Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is happening now! Follow us as Greg, Nick, and Stephen compete to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines before November 23rd. Who will complete the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
Update 7/17/19: Today World of Hyatt has announced that this property will move up to Category 5 at 10:00am CT on July 30, 2019. That means the nightly rate will increase from 8K per night to 20K per night and premium suites go from 16K to 40K per night. That’s a massive increase; if you have your eye on this property, make your reservation now. Reservations made before 7/30 at 10:00am CT and free night certificates applied before that time will be honored — so reserve sooner rather than later. (H/T: Will Run for Miles)
A couple of weeks ago a reader alerted us to this unique opportunity. Coincidentally, Travel is Free identified the same opportunity in his data driven look at Hyatt. After massive renovation of a historic shopping arcade, the Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest has recently opened. And it looks amazing. Prices generally run over $350 per night. Luckily, this is a Hyatt hotel so we can pay in points. Even better, the Párisi Udvar Hotel is a category 2 Hyatt. This means that rooms are available for only 8,000 points per night!
At 8K per night, this hotel offers terrific value to those with Hyatt points. It’s also a fantastic use of Chase Ultimate Rewards points since those points are transferable one to one to Hyatt.
A suite opportunity
When I first learned about this hotel, I checked for award availability during dates that I might be able to visit. Unfortunately, some of the best dates were unavailable for 8K per night awards. But then I remembered that Hyatt doesn’t show suite awards online. Here’s Hyatt’s award chart, including suite prices:
As you can see above, category 2 Hyatt hotels offer standard suites for 13K points per night or premium suites for 16K points per night. I figured that this hotel is worth those prices even if we don’t need the extra space that a suite offers. So, I checked with Hyatt about suite award availability by sending a direct message to Hyatt Concierge via Twitter. From the Hyatt concierge I learned that suite awards were wide open during my desired dates! Here’s what the Hyatt concierge wrote:
Currently, I do show availability for our Standard Suites using points for either the Art Collection Suite, or Heritage Collection Suite at 13,000 points per night for the whole stay. Or either the Hexagon Suite, Pollack Suite, or Brudern Suite at 16,000 points per night, also currently available for the whole stay.
Then I noticed something else interesting. Under “amenities” for each suite (even the 13K per night suites), Hyatt includes “Club access”. Does this hotel have a club? For those without club access awards, free club access could be a great perk. I asked, and the concierge replied:
The hotel does offer an Executive Club Lounge on the 2nd floor. The hours are 6:00A AM-10:00 PM.
Nice!
Standard Suites 13K Per Night
Above, you’ll find the Hyatt website’s photos and descriptions of the two standard suite options: Art Collection Suite and Heritage Collection Suite. And, by booking a suite, you’ll get free access to the hotel’s Executive Club.
Premium Suites 16K Per Night
Above, you’ll find the Hyatt website’s photos and descriptions of the three premium suite options: Hexagon Suite, Pollack Suite, and Brudern Suite. By booking a suite, you’ll get free access to the hotel’s Executive Club.
What’s with those suite photos?
The photos above for the Art Collection Suite, Pollack Suite, and Brudern Suite appear to be the exact same living room. I doubt they really all look alike. My bet is that they used placeholder images to get the site ready to accept bookings, but they haven’t updated it yet with real photos of each different suite. For now, I think it’s a better bet to go by the room descriptions to get an idea of what you’ll get.
Bottom Line
The Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest appears to be an incredible way to use Hyatt points (or Chase points transferred to Hyatt). Online reviews are too new at this point to get an idea of how good the hotel really is. Plus, inevitably there will be issues in the first month or two as they get going. Still, I’d happily be the guinea pig to test this out. In fact, I have an award booked for this summer, but plans aren’t yet firm so I may end up cancelling. We’ll see.
If you’re interested, I recommend booking awards at this hotel soon. I think it’s inevitable that it will quickly get bumped up from category 2 to a much higher category. Maybe category 5? If you book now, though, you can lock in the low current rate.
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
[…] example, let’s say you wanted to take advantage of that awesome new Hyatt property in Budapest for just 8K per night or book a suite with club lounge a…. If you’re based in Minneapolis, you could do that for just 10,750 miles and a hundred bucks […]
I stayed here for two nights on points last month. No suite, no lounge, and neither of the rooms I stayed in had any view. Hardly anyone was staying here–was kind of a ghost town– so could not understand their unwillingness to offer a better room. They kept repeating that they were giving me a double upgrade. Glad I didn’t have to find out what a regular room would have been. I also stayed two nights at the Ritz Carlton and two nights at the IC. Would rate the three of them as follows:
1. Ritz Carlton — no view of the Danube but excellent location, perfect for public transport, wonderful service, interesting non-Danube view
2. IC — you want the Danube, you got the Danube! Really amazing view (of the chain bridge they are very proud of as well) but small, old, moldy bathroom
3. Bonus listing: Marriott — I didn’t sleep here but it has the same view as the IC so I would pick this over the Hyatt
4. Párisi Udvar (Hyatt) — really picturesque lobby. That’s it. One room (on the 5th floor, I think?) had mostly walled windows & felt claustrophobic, though it had a nice separate tub. Could not see out the windows without standing on a ledge in the room. Second room had a view of the building next door only and no separate tub. I would not return to this place–there are so many better options. The Viking Cruises pax who are given suites might feel differently.
I know that Hyatt has a policy that if a standard room is available for cash, it must be made available for an award stay. Does anyone know if they have a similar policy towards standard or premium suites? I want to stay there in a suite over NYE but was told that no suites are available for an award stay. Does anyone have an idea how to get into a suite or a standard room with added club access without having to pay cash and without having elite status?
No, I don’t think they have any requirement to make suites available for awards.
Daughter just stayed there at 8k and said it was wonderful. Rate would have been over 300euro. Food was excellent and staff very friendly. Gave her free upgrade with explorer to better view as well as welcome fruit plate and macaroons and a note.
I stayed there in June and can echo those singing the praises of the hotel. They had only been open for a couple of weeks and most of the time it felt like we were the only guests staying in there. The lounge had some of the best food I’ve had for complimentary hotel offerings and breakfast was outstanding as well. It truly is a fantastic property though I’m not sure if I would be a buyer at 20k points per night with the Budapest hotel & AirBnB market as cheap as it is.
Thanks for the warning! Will book a few nights for next spring.
Thanks, Greg. I just booked 4 nights for the week after Easter, 2020. We only got to spend a day and a half in Budapest 10 years ago. This is the kick in the pants to go back.
Did anyone have any creative strategies to get there? We haven’t been to Vienna, either. So flying to somewhere in the region, then taking trains works for us.
The hotel is AMAZING.
Spent 3 wonderful days there in June, during the soft opening.
The lobby level is – simply put -BREATHTAKING!
queue the angry mob coming after Greg for “ruining” it lol
That nice castle outside Frankfurt that Nick wrote about already changed to a Category 5 when I got around to booking it. No more using the free night cert there.
That place was a Cat 5 when I wrote about it, no free night cert there.
Nick, I guess I was remembering an ideal. Sorry about that. Every time I tried to book it for my date it was showing as unavailable on points. Then, ten days ago it showed as available, but I was bummed because I thought it was a category 4. However, I did go ahead and book it for mid October. Looking forward to it thanks to you.
I doubt you’ll be disappointed. At that time of year, with the leaves hopefully changing color, I imagine it’ll be gorgeous.
Anyone know what happens if I modify a reservation. I know we’ll be there next year for 4 nights but not sure exactly what 4 days. If I make a reservation for 7 days and then cancel 3 of the nights, do they rebook 4 days at the new updated award chart?
Technically I think that changes are supposed to cause a re-price. However, I suspect that if you say you need to adjust the check-out date (rather than “I need to cancel 3 nights”) you might be able to do that without changing the price.
That said, I don’t think there’s any advantage to making a reservation for 7 nights. Just reserve each of the 7 nights separately. When you solidify your dates, cancel t he individual reservations you don’t need and email the hotel to see if they can merge the nights you do need. That’s usually something they can do. I’ve never had to change rooms on something like that.
I stayed there earlier this week. This hotel is one of a kind and prob one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed. No not luxury of park Hyatt but the uniqueness and beauty of it definitely puts it up there into one of the best. Location is also great. Streets are a little noisy tho with drunkerds and the gym is lacking but all in all a great hotel. Not surprised it’s going up in price i purchased points for around $100 per night so great deal.
“Reservations made before 7/20 at 10:00am CT”
30th on that one?
also thought that was odd
If you take a look at Mellow Moods hotels website there are 2 room type photos of the Hexagon suite, it looks like the rooms don’t have glass separating the bedrooms…hard to tell, I will check when i am there in August.
I booked 2 standard rooms on points for end August and successfully applied my club access awards for both.
Also called it in and booked the Hexagon suite for 4… May 2020. Confirmation email states : Room Type -Hexagon Suite however the Rate Information states- Free Night in Premium Suite-valid on 1-bedroom Suite only ? But as I called in and booked I am not going to dispute the booking details as the Hyatt rep stated that the Hexagon Suite was available for 4persons and is listed on my booking details.
Last October stayed at New York Palace Dedica Anthology Collection, paid cash rates and were upgraded to a suite there.The biggest bathroom ever, Amazing hotel and service. It connects to the New York Cafe where you get complimentary Platinum Breakfast.
Took a look at the renovations going on at Parisi Udvar. Great Location. I was just waiting for the booking window to open. I cant imagine views of the Danube as the hotel faces towards the street.
One restaurant I would recommend to try goulash is Stand 25 Bistro at the Downtown Market 1054 Budapest, Hold utca 13. http://www.stand25.hu +36309613262 The menu changes weekly but a staple there is the goulash. We had the 3 course menu 5400 HUF The location is in the market place downstairs …Not to be confused with Stand Restaurant which is the More expensive formal dining by the same people. Bookings essential.
The Downtown market is now complete with Lakatos Mühely a stylish street food stand that specializes in gourmet sausages, pork venison ,pheasant, flavors such as paprika blue cheese orange and oregano and leek.
Downtown Market is a pleasant 20 min walk from Parisi Udvar.
For a cheap two course lunch Prix fix €4 served on weekdays only try Börze along Liberty Square..main dishes €7-12.
Börze is a sleek downtown restaurant serving uncomplicated traditional hungarian food from early morning until midnight 7 days a week. 1051 Budapest,nador utca 23.
other recommendations for cakes/coffee are: Gerbeaud Cafe in Erzsebet square ,one of the oldest in Budapest…great seating outside for coffeee and cake. Try to get a seat at the front tables in the afternoon if you need to enjoy the sun. Auguszt 1053 Budapest,kossuth Lajos utca 14-16 (August Belvaros) Also Ruzzwurm 1014 budapest, Szentharomsag utca 7 in the castle district near to The House of Houdini…this is definitely worth going to, and is inexpensive interesting. they have memorabilia and informative mini tour in english, which includes a magic show.
Enough said….
off to Hyatt Regency Bali next week, Booked a suite for a week at 8000/night before hotel increased to a Category 2.