Skift Take
Hyatt has bounced back from the pandemic and then some. It looks set to continue its impressive financial performance throughout 2023. Here’s a rundown of each brand in the Hyatt portfolio.
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is a leading operator of hotels and all-inclusive resorts.
It runs more than 1,200 hotels and resorts, ranging from upscale to luxury, in dozens of countries. The business was founded in 1957 by the Pritzker family, and today it’s led by president and CEO Mark Hoplamazian.
Here’s a short rundown of Hyatt’s major brands.
Hyatt’s Collections & Brands
Timeless Collection: Hyatt, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Residence Club, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, UrCove
Boundless Collection: Alila, Andaz, Dream Hotels, Thompson Hotels, Hyatt Centric, Caption, Miraval
Independent Collection: The Unbound Collection, Destination, Jdv
Inclusive Collection: Impression by Secrets, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Zoetry, Secrets, Breathless, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid, Alua, Sunscape
Timeless Collection
- Global footprint: 14 hotels in 3 countries
Hyatt Take: “Hyatt hotels are smaller-sized properties conveniently located in diverse business and leisure areas.”
Skift Take: Hyatt’s namesake brand is, as you’d expect, in competition with similar namesake brands, such as Marriott, Hilton, and Westin. The hotels are mainly located in India and the U.S, with a single outpost in Europe. They’re modern, with great business and meeting facilities, although you wouldn’t just find business types staying here.
- Global footprint: 45 hotels in 25 countries
Hyatt Take: “Park Hyatt hotels and resorts offer refined residential-inspired luxury experiences in top-tier cultural destinations.”
Skift Take: Park Hyatt is a luxury brand in the world’s most important cities. The critical competition includes Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and Four Seasons. One of Hyatt’s oldest brands, it debuted in Chicago in 1980.
- Global footprint: 60-plus hotels in 27 countries
Hyatt Take: “With striking architecture, expansive event spaces, and world-class food and beverage, Grand Hyatt hotels deliver elevated services in iconic destinations.”
Skift Take: Hyatt’s answer to InterContinental, Fairmont, JW Marriott, and Conrad’s luxury offerings, Grand Hyatt is a brand with a global presence. The brand is a regular award winner and has a high RevPAR. Regarding growth, China and Saudi Arabia appear key destinations, with new hotels in the pipeline for each.
- Global footprint: 237 hotels in 55 countries
Hyatt Take: “Located in urban and resort destinations worldwide, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts feature world-class amenities and inviting accommodations.”
Skift Take: Hyatt Regency is one of Hyatt’s most far-reaching brands, with hotels in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australasia. It also has a successful events and wedding operation alongside its hotel business.
- Global footprint: N/A
Hyatt Take: “Hyatt Residence Club is Hyatt’s vacation ownership brand providing members opportunities in regionally inspired and designed residential-style properties.”
Skift Take: Hyatt’s timeshare works like any other timeshare, but with an exchange option added in. The vacation owners pre-purchase a place they’d like to stay at a given time of year. Hyatt members can exchange their times with other locations. They can also trade time for points in the World of Hyatt loyalty program, giving the timeshare yet more flexibility.
- Global footprint: 400-plus hotels in 33 countries
Hyatt Take: “Our guests never settle. They are mid- to upper-income business and leisure travelers at the top of the select-service category.”
Skift Take: Hyatt’s take on Hilton Garden Inn or Courtyard by Marriott. Business travelers favor Upperscale Hyatt Place, which has won multiple awards in the market. One of the biggest Hyatt brands by properties, Hyatt Place hotels account for over half of the company’s total footprint. The properties tend to be midsized, with an average of 140 rooms.
- Global footprint: 130-plus hotels in 14 countries
Hyatt Take: “The Hyatt House brand stands out in the extended stay category due to its strategic growth, thoughtful designs, and efficient operations.”
Skift Take: As Hyatt’s upscale extended stay offering, Hyatt House rebranded from Hyatt Summerfield Suites in 2012. Most of its properties are in North American cities; however, global expansion is steady. Hyatt House is set to debut in Tokyo in 2024, with other hotels planned in Canada, Germany, China, and the USA.
- Global footprint: 15 hotels in China
Hyatt Take: “The UrCove brand is designed specifically to meet aspiring travelers’ preferences and growing expectations for a seamless, comfortable, and premium travel experience in the upper-midscale market in Mainland China.”
Skift Take: Pronounced “your cove”, UrCove is listed as an “unconsolidated hospitality venture between a Hyatt affiliate and a Chinese hospitality company,” according to Hyatt’s 2022 end-of-year report. If nothing else, UrCove’s plans to open 300 hotels in the next five years shows how serious Hyatt is about the Chinese market. The brand will challenge ATOUR, Hampton Inn, and Mercure for share.
Boundless Collection
- Global footprint: 18 hotels in 8 countries
Hyatt Take: “The hallmark of Alila is the combination of innovative design and crafted luxury in unique locations, set apart by an unprecedented level of personalized hospitality, private spaces, and bespoke journeys.”
Skift Take: A luxury brand with a sustainable message, Alila has properties in a range of Asian locations and a handful of US hotels. One of the brand’s major selling points is its eco credentials; its Bali properties have a “zero waste to landfill” policy, which Alila hopes to roll out across all its properties soon.
- Global footprint: 27 hotels in 17 countries
Hyatt Take: “Luxury boutique hotels with sophisticated style, locally inspired cuisine, and vibrant social areas with a kaleidoscope of local culture.”
Skift Take: Andaz is an award-winning luxury lifestyle brand with properties in North America, Central America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The brand has several hotels in the pipeline for various locations, including China (4), Taiwan (2), Portugal (1), Qatar (1), and Canada (1).
- Global footprint: 18 hotels in 3 countries
Hyatt Take: “A combination of innovative design and crafted luxury in unique locations, set apart by an unprecedented level of personalized hospitality, private spaces, and bespoke journeys.”
Skift Take: Thompson Hotels is a luxury and upperscale collection acquired by Hyatt in 2018. The brand made its European debut in Madrid in 2022, with a Rome property in the pipeline. Another award-winning brand in Hyatt’s growing lifestyle portfolio. Other European locations are likely to be announced soon.
- Global footprint: 50-plus hotels in more than 20 countries
Hyatt Take: “Upscale, cosmopolitan, and highly customizable, these properties attract selective guests who want the best of what’s essential and none of what’s not — all at the center of a prime destination.”
Skift Take: Another brand focussing on the lifestyle trend, Hyatt Centric takes a “live like a local” approach. With good numbers in both occupancy and RevPAR indexes, the brand is a strong performer for Hyatt. Hyatt Centric has multiple new hotels across Asia, Europe, India, and North America.
- Global footprint: One hotel in the USA.
Hyatt Take: “Caption by Hyatt is the upscale, select-service lifestyle brand that attracts conscientious locals and guests throughout the day to use its social spaces to connect and interact with one another and the places around them.”
Skift Take: Caption by Hyatt was created as a direct response to the growing demand for lifestyle hotel brands. It has one open hotel in Memphis, where the brand debuted in 2022. Caption has four hotels in the pipeline: Osaka, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Ho Chi Minh. It’s early days for Caption, but given the growing market for this kind of brand, it’s one to watch.
- Global footprint: 3 hotels in the USA
Hyatt Take: “Miraval is a top-rated, all-inclusive destination resort and spa dedicated to helping guests live in the moment.”
Skift Take: Consistently ranked as one of the world’s leading destination spas, Hyatt acquired Miraval in 2017, giving the business access to the lucrative luxury wellness market. Currently, one new hotel is in the pipeline for Saudi Arabia.
Independent Collection
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
- Global footprint: 39 hotels in 15 countries
Hyatt Take: “Ranging from historic landmarks to modern marvels, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand is designed to captivate travelers willing to pay a premium for distinctive experiences.”
Skift Take: Hyatt’s version of Autograph by Marriot or Curio by Hilton, the Unbound Collection, is a luxury and upper upperscale full-service soft brand. Hotels have a measure of independence with full access to the Hyatt distribution network and resources. New hotels are in the pipeline for Finland, Georgia, India, China, and the USA.
- Global footprint: 16 hotels in 5 countries
Hyatt Take: “A diverse collection of upper-upscale and luxury independent hotels, resorts, and residences that are individual at heart yet connected by a commitment to drawing upon the true spirit of each location.”
Skift Take: An award-winning soft brand with good numbers in the occupancy and RevPAR indexes, Destination by Hyatt was created in 2018 as a response to the growing demand for lifestyle and boutique hotels. Two hotels are in the works, one in China and one in the USA.
- Global footprint: 50-plus hotels in 15 countries
Hyatt Take: “The JdV by Hyatt brand is a collection of original hotels with a deep respect for the neighborhoods that make up each destination.”
Skift Take: JdV is another boutique brand that Hyatt introduced due to market demand. Most of its properties are in the USA and Germany; it is an upper upscale brand focusing on city center locations.
Inclusive Collection
- Global footprint: One hotel, so far
Hyatt Take: “Impression by Secrets resorts are committed to elevating your luxury stay beyond expectation. With Endless Privileges, everything is provided with our compliments. Dedicated butler service, unlimited premium spirits, master chef artisanal cuisine, and a unique array of curated entertainment await.”
Skift Take: With a tagline like “Endless Privileges”, Hyatt’s leaving nothing to the imagination with this one. As all the major players continue their push into all-inclusive waters, Hyatt is trying to up the ante with the super-luxurious, adults-only Impressions by Secrets. So far, there’s only one property in Mexico, but if the demand for this category keeps up, it’s only a matter of time before more are announced.
- Global footprint: 11 hotels in 3 countries
Hyatt Take: “Hyatt Ziva resorts create unforgettable moments for guests of all ages. Hyatt Zilara attracts successful adults looking for time away to recharge.”
Skift Take: Located in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara are all-inclusive luxury brands catering to two different traveler profiles. Hyatt Ziva targets families and couples, while Hyatt Zilara is exclusively for adults.
- Global footprint: 7 hotels in 6 countries
Hyatt Take: “Boutique resorts combining holistic experiences with exceptional service.”
Skift Take: Zoetry is a high-end all-inclusive wellness collection. The brand has locations in Spain, Mexico, and the Caribbean, with another hotel in the pipeline.
- Global footprint: 16 hotels in 5 countries
Hyatt Take: “All-adult escape to romance in oceanfront settings.”
Skift Take: An all-inclusive luxury brand aimed at couples, Secrets has properties in Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, St Martin, and Jamaica. The brand recently launched Secrets Impression, which offers additional luxury, such as a private butler service.
- Global footprint: 5 hotels in 3 countries
Hyatt Take: “Breathless Resorts & Spas offers all-inclusive luxury for socially sophisticated adults looking for the perfect balance of fun and relaxation.”
Skift Take: An all-inclusive brand selling a lifestyle vibe, Breathless has just under 2,000 rooms across five resorts. Currently, the brand’s hotels are in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Oceanfront settings come as standard.
- Global footprint: 29 hotels in 8 countries
Hyatt Take: “Our beautiful beachfront locations and exciting array of activities for every age and interest ensure everyone has their dream vacation.”
Skift Take: Dreams Resorts & Spas caters to families and couples looking for an upscale all-inclusive holiday. Properties are in desirable beachfront locations in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. At last count, Dreams has 8 hotels in the pipeline and over 12,000 rooms available.
- Global footprint: one property in the pipeline
Hyatt Take: “Our all-inclusive, adults-only resorts are fresh, relaxed, and offer experiences that complement every traveler’s style.”
Skift Take: A new luxury brand, Hyatt Vivid, is set to open its first property in Mexico. The hotel continues Hyatt’s expansion into the luxury all-inclusive market, which continues to grow in popularity. Reports suggest the resort will be available for bookings very soon. Watch this space.
- Global footprint: 40 resorts in 2 countries
Hyatt Take: “Situated in some of Europe’s best beach destinations, guests can enjoy modern amenities, minimalistic-chic rooms, natural spaces, and worldly cuisine surrounded by local culture and enriching activities.”
Skift Take: Alua has over 9,000 rooms across Spain and Greece, serving the upscale segment for beach holidays. The brand was acquired by Apple Leisure Group (ALG) in 2018. Following this, Hyatt bought the ALG brand in 2021. In recent years, Alua has expanded into Greece.
- Global footprint: 6 hotels in 3 countries
Hyatt Take: “Sunscape Resorts & Spas offer fun-filled and family-friendly vacations in vibrant, colorful beachfront locations.”
Skift Take: An all-inclusive luxury collection aimed at families. Currently has three locations: Mexico, Curacao, and the Dominican Republic. The brand was acquired as part of the ALG deal in 2021.
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Tags: brands explained, hotel brands, hyatt, Hyatt Hotels, mark hoplamazian, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt™, world of hyatt
Photo credit: Rafat Ali, Skift CEO, left, and Hyatt Hotels President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian at Skift Global Forum 2018.