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We received word from Hyatt yesterday that in addition to the 4 properties announced last fall for March 2021 category changes, 7 more properties have been chosen for category changes on March 25, 2021. Unfortunately, 10 out of 11 properties are increasing in category. While these aren’t massive devaluations, it is disappointing to see them add to the previously-announced changes and further disappointing for those members who live in one of the 3 areas now set to lose a Category 1 property.
Ten properties increasing in category
While 10 properties is obviously a very small piece of the Hyatt footprint, it is nonetheless disappointing to see points prices go up at a time when business travel clearly hasn’t yet recovered. The following 4 properties were previously-announced category changes:
● Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport from category 2 to 3
● Hyatt House Nashville/Downtown-SoBro from category 4 to 5
● Mar Monte Hotel part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt from category 4 to 5
● Park Hyatt Aviara from category 5 to 6
The following properties will now join them in increasing in category on March 25, 2021:
- Hyatt Place Fair Lawn / Paramus from Category 1 to Category 2
- Hyatt Place Delano from Category 1 to Category 2
- Hyatt Place Palm Bay / Melbourne from Category 1 to Category 2
- Hyatt Regency Dharmashala Resort from Category 2 to Category 3
- Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico from Category 3 to Category 4
- Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows from Category 5 to Category 6
The only property decreasing in category on March 25th, 2021 is:
- Hyatt Place Houston Downtown from Category 3 to Category 2
While these changes are very timid and likely to have limited negative affect for most members, it is nonetheless disappointing to see 11 total hotels changing categories (with 10 of them increasing) after Hyatt said it would suspend category changes for March 2021. Again, I don’t think the changes here are very significant — it’s mostly the fact that Hyatt is generally quite good at honoring its word that makes this one a head-scratcher.
Book now to lock in price or get a refund later at then Hyatt Place Houston Downtown
As is always the case with Hyatt category changes, you can book now to lock in free night award and points & cash redemptions at current rates as long as you book before 8am CDT on March 25, 2021. Your rate will not increase for existing reservations in place by then.
However, changes made after 8am on March 25th will re-price at the new category levels – so you’ll want to have your dates locked down.
Those who have a reservation at the Hyatt Place Houston Downtown that is made before the decrease in category for that property will receive an automatic one-time refund of the point difference starting Friday, March 26th.
Bottom line
These aren’t huge changes from Hyatt, but it’s a bit of a surprise that they have added 6 more properties increasing in category (and one decreasing) after saying that they were suspending award chart changes for March 2021. Those in the New York Metro Area who have long counted on the Hyatt Place Paramus as a mattress run locale in a pinch will no doubt be disappointed to see it move up to Category 2 (and the same could likely be said for those types of niche situations at all of the affected properties), but overall these are mild changes. The only property moving out of Category 1-4 free night certificate reach, the Mar Monte Hotel, had been previously announced back in October. If you have free night certs you’re looking to burn in Santa Barbara, you’ll want to book that before March 25th.
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This was actually pretty funny to me for an unexpected reason. As Nick stated, the Hyatt Place Fair Lawn/Paramas is (soon to be was) the only category 1 Hyatt in the NYC metro area. The place is, to put it nicely, fine, but it served my purpose for a six night mattress run in January when I spent less than 15 minutes in the hotel over a seven day period. I’m sure the hotel was quite busy in January and February with lots of World of Hyatt members who checked in but never stayed there!
I stayed at the Hyatt Grand Reserve in PR for the week between Christmas and New Years. It was probably the best category 3 that I’ve been in, but there was quite a bit of work going on around the beach area. I’m guessing that this property will eventually be a category 5 or 6 hotel. The property has several overpriced on-site restaurants. The best was Pasion by Chef Myrta. The beach wasn’t that nice, but there are nice beaches within a 15 minute drive. If you’re looking to go golfing in the wintertime, this is your place.
Planning to visit next month, thanks for the tips.
Hi Ross. I highly recommend El Verde BBQ for a lunch/dinner stop. It’s on highway 3 very close to the Hyatt. Luquillo Beach is the best beach that I found in the area. It’s about a 15 minute drive east of the Hyatt. Also, if you plan on going to the El Yunque rainforest, you will need to make reservations for entry at recreation.gov.
Thank you!
Darn it! My only Cat1 in California will be gone now. More expensive to make that mattress run.
It served it’s purpose for me last month at least. Now I might have to go check out the Mar Monte before it’s too late.
I agree.