Across the board, we’ve seen a growing number of hotels try to find loopholes in order to avoid having to deliver all elite perks. It’s an area where not all hotel groups are created equal, and historically, Hyatt has done much better than the competition.
Unfortunately here’s a trend that’s really disappointing to see, and I hope Hyatt leadership seriously reconsiders allowing hotels to go down this path…
The Park Hyatt Sydney is now a resort, not a hotel
The MileLion flags how the Park Hyatt Sydney has recently made a subtle change — as of May 2026, the property is being categorized as a resort, rather than as a hotel. This is even reflected on the hotel’s website — under the “Amenities” section, you’ll now see “Resort Property” listed as one of the features.
I’m really scratching my head as to how anyone could reasonably consider the Park Hyatt Sydney to be a resort. Yes, this is one of the flagship properties in the Hyatt portfolio, but it’s a boutique city hotel, and I don’t think anyone would consider this to fit the traditional definition of a resort.
So, why would this hotel make this change? The primary difference I can come up with is that World of Hyatt Globalist members get guaranteed 4PM late check-out at hotels, while at resorts, it’s subject to availability. So this seems like a really customer unfriendly move that’s intended to circumvent the spirit of the rules.
Please, Hyatt, put a stop to this, or something
In isolation, you might not think much of this change. However, several weeks ago I reported how the Park Hyatt Tokyo also decided that it’s a resort. So we now have a pattern whereby arguably the world’s two most iconic Park Hyatt city hotels have decided that they’re resorts.
If you ask me, what has long made World of Hyatt stand out from the competition was the program’s genuine intent to deliver value to members, and also to make sure hotels are following the spirit of the rules. Honestly, no one is loyal to Hyatt because their points earning rates are great (especially after the devaluation), but instead, it’s really about on-property treatment.
So if Hyatt has just decided to give up on that and wants to go the direction of Marriott, that sure would be a shame. This is the kind of garbage we typically expect from Marriott, where hotels make random exceptions for themselves, and corporate doesn’t do anything to stop it.
The other thing is that you know that if nothing is done about this, it’ll catch on. Before we know it, all Park Hyatts in the world will suddenly be resorts.
World of Hyatt members choose to earn Globalist status in exchange for some promised perks. So when we’re promised guaranteed late check-out at non-resorts, that should be based on a reasonable definition of what constitutes a resort, and not just what a hotel feels like calling itself on a particular day.
Bottom line
The Park Hyatt Sydney has started classifying itself as a resort rather than a hotel. This is the second Park Hyatt city hotel in recent weeks where that has happened, as we’ve seen something similar at the Park Hyatt Tokyo.
The intent here is clear — the hotels don’t want to give 4PM check-out to Globalist members. It’s just unacceptable to let hotels carve out these kinds of baseless loopholes, as it really starts to undermine the value of status, and feeling like a hotel is acting within the spirit of the rules.
What do you make of the Park Hyatt Sydney’s resort transformation? 😉
Well, I am there at the end of next week. We will see.
But I rather suspect that Hyatt’s ten year slide is a function of going from the last chain with substantial chain owenership of properties to going “asset light” and being forced to cater to franchisees.
Now that you know... what are you going to do about it? vote with your pocket or continue to suck at the teats while continue to complain?
I would consider the hotel to be a Motel. In Sydney every year and I have checked out the hotel and common area. Usually there is a big cruise ship blocking the view to the downtown area - the room picture you show is misleading - go during peak season and the view is the rear of a big ship.
Absolutely ridiculous. I’ve had globalist status the past few years, and decided not to further pursue it. Hyatt is going downhill.
I think this is a much larger issue with housekeeping and their ability to keep up and flip rooms. When you have an aspirational property like this where a lot of elites stay and check out late, that holds a lot of rooms that aren't available to new guests checking in.
Oh Corp rate, I hope they charged you normal rate on arrival. I’m sure you cried and cursed like you did above. Then you cried and told them how you’re so important and have globalist status and you’ve NEVER had this happen before.
@Paul
In Chicago some of the hotels call it a "destination fee."
Not surprising. The PH Sydney is still the only Hyatt property I’ve stayed at, in all my years as a Diamond / Globalist, that thought it appropriate to email me before arrival asking why my stay included a weekend — and reminding me that my company’s corporate rate couldn’t be used for non-business nights. For f***’s sake…
Hyatt also rebranding existing resorts into new resorts - The Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya into “Alila” trying to mimic IHG six senses concept.
Milelion also flagged park hyatt siem reap, which is in the heart of the city lol
How appropriate that they are a flagship property. They carry the flag of what has become another lying, corrupt, thireving hotel company.