Why You Should Plan a Trip to the Park Hyatt St. Kitts This Summer
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
After several delays and a near-miss from Hurricane Irma, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts finally opened its doors to guests on November 1, 2017. Based on the experience of one TPG contributor, the resort struggled to get out of the gates early on, with dismal occupancy rates during what should have been a busy time of the year. Well, it appears that this trend has continued into the spring and summer, as the hotel is enticing travelers with an almost too-good-to-be-true offer for the next several weeks.
As detailed on the resort's offer page, if you reserve a stay of four nights or longer by June 30 and complete your travel by July 26, you'll receive your fourth night free plus a $300 property credit per person. With expensive on-property restaurants and a gorgeous-looking spa, that will cut a serious chunk off your incidental bill (note that the credits can't be applied to the room rate).
Of course, it's impossible to know exactly how stellar of an offer this is without considering the actual room rates. After all, a fourth night free isn't all that spectacular if the other three are $1,000 a pop. Spoiler alert: Current paid rates are spectacularly inexpensive.
I actually stumbled across this deal as I was checking on rates for a stay I had booked later this month to celebrate my tenth wedding anniversary. We had originally booked a four-night stay and used Hyatt points to upgrade to a suite, but I couldn't help but cancel and rebook under the new special. Here are the current rates for the exact same dates I will be there with my wife and 3-year-old daughter (May 30 - June 3):
Nope, that's not a mistake; when you factor in the fourth night free, your average rate for all four nights is just $300 per night for a standard Park King (which is hardly "standard" at more than 500 square feet). With taxes and fees, your total cost for the room comes to $1,464. This is just $366 per night, plus you and a companion would get $600 in total credits for the stay. Sounds like a deal to me!
Believe it or not, it gets even better. Let's say you want to head down there for a weekend with some friends. When you change the search criteria to four adults, the average rate does jump a bit, but not too badly, as the hotel allows four adults to share a standard Park Queen room:
The total for this stay is $2,013, including taxes and fees. If you split the room charge evenly among you and your three friends, each person pays $503.25 out-of-pocket and gets $300 to spend on food, drinks, spa treatments or whatever they want. That is an amazing deal, no matter how you slice it.
However, the biggest coup is for families. Let's adjust our search criteria to two adults and two children (ages 5 and 8) for the exact same dates. You'll notice the rate drops back down to the same $300 per night as two adults, though you are "forced" into the Park Queen to accommodate the four guests:
But when you click on the Rate Rules, here's how the special is described:
Details
FREE NIGHT FREE WITH RESORT CREDIT Receive every 4th consecutive night free. Free night is reflected at time of booking. Tax NOT included. $300 Resort Credit per person, per stay
Note that there is no language excluding kids from receiving the $300 credit; it is simply "per person, per stay." The same language is used on the summary page before you confirm the reservation:
If you're keeping score, that's $1,464 out-of-pocket for a four-night stay in a luxury resort plus $1,200 in property credits. That is truly incredible.
(NOTE: This assumes that the property allows kids to be eligible for the $300 credit. Because I don't see any language excluding them, you shouldn't have any problem, though I'd be prepared with a printout of the reservation confirmation.)
Oh, and did I mention that the property has the Island Fort by Camp Hyatt, a complimentary kids club where you can drop your children off each day and only have to pay for their meals? Talk about a vacation!
I'm still not done, though. If you currently have The Platinum Card from American Express in your wallet, you can take this even further by booking through the Fine Hotels & Resorts program. At the time of writing, you can get this exact same rate for two people plus an additional $100 property credit and the standard perks of FHR: complimentary breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and a space-available room upgrade.
The best part is that these rates are readily available throughout the applicable time period, including over the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends.
Getting there
Of course, to take advantage of this incredible offer you'll need to actually get there. The easiest way to do so is on one of American's two daily flights from Miami, and it looks like availability is still relatively open through June and July on these flights (searching for two people):
In fact, I see many dates with up to 7 economy awards!
American also offers a Saturday-only service from Charlotte (CLT) and will be adding Saturday-only service from New York (JFK) on June 9. Both flights have decent award availability during the applicable windows as well.
Our round-trip flights from Miami (MIA) were 30,000 AAdvantage miles per person plus ~$70 in taxes and fees. However, you could also book any of these American flights for just 20,000 British Airways Avios per person thanks to the carrier's distance-based award chart. Just be sure you know the workaround for getting American awards to appear on British Airways' website. Note that we booked through AA because we had a surplus of AAdvantage miles, and because our flights were more than $800 apiece at the time of booking, we got a solid redemption value of roughly 2.5 cents per mile.
You also have Saturday-only service on Delta from New York (JFK) and Atlanta (ATL), though without award charts, you'll be left paying whatever Delta says you need to pay, though I am seeing round-trip flights for 34,000 SkyMiles:
Bottom Line
I was very much looking forward to the opening of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts, and when it timed out perfectly with my tenth wedding anniversary, I jumped at the chance. Now the property is offering a deal that is (almost) too-good-to-be-true, so if you're looking for an excuse to get away for a long weekend this summer, you now have one.
And if any of you wind up being there at any point from May 30 - June 3, look for me, my wife and my daughter!
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.