The Best Club Carlson Hotel series was so well received, I decided to do one on my favorite hotel program, Hyatt Gold Passport.
Hyatt properties are drastically different from Club Carlson. While Club Carlson’s US-based Category 1 hotels are mainly near airports, Hyatt’s tend to be in the suburbs outside major cities. The Hyatt Place/Hyatt House properties, which dominate this category, are well-kept and much better options than your run-of-the-mill Country Inn & Suites.
Standard rooms in this category can be booked for just 5,000 points; Club rooms go for 7,000 points, and suites are 8,000 points per night. I’ve had no luck finding information about the types of suites available for booking online, so I left that out of my analysis. Below are the best category 1 redemptions:
Americas
North America
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg (Chicago, IL)
Source: Tripadvisor.com
Within this category, there isn’t much variety among the Hyatt Place/Hyatt House properties. You can pick any property in suburbia and end up with more or less the same thing. They are all well maintained, but unremarkable. You’re not going to get exceptional value like you will oversees, but the Hyatt Regency Schaumberg is a decent option for a US-based property.
Distinctions: N/A
Accommodations: At the standard level, you can book a spacious room with 1 King bed or 2 Double beds. ADA rooms are also available at the standard redemption rate. Both rooms feature iHome docking stations, coffee maker, and daily newspaper for Gold Passport Members. Unlike the majority of Club Carlson hotels, this property does not offer free wifi as a standard amenity.
Location: This property is located 30 miles outside of downtown Chicago, and just 9 miles from Chicago O’Hare International. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to the nearby Woodfield Mall, Schaumberg Convention Center, and a host of other attractions.
Honorable mention: N/A
Central America
Hyatt Regency Merida (Merida, Mexico)
Source: Tripadvisor.com
Distinctions: N/A
Accommodations: Standard rooms are 345 sqft and feature a separate sitting area with views of the swimming pool or tennis courts.
Club rooms are slightly larger at 376 sqft and offer city views. Club room bookings include lounge access with breakfast, evening cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and free wifi.
Location: What makes this property unique is its location. Merida is a city built upon the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of T’ho (“City of Five Hills”). As such, it offers the chance to explore ancient Mayan ruins, as well as the city’s stunning colonial architecture.
This hotel is located just 6 miles from Merida International Airport, 1 mile from downtown Merida, and 3 miles from the convention centre. The city cathedral, Yucatan Museum of Archeology, Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Celestun, and other attractions are a short cab ride away.
Honorable mention: Hyatt Regency Villahermosa
ASIA/PACIFIC
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu (Nepal)
Source: Tripadvisor.com
While the Hyatt Bali may seem like the obvious winner in this category, but the hotel is currently closed for renovations. As a 5-star luxury resort, the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu is a standout in this category.
Distinctions: Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2013 Winner: #9 Top Hotels in Nepal
Accommodations: For 5,000 points per night, you can choose between a 387 sqft King or Twin room with garden views. These rooms feature a separate work area, morning newspaper upon request, coffee maker, cable tv, bathroom with separate shower, in-room safe, and “windows that open.” Don’t scoff- the windows in my room at the Grand Hyatt Istanbul opened and I later realized that’s what gave it such a homey feel. Being able to open the windows and take in the local sounds and smells makes you feel connected to a city even when you’re cooped up in your fancy chain hotel room.
Club rooms are the same size, but feature interesting decor: Local artifacts and a traditional Tibetan hand-woven carpet. Bathrooms are equipped with granite bath with tub and walk-in shower. Club rooms offer views of the gardens or Boudhanath Stupa – the most holy Tibetan Buddhist shrines outside Tibet and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Guests staying in Club rooms receive continental breakfast, club lounge access, and wifi.
Location: This property is less than two miles from Tribhuvan International Airport and less than 4 miles from the city centre. The hotel provides airport shuttle service for $9 per person each way.
Boudhanath Stupa is located within walking distance. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pashupatinath Temple, is just 2 miles away.
Honorable mention:
- Bali Hyatt
- Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta
- Hyatt Regency Dongguan
- Hyatt Regency Jing Jin City Resort and Spa
Europe, Africa and the Middle East
Update 2/5/14: The Hyatt Regency Taba Heights, was previously listed as a best redemption option for the Middle East, however that property is no longer being managed by Hyatt. Currently, Hyatt has no other Category 1 hotels in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East.
In general, I think Hyatt Cat 1’s are the best value out there. The points requirement is as low as Priority Club Point Breaks, and there are some nice properties. Most aren’t exciting, but they’re practical options for road trips, suburban weddings, and family visits. I’m planning on transferring some UR to my Hyatt account to spend on a basic cat 1 Hyatt.
Absolutely. Throw in free breakfast + clean, modern properties and Hyatt beats every hotel in this category.
WoW!! Schaumburg looks awesome! I’m takin the whole family there for this summers vacation. What is there to do there?
Schaumberg doesn’t seem like a typical vacation spot, but you can find plenty to see and do there with family: Visit Volkening Lake, Meineke Recreation Center, FireZone (described as a “kids firehouse”), Legoland Discovery Center, and more.
Surprised you left out Regency Albuquerque and Regency Greenville which are all better located than Schaumberg and have better views.
The list has not been updated since 2014, here are more examples on Hyatt category 1 hotels: https://mypointslife.blogspot.com/2018/07/best-hyatt-category-1-hotels-around-the-world.html