While I love chain hotels for the points/status benefits you get, at times they can get a bit boring. For example, just about every Westin I’ve stayed at in the US more or less feels the same. On one hand that’s nice in terms of consistency and managing expectations. On the other hand, though, it gets boring after a few stays. That’s part of what I love about Kimpton here in the US, since they’re a chain with great elite benefits, but each hotel is unique and quirky.
That’s why I love when chain hotels take over existing independent hotels (or hotels that belong to smaller groups) and rebrand them. You end up getting the best of both worlds — a more unique experience and also the points and benefits you get with your preferred chain.
So I was thrilled to see Hyatt announce that they’ve signed management contracts for four new hotels in France starting in April of this year. These include the following:
- Hotel Martinez will be rebranded Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez
- Palais de la Mediterranée Hotel and Casino will be rebranded Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mediterranée
- Concorde Lafayette will be rebranded Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile
- Hotel du Louvre will enter the Hyatt brand family with its identity intact and will be marketed initially as Hotel du Louvre. Following a renovation, the hotel is to become an Andaz.
For example, in looking at rates for Hotel Martinez over the summer, the lowest rates I’m seeing are 500€+ per night.
Meanwhile the Palais de la Mediterranée and Concorde Lafayette seem to be closer to the 100-200€ per night range, so will be great for paid stays in Paris and Nice given the current lack of reasonably priced Hyatt options. Lastly, the Hotel du Louvre (soon to be Andaz), seems to have high rates, so may be a good use of points if it’s not a category six property.
It’s also worth noting that Hotel Martinez and Palais de la Mediterranée both belong to American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, so that’s another great way to get benefits on those stays while still earning points and elite stay credit.
Anyway, this is really exciting news. The Hotel Martinez especially seems like it will be a great use of Hyatt points, and it’ll certainly be nice to have more options in Paris as well.
@ Matt -- I would expect so.
Should we expect these hotels to be bookable with points as soon as Hyatt takes over?
@ Andy -- Not in terms of the quality of the hotel necessarily, though I do prefer Hyatt elite benefits to Marriott elite benefits.
@Lucky,
Do you have any reason why a Hyatt hotel is better than a Marriott, although they are of the same level/category?
@Lucky,
One supplement in case you did not announce it before:
A Marriott hotel in LA, "LA Downtown Marriott", will be converted into "Hyatt Regency". The hotel is under rennovation now and will be completed and changde name in May or June of 2013. This news was announced on Jan 30, 2013.
Great to hear that new options have opened up. Though after staying at the Park Hyatt Vendôme, if I have to stay at any other Hyatt next time, I don't know how I'm going to cope. ;-)
@ ffi -- They're not transferable, per se, though you should have no problem making a booking in your name with someone else listed as the second guest, and having just them stay.
I wish they had picked the concord opera instead of lafayette, smaller for sure but way more convenient place to stay in Paris than Porte Maillot. Who wants to be at the far west of Paris in the evening when you can stay in the center for the same price .... not to count the lack of transportation from the lafayette, sure there is a few option but nothing compared to the Opera area ......
I wish they had picked the concord opera instead of lafayette, smaller for sure but way more convenient place to stay in Paris than Porte Maillot. Who wants to be at the far west of Paris in the evening when you can stay in the center for the same price .... not to count the lack of transportation from the lafayette, sure there is a few option but nothing compared to the Opera area ... just my two cents, I am personally not really excited by this ... but we should see, until then I guess I'll stick with sofitels and M Galery anyway as I can't choose where I stay in Paris when I do not pay for it my company is the one to decide .... :(
Lucky,
Are the Hyatt certs one gets for the card sign up from your site transferable?
Can I gift the nights or do I have to stay or be there at check in?
Wow ... Hotel Martinez is the best in Cannes. I love the property. Was there during the Cannes film festival in 2009. Amazing.
The Concorde Lafayette was remodeled beautifully. Nice big tower next to Port Malloit , and more like 4 long blocks to Arc de Triumph(Etoile). Very convenient metro as well.
I'm only familiar with the Hotel du Louvre. Can't wait to see the renovations, although the Andaz brand is quite different from its current personality.