10 Hyatt hotels to book today before they go up in category
For World of Hyatt loyalists, March 22 is an important date.
That's when a handful of properties around the globe will either shift up or move down in category. And unfortunately, many of our favorite Hyatt properties — including many iconic Park Hyatt and Alila properties, like the Park Hyatt Paris — will go up in price.
This also means that many properties will no longer be bookable with free night awards, as many high-end properties will move from Category 7 to Category 8, putting them outside the bands of Hyatt's Category 1-7 certificates.
Thankfully, Hyatt shared the entire list of changes ahead of time, so we know what to expect.
Below, we've pulled together a list of hotels you should book before these changes go into place. Even if you don't have solid travel plans in place, it's worth securing a booking now as you can always change or cancel your booking in accordance with the hotel's cancellation policy.
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Alila Ventana Big Sur
Ventana Big Sur leads off our list as a truly one-of-a-kind property. It's located off the Pacific Coast Highway in California, so the drive there alone will wow you. Thankfully, you've been able to redeem World of Hyatt points there since Hyatt’s acquisition of the Alila brand, and the hotel is one of TPG’s first hotel Top Picks. Unfortunately, award space is usually hard to come by at this property, so you might have to be flexible with your dates.
For a few more days, this resort is a Category 7 in the World of Hyatt program. That means standard rooms price out between 25,000 and 35,000 points and suites range between 43,000 and 53,000. On March 22, however, this much-loved Alila property will be bumped up to Category 8, meaning that standard rooms will cost 10,000 more points a night across off-peak, standard and peak pricing while suites will go up 13,000 points per night.
Related: 14 things to know about Hyatt’s Ventana Big Sur
Park Hyatt New York
Continuing with another TPG Top Pick, the Park Hyatt New York is another Category 7 property that's set to move to Category 8.
With rooms that are huge (by New York City standards) and beautifully appointed with understated textiles and wooden accents, it's worth cashing in some points now for a stay here at a lower rate. The location is also ideal, as it’s just a few steps south of Central Park. It provides easy access to the best that Manhattan has to offer, including plenty of museums and the bright lights of Broadway. Once you step inside the hotel, though, the noise of the city fades into the background.
Related: Book this, not that: New York City hotels edition
Park Hyatt Sydney
The Park Hyatt Sydney is one of the very few hotels where Globalists can’t use suite upgrade awards. Normally that would be a big damper on our enthusiasm. However, the exceptional views at this property more than make up for this -- especially considering that Australia has finally reopened for tourism. In fact, TPG's director of content, Eric Rosen, just made the journey Down Under and found that the hotel is still one of his all-time favorites to redeem points at.
Like the Park Hyatt New York, this Category 7 property will move up to Category 8 later this month.
Related: The best views in the world: A review of the Park Hyatt Sydney
The Confidante Miami Beach
Located on Miami Beach, The Confidante is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection and currently checks in as a lower-tier Category 4. That means standard rooms currently cost between 12,000 and 18,000 points per night. Alternatively, you can redeem a Category 1-4 certificate included with the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the Brand Explorer perk for a night at the property, too.
But alas, The Confidante will soon be pushed into Category 5, meaning a 5,000-point increase to award rates that will range between 17,000 and 23,000 points per night.
The hotel boasts two secluded pools and fabulous balcony views of the beach. Guests can enjoy breakfast outside, then walk through the gate just a few steps to the beach, making it perfect for a quick visit, or longer stays with plenty of lounging scheduled in. While the hotel is in need of remodeling, its price as a Category 4 property can be justified thanks to its amazing location in Miami Beach.
Related: Worth a stay: A review of The Confidante Miami Beach by Hyatt
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
Paris is always a good idea -- and so is the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, which is currently a Category 7 World of Hyatt hotel. At least for a few more weeks, you can reserve a standard room at this ideally situated hotel for 25,000 to 35,000 points per night.
Full of restaurants, bars, contemporary design, art and a sleek spa, this Park Hyatt knows how to deliver a true luxury experience in the heart of the French capital. Even better, it's a pet-friendly hotel so even your fluffiest of friends can get in on the action. If that's not enough for you, the hotel is within walking distance of some of the City of Light's most famed attractions like the Louvre and Place Vendome.
However, if you don't book before March 22, you'll miss out. This iconic property is set to become a Category 8 hotel, meaning you'll spend 10,000 more points per night on a room.
Related: A first-timer’s stay at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel
New York City is full of hotels. But if you want to book something tried and true, it's time to make a reservation at the current Category 4 Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel. It may not have all the luxuries of the Park Hyatt New York, but it's a place you can save some points to make your trip last a little longer. Like The Confidante, it's moving to Category 5 later this month, which will increase the price by a fair amount of points.
A great place to call home in Lower Manhattan, this Thompson hotel is cute and near major tourist attractions like Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Brooklyn Bridge. It's also near a handful of subway lines that can whip you across the city in no time. Though the area can be a little quiet on the weekend, it's still a great points redemption in one of the world's most expensive cities.
Related: Fine in FiDi: A review of Gild Hall in New York City
Hyatt Place Moab
With spring knocking on the door, now is a great time to plan a trip to some of our incredible, awe-worthy national and state parks. Before it's too late, cash in some of your hard-earned World of Hyatt points at the Hyatt Place Moab which, as a Category 2, is currently bookable from 6,500 to 9,500 points per night.
Located about 5 miles from Arches National Park and just a mile from downtown Moab, Utah, this points-friendly hotel is a fantastic home base for exploring some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country. Also, the hotel has a beautiful pool that reflects the scenery around it, making it perfect for cooling off after a day out in nature.
Unfortunately, the Hyatt Place Moab is jumping two categories this year, meaning that the soon-to-be Category 4 property will cost between 12,000 and 18,000 points per night.
Related: The 50 most in-demand World of Hyatt hotels for point redemptions
Alila Napa Valley
Easily over $1,000 per night for two people, the Alila Napa Valley is an intimate and much-loved resort in California's wine country. Considered a steal in the points and miles world, this Category 7 hotel will soon move to Category 8.
Book now and you'll be rewarded with a pool that looks directly out to Beringer Vineyards. You'll also have direct access to said vineyard for paid wine tastings, bikes to explore the area, a spa, delicious food and more.
Related: A World of Hyatt steal: A stay at the top-tier Alila Napa Valley
Park Hyatt Milan
If you find yourself dreaming of a trip to Italy, why not cash in some World of Hyatt points for a stay at the luxe and luscious Park Hyatt Milan?
The hotel, which is just a short distance from the photo-worthy Duomo, has 106 rooms and 25 suites waiting to welcome guests to the epicenter of Italian fashion. Mio Lab, one of the hotel's bars, is known as a cocktail hot spot while Dehors is the perfect place to sit outside with a refreshing drink after exploring the city.
This property is moving from Category 7 to Category 8, which is a disappointment for those hoping to redeem a Category 1-7 certificate at the property.
Related: Suddenly, my Hyatt free night certificates feel nearly worthless — book these 24 hotels now
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Lastly, you have a few more days to finally make the decision to book that trip to Hawaii you've been dreaming of.
Located on the beautiful island of Maui, this resort has stacked infinity pools that are ideal for watching a Hawaiian sunset, drink in hand. Guests can also join an interactive luau on the beach, rejuvenate in the spa or enjoy a delicious meal at one of the resort's four on-site restaurants. (Grilled cheese lobster is on the menu. Need we say more?)
Of course, things are changing for this popular, high-end Andaz resort. Soon it will shift into a Category 8 property, meaning peak, standard and off-peak rates will jump 10,000 points per night.
Related: Beautiful but cold: Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in Hawaii
Bottom line
In life, change is inevitable. However, that doesn't mean we're not disappointed to see some of our all-time favorite World of Hyatt properties get more expensive to book using points when Hyatt shuffles its award chart on March 22.
That said, the program itself is still one of the best in the business, with standard award charts and no dynamic pricing. We're grateful to know which hotels are shifting ahead of time, and now's your chance to book these hotels at their lower-tier categories before it's too late.