” However, the Mr & Mrs Smith portfolio is much smaller than SLH, and the integration has been very slow and limited so far. Hyatt also says that nothing changes for existing reservations at SLH hotels, but it’s unclear how long the partnership will last and when the last date to book will be. It’s worth noting that SLH has a standard set of on-property benefits for bookings through World of Hyatt, and Hyatt tier status is not otherwise honored; presumably, Mr & Mrs Smith will honor the full range of tier benefits.

    On the other hand, this is a great opportunity for Hilton to expand its luxury footprint, which currently consists of brands like Conrad, Waldorf Astoria, and LXR. Hilton says that it will add more than 200 SLH hotels to its portfolio, and that Hilton Honors members will be able to earn and redeem points, as well as enjoy elite benefits, at these hotels (unlike when they were partnered with Hyatt). This could make Hilton points much more valuable, especially if they price SLH hotels at reasonable rates and don’t exclude them from using free night certificates. Maybe I won’t need to cancel my Hilton Surpass Card after all?

    However, there are still many unknowns about the Hilton-SLH partnership, such as when it will start, how it will work, and what benefits will be offered. Hilton says that it will share more details soon, but I’m not holding my breath.

    What do you think of this news? Are you excited or disappointed by the changes?

  • “Hyad Park Hotel” – Ex-Hyatt Property in Tulsa Adopts Questionable Name Amid Mass Deflagging

    “Hyad Park Hotel” – Ex-Hyatt Property in Tulsa Adopts Questionable Name Amid Mass Deflagging

    In a hushed move that’s sending ripples through the hospitality realm, Hyatt seems to be quietly orchestrating a mass deflagging of properties, quietly ushering them out of the esteemed World of Hyatt program. While Hyatt maintains a stoic silence on the matter, word on the street suggests that franchisees of Hyatt-branded properties are facing a straightforward ultimatum from corporate: either get with the program and comply with Hyatt’s stringent brand standards (this usually means a partial or full remodel of the property), or get the heck out.

    The message from Hyatt corporate is clear: Hyatt is no longer tolerating low-quality properties. Period. Play time is over. This strategic cleansing seems to be primarily targeting the “OG” Hyatt Place hotels, relics of the initial 2005 acquisition of AmeriSuites. Hyatt loyalists have long detested these legacy AmeriSuites properties, relics frozen in time since the Bush administration. Newer Hyatt Place properties, when purpose-built to be a Hyatt Place, are an excellent select-service choice when the property takes a backseat to the destination, and all you need is a clean, modern place to sleep and shower (or undertake a mattress run). These older “legacy” properties water down the brand in a significant way, and Hyatt is doing the right thing by cleaning house.

    In a move that’s raising questions among eagle-eyed observers, one Hyatt Place property in Tulsa, OK, not only lost its coveted Hyatt affiliation, but took on a rather dubious moniker in its place. The former Hyatt Place Tulsa-South/Medical District at 7037 S. Zurich Avenue now seems to be calling itself the… wait for it… “Hyad Park Hotel.” I don’t live very far from the property, and at this moment it appears to be closed with the original Hyatt signage intact, but the questionable name already appears on Google Maps. If and when they install signage, I’ll be sure to go grab some pictures. “Hyad Park” sounds like a creative workaround for a movie director who couldn’t get permission to feature the Park Hyatt brand in their movie. Hyatt’s legal team is poised for a field day with what appears to be a blatant trademark infringement.

    Screenshot for posterity

    The state of Oklahoma has shed about half of its Hyatt properties sometime in the last four months or so, which points to a very abrupt and drastic deflagging operation. So far, we have lost all our legacy AmeriSuites properties, namely:

    • Hyatt Place Tulsa-South/Medical District
    • Hyatt Place Oklahoma City-Northwest
    • Hyatt Place Oklahoma City Airport

    We have gained one new property, the Fordson Hotel in Oklahoma City. While I haven’t had an opportunity to stay yet, it seems promising for a quick weekend staycation option.

    Signs point to 2024 as the year Hyatt Place sheds its dated image, bidding adieu to many older properties, especially those lingering from the AmeriSuites era. It doesn’t seem like many of these properties are willing to remodel to brand standards, but did find one in Roanoke, VA that appears to be doing just that (ht Mike Jones). Surveying HDC’s development pipeline offers a glimmer of hope, with new select-service properties set to grace North America, potentially filling the void left by the departing legacy properties. Hopefully we get some more in Tulsa to fill the void left by the “Hyad Park,” as the one in question was a great mattress running opportunity for 3,500 points or < $80 most nights.

    The critical challenge for Hyatt lies in fortifying its portfolio elsewhere. With Marriott, IHG, and Hilton boasting larger footprints, Hyatt’s limited number of properties and geographical footprint has always been its Achilles heel. In Europe, they’re doing this primarily doing this through acquisition, buying UK-based Mr. & Mrs. Smith and German hotel group Lindner Hotels. We’ll see if they can build properties here in the States fast enough to backfill their portfolio.

  • From Guest of Honor to Milestone Rewards: Hyatt’s Loyalty Game-Changers

    From Guest of Honor to Milestone Rewards: Hyatt’s Loyalty Game-Changers

    Hyatt is ushering in changes to its World of Hyatt loyalty program in 2024, and the overall outlook appears positive for most of us. The alterations touch on various aspects, offering members increased flexibility and added benefits without significant devaluation. Here’s a breakdown of the key modifications:

    Guest Of Honor Becomes a Milestone Reward

    One notable change is the transformation of the Guest of Honor benefit. Formerly an unlimited Globalist perk, it will now function as a Milestone Reward. This means members can enjoy the privileges of extending their status to friends or family after accumulating a set number of nights. The initial milestone is reached at 40 nights, making the feature accessible even before achieving Globalist status at 60 nights.

    The Guest of Honor credits are applicable to both paid and award stays, broadening the scope of its utility. Additionally, when gifting this benefit to others, the giver earns an elite qualifying night upon the completion of the recipient’s stay. While the move introduces some limits on usage, the overall flexibility and transferability of the benefit have increased.

    Expanded Choices Every 10 Elite Nights

    Hyatt is enhancing its Milestone Rewards, extending benefits every 10 elite nights up to 150 nights. This change provides members with more options to tailor their rewards based on their preferences. Notably, this expansion presents a compelling incentive for elite members, giving them the flexibility to choose benefits that align with their travel patterns and priorities.

    More Suite Upgrades Available Earlier

    The suite upgrade landscape is also evolving, with more suite upgrades available starting at 40 nights and continuing up to 150 nights. This adjustment allows members staying 60 nights, for instance, to enjoy five confirmed suites instead of the previous four. Importantly, these suite upgrades become transferable, offering members greater flexibility in how they utilize this valuable benefit.

    Easily Gifted Awards

    A significant shift in Hyatt’s approach is the increased transferability of awards. Virtually all Hyatt awards, including free night awards, club access, suite upgrades, and Guest of Honor awards, can be easily gifted to others. This added flexibility enables members to share their rewards with friends or family, enhancing the overall value of the program.

    Meetings, Events, and Small Business Stays Earn Elite Nights

    Hyatt introduces changes to how elite nights are earned through meetings, events, and small business stays. The new program allows meeting planners, travel advisors, and small business program administrators to earn 2 qualifying nights for every $5,000 spent, up to 60 elite nights per year. This initiative provides additional opportunities for various stakeholders to accrue elite status credits.

    Hyatt’s Continued Evolution and Future Outlook

    The integration of Mr. and Mrs. Smith into the program adds a new dimension to Hyatt’s offerings. While specific details are yet to unfold, the move signifies a strategic expansion of Hyatt’s portfolio with carefully selected properties.

    The changes to the World of Hyatt loyalty program for 2024 bring a mix of positive enhancements. While some limits have been introduced, the overall trend is one of increased flexibility and additional choices for members. The program’s focus on maintaining a valuable and differentiated experience for members reflects Hyatt’s commitment to standing out in the competitive loyalty landscape. As Hyatt continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these changes will resonate with its diverse membership base.

    You can view the full press release here.

  • London Calling: Hyatt Place Paddington to Open Doors Next Year

    London Calling: Hyatt Place Paddington to Open Doors Next Year

    Big news for Hyatt enthusiasts and London travelers alike: Hyatt is set to expand its footprint in the heart of London with the opening of Hyatt Place London Paddington in 2024. The discovery was made by the eagle-eyed team at Traveling for Miles, and even though it falls under the Hyatt Place banner, on the more modest end of the Hyatt spectrum, the implications are anything but modest.

    London has long been a haven for upscale Hyatt properties like the iconic Hyatt Regency Churchill, the stylish Hyatt Regency Blackfriars, the historic Great Scotland Yard, and the trendy Andaz Liverpool Street. However, the city has been severely lacking in select-service Hyatt options, catering to longer stays or trips where the property takes a back seat to the destination – and London offers no shortage of things to do outside the four walls of your hotel.

    This new addition will mark only the fourth select-service Hyatt property in the London area, joining the ranks of Hyatt Place London City East, Hyatt Place Heathrow Airport, and Hyatt House London Stratford.

    Location-wise, the Hyatt Place London Paddington boasts an enviable address at 29/23 Norfolk Square, just steps away from London Paddington Station. This central location is a strategic hub served by multiple Tube lines and the newly inaugurated Elizabeth Line. Not only does this make it convenient to explore various parts of London, but it’s also a boon for travelers to and from Heathrow. Paddington is home to the Heathrow Express, providing nonstop service to Heathrow Central, and the Elizabeth Line offers a direct connection to the airport. This is great risk mitigation against missing your flight; recent years have been marked by rampant strike action in the UK, and Paddington provides two easy ways to get to LHR, neither of which are reliant on the Tube, local buses, or connections to other services.

    The 87-room hotel is set to emerge from the conversion of the Norfolk Plaza Hotel, a 1970s-era hotel that has seen better days. While details about the amenities are scant, let’s face it – it’s a Hyatt Place. You’re getting a clean, comfortable place to stay the night while racking up elite nights towards World of Hyatt status. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – on past visits to the city, I’ve made a bad habit of dropping a lot of points on a high-end property I didn’t want to leave despite there being an infinite amount of things to do in London. Maybe next time, I’ll give this Hyatt Place a shot, and use the savings in points to stay longer than I otherwise might have. London ain’t a cheap date, so this is a welcome option.

    The anticipated opening date is pegged for July 1, 2024, according to the property’s information page. However, as of the time of this writing, reservations have yet to be made available on Hyatt.com, and it’s unclear what award category the property will fall into (I’m betting category 3, allowing for use of those sweet, sweet Cat 1-4 free night certificates). Keep your eyes peeled for updates, and mark your calendars for a potential stay at the Hyatt Place London Paddington in the summer of 2024.

  • Hyatt Doubles Down on Mexico, Announces Four New Properties in Pipeline

    Hyatt Doubles Down on Mexico, Announces Four New Properties in Pipeline

    Hyatt Hotels is doubling down on Mexico with the announcement of four new properties in the pipeline. Collaborating with franchisee Parks Hospitality Holdings, the brand is aiming to leave its mark in the vibrant landscapes of Mexico City, Los Cabos, and Cancun. With the first of these properties set to welcome guests starting in 2024, these developments underscore Hyatt’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for luxury and leisure travel experiences.

    Among the upcoming properties, the roster includes two Grand Hyatt hotels, a select-service Hyatt Place location near Cancun International Airport, and the debut of the Park Hyatt brand in Cancun. This strategic move appears to be a conscious effort by Hyatt to cater to the evolving dynamics of travel demand, especially with international demand remaining robust while demand for domestic travel largely evaporating, affecting low-cost carriers like Spirit (Spirit does fly to Mexico, but not Europe).

    Grand Hyatt Los Cabos rendering, courtesy PHH
    Grand Hyatt Los Cabos rendering, courtesy PHH

    While Hyatt’s international growth trajectory in recent years has often been marked by acquisitions, such as the recent additions from Apple Leisure Group’s resorts and Lindner Hotels and Resorts, these four properties all appear to be new builds, purpose-built for Hyatt’s portfolio.

    Camilo Bolaños, Senior Vice President of Development for Latin America & the Caribbean at Hyatt, emphasized the significance of these expansions, citing the brand’s intentional strategy to fortify its presence in Mexico. He highlighted the pivotal role of collaborative owners like Parks Hospitality Holdings in amplifying Hyatt’s reach and meeting the preferences of their guests, World of Hyatt members, and customers.

    Our intentional growth strategy for our portfolio in Mexico is driven by strong relationships with owners like Parks Hospitality Holdings who are helping expand Hyatt’s brand footprint across markets that matter most to our guests, World of Hyatt members and customers. Hyatt occupies a unique position in the marketplace, and we believe we are optimally positioned because of our size, scale and portfolio – we are agile enough to create personal relationships, draw on our own experiences and lead with empathy, which allows us to deliver the world-class hospitality for which Hyatt is known.

    Camilo Bolaños, Senior Vice President of Development for Latin America & the Caribbean

    Delving into the specifics, the forthcoming Park Hyatt Cancun, set to open its doors in 2025, promises a sophisticated experience, boasting beachfront access and a host of culinary delights amidst Cancun’s breathtaking scenery. Meanwhile, the Grand Hyatt Mexico Santa Fe, slated for a 2025 opening, will offer an urban retreat with panoramic views and ample meeting and event spaces as part of the Distrito Santa Fe project. This will be Hyatt’s first urban Grand Hyatt property in Mexico.

    Looking ahead to 2026, the Grand Hyatt Los Cabos will nestle itself within the OLEADA Pacific Living & Golf private resort community, presenting a lavish spread of luxurious amenities, including an 18-hole golf course designed by the renowned Ernie Els.

    Furthermore, the Hyatt Place Cancun Airport, also due to open in late 2026, will cater to travelers seeking both leisure and business accommodations, conveniently situated just minutes away from the Cancun International Airport (CUN).

    Hyatt really seems to be focused on where the demand is here – Mexico and Europe. Domestic travel within the US is going to be weak for a long time. While Hyatt still has a considerable domestic pipeline, all but three properties are select-service. Two of those three properties are Captions. They’re opening a ton of Hyatt Houses and Hyatt Places, but we really don’t see any full-service growth at all. It really seems that for those who are traveling domestically at all, budget travel is the order of the day.

    See the full press release from Hyatt here

  • Are Hyatt Globalists Under 21 Entitled to Full Elite Benefits?

    Are Hyatt Globalists Under 21 Entitled to Full Elite Benefits?

    Hyatt Globalist status is the pinnacle of hotel elite status, offering a host of remarkable benefits that elevate your travel experience. If you’re like me, you treasure your Globalist status and all the perks that come with it, from those sought-after space-available suite upgrades to complimentary breakfast, 4 pm late checkouts, and even a dedicated My Hyatt Concierge once you’ve hit your 60th night. It’s a treasure trove of privileges, but what happens when a Globalist is under 21 years old? Do they still get to enjoy the full spectrum of Globalist benefits? A recent Reddit post in /r/Hyatt sheds light on this intriguing topic.

    Captain_nonsense3738 shared their experience during a stay at the Confidante Miami Beach, a property soon to become the Andaz Miami Beach. While the property has a minimum check-in age of 21, the front desk agent allowed this Globalist, who was under 21, to check in. However, things took an interesting turn as they were denied complimentary breakfast – a benefit they had rightfully earned as a Globalist. The agent also informed them that they couldn’t charge anything to their room, which meant they couldn’t utilize the $100 property credit from AmEx The Hotel Collection (THC).

    Update: Confidante Check-In Under 21
    byu/Captain_nonsense3738 inhyatt

    Now, let’s dive into some thoughts on this matter:

    Minimum Check-In Age: It’s reasonable for the hotel to waive the minimum check-in age for a Globalist. These travelers have displayed loyalty to Hyatt and have built a history with the chain that vouches for their trustworthiness.

    Breakfast Benefit: Refusing breakfast was a misstep. Breakfast is a well-earned benefit, and the excuse of being unable to charge it to the room isn’t sufficient. The hotel could have found an alternative way to provide breakfast, such as a voucher. It’s always puzzled me why domestic Hyatt hotels tend to require Globalists to charge to their folio and then manually remove the charge later; any foreign Hyatt property I’ve ever visited, the hotel restaurant usually receives a list of Globalists currently on property, and they simply don’t charge you. Maybe this has to do with American tipping culture, as a room charge gives you the opportunity to write down a specified gratuity amount on a receipt?

    Room Charges: The decision to restrict the guest from making room charges, assuming they provided a valid credit card with enough available credit for the deposit, seems unnecessary. While it’s unclear which card was used to pay, the post implies that it might have been an AmEx Platinum, which typically doesn’t come with a preset credit limit and is typically issued only to those with excellent credit.

    Age Restrictions: The only valid reason to modify or deny a Globalist benefit due to age might be in cases involving alcohol, especially in the United States, where the legal drinking age is among the highest in the world. For instance, a complimentary mimosa at breakfast could be legally problematic in some jurisdictions.

    It’s always surprising how, in the United States, one can make life-altering decisions and even enlist in the military at 18, but can’t enjoy certain privileges like drinking alcohol or checking into many hotels until 21. The age restrictions seem arbitrary in many cases.

    In the case of this Redditor, it appears that the hotel made some questionable decisions. Globalist benefits are earned and should be honored, irrespective of age. If the hotel is willing to check in a Globalist under 21, they should be prepared to extend the full array of benefits that come with the coveted Globalist status. It’s an interesting topic to consider, and it’s clear that there’s room for improvement in how these situations are handled, especially when it comes to ensuring that Globalists get the full experience they’ve earned.

    What do you think about this situation? Have you encountered similar issues when traveling as a Globalist? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

  • Should You Wait to Hit that 60th Elite Night with Hyatt?

    Should You Wait to Hit that 60th Elite Night with Hyatt?

    Hyatt Globalist status is, without a doubt, the crown jewel of hotel elite statuses, and possibly one of the most valuable elite statuses across the board. With a slew of perks that make your hotel stays leaps and bounds better, it’s a highly sought-after status. Space-available suite upgrades, club lounge access, complimentary breakfast at all hotels, 4 pm late checkout, no resort fees even on cash stays, free parking on award stays, and being assigned a dedicated My Hyatt Concierge (after your 60th night). It’s a traveler’s dream come true.

    But today, we’re here to discuss a lesser-discussed benefit that comes with hitting that magical 60-night threshold: the annual Category 1-7 free night certificate. This milestone award can be worth potentially thousands of dollars depending how it’s used, but its timing can make all the difference. And Hyatt has some room to do better here.

    Here’s the deal: the Category 1-7 certificate is issued when you reach 60 nights, coincidentally the same threshold for achieving or renewing your Globalist status. However, a key point to remember is that this certificate is technically considered a milestone award and not a direct benefit of Globalist status (just like the My Hyatt Concierge benefit). So, if you obtained your Globalist status through Bilt Rewards or a corporate challenge, you won’t receive it unless you later hit the full 60 nights.

    The Category 1-7 certificate isn’t your run-of-the-mill free night certificate, as it’s considerably rarer than the more common Category 1-4 certificates. You can only obtain one Category 1-7 certificate per year, and it’s issued soon after your 60th night posts in your account. The catch is, it’s only valid for six months, and the clock starts ticking the moment it’s issued. To make matters worse, it’s not enough to just book a stay before the expiration date; you must actually complete your stay by that date, just like all Hyatt free night certificates.

    Now, here’s where the timing aspect comes into play. If you’re already a Globalist and you don’t have immediate plans to use that certificate, it might be in your best interest to pace yourself and time your 60th night closer to December 31st, which is the deadline to earn elite nights for the Hyatt membership year. Just remember you have to check out before the ball drops on Times Square in order to avoid inadvertently crediting those nights towards next year.

    For example, if you hit your 60 nights today, you’ll have to complete your stay by mid-April. However, if you strategically time your 60th night for December, you could potentially use your Category 1-7 certificate as late as June.

    Hyatt has some serious room for improvement regarding this aspect of their program. By tying the certificate’s expiration date to when you achieve an elite night milestone, it could unintentionally create a situation where a loyal member is actually discouraged from staying at a Hyatt to avoid triggering the certificate’s premature issuance. Hyatt could consider making changes to address this issue.

    One way to do this would be to make the certificates valid until the end of the following calendar or membership year (December 31st or February 28th, respectively). Alternatively, extending the certificate’s validity to a full 12 months, similar to how several of the Hyatt free night certificates already are (such as those from the World of Hyatt Credit Card by Chase), could give Globalists greater flexibility in planning their stays.

    The Category 1-7 free night certificate is a valuable perk that comes with achieving 60 elite nights with Hyatt. However, the timing of when you earn this milestone can significantly impact its usefulness. Hyatt could make a few adjustments to their program to provide more flexibility and ensure that loyal members can fully enjoy the benefits of their milestone awards. So, if you’re on the path to 60 elite nights with Hyatt, it might be worth pondering whether to wait a little longer before hitting that milestone.