Best Hyatt Category 1-4 Hotels & Resorts

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In this post you’ll find a list of recommended hotels for using your category 1-4 certs.  Most of these recommendations come directly from readers. Thank you, everyone who has contributed!  And, please comment below if you have recommendations of your own!

Since the March 3rd publication of this post, I’ve added a number of hotels, and/or reviews of hotels, to this post based on reader input: Hyatt Place Anchorage, The Welk, Thompson DC, Grand Hyatt Washington DC, Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruiseport, Hyatt Place Panama City Beach, Andaz Savannah, Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile, Hyatt Place Long Island City, Hyatt Regency Austin, Hyatt Residence Club San Antonio Wild Oak Ranch, Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Spirit Ridge Osoyoos BC, Andaz Vienna am Belvedere, Hyatt Regency Amsterdam, Eastwest Hotel Geneva, Opus XVI Bergen Norway, Hyatt Regency Yokohama, Hyatt Regency Tokyo Shinjuku, Grand Hyatt Macau, Park Hyatt Mendoza
The Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World
The Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World, is a Hyatt category 4 hotel. This resort is all-inclusive and that includes both food and spa treatments!

Icon Key:

  • 🆕 This symbol means that the category 1-4 hotel is new to this guide since last publication.

There are a number of ways to get Hyatt category 1-4 certificates.  The World of Hyatt card offers a category 1-4 cert each year upon renewal and again when you spend $15K within a calendar year.  Additionally, Hyatt offers cat 1-4 certs as Brand Explorer rewards (when you’ve stayed at 5 different brands); as a Milestone Reward (when you earn 30 elite qualifying nights within a calendar year); and sometimes as rewards for miscellaneous promotions.

Table of Contents

Bookable 3/28/23 or Later Complete List

Here are the hotels that are now bookable with certs due to category changes that were implemented on 3/28/23…

Previously category 5, but now category 4

United States

  • Thompson Washington D.C.
  • The Grady, Louisville, KY
  • Hyatt House Nashville Downtown / Convention Center

International

  • Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort, Mozambique
  • Amani Boutique Hotel Zanzibar, Tanzania
  • Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali, Indonesia
  • Muh Shoou Xixi Hotel Hangzhou, Mainland China
  • The Mist Hot Spring Hotel, Mainland China
  • Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
  • Terelj Hotel, Mongolia
  • The Fortress Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
  • Cape Kudu Hotel, Thailand
  • Alta Las Palomas, Costa Rica
  • Casa Colonial Beach & Spa, Dominican Republic
  • Villa Maria Cristina, Mexico
  • Hotel Das Tyrol, Austria
  • Château de Fère Hotel & Spa, France
  • Château Le Cagnard, France
  • Hotel des Gouverneurs, France
  • Hyatt Regency Cologne, Germany
  • Rodos Park Suites & Spa, Greece
  • Esperanza Resort & Spa, Lithuania
  • Palácio Estoril Hotel, Golf & Wellness, Portugal
  • Quinta da Casa Branca, Portugal
  • Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel & Organic Farm, Spain
  • Eastwest Hotel, Switzerland
  • D-Resort Göcek, Türkiye
  • Ashdown Park Hotel, United Kingdom
  • Grove of Narberth, United Kingdom
  • Homewood, United Kingdom
  • Stock Exchange Hotel, United Kingdom
  • Stoke Park, United Kingdom
  • The Retreat at Elcot Park, United Kingdom

Previously category 8, but now category 7

(this list is for those with category 1-7 free night certificates)

United States

  • None

International

  • Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands
  • Jangala Dunhuang, Mainland China
  • The Inn at English Harbour, Antigua and Barbuda
  • The Liming Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Kristiania Lech, Austria
  • Domaine des Etangs, France
  • Hotel & Spa des Pecheurs, France
  • Hôtel Le Pashmina Le Refuge, France
  • Le Domaine d’Ablon, France
  • Eagles Villas, Greece
  • St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas, Greece

Best Uses for Hyatt category 4 Certs in the U.S.

Alaska

Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown (Category 3 moving to 4)

Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown

Recommended by Olivia.

Arizona

Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe (Category 4)

Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe (Category 4)

Some readers love this place:

  • NK3 says: “For those interested in an Arizona adventure, the Hyatt Residence Club in Sedona is a great choice. We have used certs there multiple times. The studio units are good, and we have been upgraded to one bedroom units more than once. Average price (with taxes & fees) is often $350-400. Great hiking and beautiful scenery!”
  • Points Adventure says: “I second the Hyatt Residence Club in Sedona for the cat4 cert. The whole area is absolutely gorgeous, I could stay for weeks. Sedona Rouge is a better deal at 15k Wyndham, but when you have Hyatt certs, this is a great option.”

On the other hand…

  • The Miles Professor says: “HRC Sedona is sadly a dump! But looks nice in the photos 🙂 I don’t know how it got such high reviews on booking dot com”

Greg’s take: This is a great option for visiting Sedona.  It’s in a perfect location and has beautiful views from the property.  I stayed at this resort in January 2022 on a paid stay in a 1 bedroom unit.  It was very nice and with fantastic views, but note that points or certs book into a studio unit which get mixed reviews, especially from those stuck on a bottom floor.  When checking in, ask for a top floor unit.  Don’t expect elite benefits of any kind: Hyatt Residence Clubs are not required to provide them.  My full review can be found here: Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe — Bottom Line Review.

Tempe Mission Palms (Category 3)

Tempe Mission Palms (Category 3)

Tim stayed here in 2022 and concluded “Tempe Mission Palms is a lovely place to stay that exemplifies what a mid-range hotel should be.  Yes, it’s in Tempe, but we found this hotel to be an excellent value (and an easy way to add Destination Hotels to our brand explorer). Proactive, friendly service, better-than-expected facilities and a terrific location for both Tempe and downtown made this a winner for us.”  Read Tim’s full review here.

Buzz wrote: “I just stayed at Tempe Mission Palms which is a Cat 3. Nice hotel. Never over the top luxury (it’s a conference center) but great location in Tempe. You can walk to the party/restaurant zone and Tempe is growing like crazy right now.”

California

Hyatt Centric Downtown Sacramento (Category 4)

Hyatt Centric Downtown Sacramento (Category 4)

This is one of several category 4 hotels in the United States that I added to this guide because it earned decent Google reviews. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country (Category 4)

I added this one to the list because it is one of the few remaining category 4 hotels in California.  But not everyone was impressed with this property…

Optimus wrote:

I’ve stayed at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, which is about as misleading as you can get. It’s in downtown Santa Rosa, not Sonoma, and it definitely doesn’t feel like wine country. It’s right next to a busy freeway and the road noise was noticeable from our room. There was a wedding party in the “garden area” and we felt genuinely sad for them for having picked this venue.

Upgraded as a globalist to a room with a view of a sad grass patch (I did book a 2 queens room) and had no issues with parking or breakfast charges being wiped. Staff was friendly. Restaurant was closed due to Covid at the time of our stay.

Overall, this could be a jumping off point for exploration of the broader area but it is definitely not a destination in itself. Silver lining is that you could walk to the Russian River Brewery to enjoy some NorCal beer, but I don’t think I would stay here again on a cert, points, or otherwise.

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (Category 4)

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (Category 4)

Readers recommend this one for a San Diego stay:

  • Buzz says: “Manchester Hyatt in San Diego is another great hotel.”
  • PeterSFO says: “Great view of the water, walking distance to old town San Diego San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Great food and great weather. Location wise, I prefer it to the Andaz which is right downtown but the Andaz is also a Cat 4.”
  • Gene cautions: “I am not sure if the guy still owns the hotel, but the Manchester Grand Hyatt was/is owned by one of the bigger funders of 2008 CA Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriage in CA (later overturned by courts). I would never stay there in a million years or recommend that anyone else stay there.”

The Welk, San Diego Area (Category 4)

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (Category 4)

Despite getting average Google reviews, I added this one because it’s a rare opportunity to use a Hyatt category 4 cert for a resort in California.  And, it sure looks nice!

Michelle writes:

THE WELK in San Diego County is a great base for San Diego Wine country, San Diego, Wild Animal Park, Legoland, etc. Stayed in a very nice 1 bedroom unit with full kitchen. Fun amenities like water slide pools, golf, pickleball, and daily events in their market place. Will go again!

Buzz writes:

The Welk is a timeshare property in Escondido, CA. It’s a beautiful property on a golf course. I haven’t stayed with Hyatt points but I have been to it. It seems the minimum you would get would be a 1 bedroom as I don’t believe they have hotel units. Maybe a studio but I think it’s all 1 and 2 bedroom. I wonder if Hyatt will add a brand explorer badge for this.

Welk joined the system when Marriott Vacation club (which owns Hyatt Residence Club) bought Welk (as in Lawrence) to supplement the offerings in the HRC system. So, if someone owns HRC points, they could book stays in Welk which include Escondido, Palm Desert area, Cabo San Lucas and Lake Tahoe. La Sirena is now available via Hyatt.

But Darin isn’t a fan:

I stayed here on a 1-4 certificate last month and was not a big fan. It’s a family-focused timeshare community and if that’s your thing, it might be suitable. My 1 BR was spacious and comfortable, but the definition of basic. I asked at check-in what the Globalist benefits were and was told we had a $25 credit for any on-property purchases. It was not reflected on the bill and at check out they said no such amenity applied. She checked with management to confirm this was correct, which they said it was, but acknowledged that the check-in agent may have gotten it wrong since they are new to Hyatt and removed the charges. No Globalist benefits at all as they are considered a HRC, even though that’s not reflected in any branding.

Also, HARD sell on buying into the timeshare. I received a phone call purporting to be about making sure they have all of our preferences, but what they really wanted was for us to attend the timeshare tour. They threw a lot out there: Hyatt points, offer to extend an extra night free, more that I can’t remember.

I would not stay here again.

Darin doesn’t like it either:

This place is a dump. I’ve been going every year for the last 10 or so because my MIL has a timeshare. It has been going steadily downhill. Don’t waste a cert.

Delaware

Hyatt House Lewes / Rehoboth Beach (Category 3)

Hyatt House Lewes / Rehoboth Beach (Category 3)

Stephen writes “We really enjoyed our stay as the hotel has some great amenities, very friendly and welcoming staff, a good location near points of interest and free parking. There are one or two things that could be improved, but we’d highly recommend staying there if you don’t mind not being right at the beach.”

See Stephen’s full review here: Hotel Review: Hyatt House Lewes/Rehoboth Beach, DE

Florida

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay (Category 4)

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay (Category 4)

Nick visited recently and says that this hotel offers very good value compared to cash rates.  Their lounge is closed (probably permanently), but for Globalists they offer a free breakfast buffet plus a daily $30 food voucher which can be used at any of their restaurants.

Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale (Category 4)

Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale Bottom Line Review

Tim wrote up his Bottom Line Review for this hotel and concluded the following:

Although 10 minutes from the beach, it’s in a prime location downtown, literally steps from the Fort Lauderdale’s lovely RiverWalk. It can be a very good value for category 1-4 free night certificates and overall would be my top choice if I was staying in Fort Lauderdale and/or needed to be close to the cruiseport.

See his full post here: Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale: Bottom Line Review.

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (Category 3)

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (Category 3)

Olivia writes: “Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruiseport remains a category 3, and the cheapest (senior) rate is $339 in December.”

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, near Orlando, Florida (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, near Orlando, Florida (Category 4)

I’ve been to this resort many times and really enjoy it for escaping the Michigan winter.  Unfortunately the Regency Club has permanently closed, but those with Globalist status are given free breakfast in the restaurant.

Nick stayed here a couple of times recently with his family and is looking forward to returning.  Here’s his review: Great Hyatt Category 4 — Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Bottom line review.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Sarasota (Category 4)

Lisa says: “Hyatt Regency Sarasota was great. Breakfast area a little noisy but decent food. Staff seemed a little overwhelmed but were generally friendly. Great place to use Cat 4 we thought based on room rate.”

Julie says (Via Frequent Miler Insiders on Facebook): “I have not stayed at the HR Sarasota yet but have walked around the property, which looks pretty nice and is walkable to downtown Sarasota attractions.”

Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront (Category 4)

Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront (Category 4)

Jeanette writes: “The HP Panama City Beach would be an excellent use of a Cat 1-4 cert. The hotel opened in mid 2022. The rooms are large and as a globalist I was upgraded to an ocean view room before arrival. The beach is lovely and the hotel has beach chairs and umbrellas in season. The breakfast buffet is very good, although it gets crowded especially when weather prevents the outdoor seating from being used. The pool has a party vibe feel to it but we were there on a weekend they were hosting a wedding.”

Georgia

Andaz Savannah (Category 4)

Andaz Savannah (Category 4)

Josh wrote:

Stayed at the Andaz Savannah three times in the last year. Amazing hotel. Incredible location right in the center of Savannah. Highly recommend. My go-to use of Category 1-4 certificates since the cash rates are usually high.

Tmount added:

Lovely hotel, great location, on award stays for Globalists, valet parking is included and was speedy.

Melissa liked it too but with some caveats:

Savannah Andez has fantastic staff. Super friendly and the room was nice. We were updated to a small suite that served our purposes. It is located in a busier bar section of town where I would not be comfortable walking after dark. I prefer the historic district to stay such as Perry Lane with Marriott but it is a nice use for 1-4 certificate or on points. I would do a quick one night stay here again. There is a very nice parking garage that is very cheap that is super close to the Andez.

Also recommended by Olivia

Guam

Hyatt Regency Guam (Category 3)

Hyatt Regency Guam

This is one of many hotels added to this post in 2022 because it had dropped to category 4. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Hawaii

Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach (Category 4)

Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach (Category 4)

  • Sean says: “We really liked the Hyatt Centric Waikiki… If you go, make sure you get one of the “WET” rooms. One of the best hotel bathrooms we’ve ever had! Also, a great location. It’s a couple blocks from the beach. IIRC, it’s just inland from the Moana Surfrider.”  Further, when asked what “WET” rooms are, Sean added “It’s a Japanese style bathroom where the shower and tub are in the same room. So the room can get entirely ‘wet’. It had a super deep soaking tub with the faucet in the ceiling so the tub filled from the ceiling. In our room, looking to the right of the tub, was the shower. It was all enclosed in glass. Hope this helps. There are some pictures of it on the hotel website.”
  • TravelBloggerBuzz says: “This property plays game with Suites!”
  • NK3 adds: “They also play games with standard award availability, which limits the ability to use these free night certs. I think they have a five night minimum. There are tricks to get around this, but it is annoying. Hyatt Place Waikiki is not as nice but I just use my certs there because they don’t play these games.”

Illinois

Thompson Chicago (Category 4)

Thompson Chicago (Category 4)

Stephen’s wife stayed here once and loved it.  If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Ambassador Chicago (Category 4)

Ambassador Chicago (Category 4)

This is one of several hotels added to this post because it increased from category 3 to 4.  I figured that this meant that it was popular!  If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile (Category 4)

Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile (Category 4)

shelly_phl wrote: “Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile: received a suite upgrade as a Globalist; huge living room area with desk (and enough plugs to charge laptop and devices while working); I recall the Globalist buffet breakfast being above average, but not memorable enough that anything sticks out; great location for my purposes”

Kentucky

The Grady (Category 4)

The Grady

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Louisiana

Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans (Category 4)

Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans (Category 4)

Stephen stayed here in 2020 and loved it.  He wrote: “The hotel is in a great location and had excellent service, so we’d happily stay there again if we visit New Orleans again in the future,” and “We had a great stay at the Hyatt Centric. The staff were all very friendly and professional despite Mardi Gras being the most hectic time of the year for them. The hotel has some nice amenities and our room was more spacious than expected despite it seeming to be a standard room.”  Read Stephen’s full review here.

Maryland

Hyatt Place National Harbor (Category 4)

Hyatt Place National Harbor (Category 4)

This is one of several category 4 hotels in the United States that I added to this guide because it earned decent Google reviews. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Minnesota

Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis (Category 3)

Hyatt Place National Harbor (Category 4)

This is one of several category 4 hotels in the United States that I added to this guide because it earned decent Google reviews. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Missouri

Hotel Kansas City (Category 3)

Hotel Kansas City

Reader Pam says: “The Hotel Kansas City is downtown and a completely renovated gem. It is beautiful with a colorful history as a social club with famous & notorious members. If you stay, ask for a tour. As they say, they don’t make em like they used to and you will never see fixtures and detail quite like you will here. Cat 4. Plenty to do in the nearby entertainment district or take a short drive north to the cute town of Weston, I recommend Green Dirt Farm to eat. Is also a creamery & their cheese is to die for.”

Nevada

New York-New York Hotel & Casino Las Vegas (Category 4)

New York-New York Hotel & Casino Las Vegas (Category 4)

This is one of several category 4 hotels in the United States that I added to this guide because it earned decent Google reviews. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

New Jersey

Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson (Category 4)

James wrote: “Cat 4, it has the BEST views of Manhattan out there. Seriously. It’s hard to find a quality hotel in NYC that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. They have a buffet breakfast that you can also order an entree from as a globalist. It gets solid reviews across the board and it’s just a PATH/ferry away from Manhattan or to go uptown.”

Nick says: the hotel is “literally about 20 yards from the entrance to the PATH train and it is one stop to the first stop in Manhattan (World Trade Center). Takes 3 minutes (though of course you’ll see a good 20min from midtown stuff if you’re looking for the heart of the touristy action.”

My take (I stayed at the hotel briefly a few years ago): A nice hotel with great views and a very nice walkway along the Hudson.  This could be a great choice for a “light” visit to New York City since you get great views of the city and it’s easy to take the PATH train across to the city.  It’s also close to the Newark Airport, so it’s convenient if flying in and out of Newark.

New Mexico

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa (Category 3)

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa (Category 3)

Miles Ahead says: “I can totally recommend Regency Tamaya, I stayed there with Privé rate and had the best value ever! The breakfasts (and dinner) were first rate. Great walking/running trails and horseback riding right on property. As a tip, I could recommend booking the Privé rate here when rates are inexpensive rather than burning a cat 4 cert for this Cat 3 property…

New York

Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York (Category 3)

Hotel Review Hyatt Regency JFK Airport At Resorts World New York

Stephen reviewed this one recently. He wrote: “This is a great option if you’re booking a positioning flight into or out of JFK.  This Hyatt Regency can be good value when booked with points or a category 1-4 free night certificate, especially because booking an award stay means you won’t be charged the hotel’s destination fee of $25 + tax.”

See: Bottom Line Review — Hyatt Regency JFK Airport At Resorts World New York

Hotel Nyack (Category 3)

Hotel Nyack

Since this hotel is only category 2, you might be better off using points to book it.

Danny says: “Lots of charm and culture in the Hudson Valley.”

Hyatt Place Long Island City (Category 4)

Hyatt Place Long Island City (Category 4)

HarlanKoolSport wrote “have used 1-4 certificate at Hyatt Place Long Island City – easy commute into midtown Manhattan, quiet, clean, good breakfast (pre-pandemic), independent book store, coffee shops, breweries etc. in walking distance.”

Dee replied:

I just stayed at the Hyatt Place Long Island City this weekend to see our daughter who lives in Queens. I agree on the easy subway ride into Manhattan, clean and quiet. There are some nice coffee shops in the immediate area.

On the negative side: Most of the negative I experienced and witnessed was related to staff. The hotel was understaffed and seemed unprepared for the influx of travelers. One night was sold out.

Pandemic breakfast was okay – plain bagels, Sara Lee danish, individual boxes of cereal, sealed small cups of canned fruit cocktail. They had cream cheese (no butter), yogurt and milk in a refrigerator behind the bar. So, the front desk guy was jumping back and forth between checking people out and getting cream cheese. We went to the diner down the street for breakfast each morning.

Jeanette writes: “HP Long Island City isn’t quiet. I’m on the third floor and was woken at 6:35am b/c of loud guests in the hallway and traffic noise.”

Hyatt Place Long Island/East End (Category 4)

Hyatt Place Long Island/East End (Category 4)

This is one of several category 4 hotels in the United States that I added to this guide because it earned decent Google reviews. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

North Carolina

The Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill (Category 3)

The Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill (Category 3)

Pam says: “The Carolina Inn Cat 3 is on the UNC Chapel Hill campus. It is a lovingly restored historical property with very nice rooms & a wonderful on-site restaurant. It was pulled over as part of the Destination portfolio. The rates are usually very good so may not even want to use a FNC. We used Prive because we already knew we loved the restaurant and would use the $100 credit from booking in that manner. They are also good about addtl nominal fee offered for upgrades (I wasn’t yet Globalist when we were there).  We spent a coupla hours enjoying the photos/captions all over the property. Andy Griffith first performed at the hotel as a student & frequented the property often until his death.  Couple of hrs drive from Charlotte & well worth a visit as just so pretty!”

Oregon

Hyatt House Portland/Downtown (Category 3)

Hyatt House Portland/Downtown (Category 3)

Reader PeterSFO says: “The Hyatt House in Portland is great. It’s near the Willamette river so you can walk along it and it’s also close to Portland downtown. I think there a couple hotels that are in some of the rougher parts of Portland so you have to watch out for that. The only downside is that paid rates are usually low in Portland so not sure if you’ll get good value.There’s a brand new Hyatt Centric closer to downtown too.”

Pennsylvania

The Bellevue Hotel, Philadelphia (Category 4)

The Bellevue Hotel, Philadelphia (Category 4)

Dee says: “The Bellevue in Philadelphia is an Unbound Collection. I just took a class on antique skyscrapers and the Bellevue was featured. I’ve stayed a few times. Great location right in the middle of downtown, excellent service, beautiful restaurant and bar on the top floor. Some rooms are gorgeous, some are just nice. It is an old building and rooms are not necessarily uniform.  I used a suite upgrade cert a few years ago. The suite was ENORMOUS, which was great. We were there for a family event and had tons of room for family to hang out in the living room.”

Biggie F says: “Yeah, the top (19th floor) setting for the b’fast is really a delight. (This is in addition to the bar and restaurant, which have their own retro-glamour feels.) I find the b’fasts good, and in combination with the setting, I was even willing to pay on one occasion when I had lost my Globalicity.  I have used more than a couple of free award nights here, and hope to do it again.”

Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia (Category 4)

Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia (Category 4)

Stephen described this as a good hotel, but he never got around to writing a review.  If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Texas

Hyatt Regency Austin (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Austin (Category 4)

shelly_phl wrote: “Hyatt Regency Austin: received a Congress Ave Bridge View upgrade as an Explorist, it had a huge window with a chaise for viewing the famous bats, was perfect to sit there with a to-go cocktail from the bar (this was during covid), rest of the room was standard/non-memorable; I recall the gym being nice; no free breakfast at that time so can’t comment on that; access to the Lady Bird Lake path from the back of the hotel”

Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk (Category 3)

Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk (Category 3)

Pam says: “I very much like the Cat 3 Grand Hyatt on the riverwalk. It is new, shiny, & in a great location by the riverwalk mall. It will be upgraded to a 4 or 5 easily with time. It is really more a convention hotel so is quiet without one in town! Within an easy walk to the Tower of Americas, you can eat up there, too, & not have to pay for the observation deck. I booked a premium suite with points (based on your prev write-up of how to do this!) then used Cat 1-4 certs for a free adjoining room for another family mbr. The entire space was fantastic. Don’t forget a riverwalk boat tour if you head that direction – the tours are now managed by one company so the experience is much better.”

Stephen writes “It’s a pretty nice hotel and we had an even nicer stay thanks to the status I have with Hyatt.”  See Stephen’s review here: Executive Suite, Grand Hyatt San Antonio, TX.

Hyatt Residence Club San Antonio, Wild Oak Ranch (Category 4)

Hyatt Residence Club San Antonio, Wild Oak Ranch (Category 4)

Carson B says: “Hyatt Residence Club San Antonio, Wild Oak Ranch is a great Cat 4, especially for families! You also get access to the next door Hyatt Hill Country (cat 5). You do have to drive between the properties. The Wild Oak Ranch is more apartment style rooms with a kitchenette in base studio rooms. It is quieter, rooms are more dated, and the property does have fewer amenities than it’s sister property, but it does have it’s own lazy river and plenty to do at Wild Oak Ranch itself. I would book Wild Oak ranch vs Hill Country Hyatt if I needed to use a 1-4 certificate or wanted the extra space and kitchenette for the whole family.”

Utah

Hyatt Place Park City (Category 4)

Hyatt Place Park City (Category 4)

Miles Ahead writes: “For Utah in ski season, the Hyatt place Park City is a great value. It has a ski rental shop inside, a great big hot tub and free city bus trasport right outside the hotel to lift. Otherwise it’s a good, but standard Hyatt Place with some nice mountain view rooms. Tip, I’ve combined a cat4 cert w cat 7 cert and stayed at PC Centric., which is right on the ski lift. Centric shuttle picked me up in the frm the HP and held my stuff so I could jump right on the lift from the Centic.”

Washington

Hyatt Regency Seattle (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Seattle Bottom Line Review

Our own Stephen Pepper reviewed this hotel in 2021.  He wrote:

We really enjoyed our stay and it’s definitely somewhere I’d be interested in staying again when we visit Seattle properly on our road trip in the future…  It’s in a great location downtown, has excellent staff and can be good value for category 1-4 free night certificates.

Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle's Eastside (Category 4)

My wife and I stayed here in February 2023, and yes we used a Hyatt category 4 cert.  The location was great (unless you want to visit downtown Seattle) and the hotel was nice.  There wasn’t anything really amazing about the hotel, but we had a good stay and it offered an excellent Globalist free breakfast benefit in one of the hotel’s restaurants.  They told us that we would get free breakfast for four, but we actually paid for six people and they erased the entire bill.  The breakfast food was terrific.

Washington D.C.

Thompson Washington D.C. (Category 4)

Thompson Washington D.C.

shelly_phl wrote:

Thompson DC: really enjoyed this stay in Dec 2022 — received a suite upgrade as a Globalist, suite was very nice with high end furniture, marble accents, two walls of windows with amazing views; great gym — I specifically recall the TRX equipment and kettle bells which made for a great workout for me; Globalist breakfast in the hotel restaurant was very nice (a la carte ordering); location is great IMO, The Yards area with tons of bars and restaurants, City Winery, Nationals Park; vibe is a little hip/clubby, music in the lobby is very loud and they’re very enthusiastic about their rooftop bar/club, but the floors were quiet and I had no trouble sleeping (my stay was for work); loved the scent of the D.S. Durga bathroom amenities (large, mounted dispensers), but the scent may be strong for some

Eric P was less enthusiastic:

Thompson Washington DC – Stayed one night in the fall of 2022; no Globalist suite upgrade due to it being very full due to nearby conferences. Given courtyard facing room that was very dark and small. Murphy desk was a disappointment. Breakfast from the restaurant was OK; they were short-staffed so were disorganized and took a while. Location in Navy Yard is what it is; not proximate to main tourist sights, but close to the baseball stadium.  Dropping a category feels appropriate given my experience.

Zac adds:

Thompson DC: Rooftop bar gives you a great view of the DC area, Hotel appears new and well designed. Not quite as nice as the PH DC but also much more affordable. Location is a bit out of the way from all the DC museums.

Best deal is the suite upgrade. Instead of Junior Suite, it books into the Thompson suite that usually sells for twice the price as the Junior Suite

Grand Hyatt Washington (Category 4)

Grand Hyatt Washington (Category 4)

This is one of several category 4 hotels in the United States that I added to this guide because it earned decent Google reviews.

Reader Tim Grable writes:

We have stayed at the Grand Hyatt Washington DC several times.

Pros:

Great location.
No Hidden fees for Award nights. A number of their competitors now have their destination fee that they add on.
The room that you get with a sweet upgrade is huge.
Staff is very nice.

Cons

Hotel is a tad dated.
Club lounge is on the small side and can get crowded.

Overall one of the best options in DC.  Especially if you want a suite and lounge access. We just booked a 7 night’s stay for this summer.

Best uses for Hyatt category 4 Certs outside U.S.

Africa

Amani Boutique Hotel Zanzibar (Category 4)

Grand Hyatt Washington (Category 4)

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

The Plettenberg, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa (Category 3)

Grand Hyatt Washington (Category 4)

This SLH property is one of many hotels added to this post in 2022 because it had dropped to category 4 and now it has dropped further to category 3. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Americas (not including the U.S.)

Park Hyatt Mendoza, Argentina (Category 3)

Park Hyatt Mendoza, Argentina (Category 3)

Jeanette writes: “The PH Mendoza is a beautiful hotel. It has been years since I stayed but the service was excellent. I had status but not too tier status and was in a massive room. Given Argentina’s economic troubles and Visa/MasterCard offering the blue exchange rate, this can’t be a good use of certs.”

Hyatt Regency Calgary, Canada (Category 3)

Hyatt Regency Calgary, Canada (Category 3)

Olivia writes: “check out the HR Calgary – gets better ratings, remains a category 3 and the cash prices are outrageous (e.g., $2412 for 4 nites in July).”

Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Canada (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Canada

Raylan writes: “I think that the Regency Vancouver is a worthwhile addition to this list. Category 3, soon to be 4 right in the middle of downtown. It isn’t anything super unique but with Vancouver hotel rates being what they are in peak seasons, it represents a heck of a deal if one were to use the Chase card free night.”

Spirit Ridge, Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada (Category 4)

Spirit Ridge, Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada (Category 4)

Prateek wrote: “I can talk about Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos, BC. We have visited twice on free nights and it’s a beautiful resort in BC wine country. There is a lake close to it and the pools and jacuzzis are beautiful. There is also a winery on the resort called NK’MIP and walking the vineyard is a beautiful experience with a view of the lake. The area generally is very nice and full of fruit orchards, and it gets really warm in the summer for Canada (closest place to a desert in Canada, the Okanagan). The nearby cities of Oliver, Penticton and kelowna are worth a visit as well.”

Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias, Colombia (Category 3)

Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Alta Las Palomas, Costa Rica (Category 4)

Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Casa Colonial Beach & Spa, Dominican Republic (Category 4)

Casa Colonial Beach & Spa, Dominican Republic

This SLH hotel has awesome reviews. If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

The Lodge & Spa at Pico Bonito, Honduras (Category 3)

The Lodge & Spa at Pico Bonito, Honduras

This SLH property is one of the hotels added to this post in 2022 because it had dropped to category 4, and it has now dropped further to category 3. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Villa Maria Cristina, Guanajuato, Mexico (Category 4)

The Lodge & Spa at Pico Bonito, Honduras

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Asia

Park Hyatt Suzhou, China (Category 4)

Park Hyatt Suzhou, China (Category 4)

This is one of several hotels added to this post in 2022 because it increased from category 3 to 4.  If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

The Sukhothai Shanghai, China (Category 4)

The Sukhothai Shanghai, China (Category 4)

If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui (Category 4)

Isaac Pollak wrote: “stayed at least 30 times at Hyatt Regency Tsim in Hong Kong- great club room-always upgraded to suite, great location close walk to ferry or to train , excellent Chinese restaurant in Hotel- wonderful use for #4 cert.”

Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort, India (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort, India (Category 4)

If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali, Indonesia (Category 4)

Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali, Indonesia

This place looks amazing.  The SLH resort is all-inclusive with both food and spa treatments!  If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Hyatt Regency Yokohama, Japan (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Yokohama, Japan (Category 4)

Reader Matt says:

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Yokohama in December 2022. We really enjoyed our stay. Prices were crazy in Tokyo, so this one was way more affordable. We upgraded to a suite with points, which was great for 2 adults and a child. We loved the suite! The hotel is pretty new and everything was beautiful. We got club access with our suite. The club was small, but at least gave us something for breakfast.

If you plan on spending all your time in Tokyo, it might not be so convenient, as it is about an hour from Shibuya Station, but for a day or two, or if you are spending time in Yokohama or going down to Kamakura, it would be great.

Hyatt Regency Tokyo, Japan (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Tokyo Club lounge appetizer
Hyatt Regency Tokyo Club lounge appetizer

Regarding his stay at this hotel, Nick previously wrote: “I was given an upgrade to a nice spacious room (larger than the standard rooms at the Grand Hyatt) and the club lounge had decent breakfast and evening appetizers. Each night there were two hot options — each person could order one of the two options and that plate would arrive with 4 small bites. I didn’t like the choices every night, but there was decent variety.”

Anita wrote:

A few comments from last year’s stay at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo Shinjuku. This was my 3rd stay there, because it’s such a great deal. The airport bus stops right in front. This last time I was Globalist. I received a 4-category upgrade, which turned out to be a high floor. This hotel has only one kind of suite, which I’ve never seen available to book. I think there are very few suites, so don’t expect that upgrade. All the other rooms are pretty equivalent. The lounge was just like Nick described. I did like just about all the appetizers at the lounge. I was disappointed with the limited choices at the lounge breakfast. There is a 7-11 in the basement, which also goes to the closest metro station, which is a small one. The main downside of the hotel now, is that they eliminated the shuttle that would take you to Shinjuku station. It’s about a 10 min walk, which isn’t bad a few times, but got old this last trip. If I stay again, I will be using the taxi to go to the station, since the rest of the day there is so much walking in Tokyo. The other downside is that this section of Shinjuku is more office and government buildings, so there are long walks to any nearby restaurant. The shopping is near and behind Shinjuku station.

I was not globalist on my previous visits, but looking at pre-2020 reviews, the cocktail hour food looks similar. Last November they had prosciutto, parmesan, smoked salmon, crackers, snack mix, plus the served appetizers, which were very good. But not enough for dinner for me. In the past Globalists could have breakfast in the restaurant, and the lounge breakfast had a bigger selection. There is also a small afternoon tea service. The shuttle was a COVID casualty. On this last trip I also stayed at the Hilton Nagoya (Diamond), Grand Hyatt Fukuoka, and the Hyatt Regency Osaka, and the buffet breakfasts were unbelievable at these 3 hotels. That is why the HR Tokyo doesn’t compare well in these areas. But the price is the best for a Hyatt in Tokyo.

Grand Hyatt Macau (Category 4)

Grand Hyatt Macau (Category 4)

Vivian wrote:

I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Macau a few times before the pandemic and would really recommend the property. They have two towers with different room configurations. When I stayed, they served delicious food at their lobby lounge for the Elites. Their gym and spa were amazing. Am going back in May.

This property is close to other major hotels and is connected to a Mall and a few other hotels. The location is on Cotai (a manmade strip of land that sorta feels like the Las Vegas strip of Asia) but can walk to Taipa Village in about 10 min. There is also a shuttle to the airport and ferry terminals.

Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia  (Category 4)

Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Terelj Hotel, Mongolia (Category 4)

Terelj Hotel, Mongolia

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

The Fortress Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka (Category 4)

The Fortress Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Aleenta Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand (Category 3)

Aleenta Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand

This is an SLH property.

Isaac Pollak wrote: “Stayed at Aleenta in Hua Hin Thailand -easy 2 hour shuttle ride from Hyatt in Bangkok, great sprawling property, beautiful pool, wonderful spa.”

Akyra Manor Chiang Mai, Thailand (Category 3)

Akyra Manor Chiang Mai, Thailand

This SLH property is one of several hotels added to this post in 2022 because it had dropped to category 4.  It has now further dropped to category 3.  If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Cape Kudu Hotel, Thailand (Category 4)

Cape Kudu Hotel, Thailand

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Australia

Hyatt Regency Sydney (Category 4)

Hyatt Regency Sydney (Category 4)

Isaac Pollak wrote: “stayed a month before lockdown in January 2020-one of the best club rooms with excellent selection, rooms are very spacious.”

Europe

Altstadt Vienna, Austria (Category 4)

Altstadt Vienna, Austria (Category 4)

This SLH property is one of many hotels added to this post in 2022 because dropped to category 4. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere, Austria (Category 3)

Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere, Austria (Category 3)

James wrote: “Category 3! It’s right next to the main train station (super convenient if coming/going early or late). It’s not centrally located like the superb Park Hyatt, but it’s fairly close to urban transportation and it’s a very easy city to get around. It’s very new, rooms are great, fabulous breakfast and great globalist recognition (room had a welcome tray of fruit and drinks). It’s also a fantastic use of a [Suite Upgrade] if you want a little extra space.”

Hotel Das Tyrol, Austria (Category 4)

Hotel Das Tyrol, Austria

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, France (Category 4)

Regency Club at the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile
Regency Club at the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile

James wrote: “A category 4 in Paris literally on top of a metro line. They recently completed a renovation and [rooms] are very nice (but Europe small). They have a perfectly fine lounge for globalists. It’s still within a fairly short (downhill) walking distance to Arc de Triomphe and the rest of downtown. I’m very surprised that it’s stayed at a Cat 4. And some rooms have a great Eiffel Tower view.”

Château Le Cagnard, France (Category 4)

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Hyatt Regency Cologne, Germany (Category 4)

Regency Club at the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile

If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

The Wellem, Dusseldorf, Germany (Category 4)

The Wellem, Dusseldorf, Germany (Category 4)

Quentin Sylwester writes: “I stayed at the wellem in germany on a recent trip summer 2021. I also stayed at hyatt properties in munich, cologne, mainz and heidelberg. The wellem was overall probably the best taking everything into consideration. Rooms, location, and service.”

Schlosshotel Kronberg, Germany (Category 3)

Schlosshotel Kronberg, Germany

Want to use your free night certificate to stay in a castle?  Our own Nick Reyes has stayed at this SLH hotel and he was impressed.  He wrote:

This hotel was nice. I would definitely stay here again if my travels took me to Frankfurt. In fact, I’d even purposefully build in an overnight stopover just to go back. The place was just cool. I’d always wanted to spend a night in a castle; I never thought that Hyatt points would get me there. Furthermore, I was really impressed with the experience, from check-in to breakfast.

See Nick’s full post here: Stay in a castle with Hyatt points (SLH is a nice win after all)

Rodos Park Suites & Spa, Greece (Category 4)

Schlosshotel Kronberg, Germany

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Brooks Hotel, Dublin, Ireland (Category 4)

Brooks Hotel, Dublin, Ireland (Category 4)

This SLH property is one of many hotels added to this post in 2022 because it had dropped to category 4. If you have any experience with this hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, Ireland (Category 3)

Hotel Review Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin

Stephen writes: “This Hyatt Centric is a great hotel in a great part of a great city.”

See Stephen’s full review here: Bottom Line Review — Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, Ireland.

Grand Hotel Parker’s, Naples, Italy (Category 4)

Grand Hotel Parker’s, Naples, Italy (Category 4)

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Esperanza Resort & Spa, Lithuania (Category 4)

Esperanza Resort & Spa, Lithuania

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Opus XVI, Bergen, Norway (Category 4)

Opus XVI, Bergen, Norway (Category 4)

Kristin writes: “Opus XVI in Bergen, Norway is a great use of a Cat 1-4 FNC. Prime location right near all the main sites and restaurants, but just around a corner so not a lot of street noise. It’s a 5-10 min walk from airport train. Very nice hotel, lots of character and charm, very nice staff.”

Palácio Estoril Hotel, Golf & Wellness, Portugal (Category 4)

Palácio Estoril Hotel, Golf & Wellness, Portugal

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Quinta da Casa Branca, Portugal (Category 4)

Quinta da Casa Branca, Portugal

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel, Spain (Category 4)

Quinta da Casa Branca, Portugal

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Eastwest Hotel, Switzerland (Category 4)

Eastwest Hotel, Switzerland

Eric P wrote: “Eastwest Hotel – 2 night stay in May 2022. Excellent location within walking distance to almost everything (sights, shopping, old town, train station etc.) in Geneva. Rooms and breakfast were decent but nothing special. Good use of Cat 1-4 FNC.”

D-Resort Göcek, Türkiye (Category 4)

D-Resort Göcek, Türkiye

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Ashdown Park Hotel, United Kingdom (Category 4)

Ashdown Park Hotel, United Kingdom

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Grove of Narberth, United Kingdom (Category 4)

Grove of Narberth, United Kingdom

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, Sussex, UK (Category 4)

The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, Sussex, UK (Category 4)

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a category 1-4 cert, please comment below.

Homewood, United Kingdom (Category 4)

Homewood, United Kingdom

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Stock Exchange Hotel, United Kingdom (Category 4)

Stock Exchange Hotel, United Kingdom

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Stoke Park, United Kingdom (Category 4)

Stock Exchange Hotel, United Kingdom

Stoke Park is temporarily closed, but is expected to reopen June 17, 2023.

If you have any experience with this SLH hotel and whether it would be a good use for a Hyatt category 4 cert, please comment below.

Expired Opportunities

Hotels no longer bookable with category 1-4 certificates

The following hotels used to be listed above but have since increased to category 5 or higher.

Lahaina Shores Beach Resort, Maui, Hawaii (Category 5)

Lahaina Shores Beach Resort, Maui, Hawaii

This is a Destination brand resort with full kitchens in every room.  My understanding is that this resort doesn’t provide any elite benefits like breakfast, late checkout, etc., but come on, it’s in Maui and on the beach!  The full kitchen is a big perk in itself.  This looks like an incredible use of free night certificates.

jak says: “I’ve stayed at Lahaina Shores Beach Resort and found it to be perfect for what we needed: clean, easy access, free parking and down the street from Lahaina Town. The room was fairly large because of the kitchen. It has a decent-sized pool and hot tub, and it’s right on the beach. I don’t need a big resort so this fit the bill.”

Chicago Athletic Association (Category 5)

Ambassador Chicago (Category 4)

This Unbound Collection hotel gets great reviews from our readers:

  • ActualMichael wrote: CAA is probably my favorite hotel that I have ever stayed at. The history, the quality of the drinks and food, the vibe, and the location right across from Millennium Park are all unbeatable. Not the biggest rooms, but everything else is top notch.
  • Sco wrote: I visited a friend who was staying at the CAA a few years ago when I happened to be in Chicago for the day, and I had no idea it was part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection! Such a fun place with a great location. Will probably be using a lot of my future Cat 1-4 certs there now.

The Eliza Jane, New Orleans (Category 5)

The Eliza Jane, New Orleans

Pam says:

I want to go into a little more detail about the Eliza Jane in New Orleans since not yet on the “list” & certainly deserves to be. It is a Cat 4, & I found it to be a better-than-expected FNC redemption (I expected it to be too fussy).

Located in the warehouse area so not ideal for some but for those wanting a little less noise & drunks is on the “right” side of Canal. Mothers (an institution) is just around the corner for casual dining & August for fine dining. The hotel restaurant Couvant/oyster bar are excellent for dinner. I wasn’t yet Globalist so cannot attest to their breakfast.

Like an Autograph, Tribute, Curio, or 21c, there are visual reminders everywhere (incl the rooms) of its previous occupants which incl a newspaper & bitters company.

The Eliza Jane is a thoughtful blend of elegance, combined with just the right mix of fancy and funky.” Like other converted warehouses, the rooms & pubic spaces can be on the dark side by day but are also so lovely lit up warmly at night. I managed a Suite upgrade even as an Explorist.

It’s not an over-the-top Hotel Zaza or an antiseptic 21c Museum Hotel, it strikes the right balance.

Not much need to mention activities in NOLA, but we did esp like the Murder Carriage night tour bookable with URs. More historic than scary. And a Garden District walking tour for architectural/landscaping eye candy & interesting celeb stories.

Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico (Category 5)

Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico

This looks like an amazing winter getaway!  Readers seem to like it too:

  • Ross says: “The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico is a category 4 and a gorgeous property.”
  • Dan says: “Completely agree [with Ross]. Stayed here for 4 nights and loved it. Great beaches and pool, beautiful property. A little isolated but if you have a car some very good food options within a 1/2 hour of driving. Plus very close to El Yunque rainforest, a must do PR activity.”

Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Resort, China (Category 5)

Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Resort, China

Hyatt Place Moab (Category 5)

Hyatt Residence Club San Antonio, Wild Oak Ranch (Category 4)

Readers like this place:

  • Andrew says (Via Frequent Miler Insiders on Facebook): Check out the Hyatt Place in Moab, UT. It’s not luxurious like some of the others you listed, but it’s brand new and quite expensive considering it’s category. What you’re getting is a prime location to explore two national parks (Arches and Canyonlands) plus all the outdoor adventure you’d ever want only minutes away. Again, it’s the area you’re buying into, not the hotel. We stayed there recently during Spring Break and had an awesome time at both parks and on a float down the Colorado.
  • zzz says: Not exactly a luxury resort, but the hyatt place in Moab, UT is a cat 2 with cash rates frequently at $350+/night. I had a nice stay there about a month ago.
  • goob6008 says: “I can’t say enough good things about the Hyatt Place Moab… It was our first trip after being vaccinated. It’s the nicest HP I have ever seen. It’s clean and very modern. The staff were so nice and really seemed like they wanted to be there. It’s got a great pool, huge hot tub and a playground. Even the way breakfast was handled was refreshing. It’s was grab and go, but they kept offering more. They wanted to make sure you were fed haha.”
  • Robert says: “I agree about Moab. This is one of the better hotels in town anyway, but throw in Arches and Hell’s Revenge 10 min away and you can’t beat it.  But please stay away from Moab, it’s too crowded now.”

Park Hyatt Saigon, Vietnam (Category 5)

Park Hyatt Saigon, Vietnam

Nick says: “I stayed there years ago. The Park Hyatt Saigon feels like old school luxury. Staff were excellent and breakfast was very good. Far cheaper options abound in Vietnam, but unlike Greg’s recent description of the Park Hyatt Auckland, you will definitely walk away from this one feeling like you stayed at a Park Hyatt.”

Hyatt Regency Amsterdam, Netherlands (Category 5)

Hyatt Regency Amsterdam, Netherlands

This one had just dropped to category 4 in 2022 and now it’s back up to category 5.

Reader Kristin writes: “HR Amsterdam: nice property, great breakfast, good use of a Cat 1-4 FNC. Club wasn’t open when I was there but has re-opened. It is a bit of a walk from a subway stop and the main touristy areas, which you may consider a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you feel about hoards of tourists.”

Hyatt House Naples (Category 5)

Hyatt House Naples

Miles Ahead says: “In Florida, I also was really pleasantly surprised by Hyatt House Naples. Rooms with balconies overlook an estuary, very peaceful and surprisingly serine given that you’re just off the Highway and walking distance to downtown Naples with great shops and restaurants. Also Hyatt House offers a made to order omelet station at breakfast, which was nice (at least pre-Covid it did).”

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course (Category 5)

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course (Category 5)

Reader Grant says: “Great central location to all things in Monterey.”

  • But Peter says: “I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey in 2020. It felt like quite a stretch to call it cat 4 given its condition. Can’t believe it’s now moving up rather than down…”

And another reader via personal communication said: “So convenient & easy but LOL what a DUMP!! Had a FNA expiring so used it here. Deferred maintenance everywhere – felt like someone’s fire-hazard apt you’d visit in the 70’s… steer clear.

  • But Grant says: “The Hyatt Regency Monterey has been under construction for the last few years. I like the remodeled rooms. I have an upcoming stay in a few weeks and can provide an update after the stay. Sad to see this hotel move up in category.”

The Confidante Miami Beach (Category 5)

The Confidante Miami Beach (Category 5)

This one looks like it would be a great winter escape. Most readers agree:

  • Lynn says: “Been to the Confidante. Rooms are quirky art deco but the restaurant and pool area was very nice. Would stay again.”
  • Zed says (Via Frequent Miler Insiders on Facebook): “Can’t go wrong with El Confidante, great location right on Miami Beach but more mid beach than South Beach so also a bit quieter.  Not sure about globalist benefits but there is very cheap public parking nearby if you have a car. Good default option to have in mind if you can’t think of anything else.
  • Miles Ahead says: “Can vouch for The Confidante, totally agree (and love) the location and about rooms.. Globalist breakfast is great and decent results with room upgrade requests.”
  • Ann L Forstenzer says: “We’ve also stayed at the Confidante in Miami. No drawers or places to unpack your clothing. We lived out of our suitcases, literally. The pool(s), while they look nice in photos, are shady most of the day. It is on the beach, which is a plus. And I second the cheap parking nearby.”
  • Lynn replied: “I agree on the shade by the pool, but for us that was a plus to get out of the sun after a few hours on the beach!”
  • Dan C says: “We stayed at The Confidante in March and they do provide free parking for globalists. The parking is valet. I agree on the comment about the rooms. They are ok. Bathroom is big. Beach location is very nice unless you are looking for the craziness of South Beach.”
  • Lisa says: “Great stay at Confidante last year. Globalist breakfast was sensational and included one item from every category on the menu. Word of caution is beware of medical waste including syringes on the beach that wash up in surf.”

Hyatt Place Portland – Old Port (Category 5)

Hyatt Place Portland – Old Port (Category 5)

Via Frequent Miler Insiders Group on Facebook, a couple of people suggested this one.

  • Matthew says: “The HP Portland ME looks like a good value proposition for the Hyatt certs.”
  • Jennifer says that the hotel itself isn’t anything special but it is clean with decent sized rooms and in an ideal location.

And readers of this post added…

  • Paul says: “I feel like the Hyatt Place Portland Maine is just so so average. It’s just literally near by the port and thats it. Personally I feel like you can get much better value of your Hyatt certificate at any other hotels on this list.”
  • Dan C says: “Regarding the Hyatt Place Portland, Maine, the location is great for Portland. It’s right downtown near many very good restaurants and Portland activities. You will want a car as you will need to drive a little for a decent beach. It’s a Hyatt Place so it’s not the most glamorous use of a free night cert, but for people in New England it is a decent option for a nice weekend.”
  • Lanny says: “Stayed at the HP Portland (Maine) – Old Port for 3 or 4 nights in 2019. Had a GREAT time. Staff was helpful. Room was clean. We pre-arranged a cash co-pay on top of points to get into their biggest, best room and it had a huge balcony and great views. Would LOVE to return. Parking is a bit tough since its valet only.”

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort (Category 5)

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina.  Hyatt Category 4.

Reader Lynn says: “Been to the Hyatt Chesapeake Resort many times. Its very nice. Great spa. Nearby you can go sailing, on a fishing charter, or visit St. Michaels, which is a cute little town. Annapolis is also on the way if you are driving from either DCA or BWI. You could also combine with a day or two in Washington, DC if you fly in/out of DCA.”

Also see our guest review of this property here: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina. Bottom Line Guest Review.

Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel (Category 5)

Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel (Category 5)

  • Dina Lapoint says: “Gild Hall in NYC is a great quirky hotel, decent location. I enjoyed my visits there.”
  • Ann L Forstenzer says: “We’ve stayed at Guild Hall in NYC. Good value, but all the way downtown. So if your aim is to be midtown or uptown, it’s a bit of a hike on the subway or taxi. The rooms are somewhat claustrophobic in size. There’s a cute bar/restaurant in the lobby.” We’ve also stayed at the Confidante in Miami. No drawers or places to unpack your clothing. We lived out of our suitcases, literally. The pool(s), while they look nice in photos, are shady most of the day. It is on the beach, which is a plus. And I second the cheap parking nearby.”
  • NK3 says: “Agree on Gild Hall. I thought it was just ok. It is great that a free night cert obtained from a card with an AF less than $100 gets you a night in Manhattan. Marriott has a few category 5 hotels in lower Manhattan but they always seem to be on peak pricing when I want to go. But the rooms at Gild Hall are a bit too small and quirky for me. Its far from most things people want to do in NYC, though the subway entrance is quite close. It is a toss up if I would go back there.”
  • Dee says: “I agree about Gild Hall. Rooms are small and it is way downtown. I’m happy use my free night certs there though. I don’t hang out in my room when in NYC.”
  • goob6008 says: “Stayed at Gild Hall just a few weeks ago. If you are globalist, this is a great choice. We had a rental car as we were traveling outside the city and free parking benefit is a big deal in nyc. We were upgraded to a HUGE suite as well! The hotel is quirky and cool. It made for a memorable stay.”

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa (Category 5)

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa (Category 5)

  • Reader Brant says: “A somewhat older property, but very relaxed with large, comfortable suites and many onsite amenities and amusements across a large acreage. Shuttles to Sea World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. An Uber or rental car will have you in downtown San Antonio in a few short minutes for daylong, nightlong adventures to the Riverwalk, Alamo, Tower of the Americas, Hemisphere Plaza, La Villita, The Pearl entertainment district, San Antonio Art Museum and so much more.”
  • DiscoPapa says: “Hill Country is our go-to. We love it there! Between my wife and I, getting 4 nights this summer on free night certs. A great property with a lazy river!”
  • Pam says: “I have stayed at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort. “When the resort opened in 1993, it was the first new hotel built in Texas in five years and established the “destination resort” market in San Antonio. A FlowRider® wave machine and a tower slide were added to the resort’s onsite water park, expanding it to 5 acres. The heated wave machine can be enjoyed year-round and provides resort guests the options of body boarding, knee boarding or stand-up boarding – the only location in Texas with a stand-up boarding option. This property is comfortable like an old shoe. It is also crawling with excited children because of the water features. This includes the public areas as well as restaurants so a bit romper-roomish if you’re not in that vibe. I wouldn’t make this property a destination unto itself without small children in tow and/or a desire to spend time on their lazy river.”

Reader Suggestions?

Have you stayed in any Hyatt category 1-4 hotels which you’d recommend?  Are there ones you advise that we avoid?  This post depends on readers to contribute their thoughts and experiences.  Please comment below!

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Brian

Just stayed at Hotel La Compañia in Panama City Panama. New hotel in the heart of the tourist district. Was upgraded to a Junior Suite as an Explorist. Beautiful building with a lot of history in the hotel and all around the area.

Brendan

In terms of properties for category 1-4 in California, there appear to be a bunch of category 3s moving to category 4s. It doesn’t look to be worth going out of your way for, but might be worth a try. 

Brendan

I would suggest taking Hyatt Regency Sonoma wine country off the list. We used to enjoy staying there, but there’s no a small homeless camp behind the property and pool. The property backs up to a bike path along a river gorge. There’s lovely bridge leading across the river to a playground. My daughter used to love to run out of the property across the bridge to the playground. Unfortunately, when we went this past summer there is now a small homeless camp on the bike path. There are now board walls up at the back of the grounds so you can’t see the homeless camp.  

Lynn

Currently staying at the Tommie in Hollywood. My husband and I each had 2 certificates that we were trying to use and had to go to LA anyway. The rooms are very small, but the hotel is modern, new, has funky decor, and a rooftop pool and bar. Also, as a Globalist, you get free breakfast at the Thompson which is next door!

Riya

Your recommendation are really great would surely check them while visit abroad thanks for sharing.

[…] I need to do this, you probably should too: Best Hyatt Category 1-4 Hotels & Resorts (book before 3/28). […]

Melissa

Savannah Andez has fantastic staff. Super friendly and the room was nice. We were updated to a small suite that served our purposes. It is located in a busier bar section of town where I would not be comfortable walking after dark. I prefer the historic district to stay such as Perry Lane with Marriott but it is a nice use for 1-4 certificate or on points. I would do a quick one night stay here again. There is a very nice parking garage that is very cheap that is super close to the Andez.

Tmount

I love the detailed post! A few comments:

Andaz Savannah – lovely hotel, great location, on award stays for Globalists, valet parking is included and was speedy.

Andaz Vienna am Belvedere – great hotel for hoping on the train, we used this as our base to go to Brno, Prague and Bratislava. Many other options from the Vienna HBF train station only 5 minutes walk away. Fantastic breakfast and they do wine hour each evening.

Zac

Thompson DC: Rooftop bar gives you a great view of the DC area, Hotel appears new and well designed. Not quite as nice as the PH DC but also much more affordable. Location is a bit out of the way from all the DC museums.

Best deal is the suite upgrade. Instead of Junior Suite, it books into the Thompson suite that usually sells for twice the price as the Junior Suite

Josh

Stayed at the Andaz Savannah three times in the last year. Amazing hotel. Incredible location right in the center of Savannah. Highly recommend. My go-to use of Category 1-4 certificates since the cash rates are usually high.

Vivian
I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Macau a few times before the pandemic and would really recommend the property.  They have two towers with different room configurations.  When I stayed, they served delicious food at their lobby lounge for the Elites.  Their gym and spa were amazing.  Am going back in May. 

This property is close to other major hotels and is connected to a Mall and a few other hotels.  The location is on Cotai (a manmade stripe of land that sorta feels like the Las Vegas strip of Asia) but can walk to Taipa Village in about 10 min.  There is also a shuttle to the airport and ferry terminals.   
Eric P

Eastwest Hotel – 2 night stay in May 2022. Excellent location within walking distance to almost everything (sights, shopping, old town, train station etc.) in Geneva. Rooms and breakfast were decent but nothing special. Good use of Cat 1-4 FNC.

Eric P

Thompson Washington DC – Stayed one night in the fall of 2022; no Globalist suite upgrade due to it being very full due to nearby conferences. Given courtyard facing room that was very dark and small. Murphy desk was a disappointment. Breakfast from the restaurant was OK; they were shortstaffed so were disorganized and took a while. Location in Navy Yard is what it is; not proximate to main tourist sights, but close to the baseball stadium.

Dropping a category feels appropriate given my experience.

Last edited 3 months ago by Eric P
Christopher G.

I’d suggest removing The Pand Hotel in Bruges, Belgium from your list. I have a prepaid cash reservation for the end of May 2023, and received an email on March 1 from Hyatt letting me know The Pand is leaving SLH and World of Hyatt on April 6. I’m really bummed. The email text is below:
———–

March 1, 2023

Greetings from Hyatt! 

At this time, we would like to inform you that effective April 6, 2023, The Pand Hotel will no longer participate in SLH’s relationship with World of Hyatt. We have worked with SLH and with the hotel to ensure your reservation will be honored as originally booked. If you do need to cancel or change your reservation, that will have to be done by contacting the hotel directly at [number] and will be subject to the hotel’s cancellation policy. 

Eric P

The Pand is leaving SLH/WoH partnership in April 2023; should probably remove it.

Michelle

THE WELK in San Diego County is a great base for San Diego Wine country, San Diego, Wild Animal Park, Legoland, etc. Stayed in a very nice 1 bedroom unit with full kitchen. Fun amenities like water slide pools, golf, pickleball, and daily events in their market place. Will go again!

Olivia

Out of 16 upcoming reservations, 5 have gone up in category. None have decreased. So, about 1/3 are now more expensive in terms of points. Glad that I am already booked. For free nite certificates consider…Hyatt Place Anchorage, Andaz Savannah, Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruiseport. HP Anchorage is moving up from category 3 to 4. Even at category 3, it is a great use of points or free nite certificate (e.g., in July and August, the cheapest (member) rate is $541 per nite). Andaz Savannah (remains a category 4). Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruiseport remains a category 3, and the cheapest (senior) rate is $339 in December. Hard to believe that the Hyatt House Lewes/Rehoboth Beach will be the same category as the Andaz Savannah – nice, but, not in the same ballpark. If you are considering HR Vancouver, check out the HR Calgary – gets better ratings, remains a category 3 and the cash prices are outrageous (e.g., $2412 for 4 nites in July).

Anita

A few comments from last year’s stay at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo Shinjuku. This was my 3rd stay there, because it’s such a great deal. The airport bus stops right in front. This last time I was Globalist. I received a 4-category upgrade, which turned out to be a high floor. This hotel has only one kind of suite, which I’ve never seen available to book. I think there are very few suites, so don’t expect that upgrade. All the other rooms are pretty equivalent. The lounge was just like Nick described. I did like just about all the appetizers at the lounge. I was disappointed with the limited choices at the lounge breakfast. There is a 7-11 in the basement, which also goes to the closest metro station, which is a small one. The main downside of the hotel now, is that they eliminated the shuttle that would take you to Shinjuku station. It’s about a 10 min walk, which isn’t bad a few times, but got old this last trip. If I stay again, I will be using the taxi to go to the station, since the rest of the day there is so much walking in Tokyo. The other downside is that this section of Shinjuku is more office and government buildings, so there are long walks to any nearby restaurant. The shopping is near and behind Shinjuku station.

matthewsf

Anita-I’m a Globalist and will be making my 1st visit there next month after previously staying (as a Diamond) at the nearby Hilton. Two questions: is the lounge appetizer situation a post-covid change re. a plate of selected items vs. an open buffet or has it always been like that? And is breakfast in the restaurant an option for Globalist? Both situations with limited offerings/selections does not sound appealing at all. Thanks.

Anita

I was not globalist on my previous visits, but looking at pre-2020 reviews, the cocktail hour food looks similar. Last November they had prosciutto, parmesan, smoked salmon, crackers, snack mix, plus the served appetizers, which were very good. But not enough for dinner for me. In the past Globalists could have breakfast in the restaurant, and the lounge breakfast had a bigger selection. There is also a small afternoon tea service. The shuttle was a COVID casualty. On this last trip I also stayed at the Hilton Nagoya (Diamond), Grand Hyatt Fukuoka, and the Hyatt Regency Osaka, and the buffet breakfasts were unbelievable at these 3 hotels. That is why the HR Tokyo doesn’t compare well in these areas. But the price is the best for a Hyatt in Tokyo.

Maddog

Tochomae and Nishi Shinjuku stations are really close to the Hyatt. Underground walkways, easy walk.

Anita

Yes, that’s what I did. But the shuttle was much easier. And the rest of the day is all walking also, so it gets old. The issue with the hotel is the combo of no shuttle and very few restaurants/shops close by, compared to other areas of Tokyo. Still the best Hyatt deal in Tokyo, but with those caveats.

Rudiger

As a Globalist, I stayed at HR Shinjuku for several days in November, 2022 and enjoyed a great spread of Japanese and European dishes for breakfast in the Regency Lounge. For other meals I found a plethora of restaurants within a 10-minute outdoor walk radius, but I agree there are no restaurants within the immediate vicinity and yes, it’s a very boring long indoor tunnel walk to the station, indeed!

Anita

I was also there in November 2022 and on my days the club breakfast had very, very limited choices. Maybe I missed something. I should have taken a photo.

Val

Any info on when the Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa (Jackson, WY) will be reopening? It looks like that also went down a category and it is in a great location!

Prateek

I can talk about Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos, BC. We have visited twice on free nights and it’s a beautiful resort in BC wine country. There is a lake close to it and the pools and jacuzzis are beautiful. There is also a winery on the resort called NK’MIP and walking the vineyard is a beautiful experience with a view of the lake. The area generally is very nice and full of fruit orchards, and it gets really warm in the summer for Canada (closest place to a desert in Canada, the Okanagan). The nearby cities of Oliver, Penticton and kelowna are worth a visit as well.

shelly_phl

Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile: received a suite upgrade as a Globalist; huge living room area with desk (and enough plugs to charge laptop and devices while working); I recall the Globalist buffet breakfast being above average, but not memorable enough that anything sticks out; great location for my purposes

Hyatt Regency Austin: received a Congress Ave Bridge View upgrade as an Explorist, it had a huge window with a chaise for viewing the famous bats, was perfect to sit there with a to-go cocktail from the bar (this was during covid), rest of the room was standard/non-memorable; I recall the gym being nice; no free breakfast at that time so can’t comment on that; access to the Lady Bird Lake path from the back of the hotel

Thompson DC: really enjoyed this stay in Dec 2022 — recieved a suite upgrade as a Globalist, suite was very nice with high end furniture, marble accents, two walls of windows with amazing views; great gym — I specifically recall the TRX equipment and kettle bells which made for a great workout for me; Globalist breakfast in the hotel restaurant was very nice (a la carte ordering); location is great IMO, The Yards area with tons of bars and restaurants, City Winery, Nationals Park; vibe is a little hip/clubby, music in the lobby is very loud and they’re very enthusiastic about their rooftop bar/club, but the floors were quiet and I had no trouble sleeping (my stay was for work); loved the scent of the D.S. Durga bathroom amenities (large, mounted dispensers), but the scent may be strong for some

Carson B

Hyatt Residence Club San Antonio, Wild Oak Ranch is a great Cat 4, especially for families! You also get access to the next door Hyatt Hill Country (cat 5). You do have to drive between the properties. The Wild Oak Ranch is more apartment style rooms with a kichenette in base studio rooms. It is quieter, rooms are more dated, and the property does have fewer amenities than it’s sister property, but it does have it’s own lazy river and plenty to do at Wild Oak Ranch itself. I would book Wild Oak ranch vs Hill Country Hyatt if I needed to use a 1-4 certificate or wanted the extra space and kitchenette for the whole family.

Miles Maven

Is Hotel Bergs, Riga, Latvia still a part of Hyatt? I don’t see it on the Hyatt site.

Kristin

Opus XVI in Bergen, Norway is a great use of a Cat 1-4 FNC. Prime location right near all the main sites and restaurants, but just around a corner so not a lot of street noise. It’s a 5-10 min walk from airport train. Very nice hotel, lots of character and charm, very nice staff.

Kathy

Can you please change the font color to black? I’m not that old but it’s really hard to read grey, especially on an iphone.

Stookey

I’m sure the “ comments” font appears differently on the device you use to write your posts, but Kathy is correct about how it appears on an iPhone like the one I’m using right now. It’s just faded compared to the font in the main body of the article. Rather dim, actually.

Kristin

HR Amsterdam: nice property, great breakfast, good use of a Cat 1-4 FNC. Club wasn’t open when I was there but has re-opened. It is a bit of a walk from a subway stop and the main touristy areas, which you may consider a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you feel about hoards of tourists.

Tim Grable

We have stayed at the Grand Hyatt washington DC several times.
Pros
Great location.
No Hidden fees for Award nights.. A number of their competitors now have their destination fee that they add on.
The room that you get with a sweet upgrade is huge..
Staff is very nice.

Cons
Hotel is a tad dated.
Club lounge is on the small side and can get crowded.

Overall one of the best options in DC.
Especially if you want a suite and lounge access. We just booked a 7 night’s stay for this summer.

Raylan

I think that the Regency Vancouver is a worthwhile addition to this list. Category 3, soon to be 4 right in the middle of downtown. It isn’t anything super unique but with Vancouver hotel rates being what they are in peak seasons, it represents a heck of a deal if one were to use the Chase card free night.

Anita

I’m staying at the Regency Vancouver in May. For the weekends they have a two night minimum, at least with points.

Prateek

Must be new, I booked a night in late June (2 days before Canada day) for my parents last year and they were happy to take a 1 night booking. YVR downtown prices can be crazy throughout the year so I agree this is a good use of the certs.

Anita

I just checked again several dates. 1 night reservations are available on weekends. Points reservations on weekends have a 2 night minimum. So if someone has 2 certs, which I didn’t have, maybe calling directly or asking the concierge might help.

Buzz

The Welk is a timeshare property in Escondido, CA. It’s a beautiful property on a golf course. I haven’t stayed with Hyatt points but I have been to it. It seems the minimum you would get would be a 1 bedroom as I don’t believe they have hotel units. Maybe a studio but I think it’s all 1 and 2 bedroom. I wonder if Hyatt will add a brand explorer badge for this.

Welk joined the system when Marriott Vacation club (which owns Hyatt Residence Club) bought Welk (as in Lawrence) to supplement the offerings in the HRC system. So, if someone owns HRC points, they could book stays in Welk which include Escondido, Palm Desert area, Cabo San Lucas and Lake Tahoe. La Sirena is now available via Hyatt.

Darin

I stayed here on a 1-4 certificate last month and was not a big fan. It’s a family-focused timeshare community and if that’s your thing, it might be suitable. My 1 BR was spacious and comfortable, but the definition of basic. I asked at check-in what the Globalist benefits were and was told we had a $25 credit for any on-property purchases. It was not reflected on the bill and at check out they said no such amenity applied. She checked with management to confirm this was correct, which they said it was, but acknowledged that the check-in agent may have gotten it wrong since they are new to Hyatt and removed the charges. No Globalist benefits at all as they are considered a HRC, even though that’s not reflected in any branding.

Also, HARD sell on buying into the timeshare. I received a phone call purporting to be about making sure they have all of our preferences, but what they really wanted was for us to attend the timeshare tour. They threw a lot out there: Hyatt points, offer to extend an extra night free, more that I can’t remember.

I would not stay here again.

Adam

This place is a dump. I’ve been going every year for the last 10 or so because my MIL has a timeshare. It has been going steadily downhill. Don’t waste a cert.

Jeanette

The HP Panama City Beach would be an excellent use of a Cat 1-4 cert. The hotel opened in mid m-2022. The rooms are large and as a globalist I was upgraded to an ocean view room before arrival. The beach is lovely and the hotel has beach chairs and umbrellas in season. The breakfast buffet is very good, although it gets crowded especially when weather prevents the outdoor seating from being used. The pool has a party vibe feel to it but we were there on a weekend they were hosting a wedding.

The PH Mendoza is a beautiful hotel. It has been years since I stayed but the service was excellent. I had status but not too tier status and was in a massive room. Given Argentina’s economic troubles and Visa/MasterCard offering the blue exchange rate, this can’t be a good use of certs.

HP Long Island City isn’t quiet. I’m on the third floor and was woken at 6:35am b/c of loud guests in the hallway and traffic noise.

Matt

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Yokohama in December 2022. We really enjoyed our stay. Prices were crazy in Tokyo, so this one was way more affordable. We upgraded to a suite with points, which was great for 2 adults and a child. We loved the suite! The hotel is pretty new and everything was beautiful. We got club access with our suite. The club was small, but at least gave us something for breakfast.

If you plan on spending all your time in Tokyo, it might not be so convenient, as it is about an hour from Shibuya Station, but for a day or two, or if you are spending time in Yokohama or going down to Kamakura, it would be great. 

Minky

Looks like it’s time to brush off the dust here. Lots of unfortunate changes with Hyatt’s category changes…

https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/landing/award-category-chart-updates.html

Quentin Sylwester

I stayed at the wellem in germany on a recent trip summer 2021. I also stayed at hyatt properties in munich, cologne, mainz and heidelberg. The wellem was overall probably the best taking everything into consideration. Rooms, location, and service.

Julie

Hey Greg! I am currently staying at the Hyatt Regency in Belgrade Serbia, a Cat 1 property. I have no real status with Hyatt. I was coming here and checked out the possibilities. I have some off peak nights booked at 3,500 points. Club access is an additional 2k per night. This place is awesome and is one of the best values I have ever booked on points. Hotel has great food plus nice pool and spa.

Michael M

The Hyatt Regency Amsterdam is a wonderful modern hotel with a very pleasing aesthetic. It has a spacious patio with heaters attached to the umbrellas to make it quite comfortable to sit outside on a cool spring evening. Globalists are allowed either a free continental breakfast in the lounge or free breakfast in the restaurant. Globalists are allowed to order as many items as desired from the menu (there were only 4 items on the menu when I stayed there April 2019) plus they can have the full breakfast buffet. This is one of the best Hyatt breakfast buffets in Europe. The club lounge remains my favorite in terms of the evening food offerings. While hot food is not available, they had 4 very high quality salads each evening, 1 with seafood, 1 with chicken breast and 2 all-vegetarian. The salads varied nightly and consisted of items such as a delicious spinach and pumpkin salad. They also had cold cuts, cheese, some snack items and homemade cake each evening plus free beverages, including alcohol. I had no need to dine elsewhere in the evening.The lounge staff were charming and quite helpful with making reservations at the Van Gogh and National Museums.
While the standard suites may not be as elaborate as those at some other Hyatts, I decided to apply a Globalist Suite Upgrade to my reservation and was pleasantly surprised at check-in to find out that I had been upgraded to the impressive Spinoza (Presidential) Suite, which had fresh flowers, an office, a dining room with seating for 8, a bathroom with the largest free-standing tub I’ve ever seen and even a room fully stocked with both alcohol and non-alcohol beverages.
Rooms on the back side of the hotel have views of a canal and small park.
The hotel is near the zoo and botanical gardens, in a clean, safe area with numerous dining options. The quiet tram picks up on the street in front of the hotel.
I could find no faults with this hotel.

[…] no longer be able to use the free night from the World of Hyatt card at that property. Thankfully, Frequent Miler has put together a list of the best category 1-4 properties along and which ones you …. Our new favorite in Manhattan, Gild Hall, will become a category 5 but the beautiful Sedona Hyatt […]

[…] Best Hyatt Category 1-4 Hotels & Resorts (book before 3/22) […]

flybyFIRE

Stayed at the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam pre-pandemic and I highly recommend it. The location is away from the tourist noise, yet still close enough to walk everywhere (or take the metro). It’s a modern hotel and several steps above a HR would be in the States. The offerings in the lounge were high quality and the hotel restaurant itself was probably the best I’ve been to inside a HR. Amsterdam can get really expensive, so this is a great value.

Steve

Any opinions on the Hyatt Regency Berlin?

Jackie S

I LOVED my short stay at the HR Berlin a few years ago! I recall it being a very attractive property with nice rooms and a GREAT club lounge as well as a pool & gym on the upper floors. The globalist breakfast benefit included the breakfast buffet in the main restaurant with great specialty coffee! The staff was amazingly accommodating – & not only did they hold our luggage after our late checkout, but they insisted we return to the club lounge for evening food & drinks before our departure! The hotel was also walkable to many sights, like the Brandenburg Gate area. I’m not sure what category the HR Berlin is these days, but I thought it was an amazing use of free nights when I stayed!

Jackie S

Actually it’s a GRAND Hyatt (not a Hyatt Recency) and – I looked it up – it is currently a Category 4 Hyatt Hotel!

Jeremy

Stayed at the HR TST in Kowloon back in 2014, while it’s been a while, the location was great (we stayed 1 night there to burn a free night certificate…it was a Category 4 at the time, followed by 2 nights at the IC Hong Kong to burn the old IHG free night certs). The room was very nice and the lounge breakfast was very good for Diamonds/Globalists. Also they had some excellent restaurants. So definitely good to see it back at category 4…not sure if the rooms have been refreshed since then though.

SAMUEL L. BRONKOWITZ

The Miles Professor! Is she still blogging?

BethC.

We did a “work from Hyatt” stay in the fall of 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay. The hotel facility itself is a bit dated, although it is right on the water and has a dock and walking trails with really pretty views. There is not much to do in downtown Cambridge (the nearest town). St. Michael’s and Easton both have decent restaurants but are about a 20-30 minute drive each way. I was Explorist at the time, and we were upgraded to a large 2 room suite with a large dining table, small balcony, and seating area. We were there for 7 nights, and at the time the place was pretty empty due to the pandemic. Our package included breakfast, which was decent. It seems to have a nice pool area, but their beach is very small.

Pam

The remaining domestic property offering the best value for using a free night cert, for me, is the HR Santa Rosa.

Look at the uber expensive competition in wine country, prices are just ridiculous! As more high-end Four Seasons, Montage, & Alilas are added, it is only going to get more crazy. Yes it is (only) Santa Rosa & sits off a busy highway, but the Railroad area it sits across from is also very charming with many quaint, historic, & good restaurants (Starks is my personal fav) & shops. It is also a quick drive to downtown with reasonable restaurant choices (usable non-gourmet/wine country food like Thai, Chinese, & Indian).

Very pretty walking trail in back down by the creek with points of interest, sculpture, & mini gardens. There are fire pits outside for sipping wine at sunset & just an overall nice relaxing vibe.

I wouldn’t spend my entire wine country vacay there, but it is also a quick drive to the Santa Rosa airport as a nice stepping on/off location. Also a few miles to Bottle Barn with the best wine & liquor deals in all of wine country, I always stop for deals better than some winery tasting rooms themselves!

Pam

We recently checked out of the HR Monterey on a free night cert. We were also (Globalist) upgraded to a suite 2 US presidents (& a wanna be) had previously been assigned due to its secure location on the property. My Hyatt Globalist Concierge had said Hyatt doesn’t Globalist upgrade on free night certs, but I asked at check-in anyway & they did.

The unit itself had been updated but was so obviously old as the hills. Extremely comfy bed, though, we actually liked it better than the Ventana bed following the next day (& that is a high bar!).

The outside of the units was in especially bad shape. They have done little repair work – the fading, peeling wood of the outside units & neglected lawn maintenance was sad & tired as we drove around. Everything looked like it need a broom or a mop taken to it

The common areas MUST be where the Cat upgrade is coming from? Nicely reno’d reception, bar, & restaurant. Globalist breakfast was either $25/pp buffet or $60 menu, incl 15% gratuity (so of course you still have to add extra tip which THEN applies tax on top of!). But with all the recent Hilton/Marriott breakfast disappointments/reductions/non-existent it was nice to have a real, free breakfast for a change.

If you want a free one night stay near the Monterey airport this HR is a great pick – about a 5 min drive! But I would personally not commit more time or money than that.

Biggie F

My Hyatt Globalist Concierge had said Hyatt doesn’t Globalist upgrade on free night certs, but I asked at check-in anyway & they did.”

Maybe some miscommunication somewhere along the line?

It is true, as per your experience, that a Hyatt hotel can (and will) give you an upgrade on a Free Night. Just got a great one ourselves at one of the properties that, sadly, will soon be moving from Cat 7 to Cat 8.

It is also the case that Hyatt does not allow you to apply a TSU (suite upgrade certificate) to a Free Night award night although, paradoxically, you now can apply a TSU to a night (or nights) booked on points. (In the pre-WoH days, you could not.) The pro tip, of course, is to stick the Free Night at the end of a longer stay on which one is upgrading the other nights via a TSU, and then count on inertia to carry through to the Free Night award night.

Pam

I would definitely do that on a Cat 7 cert, thanks, but would never otherwise apply those suite awards towards a Cat 4!

What does the “T” stand for on a TS(uite)U(pgrade)?

Biggie F

But that’s the point: You can’t apply a suite upgrade to a Cat 7 certificate. Or a Cat 4 certificate, for that matter. As a Globalist, you may catch an upgrade at and by the hotel on a Free Night certificate — you did with a Cat 4, I did with a Cat 7 — but you cannot insure one in advance by using a TSU in conjunction with the Free Night award. I am guessing that that is what your Concierge was talking about.

What’s the T in TSU? I think it is Tier, and I have no idea where that came from.

Pam

Your tip was reserving a Free Night at the end of a points stay with TSU so it, too, would maybe be upgraded. My response was I likely wouldn’t be doing that on a Cat 4 prop (because I attach TSUs at higher prop cat redemptions, like Cat 7).

I HAVE used your trick, though, when either paying cash or points + cash on a Cat 4 Suite – I have booked a free night award (either my own or a family member) at the tail end as a separate res & never been asked to change rooms.

Akuma

We just checked out of the Hyatt Regency Monterey last week, and were pretty impressed. I used a suite upgrade cert to book into the Monterey King Suite overlooking the golf course which was very nice and recently remodeled (furniture in bedroom and living room were all spotless and possibly new). We saw that the Spyglass Suite was available for the last several nights of our stay and inquired about an upgrade and were offered $65/night fee which we gladly accepted. This suite was even more amazing (giant private patio/backyard overlooking pool, biggest suite on the property, awesome murphy bed that our daughter loved, huge dining room table). The property does seem to be geared towards conference-goers, but is huge (22 acres) and definitely a resort experience. We only found out on the last night of our stay that there was an additional pool and spa near the conference hall, plus hammocks, a chair swing, tennis/pickleball courts, and a whole extra row of Tesla chargers. Breakfast and dinner were also excellent, and they even gave us free smores boxes to roast on one the many firepits/tables. We were surprised how lively the bar area was each night, which was well designed and had great cocktails. The hotel is also in an excellent location near Santa Cruz, Carmel, Big Sur, and obviously downtown Monterey, plus only ~10 miles from Hyatt Carmel Highlands and ~30 miles from Alila Ventana which cost way more $/points. My family and I wouldn’t hesitate to come back even at 5k more points/night.

Pam

The Hyatt Residence Club Wild Oak Ranch in SA is a good use for a free night cert now that the Hill Country Resort is (sadly) moving up. I stayed there on a weekend timeshare offer several years ago. It is a much newer property than the Hill Coontry resort but fewer amenities. They are close to one another, though, & you could use the HR pools, etc at the time.

Both props are a good 20 minutes west of downtown San Antonio (& Riverwalk; Alamo; Hemisfair). If new to SA & have a family mainly wanting water activities & close access to Sea World & amusements, the HRC Wild Oak on free night certs will save you a bundle & provide all the family activities you could ask for.

But if you are a couple more focused on restaurants, history, & museums, using those same free nights at the Grand Hyatt on the Riverwalk (& hope for/apply an upgrade) is the better deal for nicer accommodations. I am actually amazed the GH didn’t move up – very nice & great location right by shopping, restaurants, & Riverwalk tours.

Daniel

I didn’t stay at the Hyatt Regency Guam b/c it wasn’t worth category 5. Guam hotel prices aren’t very expensive and so I just paid for a 2 night stay at the nearby Westin, which was spectacular as it has crazy oceans views and direct access to the beach. It was literally 100 steps from the elevator to the ocean. I visited Hyatt Regency, which was maybe 1 mile away and walked around. It was bigger with better pools. But the beach was much further away (but the hotel was still technically ocean side property). So now that it’ll be a category 4, it’ll be a much better value as we can use these certificates.

Buzz W

We stayed at the Tommie Hollywood with a cert. Worth it if you want a stay in the area. Brand new hotel right next to the new Thompson. Keep in mind, Tommie rooms are VERY small. It also adds a Brand Explorer to your list.

I’ll be trying out the Eliza Jane in a few weeks.

Pam

The Eliza Jane is now my favorite remaining Cat 4 property. It’s not the best value because of its more remote location across Canal St in the Warehouse District, but it is such a beautifully restored building with a great restaurant, bar, & common spaces. Rooms can be a little small, even suites, but you will enjoy the property!

Brendan

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine country in December. Very nice grounds and gardens, but it is right next to the highway. The restaurants weren’t operating while we were there so I can’t give it a complete review. We were upgraded to a suite. It was a nice sized room, but it was showing it’s age. The category 4 status is likely due location rather the hotel itself.

ed

Along my favorite uses: Hyatt Regency Kyiv. Obviously, most Americans will be scared away right now. However, it’s a superb location & I was pleased with the facility; it had a decent lounge & good spread for breakfast downstairs (free for globalists); but maybe my favorite part was the pool and steam/sauna. The gym was better than average, and spacious. I’m quite picky about breakfast – and many places (incl the resort in Puerto Rico) are especially lackluster.

Paul

I would suggest adding the Hyatt House Washington DC to this. It will be moved to cat4 from the current cat3. Located right on the wharf near a ton of restaurants and bars. The property is quite new. Great vibe and chic atmosphere. Room is not too big but offer enough space. Included breakfast is above average, with actual eggs and potatoes. Has a nice pool on the rooftop as well. It used to be great for 12k point as a cat3 as rate often top 300 in the summer. Still very good as cat4!

Bob

Agreed. Stayed here a few months ago. The hotel just opened as brand new a few years ago so the hard product is excellent. Front desk staff is very friendly. I would take this location at the Wharf than downtown DC at any day. The night life is great and you can easily walk to the mall area for museums.

Last edited 1 year ago by Bob
Optimus

I’ve stayed at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, which is about as misleading as you can get. It’s in downtown Santa Rosa, not Sonoma, and it definitely doesn’t feel like wine country. It’s right next to a busy freeway and the road noise was noticeable from our room. There was a wedding party in the “garden area” and we felt genuinely sad for them for having picked this venue.

Upgraded as a globalist to a room with a view of a sad grass patch (I did book a 2 queens room) and had no issues with parking or breakfast charges being wiped. Staff was friendly. Restaurant was closed due to Covid at the time of our stay.

Overall, this could be a jumping off point for exploration of the broader area but it is definitely not a destination in itself. Silver lining is that you could walk to the Russian River Brewery to enjoy some NorCal beer, but I don’t think I would stay here again on a cert, points, or otherwise.

Pam

This hotel is not one of the hotels that participates in the complimentary parking for Globalist, will set you back $15 for valet.

Pam

I request view of the patio facing the fire pits.

Pam

(can buy own wine/liquor reasonably at Bottle Barn & take your own drink down to the fire pits, no issues)

Grant

The Hyatt Regency Monterey has been under construction for the last few years. I like the remodeled rooms. I have an upcoming stay in a few weeks and can provide an update after the stay. Sad to see this hotel move up in category.

Trent P

No experience, but excited that there are finally Hyatt cat 1-4 FN cert options for the Netherlands and Belgium

NK3

I have stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Amsterdam, and would again. It is located a few blocks from the main tourist areas, and first time visitors may prefer to be closer. The outside of the hotel is not very inviting (it was an old children’s hospital that they converted into a hotel). However, it just opened in 2017, so the rooms feel newer than most Hyatt Regency properties. It was a category 4 in the past, and we used a cert when staying; I think the rate that night was 300-350 euros, so a good value. It does not feel very local, like say the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam (that is a tough comparison though!).

When I visited Bruges in early March 2020, there was no points availability, despite terrible weather, few people and a brewing pandemic. I have found that with other SLH properties, like the Altstadt in Vienna and Opus in Bergen, Norway–when I look to go there is no award availability, even when rooms are for sale.

Physician Assistant of Credit

Agree, WA is another league. Hyatt Amsterdam is good value use of cert. Unrelated, Hilton Schipol is solid place to stay for early outbound flight and stacked club lounge

Physician Assistant of Credit

If staying in Bruges with more than 2 people, the Crowne Plaza can’t be beat- huge rooms, cool old building, good service, nice breakfast buffet for reasonable price, perfect location. Otherwise SLH options look great

Isaac Pollak

stayed at least 30 times at Hyatt Regency Tsim in Hong Kong- great club room-always upgraded to suite, great location close walk to ferry or to train , excellent Chinese restaurant in Hotel- wonderful use for #4 cert

Stayed at Aleenta in Hua Hin Thailand -easy 2 hour shuttle ride from Hyatt in Bangkok, great sprawling property, beautiful pool, wonderful spa

Haytt Regency Sydney- stayed a month before lockdown in January 2020-one of the best club rooms with excellent selection, rooms are very spacious- Hua Hin has many 5 star hotels at excellent prices but this is great use of cert

Rob

Park Hyatt Zanzibar is moving from Category 4 to Category 5. Seems like that should be added to the list with a clock symbol beside it?

Lisa

Great stay at Confidante last year. Globalist breakfast was sensational and included one item from every category on the menu. Word of caution is beware of medical waste including syringes on the beach that wash up in surf.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota was great. Breakfast area a little noisy but decent food. Staff seemed a little overwhelmed but were generally friendly. Great place to use Cat 4 we thought based on room rate.

Kevin

Nick, post roast alert for you. The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch is a Hilton property, not Hyatt. 🙂

Last edited 1 year ago by Kevin
Kevin

Delete

Last edited 1 year ago by Kevin
Kevin

That could explain why the manager is “not familiar with Hyatt points at all”

Kevin

yes, that’s what’s what I meant. Wanted to make sure Nick brings this up in the podcast. 🙂

Trent P

I was the one commenting on the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. When we visited (February 2021) it was still a Hyatt (Destination) property. Very sure because we used that stay to fulfill our Globalist quest. Right now I can’t find it on the Hyatt website. IT was sold to Hilton and now under the Curio portfolio. No, that does not explain why “the manager was not familiar with Hyatt points at all”….we got Hyatt points as compensation. He was just not familiar with point travel at all.

Last edited 1 year ago by Trent P
Nathan

We enjoyed our Hyatt points redemption stay at the Scottsdale Resort McCormick Ranch in Feb last year. 9K points per night after the promo rebate Hyatt was running at the time and using a Globalist suite upgrade to their huge “Hospitality Suite” made it spacious for 4 people. King bed + 2 queen sized beds, kitchen, and the back doors opened to a pool area that was usually just us, separate from the hotel’s main pool. Breakfast at their restaurant comped for all 4 of us. I’m sad to see it left the Hyatt family.

Last edited 1 year ago by Nathan

[…] some Hyatt hotels outside of the U.S. (for best Hyatt U.S. properties, check this excellent Frequent Miler’s post). I value Hyatt points at ~1.5 cents or more, but take my valuations like anyone else’s […]

[…] up on our special hotel report from last month, the FrequentMiler updated their listing of the best Hyatt hotels you can book with their certificates, based on reader feedback.  We’d like to hear from each of you about the best hotel you’ve […]

James

Great list, I’ve stayed at a bunch of these!

I’ve got a few more to add for you:
1) HR Paris Etoile
A category 4 in paris literally on top of a metro line. They recently completed a renovation and runs are very nice (but Europe small). They have a perfectly fine lounge for globalists. It’s still within a fairly short (downhill) walking distance to Arc de Triomphe and the rest of downtown. I’m very surprised that it’s stayed at a Cat 4. And some rooms have a great Eiffel Tower view.

2) Andaz Vienna
Category 3! It’s right next to the main train station (super convenient if coming/going early or late). It’s not centrally located like the superb Park Hyatt, but it’s fairly close to urban transportation and it’s a very easy city to get around. It’s very new, rooms are great, fabulous breakfast and great globalist recognition (room had a welcome tray of fruit and drinks). It’s also a fantastic use of a TSU if you want a little extra space.

3) Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson.
Cat 4, it has the BEST views of Manhattan out there. Seriously. It’s hard to find a quality hotel in NYC that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. They have a buffet breakfast that you can also order an entree from as a globalist. It gets solid reviews across the board and it’s just a PATH/ferry away from Manhattan or to go uptown.

[…] from a Frequent Miler post which I will refer to often as I burn my Hyatt points the Globalist way! Best Hyatt Category 1-4 Hotels. What I meant to say is burn all my Free Night certificates that is! I think I have 6, or wait, […]

Recon Scott

Looking forward to using 3 free night certs + 15k Hyatt points at confidante next month. Bonus is that AA is flying 777 from dfw-mia and was able to book first class lie flat for 33,000 BA points round trip (paid ticket would have been $850)

John

Posting the comment by Gene under Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego violates your policy against political speech on FM.

Jon

Great article – thanks, Greg!

Brion

Love this list and the additions from readers. Looking forward to seeing the international options as well.

B X

Didn’t know there’s a Portland in New York State. Cool

B X

No problem. Sorry the experiment didn’t work out…

Gary

Very useful post. Thanks! It would be great to expand the list to include places outside North America.

Pam

A brand new JDV prop opening soon in Austin. tommie Austin is located right off 6th St. Cat 3 seems great to jump on before it’s raised.

Most JDVs are in California so am excited to have a closer opportunity to complete my 3rd Brand Explorer award

BL-K

Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country? It’s category 4. We haven’t stayed there yet, but are thinking of using our Certs for a stay.

Jamon Rucker

As of May 24, 2021, The Last Hotel in St. Louis is no longer affiliated with the hyatt program. My reservation for my July 18-20th was deleted from my account but my points were not added back to my account. I went to the hyatt website and looked on The Last Hotel page and this what it said.

Effective May 24, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. local time, The Last Hotel is no longer affiliated with Hyatt or The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand. Also effective at 12:00 p.m. local time May 24, 2021, World of Hyatt members are no longer eligible for program benefits when staying at this hotel, including earning and redeeming points. World of Hyatt members with award reservations for stays at this hotel on May 24, 2021 and beyond may contact Hyatt’s Global Reservations Center at 1-800-344-9288 or visit hyatt.com for alternative redemption locations.

So I had to call Hyatt to cancel my reservation and have them reinstate my points to my account.

I was looking towards my stay at The Last Hotel for the Cubs vs Cards Series because of your posted but oh well Hyatt Regency it is. LOL #HyattGlobalist

I also have a reservation at The Confidente for Labor Day Weekend. I am excited for the stay!!!!

Last edited 2 years ago by Jamon Rucker
Dee

I just stayed at the Hyatt Place Long Island City in Queens, NYC. FYI – they do NOT give Globalists free parking.

Dee

Thanks, Greg. I will.

Dee

I messaged Hyatt Concierge on Twitter and they took care of getting the parking charges credited.

Robert

I agree about Moab. This is one of the better hotels in town anyway, but throw in Arches and Hell’s Revenge 10 min away and you can’t beat it.

But please stay away from Moab, it’s too crowded now.

Pam

Greg’s comment about the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill (Autograph) reminded me of another great Hyatt FNC redemption we added on to our own Siena stay.

The Carolina Inn Cat 3 is on the UNC CH campus. It is a lovingly restored historical property with very nice rooms & a wonderful on-site restaurant. It was pulled over as part of the Destination portfolio. The rates are usually very good so may not even want to use a FNC. We used Prive because we already knew we loved the restaurant and would use the $100 credit from booking in that manner. They are also good about addtl nominal fee offered for upgrades (I wasn’t yet Globalist when we were there).

We spent a coupla hours enjoying the photos/captions all over the property. Andy Griffith first performed at the hotel as a student & frequented the property often until his death.

Couple of hrs drive from Charlotte & well worth a visit as just so pretty!

Andrew R.

Friend of mine stayed with his fiancé at the Confidante a few weeks before it dropped two categories down to a Cat 4 a while back. We blamed him for a year.

Gene

I am not sure if the guy still owns the hotel, but the Manchester Grand Hyatt was/is owned by one of the bigger funders of 2008 CA Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriage in CA (later overturned by courts). I would never stay there in a million years or recommend that anyone else stay there.

John

This is misinformation

Gene

This is not misinformation.

Bodie

Greg!! Awesome post! Thanks so much for putting this together. Hyatt is my favorite brand and love staying at any of their hotels!

HarlanKoolSport

Looking forward to our stays at Lahaina Shores Resort (October 2021), Andaz Savannah (January 2022), Quirk Hotel Charlottesville (June 2021), and Hyatt Place Coconut Point (February 2022) with our 1-4 certificates. For NYC, have used 1-4 certificate at Hyatt Place Long Island City – easy commute into midtown Manhattan, quiet, clean, good breakfast (pre-pandemic), independent book store, coffee shops, breweries etc. in walking distance.

Dee

I just stayed at the Hyatt Place Long Island City this weekend to see our daughter who lives in Queens. I agree on the easy subway ride into Manhattan, clean and quiet. There are some nice coffee shops in the immediate area.

On the negative side: Most of the negative I experienced and witnessed was related to staff. The hotel was understaffed and seemed unprepared for the influx of travelers. One night was sold out.

Pandemic breakfast was okay – plain bagels, Sara Lee danish, individual boxes of cereal, sealed small cups of canned fruit cocktail. They had cream cheese (no butter), yogurt and milk in a refrigerator behind the bar. So, the front desk guy was jumping back and forth between checking people out and getting cream cheese. We went to the diner down the street for breakfast each morning.

[…] just about that, especially for Hyatts with the best beach to get away, Frequent Miler posts this: Best Hyatt Category 1-4 Hotels & Resorts. Great […]

Gary

I was looking forward to using my Cat 1-4 certs at the Andaz Vienna, Austria. Unfortunately, Austria has not opened yet, so I had to cancel the trip I had booked for early June, 2021.

Lanny

Stayed at the HP Portland (Maine) – Old Port for 3 or 4 nights in 2019. Had a GREAT time. Staff was helpful. Room was clean. We pre-arranged a cash co-pay on top of points to get into their biggest, best room and it had a huge balcony and great views. Would LOVE to return. Parking is a bit tough since its valet only.

Also stayed at the Hyatt House Portland OR (I’m from PDX) and its a nice little property in South Waterfront. Staff friendly (for Portland at least where service often stinks). The other Hyatts in PDX are also nice. Stayed at the Hyatt Centric PDX… cute little property. Haven’t been to the HR Portland yet although hope to soon. HP Portland Airport is just a standard little airport hotel but near shopping and food so a nice place for a little (non-luxury) staycation.

Deborah Belcore

Heading to AZ in april 2022. Searching Sedona – no availability in april, march, feb- didn’t find a single night until Jan??!!

rich

Feb-April is peak tourism season in Arizona. Weather is great and a ton of sporting events. Baseball spring training goes from mid Feb until the end of March. Pretty much the highest hotel rates will be at that time. Kind of like trying to go to Disney about major summer holidays.

Bulls Fan

is the Miraval no longer available with the certs?

rich

I used to live within 10 minutes of the McCormick Ranch Scottsdale Hyatt. The Hyatt Gainey Ranch is also close by but that is a much higher category hotel.

Unfortunately I haven’t stayed at the McCormick Ranch. I should stop by before I move back east to check it out.

There are a couple of nice Hiltons near by (DoubleTree and Villas) that I’ve stayed at. The Gainey Ranch one (not cat 4) is nice but they nickel/dime you to death and charging for parking at that location is a joke. I’ve stayed there and often would go on walks around that area.

Derrick C

Grand Cypress Regency Club has been closed since covid and no imminent dates to re open yet.

JBCH

Which is the Grand Cypress Regency Club? The Grand Cypress Regency the article mentions is wide open. I stayed there recently a few months ago.

PJJTraveler

The Grand Cypress is open and one of my most favorite properties. The Regency Club has been permanently closed. I have had multiple stays these past few years and no mention/discussion of reopening it. I was sad to hear that as it was one of my most favorite Regency Clubs!!

MFK

One of my favorite Hyatts anywhere in the world regardless of category is the Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta. It’s a beautiful property with the typically lovely service you find in Indonesia and the area boasts some of the greatest ancient temple complexes still standing. That said, cash prices are usually very inexpensive and the cost in points is always on the low end, so it’s not the best use of a cert. Nonetheless, it is quite possible the best category 1 property you’ll ever visit.

Jak

I’ve stayed at Lahaina Shores Beach Resort and found it to be perfect for what we needed: clean, easy access, free parking and down the street from Lahaina Town. The room was fairly large because of the kitchen. It has a decent-sized pool and hot tub, and it’s right on the beach. I don’t need a big resort so this fit the bill.

Anita Parsa

I sure want to give you guys my Amex Platinum link but haven’t been approved to join the FB group. I promise I’m legit!

Dee

The Bellevue in Philadelphia is an Unbound Collection. I just took a class on antique skyscrapers and the Bellevue was featured. I’ve stayed a few times. Great location right in the middle of downtown, excellent service, beautiful restaurant and bar on the top floor. Some rooms are gorgeous, some are just nice. It is an old building and rooms are not necessarily uniform.

I used a suite upgrade cert a few years ago. The suite was ENORMOUS, which was great. We were there for a family event and had tons of room for family to hang out in the living room.

Biggie F

Yeah, the top (19th floor) setting for the b’fast is really a delight. (This is in addition to the bar and restaurant, which have their own retro-glamour feels.) I find the b’fasts good, and in combination with the setting, I was even willing to pay on one occasion when I had lost my Globalicity.

I have used more than a couple of free award nights here, and hope to do it again.

Pam

I want to go into a little more detail about the Eliza Jane in New Orleans since not yet on the “list” & certainly deserves to be. It is a Cat 4, & I found it to be a better-than-expected FNC redemption (I expected it to be too fussy).

Located in the warehouse area so not ideal for some but for those wanting a little less noise & drunks is on the “right” side of Canal. Mothers (an institution) is just around the corner for casual dining & August for fine dining. The hotel restaurant Couvant/oyster bar are excellent for dinner. I wasn’t yet Globalist so cannot attest to their breakfast.

Like an Autograph, Tribute, Curio, or 21c, there are visual reminders everywhere (incl the rooms) of its previous occupants which incl a newspaper & bitters company.

“The Eliza Jane is a thoughtful blend of elegance, combined with just the right mix of fancy and funky.” Like other converted warehouses, the rooms & pubic spaces can be on the dark side by day but are also so lovely lit up warmly at night. I managed a Suite upgrade even as an Explorist.

It’s not an over-the-top Hotel Zaza or an antiseptic 21c Museum Hotel, it strikes the right balance. My all-time favorite NO property is in the garden district but you’ll need UR/MRs for a points booking at the Pontchartain. WELL worth a visit (short Uber from warehouse district) if only for its stellar rooftop. Tennessee Williams lived there while writing A Street Named Desire, so there is homsge pd to him thruout the prop including the Hot Tin Roof (top) bar!

Not much need to mention activities in NOLA, but we did esp like the Murder Carriage night tour (again) bookable with URs. More historic than scary. And a Garden District walking tour for architectural/landscaping eye candy & interesting celeb stories.

Pam

Ugh…^ StreetCAR

Dan C

We stayed at The Confidante in March and they do provide free parking for globalists. The parking is valet. I agree on the comment about the rooms. They are ok. Bathroom is big. Beach location is very nice unless you are looking for the craziness of South Beach.

Regarding the Hyatt Place Portland, Maine, the location is great for Portland. It’s right downtown near many very good restaurants and Portland activities. You will want a car as you will need to drive a little for a decent beach. It’s a Hyatt Place so it’s not the most glamorous use of a free night cert, but for people in New England it is a decent option for a nice weekend.

Mike

This is great! Thanks! Any chance you can do one for international hotels?

whocares

huge cell tower near Hyatt Sedona.

Daniel

For the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, it is definitely not within feasible walking distance to Old Town–that would be almost a 90 minute walk. Love the hotel, love Old Town, they’re just not close

PeterSFO

Sorry, gas lamp district, not old town.

Trent P

The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch is a beautiful property. We visited in February when we tried to become Globalist. The only problem was check-in; took 2 hours after we arrived at the property at 4 pm (there was a whole soccer team that stayed there). Complained, a manager (who’s unfamiliar with Hyatt points at all) asked how he can compensate us. I said gave us 18K Hyatt points, and points were deposited three days later. Score! So I still recommend it, just beware there might be some issues here and there.

BML

Such a great post, thanks Greg! Would you consider doing a post or augment to these kind of posts that give great benefits to globalists ( or plat elite+ For Marriott) for their breakfasts quality and whether it has an awesome lounge? That also largely influences my choice.
Since you asked for international locations, nothing beats Hyatt Regency in Tokyo at Category 3, with a free shuttle to Shinjuku station frequently. I always check whether they went up in category when Hyatt category changes. Stayed there multiple times. Great value.

goob6008

I can second Gild Hall NYC and the HP Moab.

Stayed at Gild Hall just a few weeks ago. If you are globalist, this is a great choice. We had a rental car as we were traveling outside the city and free parking benefit is a big deal in nyc. We were upgraded to a HUGE suite as well! The hotel is quirky and cool. It made for a memorable stay.

I can’t say enough good things about the Hyatt Place Moab either. It was our first trip after being vaccinated. It’s the nicest HP I have ever seen. It’s clean and very modern. The staff were so nice and really seemed like they wanted to be there. It’s got a great pool, huge hot tub and a playground. Even the way breakfast was handled was refreshing. It’s was grab and go, but they kept offering more. They wanted to make sure you were fed haha.

Dee

Excited to read about your experience in Gild Hall now that I’m globalist. I’ve only stayed there with no status in a tiny room.

Paul

I feel like the Hyatt Place Portland Maine is just so so average. It’s just literally near by the port and thats it. Personally I feel like you can get much better value of your Hyatt certificate at any other hotels on this list.

Pam

I have stayed at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort. “When the resort opened in 1993, it was the first new hotel built in Texas in five years and established the “destination resort” market in San Antonio. A FlowRider® wave machine and a tower slide were added to the resort’s onsite water park, expanding it to 5 acres. The heated wave machine can be enjoyed year-round and provides resort guests the options of body boarding, knee boarding or stand-up boarding – the only location in Texas with a stand-up boarding option.”

This property is comfortable like an old shoe. It is also crawling with excited children because of the water features. This includes the public areas as well as restaurants so a bit romper-roomish if you’re not in that vibe.

I wouldn’t make this property a destination unto itself without small children in tow and/or a desire to spend time on their lazy river. The Lost Pines property is a couple hrs away but is Cat 5. It has walking trails along a river that would be up your alley. It also has a water park but not quite as frenetic as the HC prop. 2 nights at each property would be my rec. Or sub Lost Pines with Hotel Emma in San Antonio 20 min away (Choice/iPrefer/UR points). The Pearl District Is a much different side of San Antonio than the Riverwalk, fantastic on-site restaurant and an Autograph-like feel to it.

Of if still wanting to use those certs, I very much like the Cat 3 Grand Hyatt on the riverwalk. It is new, shiny, & in a great location by the riverwalk mall. It will be upgraded to a 4 or 5 easily with time. It is really more a convention hotel so is quiet without one in town! Within an easy walk to the Hemisphere, you can eat up there, too, & not have to pay for the observation deck. I booked a premium suite with points (based on your prev write-up of how to do this!) then used Cat 1-4 certs for a free adjoining room for another family mbr. The entire space was fantastic. Dont forget a riverwalk boat tour if you head that direction – the tours are now managed by one company so the experience is much better.

Pam

*Hemisfair…Tower of the Americas

Lynn

These are such useful posts!

Ann L Forstenzer

Can you or anyone recommend cat. 4 hotels in Charleston, SC?

Pam

Marriott has the better point choices in Charleston. Hyatt has Cat 4 (have stayed in none), but they are the usual cookie-cutter options when this city otherwise offers so much more in unique lodging options. If you have any Cat 7 Hyatt certs tho, Greg used his at Wentworth Mansion & I also stayed there based on his write-up. Outstanding & historical property.

Bob

The Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Charleston are co-located. Stayed at the Hyatt Place a few months ago. Both are relatively new hotels, located downtown near the College of Charleston, getting alot of college visitors’ stays. Conveniently located for many Charleston shopping/restaurants. Not a bad use of the cert. Agree with Pam – Marriott has some good properties there, but only one stands out for (35k, 40k, or 50k) free nite cert use. My wife and I enjoy stay-cations at The Bella Grace (technically a Residence Inn, but it has its own unique style). Also, very well-situated downtown.

Michele

Just stayed here this weekend. Used certs because the nightly room rate was $490 a night.

Ann L Forstenzer

We’ve stayed at Guild Hall in NYC. Good value, but all the way downtown. So if your aim is to be midtown or uptown, it’s a bit of a hike on the subway or taxi. The rooms are somewhat claustrophobic in size. There’s a cute bar/restaurant in the lobby. We’ve also stayed at the Confidante in Miami. No drawers or places to unpack your clothing. We lived out of our suitcases, literally. The pool(s), while they look nice in photos, are shady most of the day. It is on the beach, which is a plus. And I second the cheap parking nearby.

Would love to know why Hyatt will not extend their certs beyond December 2021, into the end of January, for those of us who need a bit of extra time to plan for travel. Marriott has done this. Do you know?

Lynn

I agree on the shade by the pool, but for us that was a plus to get out of the sun after a few hours on the beach!

NK3

Agree on Gild Hall. I thought it was just ok. It is great that a free night cert obtained from a card with an AF less than $100 gets you a night in Manhattan. Marriott has a few category 5 hotels in lower Manhattan but they always seem to be on peak pricing when I want to go. But the rooms at Gild Hall are a bit too small and quirky for me. Its far from most things people want to do in NYC, though the subway entrance is quite close. It is a toss up if I would go back there.

Dee

I agree about Gild Hall. Rooms are small and it is way downtown. I’m happy use my free night certs there though. I don’t hang out in my room when in NYC.