Au4882

Just received bill here and have a $40 per night “world of Hyatt suite upgrade award” surcharge. We used GSU to family suite off a paid rate.

is this normal? This is in addition to the taxes every night.

will pushback at front desk now and folllow up w Concierge if not successful.

eta; Had it removed by front desk

hoipolloi

This hotel playing game with points availability or just outright not taking award reservations or what ?

Tino

Pretty much both.

I am trying to book a trip in the next 2 months and it appears that there are a handful of really dreadful below-standard rooms ("This 380-square-foot room offers simple comfort near the resort courtyard. Includes two queen beds and window that opens. No balcony. ") on the property that need to be available to use points and then hope for an upgrade. While there are 10+ room types available for my potential dates, I can't find any of the "award" room types.

bjk497

Any recent data points on lounge/breakfast for globs? Last I saw was lounge was closed in morning so breakfast was available at hotel restaurant, but lounge was open for evening hors d'oeuvres. Thanks

OhDoctor

Quick review:

Stayed one night as a Globalist, booked into base room 3rd floor resort view using 1-7 cert. Upgraded to 9th floor ocean view on check-in. Grounds are very nice -- a miniature version of the GH Kauai. Club breakfast/snacks/evening service was good with decent options and free wine/beer. 12:30 was latest check-out they would offer (although as a casino property, they are exempt from the 4pm guarantee as I understand it).

The lack of real balconies is a huge downside. Every other hotel on the strip has real balconies, and I am baffled by the Hyatt's decision to install fake Juliet-style balconies instead. The rooms are also a bit dark and could use larger windows.

We stayed at the Marriott Stellaris during this same stay and I looked at both of these before booking -- comparing the two properties, I would say the following:

-- Hyatt has slightly more upscale feel, nicer grounds, better pool/pool bar/waterslide, more centrally located.
-- Marriott has a much bigger/more active bar and lobby nightlife scene, better casino, larger beach area, less foot traffic (owing to being further up Palm Beach), better Platinum breakfast (perhaps the best Platinum breakfast benefit we've ever experienced, supplanting the Starr Pass Resort in Tucson), and better balconies/room lighting

Both are very good properties.

shaker58

Have 2 rooms booked under my globalist number with points. I just noticed they changed fee to 15% of rate. Will there be a resort fee on 2nd room? 15% gets way expensive during holidays when rates can hit 1000+.

RESORT CHARGE: A resort charge of 15% of Daily Rate /per night plus tax (subject to change) is applied to every room each night of your stay in order to provide services and amenities which enhance the guest experience. Please contact the hotel directly for more information. Click here to view all inclusions PLEASE NOTE: One of our highest priorities for welcoming guests and colleagues is doing it with your safety and wellbeing in mind. For specific travel requirements, see Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment here. For other inquiries, please call the hotel directly.

OhDoctor

15% is awfully steep. I used a certificate for the stay so I can't comment. All the more reason to use points if the redemption is feasible.

joachimm

Globalists do not get charged resort fees, so you shouldn't be charged this. What would be the daily rate that they'd calculate this on? It is one of the bigger benefits of being a Globalist, if you can find points availability.

Edit: I see you are asking about the second room. You shouldn't be charged this but if you are concerned you could do a Guest of Honor booking for the second room. Of course it could get tricky cancelling and rebooking. I would chance it and just tell them that you are Globalist and booked on points and you shouldn't be charged. Again, how would they calculate this fee?

Side note- a resort fee charged as a percentage is evidence that this is just another way to increase revenue. Presumably things that resort fees pay for (wifi, bikes, blah, blah, blah) are fixed cost and do not vary based on season/rate. They just want an excuse to charge more during high season.

From the website the fee provides:

• Access to water complex and facilities
• Access to landscaped and maintained grounds
• Access to waterfalls
• Access to beach facilities
• Wifi - Rooms
• Wifi - Public Areas
• Access to tennis courts
• Access to fitness center
• Access to hydration stations
• Access too pool and beach towels
• Access to pool and beach chairs and facilities
• Access to Koi Pond Lagoon
• Access to seasonal resort recreational activities (based on availability)

Ridiculous

OhDoctor

"Access to beach facilities" is particularly funny, because a) all the beaches in Aruba are public, and b) the Hyatt charges $30 extra to use their beach palapas.

Vacationer123

I have a similar question. Can you confirm from experience that a stay on points/certificate is not subject to the 15% charge? (I can’t figure out how they would calculate the 15% on points but still feel worried about a charge.) Thank you!

OhDoctor

I had no charges at check-out.

Vacationer123

thank you!

platbrownguy

It sounds like you are under the assumption that only Globalists get resort charges waived on points. But all guests get resort charges waived on points. So having 2 rooms is irrelevant here. Points = no resort fee.

sg4515

So, I am finally hitting Globalist. Have seen varying answers whether Globalist have to pay the 15% resort fee on paid rooms at Hyatt Aruba. Does anyone know for sure from experience whether the resort fee is waived on paid Globalist stays? It can run about $150 a day on the standard suites.

BananaFusion

Benefit terms specifically say "Waived on Eligible Rates & Free Night Awards" for Globalists.
https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/e...ts.html#charts