The best Hyatt Category 4 hotels to maximize your free night award certificates

One highlight of the World of Hyatt program is that it still uses award charts to determine the number of points you’ll need to redeem for a free night. The World of Hyatt award chart for Hyatt hotels and resorts has eight categories, and standard rooms at Hyatt Category 4 hotels cost 12,000 points on off-peak nights, 15,000 points on standard nights and 18,000 points on peak nights.

Travelers often discuss Hyatt Category 4 hotels more than hotels in other categories because you can earn Category 1-4 certificates with the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees), the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program and Hyatt’s Brand Explorer promotion — and the best way to maximize these certificates is to use them at Category 4 hotels.

New applicants of the World of Hyatt Credit Card can earn two free nights at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening — plus an additional 25,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 in the first six months of account opening — if they apply by Aug. 28. So, here’s a look at some of the best Hyatt Category 4 hotels.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort

hotel pool — HYATT REGENCY GRAND CYPRESS/FACEBOOK

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando several times in high school. What I remember most about the resort is its Grand Cypress Golf Club, with holes designed by Jack Nicklaus. I also remember enjoying its lagoon-style pool with waterfalls, caves and even a waterslide.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort has 779 rooms, including 46 suites. Rooms are 360 square feet, with each offering one king bed or two double beds, plus views of Orlando, the pool or a lake. Meanwhile, suites start at 702 square feet. You can book standard rooms starting at 12,000 points per night, standard suites starting at 21,000 points per night and premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night.

Unfortunately, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort charges a nightly resort fee of $50 plus taxes and fees per room. You’ll get transportation to and from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and Disney Springs as part of the daily resort fee, as well as access to a seven-hole pitch-and-putt course, a miniature golf course, bike rentals, a rock climbing wall, pickleball courts and more. Self-parking, unfortunately, still carries an additional $37 fee (plus taxes) per night, though.

However, booking a free night award can help you avoid this fee. Plus, Hyatt Globalist members can avoid the fee when booking any eligible rate.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort offers various dining options. Guests looking for a quick, casual experience will enjoy the grab-and-go market and the On the Rocks poolside restaurant. Meanwhile, those looking for an upscale experience can enjoy dinner at Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen. Lakehouse Restaurant & Bar offers all-day dining, and its sub-restaurant, Lakehouse Sushi Bar, is open for dinner. Finally, you can enjoy drinks and snacks at the lobby bar.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort start at 12,000 points or about $308 per night, including the $56 resort fee.

Hyatt Regency Seattle

The Hyatt Regency Seattle is in the heart of downtown Seattle. It’s within walking distance of the Seattle Convention Center, a Link light rail station and Pike Place Market.

You can book 320-square-foot standard rooms starting at 12,000 points per night, 500- to 725-square-foot standard suites with separate living areas starting at 21,000 points per night and 735-square-foot (or more) premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night. One of the premium suite types even offers a private fitness space with a Peloton bike, a yoga mat and arm weights. Each room has either one king bed or two queen beds.

The Hyatt Regency Seattle is home to Seattle’s two largest ballrooms, so it understandably caters to conference, wedding and convention travelers. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center with Technogym equipment and Peloton bikes. You can bring one dog weighing up to 50 pounds (or two dogs with a combined weight of 75 pounds or less) if you pay the pet fee of $100 per stay of up to six nights and $200 per stay of up to 30 nights.

Andare Italian Kitchen & Bar on the lobby level offers Italian-inspired dining and bar service. If you opt for dinner at Daniel’s Broiler on the hotel’s second floor, you can enjoy downtown views alongside steakhouse favorites and wine. If you want something quick, check out Market on the second floor. You can also order room service or check out the neighborhood’s many restaurants outside the hotel.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Seattle start at 12,000 points or about $179 per night.

Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia

The Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia is a short walk from Rittenhouse Square and the Rosenbach Museum & Library. Guests will enjoy the nearby parks, dining, shopping and nightlife at this Hyatt Centric.

You’ll find 310 hotel rooms and 22 suites at the Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia. Standard rooms, which start at 12,000 points per night, measure 300 square feet; each offers a neighborhood view and either one king bed or two queen beds. You can also redeem Hyatt points for a standard suite starting at 21,000 points per night or a premium suite starting at 24,000 points per night.

The on-site fitness center includes Peloton bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, free weights and yoga mats. Valet parking is available for $69.60 daily, but you’ll also find public transportation options nearby. The Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia is dog-friendly, although you’ll need to pay a pet fee of $100 per stay of up to six nights and $200 per stay of up to 30 nights for one dog weighing 50 pounds or less (or two dogs with a combined weight of 75 pounds or less).

You’ll likely want to eat most of your meals at local restaurants, but you can also enjoy breakfast and dinner at Patchwork, the hotel’s restaurant, bar and 24-hour market. Patchwork is on the second floor of the hotel and offers local flavors. You can also order room service, though there’s a $5 delivery fee.

Rates at the Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia start at 12,000 points or about $229 per night.

Andaz Savannah

I visited Savannah, Georgia, in high school and enjoyed exploring its historic downtown. Savannah’s popularity as a tourist destination has only grown since then, and the Andaz Savannah is a good option if you want to stay in the historic city center.

The Andaz Savannah has 151 rooms, including 37 suites. You can book a standard room with one king bed or two queen beds starting at 12,000 points per night or an Andaz Suite or Ellis Square Suite starting at 21,000 points per night.

You can enjoy the second-story pool deck and the 24-hour fitness center with three Peloton bikes, a Peloton Row, free weights, cardio equipment and yoga mats while staying at the Andaz Savannah. The property charges guests a destination fee of $33 (plus taxes) per room, per night, which includes access to house bikes, daily sunset s’mores, a welcome drink upon arrival, and in-room snacks and nonalcoholic drinks.

You’ll find excellent local dining options around the Andaz Savannah, but if you want to eat in, you can still enjoy classic Southern comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 22 Square Restaurant. 22 Square Bar is a great place to grab a drink before exploring Savannah’s lively nightlife. The bar even features local live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. And if you want to relax at the pool, you can get drinks and light bites on the pool terrace throughout the day.

Rates at the Andaz Savannah start at 12,000 points or about $227 per night, including the $33 destination fee.

Andaz Mexico City Condesa

The Andaz Mexico City Condesa opened in January 2023 with 213 rooms. It has mostly received rave reviews, although some guests note you can hear music in the rooms at night (so this may not be the best property for you if you’re a light sleeper). The hotel’s neighborhood provides ample dining options and a central tourist location, just a short walk from Parque Mexico and various art galleries.

You can redeem 12,000 to 18,000 points per night for a 344-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two double beds overlooking either Avenida de los Insurgentes or the hotel’s internal patio. You can also redeem points for select standard and premium suites, but if you book a paid rate, you can reserve additional room types, including a city-view room and a 667-square-foot terrace suite with a large private outdoor terrace.

The 17th floor of the hotel offers a rooftop pool with great city views and the Cabuya Rooftop restaurant and bar. You can get breakfast at Portico, sip caffeinated beverages at Derba Matcha Cafe and enjoy a drink in the dog-friendly Wooftop Beer Garden & Canine Club. If you bring your dog for your stay, you’ll need to pay a fee of $100 per pet, per room.

Rates at the Andaz Mexico City Condesa start at 12,000 points or about $220 per night.

Park Hyatt Mendoza

The Park Hyatt Mendoza, opposite the historic Plaza Independencia in the center of Mendoza, Argentina, has 186 rooms and suites. It’s a short walk to many of the city center’s sights but also provides easy access to exclusive wineries and is just a 90-minute drive from ski resorts.

Standard rooms, which measure 388 square feet and have king or twin beds, are bookable from 12,000 points per night. You can also book three types of suites, two of which are premium (starting at 24,000 points per night) and one that is standard (starting at 21,000 points per night). Accommodations at the Park Hyatt Mendoza are pet-friendly for dogs that weigh no more than 50 pounds (two dogs can stay in one room if their combined weight is 75 pounds or less) if you reserve at least three days in advance and pay a pet fee.

The Park Hyatt Mendoza offers the Kaua Club & Spa, which has massage rooms, a whirlpool and a steam room. You’ll also find a Balcony of the Arts at Park Hyatt Mendoza, which serves as a place to highlight local artists. Casino Dreams Plaza is on-site as well, with more than 550 slot machines, live gaming tables, a bar and two dining options.

Bistro M serves an extensive menu inspired by Mendozan cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Balcony is also open daily from 8 until at least 1 a.m. with healthy dishes, international tapas and cocktails. Meanwhile, in the casino, you can enjoy dinner and late-night bites at Diner Plaza and drinks and snacks at Lucky Seven. You can also order room service 24 hours a day or work with the hotel’s concierge if you want to eat outside the property.

Rates at the Park Hyatt Mendoza start at 12,000 points or about $225 per night.

Hyatt Centric Murano Venice

I’ve never been to Venice, Italy, but assuming I visit while the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice is still a Category 4 Hyatt hotel, I expect I’ll stay at this hotel. The Hyatt Centric Murano Venice is on one of the less-touristy islands in Venice’s lagoon, but water buses make it easy to reach islands more popular with tourists.

The Hyatt Centric Murano Venice has 119 rooms, including 409-square-foot duplex suites that you can book from 21,000 points per night. The standard rooms are just 247 square feet, but each still fits a king or two twin beds. The small rooms at the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice might not be problematic, though, if you plan to spend most of your time exploring Venice.

Since the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice is relatively small, its amenities are limited. However, the hotel has an exercise room with a treadmill, a recline bike and a multigym station by Technogym that’s open 24 hours a day but does require reservations at check-in. It also offers a sauna and a steam room from 5 to 10 p.m. for a fee of 10 euros ($12) per person (reservations are required). You can take a water bus to the hotel, but the property also offers its shuttle boat from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) that you can currently book for 22 euros ($26) per person.

If you want to eat a nicer meal at the Hyatt Centric, Osteriva serves as a relaxed Venetian dining experience in a greenhouse. Otherwise, enjoy a drink and light bites at Rivalonga Cafe while overlooking the Canal Grande of Murano. Or, sip a drink indoors at Spritz & Fizz, the hotel’s cocktail bar. Although the menu is limited overnight, you can enjoy 24-hour room service.

Rates at the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice start at 12,000 points or about $171 per night.

Grand Hyatt Istanbul

The Grand Hyatt Istanbul is a short walk from Taksim Square and surrounded by other high-caliber hotels. You can easily stroll from the Grand Hyatt Istanbul to Taksim Square and then continue along Istiklal Avenue, a popular shopping street, to Galata Tower. Then, stroll back to the hotel or continue downhill and cross over the Galata Bridge to see the sites of Eminonu Square.

At the Grand Hyatt Istanbul, you’ll find 360 rooms and suites. You can book a 409- to 452-square-foot standard room with two twin beds or a king bed from 12,000 points per night or a Grand Club-access room of the same size from 18,000 points per night. If you need more space, you can also book an 861-square-foot Grand Suite with two twin beds or a king bed from 21,000 points per night or a 1,292-square-foot Grand Executive Suite with one king bed from 24,000 points per night.

Grand Hyatt Istanbul offers a large outdoor pool, Gaia Spa with four treatment rooms, a 24-hour fitness center with Life Fitness cardio equipment, and a steam room. Guests who have Hyatt Globalist status or book a Grand Club room get access to the Grand Club on the eighth floor, where a continental breakfast is served each morning and a cocktail hour is hosted each day from 6 to 8 p.m.

You have plenty of on-site dining options at the Grand Hyatt Istanbul. The 34 restaurant is open all day with seasonally inspired Turkish and Mediterranean fare, while Mezzanine Lounge & Bar has light bites and garden views. If you want an evening drink, head to The Library Bar, which is styled after a traditional English club and offers live music on some nights of the week. You can also order room service 24 hours a day. Plus, Gazebo Pool Bar and Grasidi Gastro Garden are open every summer.

Rates at the Grand Hyatt Istanbul start at 12,000 points or about $188 per night.

Park Hyatt Siem Reap

a hotel pool surrounded by palm trees and white walls — SARA WASS FOR THE POINTS GUY

I’ve yet to visit Siem Reap, Cambodia, and its UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat, but perhaps the Category 4 Park Hyatt Siem Reap will motivate me. This Park Hyatt outpost was once the Hotel de la Paix, but it has since been completely reimagined and now fits the Park Hyatt brand. Since becoming a Park Hyatt, the hotel has won several awards and continues to get excellent guest ratings.

The Park Hyatt Siem Reap has 104 rooms and suites. You can book a 376-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two twin beds from 12,000 points per night. But if you want more space, reserve a 764-square-foot Park Suite King from 21,000 points per night or a 1,066-square-foot Park Executive Suite from 24,000 points per night.

The hotel has a lush outdoor lap pool on the ground floor and a free-form lagoon-style pool on the first floor. The spa offers an assortment of massages, and body care and skin care treatments, while the 24-hour fitness center offers a selection of fitness equipment.

Restaurants at the Park Hyatt Siem Reap offer authentic Khmer dishes. You can enjoy breakfast and dinner in The Dining Room, while The Living Room serves lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. You can also order a selection of light bites, pastries, cakes, ice cream and sorbets throughout the day at The Glasshouse Deli & Patisserie. Finally, you can order room service from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Rates at the Park Hyatt Siem Reap start at 12,000 points or about $209 per night.

Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Located within walking distance of many of Melbourne, Australia’s top destinations, the Grand Hyatt Melbourne has 546 rooms and suites and is well suited for leisure and business trips. The hotel is just a short walk from Flinders Street train station, Fed Square, Treasury Gardens and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The Grand Hyatt Melbourne offers 355-square-foot standard rooms you can book from 12,000 points per night, slightly larger rooms with Grand Club access from 18,000 points per night and 861-square-foot standard suites from 21,000 points per night.

City Club Health & Fitness, the Grand Hyatt Melbourne’s gym and fitness center, offers Life Fitness equipment, an indoor swimming pool and a rooftop tennis court. The hotel houses 15 meeting and event spaces to host groups from 10 to 1,500. The Grand Hyatt Melbourne also has a Grand Club lounge on the 31st floor for Hyatt Globalist members and guests who booked rooms with Grand Club access. In the Grand Club, eligible guests can enjoy a continental breakfast, daily refreshments, evening drinks and canapes.

The Grand Hyatt Melbourne offers a variety of on-site dining options. Collins Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner, specializing in classic Australian barbecue with traditional American-style smoked ribs and meat. Opposite Collins Kitchen is the lobby lounge, which offers all-day dining and snacks. Meanwhile, Ru-Co Bar is open nightly with unique cocktails and even a happy hour on select days of the week. There’s also Bistro Bar for coffee and snacks throughout the day. Finally, you can book private dining or order room service.

Rates at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne start at 12,000 points or about $177 per night.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.