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 them for a fraction of the points you’d need at higher-category properties.

Based on the recently updated Hyatt award chart, travelers can book a standard room at a Category 1 World of Hyatt hotel for 3,000 points on Lowest nights, 4,500 points on Low nights, 6,000 points on Moderate nights, 7,500 points on Upper nights and 9,000 points on Top nights.

Plus, you may be able to book a room with Club lounge access for 5,000 to 11,000 points per night and a standard suite for 6,000 to 12,000 points per night; a premium suite may go for 8,000 to 14,000 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.

This article only includes two U.S. hotels, as most of the best Category 1 Hyatt properties are 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.

Related: What 8 TPG staffers really think about the Hyatt changes

Hyatt Regency Rochester

The Hyatt Regency Rochester in downtown Rochester, New York, is connected to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. This newly renovated hotel is a short drive from the region’s wineries and ski slopes.

The standard rooms you can book for 3,000 to 9,000 points per night are 350 square feet with a king bed or two queen beds. The Hyatt Regency Rochester also offers several types of standard suites that you can book for 6,000 to 12,000 points per night. Rooms are dog-friendly if you pay a fee of $60 per dog and your dog weights 50 pounds or less (or you have two dogs with a combined weight of 75 pounds or less).

Self-parking is $16 per night, although Hyatt Globalist members get free parking on award stays. The Hyatt Regency Rochester offers a 24-hour fitness center.

Astor On Main serves breakfast, while The Street Craft Kitchen & Bar offers lunch, dinner and drinks. The hotel’s Center City Terrace & Lounge is available for private events but is also open to the public seasonally on select evenings for drinks and dinner. You can also visit the lobby’s Boulder Coffee for coffee, tea and light snacks.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Rochester start at 3,000 points or $153 per night.

Hyatt Place North Charleston

The Hyatt Place North Charleston isn’t in the heart of Charleston, but instead conveniently positioned along Interstate 26 in the North Charleston suburb. As such, it could be a good option if you have a vehicle and are looking to avoid the often high rates in and around Charleston, South Carolina.

Every room at the Hyatt Place North Charleston offers a sleeper sofa and either one king bed or two queen beds. You can book standard rooms with one king bed or two twin beds for 3,000 to 9,000 points per night.

This Hyatt Place offers an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Guests can enjoy free breakfast each morning at The Breakfast Bar and purchase salads, sandwiches and burgers in the afternoon and evening at The Placery, located at the lobby bar. Grab-and-go food and drinks are also available 24 hours a day from The Market.

Rates at the Hyatt Place North Charleston start at 3,000 points or $122 per night.

Hyatt Regency Merida

The Hyatt Regency Merida in Mexico is just north of Merida’s Centro neighborhood and a few blocks from the Yucatan 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 3,000 to 9,000 points per night. Or you can book a 376-square-foot Club-access room with the same bed options for 5,000 to 11,000 points per night or a 796-square-foot standard suite for 6,000 to 12,000 points per night.

The Hyatt Regency Merida offers guests an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Eligible guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments 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 enjoy Yucatecan and international 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 drinks all day from Papillon Bakery & Market in the lobby. Salads, light bites and drinks are available for order at the Pool Bar each afternoon.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Merida start at 3,000 points or $137 per night.

Hyatt Regency San Luis Potosi

The Hyatt Regency San Luis Potosi is well located in the Las Lomas neighborhood of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, near popular dining and shopping venues. This modern hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center and a relaxing outdoor pool.

The Hyatt Regency San Luis Potosi has 134 rooms and suites. A 377-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two queen beds costs 3,000 to 9,000 points per night, while a 484-square-foot standard suite with a king bed costs 6,000 to 12,000 points per night. You can also book a premium terrace suite of the same size for 8,000 to 14,000 points per night.

The hotel’s all-day restaurant, Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar, offers Mexican-Californian cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re craving Mediterranean cuisine, head to La Gran Via Cava Baja San Luis Potosi for lunch or dinner. You can also get Argentine food at Gaucho Prime for a late lunch or dinner. Leche de Tigre offers Peruvian fusion cuisine in the afternoons and evenings, while the hotel’s lobby bar, Dry Martini, serves light bites and drinks each evening. Finally, a China Girl franchise will soon open in the hotel.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency San Luis Potosi start at 3,000 points or $136 per night.

Hyatt Regency Villahermosa

The Hyatt Regency Villahermosa is near the Parque Tomás Garrido Canabal in Villahermosa, Mexico. You can walk to many nearby sights and restaurants, so you may not need a car if you’re looking to see Villahermosa during your stay.

You can book a standard room with one king bed or two double beds for 3,000 to 9,000 points per night, or a Regency suite with a king bed for 6,000 to 12,000 points per night. Club access rooms are also available, but you’ll need to book a paid rate or a points and cash rate on most nights. Some rooms are pet-friendly, though you’ll pay a $25 per-night-per-pet fee ($18 per pet per night for stays of more than two weeks).

The Hyatt Regency Villahermosa has an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Next to the pool, you’ll find Bar 106 open in the afternoon for poolside drinks. The hotel’s all-day restaurant, La Ceiba, serves regional cuisine while Amate Lobby Lounge offers cocktails, wines, coffees, fine pastries and teas in a laptop-friendly setting.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Villahermosa start at 3,000 points or $97 per night.

Hyatt Place Los Cabos

The Hyatt Place Los Cabos in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, isn’t on the beach. But you’ll find a public beach access walkway across the street from the hotel. This hotel is just a short walk from downtown, with plenty of bars, live music and restaurants.

You can book a 242-square-foot room with two queen beds, two queen-bed room with a sofa bed, or one king-bed room with a sofa bed for 3,000 to 9,000 points per night. But if you want a larger room or an ocean view, you must book a paid rate.

This Hyatt Place offers an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Plus, guests get free breakfast each morning at the Breakfast Bar. You can order drinks throughout the day at The Bar, pick up snacks at The Market, and enjoy lunch and dinner at The Placery.

Rates at the Hyatt Place Los Cabos start at 3,000 points or $154 per night.

Hyatt Place Krakow

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

This hotel has 216 rooms. You can book a 258-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two twin beds for 3,000 to 9,000 Hyatt points per night. If you prefer to book a paid rate, you can also select a high-floor room, a room with a king bed and a sofa bed 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 complimentary breakfast buffet in the mornings and an a la carte menu in the afternoons and evenings.

Rates at the Hyatt Place Krakow start at 3,000 points or $58 per night.

Lindner Hotel Bratislava

I’ve now enjoyed two stays at the Category 1 Lindner Hotel Bratislava, which is located above the Central shopping center in Bratislava, Slovakia. You’ll enjoy sprawling city views from the hotel, including views of Bratislava’s Old Town and castle. Speaking of the Old Town, it’s just a short walk or tram ride from the hotel.

You can book 258-square-foot standard rooms with a king bed or two twin beds for 3,000 to 9,000 points per night. Although this room size might sound small, I found the rooms well-designed to maximize the space. If you want to book a larger room or one with a castle view, you must book a paid rate. Rooms are dog-friendly, although you’ll need to pay a pet fee of 25 euros (about $29) per night for a small dog of up to 5 kilograms (about 11 pounds) and a fee of 38 euros (about $45) per night if your dog is heavier.

The Galleria Restaurant & Terrace serves breakfast daily, while the 13th-floor Outlook Bar & Lounge offers excellent views and is open for dinner or drinks most nights. The hotel doesn’t have a fitness center, but guests can buy access to one with a pool and sauna at the Central shopping center.

Rates at the Lindner Hotel Bratislava start at 3,000 points or $115 per night.

Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

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.

This Hyatt Regency offers various room types with views of the golf course, garden, pool and Mount Merapi Yogyakarta. You can redeem 3,000 to 9,000 Hyatt points per night for a 322-square-foot standard room with a king bed or two twin beds. However, you’ll need to book at the paid rate to secure most other room types.

The Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta offers an impressive multilevel pool with a waterslide. The hotel also has a nine-hole golf course by Fisette Golf Design, tennis courts, yoga classes 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 with an open-concept kitchen. 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. Plus, you can visit Paseban Lounge throughout the day for tea and desserts.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta start at 3,000 points or $91 per night.

Alila Solo

If you visit Yogyakarta, it may be worth taking a 1.5-hour train to Surakarta for a less crowded, more authentic experience. Plus, the Alila Solo in Surakarta offers great value for your points or dollars.

Alila Solo has 255 rooms and suites in eight towers. The standard rooms that you can book for 3,000 to 9,000 points per night are 430 square feet, have two twin beds or a king bed and offer city views.

You’ll find a gym, outdoor pool and spa at the Alila Solo. You can enjoy poolside dining at Largo and Javaense specials at Epice. Meanwhile, the hotel also offers comfort food, cocktails, live music and DJ sets at Agra, the highest rooftop lounge in Central Java.

Rates at Alila Solo start at 3,000 points or $85 per night.

Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur is in one of my favorite parts of the city, just a short walk from Helipad Bar, KL Forest Eco Park and KLCC Park.

With 312 rooms, the hotel offers a variety of room types. For 3,000 to 9,000 points per night, you can book a 270-square-foot room with one king bed or a 323-square-foot room with two twin beds. If you want more space, you can redeem 6,000 to 12,000 points per night for a 732-square-foot standard suite or 8,000 to 14,000 points per night for an 840-square-foot premium suite. You can also select more room types, including premium and corner rooms, when booking at a paid rate instead of redeeming points.

The Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur has a rooftop open-air infinity saltwater pool with excellent views, a 24-hour fitness center and the @21 Rooftop Bar on level 21. You can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel’s all-day restaurant, Il Forno, on level 19. Meanwhile, TanBuri has Indian tandoori dishes with a local touch for breakfast, lunch and dinner on level G. But, I highly recommend walking over to the NZ Curry House in the shadow of the KLCC towers for at least one of your meals.

Rates at the Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur start at 3,000 points or $125 per night.

Hyatt Place Ha Long Bay, Bai Chay

The Hyatt Place Ha Long Bay, Bai Chay, opened in 2025 with compelling views of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay. This relatively new hotel has 161 rooms and a rooftop with panoramic views, and it’s in the heart of Ha Long Bay, around a 2 1/2-hour drive from Hanoi. If you opt to drive, note that the hotel offers free parking for guests.

You can redeem 3,000 to 9,000 points per night for a 269-square-foot standard city-view balcony room with two twin beds or one king bed. But given the low rates on many nights, you may want to book a paid stay in a bay-view room with a balcony. After all, one of the most compelling aspects of this property is its views of Ha Long Bay.

The hotel has a fitness center with windows overlooking the city and an infinity pool with views of Ha Long Bay. The hotel’s restaurant, Bistro at the Bay, serves international comfort food and Vietnamese dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner (however, note breakfast isn’t automatically included in your room rate at this Hyatt Place). Meanwhile, the Market offers meals and snacks 24 hours a day.

Rates at the Hyatt Place Ha Long Bay, Bai Chay start at 3,000 points or $54 per night.

Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank

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 for its affordable rates and its location within walking distance of Rosebank Mall and the Rosebank Gautrain station (which easily connects to O.R. Tambo International Airport).

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 3,000 to 9,000 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 6,000 to 12,000 points per night. The 602-square-foot two-bedroom apartments with one king bed and one queen bed are bookable for 8,000 to 14,000 points per night.

You’ll find a 24-hour fitness center and a rooftop pool at this hotel. 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, 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 3,000 points or $93 per night.

Grand Hyatt Amman

The Grand Hyatt Amman is in the heart of Amman, Jordan, and offers 360-degree views of the city from its location atop one of the city’s most prominent hills.

With 311 rooms, including 16 suites, the Grand Hyatt Amman offers plenty of options. You can book a 387-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two twin beds for 3,000 to 9,000 points per night. The hotel also offers Grand Club rooms of the same size that you can book for 5,000 to 11,000 points per night. You can also book a 775-square-foot Grand Suite King for 6,000 to 12,000 points per night.

You’ll find indoor and outdoor swimming pools at the Grand Hyatt Amman, as well as steam rooms, sauna rooms and a whirlpool. The pools are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, though kids can only use them from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The hotel’s fitness center is open 24 hours a day, while the Zara Spa offers body treatments from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

32º North serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Grand Hyatt Amman, while The Lounge offers coffee, tea, light bites and cocktails throughout the day in a setting perfect for conversing with friends or colleagues. The Lombard offers a more formal Northern Italy dining experience for late lunch or dinner, while The Terrace is perfect for a relaxing afternoon or evening with food and cocktails.

Rates at the Grand Hyatt Amman start at 3,000 points or $194 per night.

Hyatt Regency Baku

The Hyatt Regency Baku is in Azerbaijan, a country between the Black and Caspian seas in the Caucasus region. Tourists usually visit Baku for its walled, UNESCO-listed Old City, museums and affordable cost. Although U.S. citizens need a visa to visit Azerbaijan, you can apply online for $20, and it’s usually issued within three working days.

Standard rooms at the Hyatt Regency Baku are 484 square feet and cost 3,000 to 9,000 points per night. The hotel offers eligible guests access to the Regency Club, which provides evening cocktails, afternoon tea, coffee, light snacks and desserts. Rooms with Regency Club access are 5,000 to 11,000 points per night, while you can book an 861-square-foot Regency Suite King for 6,000 to 12,000 points per night. The hotel is cat- and dog-friendly for up to two pets per room that weigh less than 22 pounds each, with a $20 per pet, per night fee.

The Hyatt Regency Baku offers a spa, fitness center, indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool. The fitness center has all the standard equipment, as well as a martial arts studio, a steam bath and a sauna. However, you can’t charge spa treatments to your room, and the fitness center is only available to guests 16 years and older. You’ll also need to wear a swim cap when using the pools.

Mezzo is open with Italian options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as an express business lunch option on weekdays. The Lounge & Bar offers cocktails and chef specials, while the Terrace offers afternoon tea, coffee and light meals. Meanwhile, the Gourmet Shop offers quick cakes, pastries, soups, salads and sandwiches.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Baku start at 3,000 points or $142 per night.

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha

The 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. 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 376-square-foot standard rooms with one king bed or two twin beds for 3,000 to 9,000 points per night. Or, book rooms of the same size but with Regency Club access for 5,000 to 11,000 points per night.

The Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha offers Club Olympus Spa & Fitness, which includes a sauna, steam room, hot tub, outdoor pool, spa and gym. The hotel also operates a Regency Club, which offers buffet breakfast and nonalcoholic drinks for eligible guests.

There are many dining venues at the Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha. Choices offers 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 and provides a place to watch live sports broadcasts with friends. Splash offers light bites and drinks by the pool. Finally, Sky Lounge is open all day for coffee, tea and light bites.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha start at 3,000 points or $103 per night.

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