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. Many of us have been wondering when the integration into World of Hyatt would finally be happening, and we now have our answer.
Thompson Hotels joins World of Hyatt
Today Hyatt has announced that Thompson Hotels will be the first former Two Roads Hospitality brand to join World of Hyatt as of March 28, 2019.
This will allow World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points at eligible Thomson 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 eight Thomson Hotels in the US, Canada, and Mexico 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):
- Gild Hall New York City (Category 4)
- The Beekman New York City (Category 6)
- The Cape in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Category 6)
- Thompson Chicago (Category 4)
- Thompson Nashville (Category 6
- Thompson Seattle (Category 5)
- Thompson Toronto (Category 6)
- Thompson Zihuatanejo (Category 6)
As a reminder, a Category 4 free night redemption costs 15,000 points, Category 5 free night redemption costs 20,000 points, and Category 6 free night redemption costs 25,000 points. The Category 4 properties are especially noteworthy, given that Category 1-4 free night certificates can be redeemed there.
Thompson Seattle
More brands joining World of Hyatt soon
The great news is that Thompson is only the first brand joining World of Hyatt, but we’re supposed to expect more soon. Here’s what we know about the timeline for brands to join World of Hyatt:
- Thompson Hotels (for stays starting March 28, 2019)
- Joie de Vivre Hotels (for stays starting May 15, 2019)
- Alila Hotels (coming soon)
- Destination Hotels (coming soon)
Thompson Zihuatanejo
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’ll have access to select Thompson Hotels as of tomorrow, 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 you excited to see these brands join Hyatt?
Loyalty Lobby is reporting that a one third of the 85 hotels ". . . decided to opt out, leave or reflag after the purchase [by Hyatt] was announced". That's 25 to 30 properties.
https://loyaltylobby.com/2019/03/27/world-of-hyatt-two-roads-hospitality-update-alila-joie-de-vivre-thompson-destination-hotels/
Yes! Great news! The Beekman in New York alone makes this hugely valuable for WOH members who lack any decent luxury options to earn/redeem except the Park Hyatt in midtown (which is not often priced under $900 p/n), plus it’s arguably he best design hotel in town right now.
With the new brands coming in, earning that second free night should be a breeze... I have to say between SLH (which has been a...
Yes! Great news! The Beekman in New York alone makes this hugely valuable for WOH members who lack any decent luxury options to earn/redeem except the Park Hyatt in midtown (which is not often priced under $900 p/n), plus it’s arguably he best design hotel in town right now.
With the new brands coming in, earning that second free night should be a breeze... I have to say between SLH (which has been a huge help in Europe) and now Two Roads I think the value of WOH has gone up hugely in the last year.
@Jim Reilly
that's because some Thompson properties aren't owned/managed by the Thompson brand. For example, Alila Wuzhen is not under Alila thus you don't get any benefits at the Wuzhen property through Alila's loyalty program
Great news unless you consistently stay at one of the Thompson properties not on the list. Why would they just not include the entire portfolio? I stay at the Thompson Playa del Carmen for work at least 30 nights a year and they have been telling me this is coming. Now they are excluded. Why would Hyatt allow that?
Hyatt is on it!!. So glad I moved ALL of my mainline hotel business away from SPG/Marriott.
I mean if one loves cookie cutter hotels then Marriott is your gal, but I like unique luxury properties... the ones the masses hardly hear about.
The devil is in the details...like pricing. The SLH hotels I checked were routinely much more expensive when booked with Hyatt vs the hotel site. And if you book through the hotel site, you probably won't get credit. Wonder if the other chains will price similarly.
This is great overall. Unfortunately the SLH properties have been disappointing if you compare the Hyatt rate to what you could get from an OTA... some have been 30%. They are definitely great for using points, for earning points it remains to be seen. I have booked a few on cash, but its annoying to have to question whether you are not getting ripped off.
I suspect Thompson may be different and more consistent...
This is great overall. Unfortunately the SLH properties have been disappointing if you compare the Hyatt rate to what you could get from an OTA... some have been 30%. They are definitely great for using points, for earning points it remains to be seen. I have booked a few on cash, but its annoying to have to question whether you are not getting ripped off.
I suspect Thompson may be different and more consistent Hyatt pricing? Because they actually acquired the management rather than just a marketing agreement with SLH?
Oh god. Joie de Vivre Hotels are the worst. Hopefully they don't use that as a reason to stop expanding in certain cities.
I needed a hotel in Nashville in July, just booked the Thompson, looks like it is in a great location, looking forward to trying a new brand.
@Brandon
Gary Leff is saying they won't be apart of Hyatt.
and a stay at each of the 4 until Dec 2019 gets you one free night certificate
Alila Villas Uluwatu is legendary. Excited to earn/redeem Hyatt points! I was hoping Alila would be some of the first to be incorporated, but it looks like we have to wait.
This is awesome! I regularly have to stay at a Thompson hotel for work and Hyatt is my preferred hotel group to stay at and earn rewards with.
Anytime Hyatt adds more brands, it's only good news. More options for those who are heavily invested in the Chase UR points. Excited to see what properties Alila brings.
SUPER excited. Planning a trip to Oman in 2020 and would love to spend a couple of nights at Alila Jabal Akhdar
Wow this is fabulous. Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali is one of the most incredible properties I've ever been to. Didn't realize that Alila was a Thompson brand. This makes the Hyatt program much more compelling.
Hyatt should have closed on SPG.
Interesting that the Thompson Playa Del Carmen doesn’t show up on the list....