One of Hyatt’s disadvantages is that they don’t have nearly the global footprint of Hilton, Marriott, or IHG. However, I’ve been impressed by the ways in which they’ve creatively tried to expand their portfolio, both through partnerships and through acquisitions.
For example, Hyatt has a great partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, where World of Hyatt members can earn and redeem points at SLH properties.
In this post:
Hyatt’s Acquisition Of Two Roads Hospitality
Last October, Hyatt announced their acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, which is an international lifestyle hotel management company with a collection of luxury hotels. With this, Hyatt is taking over the management contracts for a majority of their roughly 85 hotels.
Two Roads Hospitality includes Alila, Destination, Joie de Vivre, Thompson, tommie, and more:
- The integration of this started in March, when Thompson joined World of Hyatt
- Then in May Joie De Vivre joined World of Hyatt
- Then in June Alila joined World of Hyatt
- Then in August Destination started joining World of Hyatt
Today it has been announced that more Destination Hotels properties will be joining World of Hyatt, but there’s a huge catch.
Destination Hotels That Have Already Joined World of Hyatt
In August and September, eight Destination Hotels in the US joined World of Hyatt.
To recap, on August 20, 2019, the following four Destination Hotels joined World of Hyatt:
- Quirk Hotel – Richmond, Virginia (Category 3)
- Motif Seattle – Seattle, Washington (Category 4)
- Tempe Mission Palms Hotel & Conference Center – Tempe, Arizona (Category 3)
- The Carolina Inn – Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Category 3)
Motif Seattle
Then on August 21, 2019, the following two Destination Hotels joined World of Hyatt:
- The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch – Scottsdale, Arizona (Category 3)
- Rizzo Center – Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Category 3)
Rizzo Center
Then on September 10, 2019, the following two Destination Hotels joined World of Hyatt:
- The Elms Hotel & Spa – Excelsior Springs, Missouri (Category 2)
- Hotel De Anza – San Jose, California (Category 4)
The Elms Hotel & Spa
What’s awesome is that these hotels fully joined World of Hyatt — this isn’t just a partnership — so you can earn and redeem points, and receive full elite benefits, at these properties.
New: More Destination Hotels Join World of Hyatt
Now we’re seeing a further three dozen Destination Hotels join World of Hyatt, meaning World of Hyatt members will have access to more than 40 Destination Hotels locations throughout the US.
The new additions even include some residences, which is exciting on the surface, since it gives members access to lodging options that include more space. But there’s a huge catch to these additions:
- Not all Destination Hotels residences will offer Globalist members free breakfast
- Not all Destination Hotels residences will have standard room free night awards
This means that while you’ll be able to earn points at all of these properties, you won’t be able to redeem points at all of them, and at a majority of them also won’t receive free breakfast.
That sets a very bad precedent, though I’m guessing in the case of some of these vacation rentals, there might just not be restaurants?
What hotels are being added? Below I’ll note all the properties. If an award category isn’t listed, that means you can’t redeem points for a standard room there. I’ll also note if they don’t offer Globalist breakfast (if they do, then nothing will be listed).
As of November 5, 2019, the following Destination Hotels are joining World of Hyatt:
- Vail 21, a Destination Residence – Vail, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Vantage Point, a Destination Residence – Vail, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Westwind, a Destination Residence – Vail, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
Vantage Point Vail
As of November 12, 2019, the following Destination Hotels are joining World of Hyatt:
- Aspenwood, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Capitol Peak Lodge, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Countryside at Snowmass, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Interlude, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Laurelwood Condominiums, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (Category 5, no Globalist breakfast)
- Lichenhearth, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (Category 6, no Globalist breakfast)
- The Lodge at Spruce Peak – Stowe, Vermont (Category 8)
- Resort at Squaw Creek – Olympic Valley, California (Category 6)
- Shadowbrook, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- The Stonebridge Inn — Snowmass, Colorado (Category 5, no Globalist breakfast)
- Tamarack Townhomes, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Terracehouse, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Top of the Village, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Villas at Snowmass Club, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (Category 7, no Globalist breakfast)
- Willows, a Destination Residence – Snowmass, Colorado (no Globalist breakfast)
- Champion Ridge at Mauna Lani, a Destination Residence – Waimea, Hawaii (no Globalist breakfast)
- The Islands at Mauna Lani – Waimea, Hawaii (no Globalist breakfast)
- Kaanapali Alii – Lahaina, Hawaii (Category 8, no Globalist breakfast)
- Lahaina Shores Beach Resort – Lahaina, Hawaii (Category 4, no Globalist breakfast)
- The Lodge at Kukui’ula – Koloa, Hawaii (Category 8, no Globalist breakfast)
- Makena Surf, A Destination Residence – Koloa, Hawaii (no Globalist breakfast)
- Mauna Lani Point Resort – Waimea, Hawaii (Category 7, no Globalist breakfast)
- Polo Beach Club, A Destination Residence – Kihei, Hawaii (no Globalist breakfast)
- Puunoa Beach Estates – Lahaina, Hawaii (no Globalist breakfast)
- Wailea Beach Villas – Kihei, Hawaii (no Globalist breakfast)
- Wailea Ekahi Village, a Destination Residence – Wailea Hawaii (Category 6, no Globalist breakfast)
- Wailea Ekolu Village, a Destination Residence – Wailea Hawaii (Category 6, no Globalist breakfast)
Aspenwood Snowmass
Earn Bonus Points & A Free Night
To celebrate the addition of these new properties to Hyatt’s portfolio, World of Hyatt members can earn 2,000 bonus points for their first qualifying stay at each of the new brands, plus a free night when they experience all four brands.
Eligible stays at participating hotels will begin once each brand participates in World of Hyatt, and is valid through December 31, 2019. No registration is required for this.
Earning World of Hyatt points
Obviously, these properties are great for anyone looking to earn World of Hyatt points (and in some cases for those looking to redeem points). But there are also lots of ways to earn World of Hyatt points through credit cards.
In addition to being able to earn World of Hyatt points with the World of Hyatt Credit Card (review), you can also transfer over points from Ultimate Rewards.
- Earn 4x Points at Hyatt Properties
- Free Night Every Year
- Complimentary Discoverist Status
- $95
- Earn 4x Points at Hyatt Properties
- Complimentary Discoverist Status
- Gift Discoverist Status up to 5 Employees
- $199
- 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on travel purchases
- $95
- 3x points on Travel after the $300 Annual Travel Credit
- 3x points on Dining
- $300 Travel Credit
- $550
- Earn 3x points on travel
- Earn 3x points on shipping purchases
- Cell Phone Protection
- $95
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Car Rental Coverage
- Extended Warranty Protection
- $0
- Earn 5% Cash Back at office supply stores
- Earn 5% Cash Back on internet, cable TV, mobile phones, and landlines
- Car Rental Coverage
- $0
- Earn 3% Cash Back on Dining
- Earn 3% Cash Back at Drugstores
- Earn 1.5% Cash Back On All Other Purchases
- $0
See this post for everything you need to know about earning Hyatt points with credit cards.
Bottom Line
Two Roads Hospitality has been an exciting acquisition for Hyatt, and in particular I’ve been excited about the addition of brands like Alila.
It’s nice to see three dozen more properties added, and in particular properties that offer different types of lodging opportunities. The major catch here is that many of these properties don’t allow points redemptions, and also don’t offer free Globalist breakfast.
I guess at least the breakfast situation is somewhat understandable, but I hope that this isn’t a trend that spreads (in fairness to Hyatt, I don’t think it will — as a brand they do a great job with consistency).
What do you make of these Destination Hotels being added to Hyatt, in particular the residences?
Any update on when Sunriver will join World of Hyatt?
Loving the extra properties at the snow. Shame no Telluride! Will be interesting to see how easy it is to get nights on points.
Obviously they timed this announcement with the upcoming ski season and Hawaii winter season. Important to keep in mind that most of these are not 'hotels'. They are vacation rentals, condos, town homes, etc... Hard for them to offer a free breakfast if they don't even have a paid for breakfast. That said, I'm glad to see more points opportunities for ski trips. Unfortunately, Vail and Snowmass aren't really ski areas I have any interest in going to.
No comment on the fact that a number of these are Category 8!?
@DLPTATL You said exactly what I was thinking, but you said it better.
I would be happy with something like the Kimpton "Raid the bar" credit instead of a free (crappy) breakfast every single time. I have no desire to be hungry on the hotel's schedule.
I'm familiar with a couple of the Maui properties and yes they are condo complexes with no onsite restaurant, but there are kitchens in most units.
@Sean - I think your position, and Lucky's headline, reflect a rather myopic view of the situation. I'd much rather see Hyatt add as many options to the platform as possible (given how much smaller they are than Marriott or Hilton) rather than only adding properties where Globalists can get free breakfast.
It is interesting that there is still no mention of Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, SC.
It's beyond absurd that Hyatt is letting them carve out the globalist breakfast benefit. At the very least Hyatt should pick up the tab and make it available to their top-tier customers, otherwise they shouldn't be part of thw Hyatt portfolio. Period.
@HT
No one cares.
I'm most alarmed by the fact that some of these actual Hyatt properties are now Cat 8. It wasn't that long ago that they said that category was only for SLH. I can see several existing Cat 7 properties moving up early next year :(
FWIW, I stayed at the Motif in Seattle a few weeks ago and was deeply unimpressed -- both with the room and with my elite recognition.
but Destination Hotels won't count towards the 'A free night for five Hyatt brands' Brand Explorer activities? (Destination Hotels doesn't show up along with other brands on that page)
What about Hyatt Prive benefits, any use of booking through a rep?
I've stayed at Vantage Point multiple times and at some of those other properties as well. There simply are not restaurants. They're condo complexes.
To my fellow travelers unfortunately I am not sure if this is honest proposal in Vienna yesterday tried to book the SLH Altstadt hotel via Hyatt app not available. By booking on SLH website no problems (aller room categories available at least 5 or more) I booked two rooms.
No Hyatt benefits applied, no points credited I am told because you have to book through the Hyatt app. This is borderline a scam. This...
To my fellow travelers unfortunately I am not sure if this is honest proposal in Vienna yesterday tried to book the SLH Altstadt hotel via Hyatt app not available. By booking on SLH website no problems (aller room categories available at least 5 or more) I booked two rooms.
No Hyatt benefits applied, no points credited I am told because you have to book through the Hyatt app. This is borderline a scam. This sounds more like a real estate franchise the. A serious association of some sort.
I am now going to write to Hyatt and see what they say. Super disappointed.
I think Suncadia will join eventually as well.
Hyatt must have more properties in Seattle than about any city now, lol
@ Phil - did not know SunRiver was in there, that is very cool. Great resort.
Only thing here that is of interest is another Seattle option... expensive market in the summer.
When these hotel alliances join World of Hyatt, why do they not actually *join* World of Hyatt? I am looking to stay on Ios next summer and both properties on the island are not bookable through points. It says 'members only' in the spot where it should say the # of points. I am a member! Will it become available eventually? Why are they searchable on Hyatt website when I have it set to award search?
Does "joining the program" mean booking starts those days? I have a potential reason to be in San Jose on 9/10. Would love to book Hotel de Anza for that night, but don't exactly want to wait until day of.
Just stayed at the Woodmark Inn in Kirkland WA right on Lake Washington, great Destination property but woulda been sweeter with Hyatt points!
Carolina Inn, too, is wonderful. Andy Griffin used to stay there, a native of NC. Fantastic restaurant. Another great Hyatt portfolio addition.
@Phil couldn't agree more! My extended family all meet up in Sunriver each year, it's a great resort with miles of bike paths making it easy for everyone to get around.
Clearly no amount of new credit cards will make you less of an asshole. Maybe when you hit the 1,000 mark you won't be rude to people providing free, voluntary to read, content.
I'm so exited - so I had to put in only 5 links to credit cards LOL
By the way - not to spoil the party - I have opened over 100 CC's in recent years - never used your or other links. And I feel fine.
I can hardly wait for Sunriver, a Destination property a little south of Bend, OR, to join World of Hyatt. That will be a first and significant presence for Hyatt in Central Oregon. Sunriver is a fabulous high desert resort.