Nights: 2 Points Used: 46,000 Cash Price: $454.53 CPP: 0.99

It was very saddening to hear about the devaluation for our favorite staycation, DC hotel last year, but we still wanted to do a winter staycation for our newborn to test out his ability to travel. It would have been better to pay for the hotel in cash and get points THEN redeem from statement credit, but with so many Hyatt pionts earned in 2024, I just felt like burning them. 

I used a Suite Upgrade award so we could get a massive suite as you can watch on the video to the right. It allowed us to put Noah to bed earl, while we still could eat and watch TV in the living room. Noah also loved the bathtub there, so the test was a great success. 

The service was great like usual and the club lounge filled us up every meal time. 

Value: 1/5 Amenities: 5/5 Service: 5/5

Nights: 1 Points Used: N/A - Free Night Award Cash Price: $379 CPP: N/A

After hitting the 60-night milestone with Hyatt, you get a free Category 1-7 night award that expires within 6 months. With no luxury travel in sight (again with the kid) we did a staycation for our anniversary at the Park Hyatt. Our previous review wasn't totally positive, but this time around the service was what you would expect from a high end hotel. The breakfast was great because even though we brought a 5-month old, he still counted as a child for the breakfast credit, so we got an extra $30 in the morning. 

Value: 2/5 Amenities: 4/5 Service: 4/5

Nights: 3 Points Used: 51,000 Cash Price: $1,3122 CPP: 2.57

This hotel has been on my list ever since it finished renovations, so I'm glad we got to stay here an extended weekend right in Center City Philadelphia. I was also lucky booking it before it moved up from a Category 4 to a Category 5 hotel, hence why the value might not be as good anymore. 

I used a suite upgrade award so we could get a one-bedroom corner suite - again allowing us to relax while Noah slept in the bedroom. That would have cost us over $2,400 for the 3 nights!

There were so many great amenities - a huge fitness center with a track and squash courts, beautiful top floor restaurant with great breakfast, and unlimited metal water bottles. The staff were always helpful and welcoming. 

Value: 4/5 Amenities: 5/5 Service: 5/5

Nights: 4 Points Used: 74,000 Cash Price: $1,581.76 CPP: 2.14

This Grand Hyatt met all our expectations for a Grand Hyatt level of service, amenities, and value. It provided all the Globalist perks like free parking using points and a fully stocked club lounge with all sorts of great food. They hotel also provided free tickets to a cruise tour, bike rentals, and more amenities to help enhance our stay. 

Check-in staff were extremely helpful. And when I realized our suite was just one whole bedroom - so not a separate room we could put Noah, they gave us the adjoining King bed room for free! And this was during the busy Memorial Day weekend. 

Value: 4/5 Amenities: 5/5 Service: 5/5

Nights: 2 Points Used: 60,000 Cash Price: $1,281 CPP: 2.85

We visited NYC during July 4th weekend and stayed at the popular Andaz. It was a great location coupled with decent amenities. There were some complaints like the sewer smell in the lobby and broken water refilling stations. But overall the free suite upgrade gave us a good amount of space for a New York hotel. The breakfast was also very filling. 

Value: 4/5 Amenities: 3/5 Service: 3/5

Nights: 2 Points Used: N/A - free night awards Cash Price: $613.75 CPP: N/A

I had more free night awards to burn and we haven't visited Boston in a while. So we went and stayed at the Hyatt Regency next to the airport actually - rather than in the city. I heard this was actually the nicest hotel, and it did somewhat reflect that. We went during college orientation so no upgrade to a suite, but at least we did get a beautiful harbor view room. 

We got free clam chowder each night and the breakfast had amazing lobster benedicts. Free shuttle to the airport and subway saved on costs too. 

Value: 4/5 Amenities: 4/5 Service: 4/5

Nights: 4 Points Used: 100,000 Cash Price: $1,200 CPP: 1.2

While this was a "bad" redemption, we had points to burn and itches to go traveling. We went post-labor day so there weren't huge crowds while still having good weather. I got upgraded to the one-bedroom suite at check-in, but we paid an additional $60/night to get the two-bedroom suite since my dad was traveling with us.  The hotel was still renovating some parts after the last hurricane, but otherwise it had great pool, gym, and other resort amenities. 

The breakfast for Globalists was $100/day which was surprisingly plenty for 3 adults to get entrees, sides, and drinks (as opposed to the DMV area prices). The hotel had cool kid's area amenities, it was across the street from the beach, and had in & out self-parking which I always like. 

Finally, the hotel even provided swim diapers for Noah so he could swim for the first time at the kiddie pool!

Value: 2/5 Amenities: 4/5 Service: 3/5

Nights: 3 Points Used: 75,000 Cash Price: $1,221.62 CPP: 1.63

We visited Hong Kong for the first time, and brought along my parents, aunt, both grandmas, and my grandpa. I used club access awards for their rooms so they could also get the massive free breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening dinner all for free. There was a huge combination of western, asian, and other foods at every meal time. There was a buffet, but you could also order specific dishes as well!

The outdoor pool even had a kiddie pool for Noah to swim in. Every greeter and staff member were super nice and patient as we tried a mix of English/Mandarin (since they speak Cantonese). 

Value: 3/5 Amenities: 5/5 Service: 5/5

Nights: 1 Points Used: 20,000 Cash Price: $323.17 CPP: 1.73

Yes, we styaed here again despite the "bad" value because we really like the hotel and the staff. I eamiled the hotel beforehand and they allowed me to check-in early and get a guaranteed suite upgrade without using an award. That allowed us to drop in early and get ready for a wedding down the road. Then our babysitter didn't have to stay in the dark while Noah slept. 

Breakfast was great and the staff gave us so many milk packs for Noah. 

(yes it's the same video on the right) 

Value: 1/5 Amenities: 5/5 Service: 5/5

Nights: 1 Points Used: N/A - Amex Credit Cash Price: $267 CPP: N/A

We haven't actually done this stay yet, but if our experience was as good as earlier this year, it'll be a fun time. I have the American Express Business Platinum and it gives me a $300 hotel credit every half year, so decided to use it for a quick one-night stay in Philly before Christmas to get a Hyatt night plus get some extra perks along with it. 

Value: 3/5 Amenities: 5/5 Service: 5/5

Nights: 2 Points Used: 15,000 + Free Night Award
Cash Price: $518 CPP: 1.73

Before Noah we used to stay at my uncle/aunt's place for Christmas. But now they've downsized and our extended family has grown! I had a free night expiring in January so I booked half with points and half with  the award to have a place close by to hunker down. 

As a typical Hyatt Place I don't have high expectations, but it should be enough. 

Value: 3/5 Amenities: ?/5 Service: ?/5