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.
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 Hotels joined World of Hyatt. We knew that the remaining brands would be added over the coming months, and that’s continuing to happen.
Joie de Vivre joins World of Hyatt
Today Hyatt has announced that Joie de Vivre will be the next former Two Roads Hospitality brand to join World of Hyatt, as of May 15, 2019.
Hotel Kabuki San Francisco, a Joie de Vivre property
For those of you not familiar with Joie de Vivre, they operate mostly mid-range, quirky properties in the US. I tend to think of them as being most closely aligned with Kimpton in terms of what they’re offering.
This will allow World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points at eligible Joie de Vivre properties, as well as take advantage of all elite benefits (so this includes things like complimentary suite upgrades and breakfast for Globalist members).
The following 14 Joie de Vivre properties will be participating (and I’ve also listed the World of Hyatt categories they’ll be in, if you’re looking to redeem for a free night):
- Chicago Athletic Association in Chicago (Category 4)
- Hotel Lincoln in Chicago (Category 3)
- The Talbott in Chicago (Category 3)
- Hotel Revival in Baltimore (Category 2)
- Hotel Avante in Mountain View (Category 4)
- Avatar Hotel in Santa Clara (Category 3)
- Hotel del Sol in San Francisco (Category 4)
- Wild Palms Hotel in Sunnyvale (Category 3)
- Waterfront Hotel in Oakland (Category 3)
- Hotel 50 Bowery in New York City (Category 5)
- Park South in New York City (Category 5)
- The Laurel Inn in San Francisco (Category 5)
- Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel (Category 6)
- Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco (Category 5)
Hotel Revival Baltimore, a Joie de Vivre property
As a reminder:
- A Category 2 free night redemption costs 8,000 points
- A Category 3 free night redemption costs 12,000 points
- A Category 4 free night redemption costs 15,000 points
- A Category 5 free night redemption costs 20,000 points per night
- A Category 6 free night redemption costs 25,000 points per night
- Category 4 is a bit of a sweet spot, given Category 1-4 free night certificates
Park South New York, a Joie de Vivre property
More brands joining World of Hyatt soon
Two brands have now joined World of Hyatt, and we can expect that Alila Hotels and Destination Hotels will both be joining World of Hyatt soon as well.
Hyatt says that as these brands are added to Hyatt’s portfolio throughout 2019, we can expect 60+ new hotels in 20+ new markets. Furthermore, these hotels will expand Hyatt’s resort offerings by 60%, and include awesome resorts like Ventana Big Sur.
Ventana Big Sur, an Alila property
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.
Bottom line
I’m so excited about Hyatt’s acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, given the new resorts that this adds to the Hyatt portfolio. We now have access to select Thompson Hotels and Joie de Vivre hotels, though personally I’m most excited about Alila joining Hyatt soon.
They have some spectacular properties, and properties like Ventana Big Sur, Alila Jabal Akhdar, and Alila Uluwatu Ubud have long been on my bucket list. Staying there while being able to earn and redeem World of Hyatt points will be awesome.
Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman
Are there any Joie de Vivre properties you’re excited to check out?
It does not seem that all Globalist benefits are offered at Joie de Vivre properties.
I was charged for valet parking on an award stay at Hotel 50 Bowery even though it could be charged to the room and I was told by WOH customer service that it would be comped.
To my Hyatt Concierge's credit though, I am being provided a Hyatt gift card in an equivalent amount for the mistake.
The Waterfront Hotel is category 4.
I was most looking forward to Vitale and am quite disappointed to learn from hyatt: “At this time, Hotel Vitale is not affiliated with Hyatt and will not participate in World of Hyatt at this time even though they may be part of the Joie de Vivre brand and bookable at jdvhotels.com.”
Really Hope alila yangshuo stays at low cat
Would these other brands be bookable with a Hyatt gift card?
@Joseph N. Hi. I read the blog. You'll also notice that you can book awards at the hotel using points. But the hotel said they won't accept free nights via credit card. Thanks for being so presumptuous though.
@CJ Read the blog. They are not in WoH yet.
I stayed at the Kabuki in San Francisco, and I was seriously underwhelmed. It impressed me as a place to choose just because of it's location.
Chicago athletic association is not accepting the credit card free night. Just tried. If they're gonna play games, I don't care if they're in the portfolio.
The Chicago athletic association is a fun hotel in a great building in a great location. My go to hotel in Chicago.
@tjp74 & @Colin,
Hotel Del Sol is a bit of a dump, if memory serves.
However, location is good for Crissy Field, Presidio, GG Bridge, Fort Mason, and Patxi's Pizza Filmore location.
Alila Ubud and Alila Uluwatu, and Alila Seminyak are all separate properties in Bali. There is no "Alila Uluwatu Ubud".
Hotel del Sol doesn't look great
Did searching...anyone know what about Hotel Vitale in SF? Listed on searches, but shown as not available. Rooms available specifically on the Vitale website, and some comment about that it's not available to WOH.
Meh. I like Hyatt, but I've never been a fan of JDV hotels.
This couldn't have come sooner. As a globalist with couple of cat 1-4 certificates to burn, I was so bummed for not booking 2 nights at San Francisco this summer before they raise these cat 4 properties to cat 5. I have a long layover between my return trip from that DUB-LIS-SFO TAP business class deal to my home port SEA and I knew I needed this stay but forgot to redeemed my certs before...
This couldn't have come sooner. As a globalist with couple of cat 1-4 certificates to burn, I was so bummed for not booking 2 nights at San Francisco this summer before they raise these cat 4 properties to cat 5. I have a long layover between my return trip from that DUB-LIS-SFO TAP business class deal to my home port SEA and I knew I needed this stay but forgot to redeemed my certs before the cat change earlier this year. Cash rate at these hotels in SF middle of July is hideous at over $400 per night. I jumped on this and booked two nights are Hotel Del Sol. their cheapest prepaid member rate is $915 total for two nights. I have to say that this has been the best use of cat 4 free night certs ever.