New Amenities Are Coming to Hyatt – But Are They an Upgrade?
Joe Cortez June 04, 2018
FlyerTalkers are buzzing about a set of upgrades announced for Hyatt Place hotels in the near future, but do they add value? The new features revolve around design, well-being and exclusive benefits for World of Hyatt members, with the goal of responding to the needs of hotel guests and owners.
Hyatt Hotels announced a major upgrade to their Hyatt Place brand, but FlyerTalkers are skeptical about how many improvements they will see in the coming months. In a press release provided to FlyerTalk, Hyatt confirmed their upcoming changes to the upscale business brand.
“The new generation of Hyatt Place hotels is intended to further strengthen the overall Hyatt Place,” Jim Chu, global head of development and owner relations for Hyatt, said in a press release. “We are keeping the brand relevant and fresh by focusing on giving our guests more customization and control during their travels.”
The refresh of Hyatt Place focuses on three areas: hotel design, well-being and more benefits for World of Hyatt members. Guestrooms are promised to have better furnishings, bigger counterspace in bathrooms, while hotels will get open lobbies that encourage guest interaction.
In addition to rooms designed with specific areas to work, relax and sleep, the brand is promising additional well-being improvements. App-based collaborations and bike sharing programs in certain areas is the first step. Hyatt also promises to improve hotel gyms and provide exclusive in-room video workouts from Exhale. In some markets, Exhale Spa will offer preferred rates and benefits at Hyatt Place hotels.
Finally, World of Hyatt guests are also getting their own improvements. Explorist and Globalist elite members will get early check-in on their own schedule starting next year, along with mobile entry option. Starting on November 1, all World of Hyatt members will also get free breakfast at Hyatt Place.
“Non-World of Hyatt guests (even those who book through OTA’s) can easily sign up for World of Hyatt upon check-in and can then receive free breakfast during the duration of their stay,” a Hyatt spokesperson confirmed to FlyerTalk.
Despite the announcement, FlyerTalkers are skeptical about the proposed improvements. On the forums, jameswes calls the announcement “a nothing-burger,” noting that the hotel brand tested mobile entry options over the last three years. FlyerTalker dw also notes that Hyatt Place is experimenting with room shapes and sizes, citing a Skift article that says some prototype rooms are 15 percent smaller, “…making it easier for hotel owners to have more flexible room types.”
“So I’ll give them that as long as you typically book through Hyatt…this isn’t a devaluation,” jameswes writers. “I’m still not sure that this is a ‘different vision for the future’ – the only really noticeable thing is that they’re going to refresh the bedroom furniture?”
The benefits will roll out at hotels starting on November 1 and will run through 2019. Hyatt Place currently has 309 properties distributed across 200 cities worldwide.
[Image Source: Hyatt]
I like Hyatt Place when traveling on business. Locations are usually good and it provides the basics of what I need. However, my one big gripe with the room design is that you can’t sit at the desk to do work and see the TV. Maybe this will be addressed with this makeover.
Free breakfast for WOH members. And everyone else at Hyatt Place for every stay I have ever had (Global-ist here). Silly. Lately sometimes I get a free water. If they remember. I feel so valued. :(
I haven't stayed at a Hyatt in years. Generally, as a U.S. business traveler, Hyatts are always at the bottom of the list of choices. Definitely, would never choose to stay at one on my personal $.
I have actually been pleasantly surprised by Hyatt Place properties in Europe. Like other Hyatt properties, they tend to be miles better abroad than they are in the US. Perhaps Hyatt could step up and shake up the market a bit in the US? Most of the North American properties are lousy.