12 best Category 1 Hyatt hotels

As a value-minded traveler, I love finding and staying at Category 1 Hyatt properties. These hotels often aren’t on our list of the best Hyatt hotels, but you can book Category 1 Hyatt hotels for a fraction of the points you’d need at higher-category Hyatt hotels.

Based on the Hyatt award chart, travelers can book a standard room at a Category 1 Hyatt hotel for 3,500 points on off-peak nights, 5,000 points on standard nights and 6,500 points on peak nights. Plus, you may be able to book a room with club lounge access for 5,500 to 8,500 points per night and a standard suite for 6,500 to 9,500 points per night; a premium suite may go for 7,000 to 13,000 points per night if the property offers this room type. Some Hyatt Category 1 properties also offer inexpensive paid rates, so it’s worth considering whether you should redeem Hyatt points or book a paid rate.

The below list only contains two U.S. hotels, as most of the best Category 1 Hyatt properties are located abroad. However, it’s still worth looking for Category 1 Hyatt hotels in the U.S. when you’re on a road trip or need to stay near an airport. For example, there are two Category 1 Hyatt Place hotels near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) with complimentary airport shuttles that I stay at several times a year.

Park Hyatt Chennai

Chennai, India

Best for: Luxury lovers who don’t want to spend big.

Why stay here: The only Category 1 Park Hyatt in the world offers the elements of a luxury stay with an incredibly low price tag.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem points and enjoy elite benefits.

The Park Hyatt Chennai in India may not be the best Park Hyatt, but it is the only Category 1 Park Hyatt in the world. It sits in Chennai’s Little Mount neighborhood, within walking distance of the Little Mount metro station. If you like bats, consider going to the rooftop pool deck in the evening to watch them fly from nearby Guindy National Park.

This hotel has 200 guest rooms, including 20 suites. Most rooms are 463 square feet with a city or park view. The Park Hyatt Chennai rarely has off-peak award nights, so don’t expect to find many awards at the lowest rates.

The Park Hyatt Chennai doesn’t have a club lounge, so some World of Hyatt Globalist elite members prefer the Hyatt Regency Chennai (also a Category 1 hotel) for its Regency Club. However, the Park Hyatt Chennai does have a rooftop infinity pool. There’s also a spa with six therapy rooms, a sauna, a steam room, a fitness center, and hot and cold plunge pools.

You’ll find some inexpensive local dining options in the Little Mount neighborhood. However, dining at the Park Hyatt Chennai is on a completely different level. The hotel’s revered restaurant is Mr. Ong, which offers Singaporean hawker-style food for dinner on an outdoor patio. Enjoy breakfast and dinner buffets at The Dining Room. Also, The Flying Elephant offers dinner and Sunday brunch in an informal yet refined setting.

Rates at the Park Hyatt Chennai start at 3,500 points or $131 per night.

Related: The best ways to fly to India with points and miles

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Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Best for: A vacation off the beaten path.

Why stay here: Located within 54 acres of landscaped hotel gardens with a nine-hole golf course, Regency Club, multi-tiered pool with two water slides and modest rates, this resort may be perfect for a budget-friendly vacation.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta is in northwest Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on 54 acres of land. Yogyakarta (often called Jogja) is popular with tourists for its temples and 18th-century royal complex. It’s also popular with World of Hyatt elite members looking for inexpensive elite nights.

With 269 rooms and suites, the Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta offers various room types with views of the golf course, garden, pool and Mount Merapi. You can redeem 3,500 to 6,500 Hyatt points per night for a 323-square-foot standard room with a king bed or two twin beds. Or, redeem 5,500 to 8,500 points per night for a 388-square-foot room with club lounge access. You can also book various suites with Hyatt points, although many dates only show points plus cash or upgrade with points rates. However, booking a paid rate may make sense for some stays, especially if you can take advantage of a lucrative Hyatt promotion during your stay.

The Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta offers an impressive multilevel pool with two waterslides. The hotel also has a nine-hole golf course by Fisette Golf Design and a spa focused on Javanese healing techniques. Plus, there’s a Regency Club for eligible guests that offers tea in the afternoon and cocktails with hors d’oeuvres in the evening.

You won’t go hungry at the Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta even if you don’t have Regency Club access. Kemangi Bistro is open all day, offering buffet dining and a la carte options. Bogey’s Teras is also open all day for dining alongside golf course views; it offers live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Meanwhile, Angkringan at Hyatt is the place to go for high-quality meals inspired by Yogyakarta’s street food. If you’re looking for a tea or dessert, Paseban Lobby Lounge is open all day.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta start at 3,500 points or $78 per night.

Related: Which credit card should you use for Hyatt stays?

Alila Manggis

Manggis, Bali, Indonesia

Best for: Relaxing and unwinding in Bali.

Why stay here: Attractive grounds, caring staff, interesting activities and a cozy resort vibe let most guests overlook slightly small rooms. This resort is perfect for those looking for a peaceful stay in East Bali.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

There are two Category 1 Hyatt properties in Bali, Indonesia, but Alila Manggis is the only one that offers decent availability. Alila Manggis is built among a coconut grove along the sea in east Bali, which is popular with divers for its clear water, sharks and coral. This 55-key resort is about a 90-minute drive from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).

Alila Manggis offers 365-square-foot rooms with one king bed or two twin beds and 1,222-square-foot seaside suites with one king bed. The standard rooms, which you can book for 3,500 to 6,500 Hyatt points per night, are on the ground floor, and each has a patio. The resort’s deluxe rooms are on the first floor, each with a balcony. Otherwise, the superior and deluxe rooms are surprisingly similar. The seaside suites aren’t denoted as standard or premium suites, so you’ll likely need to book a paid rate if you want to secure one of these suites.

As an Alila Manggis guest, you can book a Balinese cooking class or go on a hiking, snorkeling or diving excursion. However, the overall vibe of the resort is relaxation. The on-site spa offers seaside treatments in the privacy of outdoor bales.

This small resort offers on-site dining options. Enjoy all-day dining at Seasalt, which has a variety of Indonesian and Western cuisines. Or, savor light bites and drinks at the Ocean Bar in the afternoons and evenings.

Rates at the Alila Manggis start at 3,500 points or $137 per night.

Related: Bali’s new tourist tax launches — here’s how to pay it

Hyatt Regency Kuantan Resort

Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Best for: A side-trip to the beach from Kuala Lumpur.

Why stay here: This beachfront resort offers attractive pools, ocean views, a Regency Club and comfortable rooms. But, what truly sets it apart is its eager-to-please staff and location next to a small village where you can sample authenic Malaysian food.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Kuantan Resort is a beautiful beachfront property outside Kuantan, Malaysia. I love this resort’s location in Teluk Cempedak, its flowering trees by the pool and its good treatment of travelers with World of Hyatt elite status.

This resort has 301 rooms, including 12 suites and 19 family-oriented rooms. You can book 366-square-foot standard rooms with one king bed or two twin beds for 3,500 to 6,500 points per night. Book a room with lounge access for 5,500 to 8,500 points per night and enjoy canapes and cocktails in the Regency Club lounge each evening. 980-square-foot Regency suites are also available on many dates for 6,500 to 9,500 points per night. If you prefer to book a paid rate, you could reserve a sea-view room or a two-room family unit.

The Hyatt Regency Kuantan Resort has two beachfront swimming pools, and one has a swim-up bar. You can enjoy a spa treatment at the Bayou Spa and walk on the beach, although the tides are often too strong for swimming. There’s a 24-hour fitness center and a children’s playroom, as well.

You can walk to adjacent Teluk Cempedak for American fast food and local restaurants. Or, you can visit the Hyatt Regency’s multiple restaurants and bars. Kampung is open all day with Western, Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisine, and the Italian Bistro serves gourmet pizzas and pasta for dinner most days of the week.

When it comes to bars, guests have two options. Chukka is open at night with live music, whiskeys, wines and spirits. The beachfront Sampan Bar is open in the afternoons and evenings with signature cocktails and house pours. There’s also a grab-and-go deli with baked goods, tea and coffee.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Kuantan Resort start at 3,500 points or $99 per night.

Related: The most award-friendly hotel program: Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt

Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Best for: Hyatt loyalists looking for great value in Kuala Lumpur.

Why stay here: From a three-story atrium with trees to various green initiatives and spacious rooms, this centrally-located property is a solid choice if you’re looking to redeem Hyatt points in Kuala Lumpur.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is in the Brickfields neighborhood. The hotel is just one stop from Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station, making it easy to get around the city and to and from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

You’ll discover a three-story atrium with trees when you head to the hotel’s 41st floor to check in. The Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur conducts several sustainability initiatives, ranging from bottling drinking water on-site to encouraging guests to donate lightly used items at checkout. You can enjoy a pool and fitness center on the 40th floor.

All the rooms at the Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur are on the 35th to 40th floor, so they boast excellent city views. You can book a 410-square-foot studio room with a nice living area by the window for 3,500 to 6,500 points per night. If you prefer a suite, you can book the 1,025-square-foot Bangsar Suite for 6,500 to 9,500 points per night. Or, if you want to book a paid rate, you can select a room with a balcony, a junior suite or even the 2,700-square-foot Alila suite.

The area around Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur is well known for its food and drinks. However, if you’d rather eat and drink on-site, Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur has you covered. You can enjoy French cuisine for lunch and dinner at Entier. Or, if you’re looking to relax in a leafy environment, Botanica + Co is open all day with Asian and international dishes.

Rates at the Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur start at 3,500 points or $82 per night.

Related: Your ultimate guide to Hyatt’s hotel brands

Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank

Melrose, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Best for: An apartment-style base in Johannesburg.

Why stay here: Modern well-appointed rooms in the lively Rosebank neighborhood, within walking distance of shopping and a Gautrain station.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank is well-located in Johannesburg’s Rosebank neighborhood. Since opening in February 2022, this has been my go-to Johannesburg hotel due to its low-cost nights and location within walking distance of Rosebank Mall and the Rosebank Gautrain station. The station easily connects to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).

This Hyatt House has 80 studio suites and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Each suite or apartment has a kitchenette, dining area and desk. The studios, which you can book for 3,500 to 6,500 points per night, are 247 square feet and include a queen bed or two twin beds. The 516-square-foot one-bedroom apartments with one king bed are bookable for 6,500 to 9,500 points per night. The 602-square-foot two-bedroom apartments with one king bed and one queen bed are bookable for 7,000 to 13,000 points per night.

The Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank is designed for extended stays, offering amenities that long-term guests will enjoy. For example, there’s a self-serve guest laundry room, a 24-hour fitness center and a rooftop pool.

There are plenty of restaurants at the nearby Rosewood Mall. But if you want to eat at the hotel, the Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank has an all-day restaurant named The Collective that serves Indian-inspired dishes. You can also grab to-go snacks and drinks from the lobby H-Market.

Rates at the Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank start at 3,500 points or $87 per night.

Related: 5 easy ways to maximize Hyatt award redemptions

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha

Doha, Qatar

Best for: Redeeming Hyatt points for an overnight layover or longer visit to Doha.

Why stay here: Located between the airport and city center, and within a short walk of a metro station with service to both, this hotel has a Regency Club and spacious (if slightly outdated) rooms.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha in Qatar opened in September 2020 after rebranding from Oryx Rotana Hotel. This hotel is in southeast Doha toward Hamad International Airport (DOH), although it doesn’t offer an airport shuttle. While not in the center of Doha, this hotel is only a short drive or metro ride away from many of the city’s sites.

This hotel offers 388 rooms, each with views of the airport, city or hotel lobby. You can book 377-square-foot standard rooms with one king bed or two twin beds for 3,500 to 6,500 points per night. Or, book rooms of the same size but with Regency Club access for 5,500 to 8,500 points per night. The hotel also has 12 suites, but you’ll rarely find these suites bookable with points or cash.

The Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha offers Club Olympus Spa & Fitness space on the hotel’s first floor. This center provides a sauna, steam bath, hot tub, outdoor pool, spa and 24-hour gym. The hotel also operates a Regency Club for eligible guests.

There are many dining venues at the Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha. Choices is open for daily breakfast and dinner buffets and The Cellar offers Spanish cuisine and wines for lunch and dinner. Al Nafourah Garden serves Lebanese cuisine for lunch and dinner but also provides a place to watch live sports broadcasts with friends. Slash offers light bites and drinks by the pool. Finally, Rubix offers drinks and live music most evenings and Sky Lounge is open all day for coffee, tea and light bites.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha start at 3,500 points or $133 per night.

Related: The best cheap luxury hotels for your next stay

Hyatt Regency Merida

Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

Best for: Visiting Merida’s happening art scene.

Why stay here: This recently renovated pet-friendly hotel offers great views of Mérida, a central location and a Regency Club.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Merida in Mexico is just north of Merida’s Centro neighborhood and a few blocks from Yucatan’s International Congress Center.

This hotel features 286 rooms and suites. You can book a 344-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two double beds for 3,500 to 6,500 points per night. Or you can book a 376-square-foot Club-access room with the same bed options for 5,500 to 8,500 points per night or a 796-square-foot standard suite for 6,500 to 9,500 points per night. Sometimes, you may be able to book a premium suite with points, but this is relatively rare. Off-peak award nights are also rare at this hotel, so you’ll usually need to pay standard or peak award pricing to redeem Hyatt points.

The Hyatt Regency Merida offers guests an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Eligible guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, all-day nonalcoholic drinks, and a selection of afternoon cocktails at the 17th-floor Regency Club.

There are plenty of restaurants near the Hyatt Regency Merida. But if you prefer to dine at the hotel, you can have Yucatecan and international food for breakfast and lunch at Peregrina Bistro. And you can try Italian cuisine at Spasso Cucina Italiana for dinner. You can also buy cheese pastry bites, baked goods and ready-to-go food and drink all day from Papillon Bakery & Market in the lobby. Salads, snacks and drinks are available for order at the Pool Bar each afternoon.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Merida start at 3,500 points or $140 per night.

Related: These are the best times to visit Mexico

Hyatt Place Krakow

Krowodrza, Krakow, Poland

Best for: A good value Hyatt stay in Poland.

Why stay here: Just a few tram stops from the Old Town, this recently-built Hyatt Place is a good option for travelers who don’t want to redeem a lot of points for their stay.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Place Krakow opened in Krakow, Poland, in November 2022. This hotel isn’t in Krakow’s Old Town, but you can take a 10-minute tram for about $1 per ride to reach the Old Town from the hotel. You also might enjoy exploring the Krakowskie Błonia and Jordana parks next to the hotel.

This hotel has 216 rooms. You can book a 258-square-foot standard room with one king bed, two twin beds or a king bed with a sleeper sofa for 3,500 to 6,500 Hyatt points per night. If you prefer to book a paid rate, you can also select a high-floor room, a park-view room or a 344-square-foot suite.

As a Hyatt Place, this hotel doesn’t have many amenities. Still, you’ll find a 24-hour fitness center, a 24-hour grab-and-go market, a restaurant and a bar at the Hyatt Place Krakow. The Zoom Restaurant offers a breakfast buffet in the mornings and an a la carte menu in the afternoons and evenings.

Rates at the Hyatt Place Krakow start at 3,500 points or $74 per night.

Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles

Story Hotel Signalfabriken

Sundbyberg, Stockholm, Sweden

Best for: A great Hyatt points redemption when visiting Stockholm.

Why stay here: Just a short train or subway ride from central Stockholm, Story Hotel Signalfabriken is housed in a 19th-century building and offers industrial-chic rooms. You might even find that you like the hotel’s Sundbyberg neighborhood more than Stockholm.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

Story Hotel Signalfabriken — part of the JdV by Hyatt collection — is in Sundbyberg, outside Stockholm, Sweden. If you’re looking for a hotel with a good value that you can book through Hyatt, it may be worth staying at the Story Hotel Signalfabriken. You can take the nearby subway 12 minutes into Stockholm for sightseeing, and if you give it a chance, you may also enjoy the neighborly vibe of Sundbyberg.

This fire station-turned-hotel has 83 rooms with either street or courtyard views. Some guests prefer the courtyard views, as rooms facing the street tend to be louder. You can book four different standard room types for 3,500 to 6,500 points per night: a 129-square-foot room with one double bed, a 161- to 194-square-foot room with one queen bed or one king bed, and a 194-square-foot room with two twin beds. If you prefer a larger room, you can book paid rates for deluxe rooms with a queen or king bed, a 344-square-foot family loft or a 463-square-foot family duplex.

Daily breakfast at Restaurant Signal is complimentary for hotel guests. Restaurant Signal also serves weekday lunch and daily dinner, offering international favorites. There’s also an on-site bar that serves drinks nightly. Although Story Hotel Signalfabriken doesn’t have an on-site gym, you can ask the front desk staff to grant you access to nearby SATS Signalfabriken (which has 32,291 square feet of workout space).

Rates at the Story Hotel Signalfabriken start at 3,500 points or $90 per night.

Related: 7 great European destinations to visit in the winter

Hyatt Regency Wichita

Wichita, Kansas, USA

Best for: Staying in Wichita, Kansas, with Hyatt points.

Why stay here: With a prime location along the river walk and across from a baseball stadium, this Hyatt Regency offers good views, friendly staff and clean, modern rooms.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

Hyatt Regency Wichita sits along the Arkansas River in Kansas. The hotel is connected to the Century II Convention Center. It’s also a short walk or drive to the Intrust Bank Arena, Riverfront Stadium and Old Town. Guests often enjoy strolling along the riverwalk trail by the hotel.

Many of the rooms at the Hyatt Regency Wichita offer nice river views. But, the 312-square-foot standard rooms with two queen beds or one king bed that you can book for 3,500 to 6,500 Hyatt points per night don’t guarantee a river view. If you prefer to book a paid rate, you can also select a river-view room or a 309-square-foot corner room with a king bed. The hotel offers three different suite types, but suites are rarely (if ever) bookable with Hyatt points at this hotel.

The Hyatt Regency Wichita offers a 24-hour fitness center, a heated indoor pool and a whirlpool on the level below the lobby. Guests can also benefit from the hotel’s complimentary shuttle from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT).

The area around the Hyatt Regency Wichita can be quiet sometimes, so guests may find the on-site dining options useful. Harvest Kitchen|Bar serves seasonally-inspired breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar fare. You can also enjoy a quick drink or meal in the lobby or grab a to-go snack from Perks Market.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Wichita start at 3,500 points or $163 per night.

Related: How to redeem Hyatt points for upgraded rooms and suites

Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport

Greater Greenspoint, Houston, Texas, USA

Best for: Easy access to George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Why stay here: Complimentary shuttle service to and from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, an attractive outdoor pool and friendly staff.

Best way to book: Book directly through Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport in Texas is about nine miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). It offers guests an hourly shuttle to and from the airport, making it a popular overnight stop for World of Hyatt members.

This hotel has 335 rooms and suites. You can redeem Hyatt points for a 400-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two double beds on most dates. You can also book a similarly sized deluxe room or a slightly larger one with a king bed and sofa bed if you opt for a paid rate. The hotel also offers two suite types, but these are rarely bookable with points.

The Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport has an outdoor swimming pool with waterfalls, ample lounge chairs and a whirlpool. The hotel also provides guests with a fitness center and complimentary parking.

There are several fast-food restaurants around the property, but most hungry guests will likely eat on-site. The hotel offers American cuisine for breakfast and dinner at Sam’s Restaurant. You can order drinks in the evening from Sam’s Bar.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport start at 3,500 points or $117 per night.