The 33 Hyatt Hotel Category Changes That Matter Most To Me

The annual Hyatt hotel category shuffle has been announced and the 2024 changes are a bit different than in years past. Looking over the list, there are 33 changes that were of interest to me, most of them negative.

Hyatt Category Changes 2024: The 33 That Mean Most To Me

This year, 183 hotels will be changing categories, with 137 hotels moving to a higher category and 46 hotels moving to a lower category. Most hotels change by one category, though some jump by two.

You can review the full list here.

The new pricing will kick in for booking made on or after 8:00 am CDT on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Key details:

• When you book before March 26, your reservations will follow the current free night award chart found here.
• Reservations made or modified on or after March 26 will follow the new free night award chart and incorporate the updates noted below.
• Existing reservations for nights on or after March 26 will receive a refund for the point difference if the hotel moved to a lower category.

In years past, we’ve seen Hyatt target its more luxurious hotels at the higher end. This year, more changes appear for middle and particularly lower-end hotels. This year, a lot more hotels are going up in price as opposed to going down, which is a bit different than in years past.

With that in mind, I worked my way through the list and wanted to flag the 33 properties changing category that matter most to me.

Tommie Hollywood (4 to 3)

This is a very reasonable option in Los Angeles (nice hotel too) and while paying $150/night will still make sense in most circumstances, it is nice to see this hotel shift down in category.

Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco  (5 to 4)

I’ve enjoyed this hotel in the past and find it one of the more reasonably-priced options in San Francisco. I’m glad that the Category 1-4 free night certificate, an annual benefit of the World of Hyatt Credit card, will now be good at this hotel.

Hyatt Carmel Highlands (7 to 6)

I prefer to pay cash rather than use points at this hotel since you can get rooms off-season for under $400/night. But this is one of my favorite hotels and it may make sense, during some periods, to use points. I look forward to returning to this property. Despite the rather dated and tired rooms, this is hotel is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, let alone California.

Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas (8 to 7)

I’m not a fan of this hotel (my full review here), but nice to see it drop in category. Your Globalist 1-7 free night certificate (earned when passing 60 nights) can now be used at this property.

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (4 to 5)

I always enjoyed this hotel growing up and am sorry to see it join the Andaz San Diego (which moved last year) in no longer valid using a Cat 1-4 free night cert. While I find this hotel a bit of a resort factory with far too many kids (I also don’t really care for the Grand Club), I do love the location.

Hyatt Regency Washington (4 to 5)

Sad to see this go up a category, though I prefer the Park Hyatt or Thompson when choosing Hyatt in Washington, DC. The Hill location is practical, though.

Grand Hyatt Washington (4 to 5)

Sad to see this go up a category, though I prefer the Park Hyatt or Thompson when choosing Hyatt in Washington, DC. I do love this location…it’s usually exactly where I need to be when in the District. But

Park Hyatt Washington (5 to 6)

I like this hotel, though I have noticed cash rates usually make more sense than paying with points. That will be even more so the case when this goes up to a category 6.

Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach (4 to 5)

This is an odd hotel…but not bad and better than the Hyatt Place. Sad that the Cat 1-4 free night cert will no longer work here.

Thompson Chicago (4 to 5)

I have yet to stay at this property, but I like the Thompson brand and am sad that the Cat 1-4 free night cert will no longer work here.

Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge (4 to 5)

This is not the nicest hotel in Boston by any stretch, but it’s quite convenient, especially if you are in the Cambridge area. No more using points here…

Hyatt Regency Dulles (1 to 2)

I stayed here last year and thought it was quite nice for the price. This has been a category 1 since the start of the program…too bad it will jump in price. But this makes sense, because I’ve also seen paid rates tick up.

Alila Jabal Akhdar (6 to 7)

This property in Oman is high on my list of places to visit. Paid rates are about $400/night and I’d probably choose to pay.

Hyatt Regency Cape Town (2 to 1)

Cape Town can be a bit rough in the heart of the CBD, but I quite like this hotel and had a nice stay here.

Park Hyatt Istanbul – Macka Palas (5 to 6)

This hotel has really grown on me. I like all of the Hyatt properties in Istanbul, but this is my favorite. I paid last time (about $200) and will certainly pay again now that it is moving from a Cat 5 to 6. Here’s my old review, but a new review is coming.

Park Hyatt Siem Reap (3 to 4)

This hotel moved from Category 2 to 3 and now move from 3 to 4. It’s a great use of a free night cert but now a bit less valuable to use points at. I’ve got an updated review coming soon…this is a lovely property. Here’s my old review.

Alila Fort Bishangarh (4 to 5)

Of all the Hyatt properties in India, this one intrigues me most. I’m sorry to see it move out of range of a Category 1-4 free night certificate.

Andaz Bali (4 to 5)

I just published a review of this property and highly recommend it. Consider locking in a stay if you are considering this property in the next 15 months.

Alila Villas Uluwatu (7 to 8)

Never stayed here, but I’d love to. I actually do consider a booking here before the price changes.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo (6 to 7)

Tokyo hotels are so expensive and they seem to be getting more expensive…

Park Hyatt Auckland (5 to 6)

I was bummed that I could not go to New Zealand last winter (not that I would have had time to stay at this property). But with United running service from Los Angeles to Auckland, I would love to check out this hotel and spend weeks in Kiwiland.

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit (2 to 3)

A very solid hotel with nice rooms and amenities. Sometimes it makes sense to use points here, so run a comparison before the devaluation if you have a trip going up to Bangkok.

Park Hyatt Mendoza (3 to 4)

Mendoza is one of my favorite parts of the world and this hotel is lovely. It’s high time I returned.

Andaz Costa Rica Penninsula Papagayo (6 to 7)

This hotel has gone up from 4 to 5 to 6 nad now to 7. I’ve never stayed here, but my bother loves it and everyone who has stayed here seems to love it.

Hyatt Regency Sofia (1 to 2)

I just spent two nights here last week using points and I love this property. Sofia is a marvelous city and this is a great hotel. More to come on this…

Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mediterranee (6 to 7)

When I used to go to trade shows in Cannes we’d stay at this property and drive in from Nice each day because it saved us so much money. Now this property is moving up again.

Hotel Du Palais Biarritz (7 to 8)

I plan to use my Cat 1-7 free night cert to try out this hotel before the price increase. It looks really posh…

Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf (4 to 5)

A great hotel in a great city. I’m sorry to see it move out of range of a Category 1-4 free night certificate.

The Wellem Dusseldorf (4 to 5)

I may prefer the Hyatt Regency, but The Wellem is also a great hotel with an opulent lobby, central location, and even a washer and dryer in every guest room (it was formerly the poshest Hyatt House in the world). I’m sorry to see it move out of range of a Category 1-4 free night certificate.

Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale (4 to 5)

I’m sorry to see this property move out of range of a Category 1-4 free night certificate. I prefer the Park Hyatt Milan, but have wanted to try this one.

The Tribune, part of JdV by Hyatt (4 to 5)

Hyatt was so weak in Rome for so long. I look forward to trying this property one day, though now it looks more likely that I will be paying cash instead of with points.

Hyatt Regency Belgrade (1 to 2)

This has been a category 1 forever and it one of my top three category one hotels. I really want to get back to Belgrade (third time) but this time actually spend some time in the city.

Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport (1 to 2)

A very convenient hotel if you have an early departure from London Heathrow. I tended to pay anyway, but this category change makes that even more likely.

CONCLUSION

These 33 hotels caught my interest most among the 183 changes. I’ll make some proactive bookings in the weeks ahead and keep you updated.

What 2024 Hyatt category changes caught you interest?

image: Alila Jabal Akhdar in Oman / Hyatt

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

SUBSCRIBE!

You have Successfully Subscribed!