Best Hyatt resorts for winter and spring break in the continental United States

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Hyatt Resort: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Sunset
Shown above is the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort — close to Walt Disney World, Florida.

What are the best Hyatt resorts for winter or spring break travel?  Given the current Coronavirus situation, it’s unclear when international travel will be something we’ll once again do.  Even if we believe it’s safe, international destinations may not allow visitors from the United States or they may require a 14 day quarantine upon arrival.  And so, more than ever before, most of us (I suspect) are looking forward to domestic travel.

I previously covered summer destinations within the continental United States in my “best resorts for domestic US summer travel” series:

In the above series, I skipped resorts in locations that may be uncomfortably hot in the summertime.  In other words, I previously skipped resorts in places like Florida and Las Vegas. Now, I’m filling in those blanks…

I chose Hyatt to start with because, among the hotel chains, Hyatt is the one that most often offers great point value for award stays.  And I know that many readers have plenty of Hyatt points since they can transfer 1 to 1 from Chase points if they have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, Ink Plus, or Ink Business Preferred card.

Before, you ask, yes I will follow up with similar posts for Hilton and Marriott.  Look for these posts soon:

  • Best Hilton resorts for winter and spring break in the continental United States
  • Best Marriott resorts for winter and spring break in the continental United States

In this post I’ve looked exclusively at Hyatt and aimed to answer this question:

What are the Best Hyatt resorts for winter or spring break in the continental United States?

I used Hyatt’s website to find their properties within the US and I filtered to resorts:

a map of the united states

Next, I limited my search to two categories of resorts:

  • Resorts that offer snow-skiing
  • Resorts located in warm weather destinations

With each resort that met the above criteria, I looked at room rates and award availability for the five nights between Christmas and New Years Eve (December 26 – 31).  This is traditionally a very popular time of year to travel and so I was interested to see if the current COVID-19 situation has made it easier to snag these usually hard-to-get awards.

I also looked at each resort for a common spring break period: March 7 – 12.  Incidentally, the reason for looking specifically at 5 night spans is so that when I produce similar posts for Marriott and Hilton, I can use the same dates.  Both of the latter programs offer 5 night awards for the price of 4 and so 5 night stays are the sweet-spots for those programs.

Here’s what I found….

Table of Contents

Northeast

Vermont

The Lodge at Spruce Peak (Stowe). A Destination Hotel.

a living room with a fireplace and a fireplace

  • Award Category 8 (40,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $42.40/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $1,999 (no standard rooms are available — only suites)
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? No*
  • * Suite night awards may be available but they’re not viewable online.

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $300
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 0.9 cents per point (very poor value)

Southeast

Florida

Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa

a pool and buildings by the water

  • Award Category 6 (25,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $45/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $917
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 3.8 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $460
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.0 cents per point (very good value)

Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa

a balcony with chairs and tables on it

  • Award Category 6 (25,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $30/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $352
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.5 cents per point (fair value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: Not Available
  • Resort fee: $42.75/night (waived for award stays)

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (Orlando Area)

a pool with lounge chairs and a bridge over it

I’ve stayed at this resort with my family and friends many times.  In addition to being close to Disney World, it offers lots of fun things to do such as pitch and putt golf, a climbing wall, tennis, basketball, boating, water slides, etc.  It also has a decent Regency Club lounge with a great outdoor seating area where you can watch the theme park fireworks in the distance each evening.

  • Award Category 3 (12,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $42.75/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $329
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 3.1 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $284
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.7 cents per point (great value)

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa

a water park with a pool and slides

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $35/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $564
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 3.0 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $432
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.3 cents per point (very good value)

Hyatt Residence Club Bonita Springs, Coconut Plantation

a pond with grass and trees and buildings in the background

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $25/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $561
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.9 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $442
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.3 cents per point (very good value)

The Confidante Miami Beach

a group of chairs and umbrellas on a beach

  • Resort fee: $35/night (waived for award stays)
  • Award Category 4 (15,000 points per night)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: Not Available
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? No

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $279
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.1 cents per point (very good value)

The Plymouth South Beach (Miami)

a patio with tables and umbrellas

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $30/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $519
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.7 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $283
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.6 cents per point (fair value)

South Carolina

Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, Charleston

a beach with houses and a body of water

  • Resort fee: 16% (waived for award stays)
  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $127
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 0.7 cents per point (very poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $216
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.3 cents per point (poor value)

Tennessee

Grand Hyatt Nashville

a pool on a rooftop of a building

  • Resort fee: None
  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $336
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.7 cents per point (good value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $500
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.5 cents per point (very good value)

Central States

Colorado

Grand Hyatt Vail

a river with snow and trees and a building

  • Award Category 7 (30,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $35/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $1,099
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 3.8 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $578
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.0 cents per point (very good value)

Hyatt Residence Club Beaver Creek

a fire pit in a town

  • Award Category 6 (25,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $25/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 NOT AVAILABLE

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 NOT AVAILABLE

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa

people standing around a fire pit with people sitting around it

  • Award Category 7 (30,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $35/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $1,799
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 6.1 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $873
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 3.0 cents per point (great value)

Vail Residences at Cascade Village. A Destination Residence

a river with snow and trees and buildings in the background

  • Award Category 8 (40,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: approx 10% of nightly rate (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $756
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.1 cents per point (very good value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $531
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.5 cents per point (fair value)

Villas at Snowmass Club, A Destination Residence

a swimming pool with chairs and umbrellas

  • Award Category 7 (30,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: Approx 10% of nightly rate (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $759 (no standard rooms available, only suites)
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? No
  • * Suite night awards may be available but they’re not viewable online.

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $225
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 0.8 cents per point (very poor value)

Texas

Miraval Austin Resort and Spa

a woman standing in a yoga pose

  • Award Category Miraval: 65,000 points per night for two. Includes meals, activities and $175/night resort credit.
  • Resort fee: 23% (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate for two: $934. Includes meals, activities and $175/night resort credit.
  • Award value: 1.8 cents per point (good value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate for two: $658. Includes meals, activities and $175/night resort credit.
  • Award value: 1.2 cents per point (poor value)

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa (San Antonio Area)

a woman standing on a ledge near a pool

  • Award Category 4 (15,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $35/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $158
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.3 cents per point (poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $211
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.6 cents per point (fair value)

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa (Austin Area)

a group of people sitting at tables

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $37/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $444
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? No

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $294
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.7 cents per point (good value)

Utah

Hyatt Centric Park City

a room with a wall and chairs

  • Award Category 7 (30,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $35 (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $899
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? No
  • Award value: 3.1 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $599
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.1 cents per point (very good value)

Stein Eriksen Residences (a SLH resort)

a living room with a fireplace and couches

This isn’t technically a Hyatt, but Hyatt has partnered with SLH (Small Luxury Hotels of the World) so that you can earn points or use points at many SLH properties like this one. When you book through Hyatt, you get complimentary wifi, daily complimentary continental breakfast, room upgrade (based upon availability), early check-in (based upon availability), and 2pm late check-out (based upon availability).

  • Award Category 8 (40,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: No

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: Not Available
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? No

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: Not Available
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? No

Southwest

Arizona

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows

a house with a lawn and a mountain in the background

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $39/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $324
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.8 cents per point (good value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $498
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? No

Castle Hot Springs (a SLH resort)

a house with a porch and a couple of people standing on a deck

This isn’t technically a Hyatt, but Hyatt has partnered with SLH (Small Luxury Hotels of the World) so that you can earn points or use points at many SLH properties like this one. When you book through Hyatt, you get complimentary wifi, daily complimentary continental breakfast, room upgrade (based upon availability), early check-in (based upon availability), and 2pm late check-out (based upon availability).  The daily breakfast benefit is irrelevant for this property since all rates here include all meals.

  • Award Category 8 (40,000 points per night). Includes all meals at this property.
  • Resort fee: None

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $630 for two (includes all meals)
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.6 cents per point (fair value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $630 for two (includes all meals)
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.6 cents per point (fair value)

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch

a pool with palm trees and a golf course

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $40/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $485
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.6 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $485
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.6 cents per point (great value)

Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa Tucson

a living room with a large glass door

  • Award Category Miraval: 65,000 points per night for two. Includes meals, activities and $175/night resort credit.
  • Resort fee: 23% (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate for two: $1,090. Includes meals, activities and $175/night resort credit.
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.1 cents per point (very good value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate for two: $1,042. Includes meals, activities and $175/night resort credit.
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.0 cents per point (very good value)

Royal Palms Resort and Spa Phoenix

a pool with a fountain in front of a building

  • Award Category 6 (25,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $35/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $368
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.6 cents per point (fair value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $630
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.7 cents per point (great value)

The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch (A Destination Hotel)

a pool with palm trees and a bridge

  • Award Category 3 (12,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $15/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $151
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.4 cents per point (fair value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $336
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.9 cents per point (great value)

California

Andaz Palm Springs

a pool with chairs and umbrellas in front of a building

This hotel is scheduled to open in late 2020.

Carmel Valley Ranch Unbound Collection

a pool with a glass railing and trees

My wife an I stayed here in late February and really enjoyed it.  You can read my review here.  While we liked our stay at the adults-only Ventana Big Sur even more, Carmel Valley Ranch is better suited to families.

  • Award Category 6 (25,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $49.73/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $539
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.4 cents per point (very good value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $360
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.6 cents per point (fair value)

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa

a group of chairs and umbrellas on a beach

I stayed here with my wife and son quite a few years ago and remember liking the resort a lot.  It is across the street from the beach, but a pedestrian bridge makes it safe and easy to access the beach from the resort.

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $35/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $195
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.2 cents per point (poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $226
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.3 cents per point (poor value)

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

a group of people riding bicycles on a bridge

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $30/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $216
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.2 cents per point (poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $405
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.2 cents per point (very good value)

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina

a hotel room with a view of the water and a bay

I’ve stayed at this one a few times in the past. It’s a stretch to put it on any “best of” list, but it’s not a terrible choice if you want to stay near, but not in downtown San Diego.  And at category 3, it’s cheap to book with points (12,000 points per night).

  • Award Category 3 (12,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $35 (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $160
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.6 cents per point (fair value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $136
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.4 cents per point (fair value)

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad

a pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas

The Park Hyatt Aviara’s website says that the resort will “undergo an exciting transformation” through June 1, 2020.  This shouldn’t matter for winter or spring break travel, but if you want to book for this summer be warned.  Renovations often take longer than expected and it’s probably safe to expect that COVID-19 has slowed things down even more.  If you book this one for summer travel, I recommend having a backup plan in case they’re not done with renovations before your stay.  Cancel 24 hours before check-in to avoid a fee.

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $40 (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $396
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.2 cents per point (very good value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $414
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.3 cents per point (very good value)

Ventana Big Sur Alila Resort

a pool with chairs and a deck overlooking the ocean

My wife and I stayed at this resort in early March and we loved everything about it. You can read my review here.  Unfortunately, finding available award nights can be tough.  If you have enough points though, one trick is to book a suite or premium suite by contacting Hyatt directly.  Since suite awards aren’t usually available to book online they’re often available when regular awards are not.  Recently, though, this hotel has made their premium suites available to book online with points.  I haven’t decided yet whether that’s a good thing or bad thing…

  • Award Category 7 (30,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $66.42/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $782
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.8 cents per point (great value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $553
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.1 cents per point (very good value)

Lake Tahoe

Resort at Squaw Creek Lake Tahoe. A Destination Hotel

a swimming pool with a golf course and mountains in the background

  • Award Category 6 (25,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $40/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: Not Available
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? No

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $218
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.0 cents per point (poor value)

Las Vegas

Thanks to their partnership with MGM Resorts, Hyatt offers 13 resorts in Las Vegas alone.  In order to narrow the field, I chose only the resorts that had better than 4.0 average TripAdvisor score.

Aria

a group of tall buildings with a blue sky with Aria Resort and Casino in the background

  • Award Category 6 (25,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $50/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $225
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.1 cents per point (poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $221
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.1 cents per point (poor value)

NoMad Las Vegas

a pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $40/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $217
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.3 cents per point (poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $189
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.1 cents per point (poor value)

The Signature at MGM Grand

a patio with chairs and lights

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $40/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $163
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.0 cents per point (poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $135
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 0.9 cents per point (very poor value)

Vdara

a bedroom with a bed and a couch

  • Award Category 5 (20,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $50/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $203
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.3 cents per point (poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $135
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 0.9 cents per point (very poor value)

New Mexico

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa

a group of hot air balloons in the sky

  • Award Category 3 (12,000 points per night)
  • Resort fee: $32/night (waived for award stays)

Winter Break

  • Dec 26 – 31 average room rate: $127
  • Dec 26 – 31 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 1.3 cents per point (poor value)

Spring Break

  • Mar 7 – 12 average room rate: $289
  • Mar 7 – 12 points rate available? Yes
  • Award value: 2.7 cents per point (great value)

Methodology

Using Hyatt’s website, I filtered to properties in the lower 48 United States which were identified as resorts.  I then removed from consideration any resorts that failed to meet one of these two criteria:

  • Resorts that offer snow-skiing
  • Resorts located in warm weather destinations

With each resort that met the above criteria, I looked at room rates and award availability for the following dates:

  • December 26-31 2020 (AKA Winter Break)
  • March 7-12 2021 (AKA Spring Break)

I always recorded the best available cash rate even if the rate was prepaid.  That said, I did not look for special rates such as AAA, senior, or government rates.

When a points booking was available for the dates of interest, I calculated the point value as ([the daily rate] + resort fee) / (# points required for the stay).  The reason the resort fee is added to the daily rate is that Hyatt doesn’t charge resort fees on award stays.

Finally, I described point values as poor to good based on this chart (which I made up for this purpose):

  • Point value <1.0: very poor value
  • Point value 1.0 to 1.3: poor value
  • Point value 1.4 to 1.6: fair value
  • Point value 1.7 to 1.9: good value
  • Point value 2.0 to 2.5: very good value
  • Point value > 2.5: great value

Key Findings

Point values vary between winter and spring break

Many of the resorts in this roundup offer great point value for one time period or the other, but not both.  This happens when the resort charges much more for either winter break or spring break.  For now, award prices are the same either way.  So, with fixed award prices, the value of your points increases with increased paid prices.  This will change a bit in 2021 when Hyatt introduces peak and off-peak award pricing.  Until then, there are some fantastic bargains to be had.

Great uses for free night certificates

Hyatt offers several ways to earn free night certificates good for any category 1-4 Hyatt.  The best use for these certificates is with category 1-4 hotels that have high paid prices.  Here were the best options in this roundup (I’ve listed also the resort fees since you won’t have to pay those fees when using a free night certificate):

  • Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Florida (Cat 3)
    • Winter Break: $329 + $42.75 resort fee
    • Spring Break: $284 + $42.75 resort fee
  • The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, Arizona (Cat 3)
    • Spring Break: $336 + $15
  • Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, New Mexico (Cat 3)
    • Spring Break: $289 + $32 resort fee
  • The Confidante Miami Beach (Cat 4)
    • Spring Break: $279 + $35 resort fee
    • Winter Break is likely a good deal too, but free nights weren’t available for the date ranges I looked at.

Great uses for points

I found quite a few great uses for points!  Here are the properties where the point value was better than 2.5 cents per point for either or both time ranges.

Great use for points both winter and spring break

  • Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
    • 6.1 cents per point value over winter break
    • 3.0 cents per point value over spring break
  • Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
    • 3.1 cents per point value over winter break
    • 2.7 cents per point value over spring break
  • Hyatt Regency Scottsdale
    • 2.6 cents per point value over winter break
    • 2.6 cents per point value over spring break

Great use for points over winter break

  • Grand Hyatt Vail: 3.8 cents per point value over winter break
  • Hyatt Centric Key West: 3.8 cents per point value over winter break
  • Hyatt Centric Park City: 3.1 cents per point value over winter break
  • Hyatt Regency Coconut Point: 3.0 cents per point value over winter break
  • Hyatt Residence Club Bonita Springs: 2.9 cents per point value over winter break
  • Ventana Big Sur Alila Resort: 2.8 cents per point value over winter break
  • The Plymouth South Beach: 2.7 cents per point value over winter break

Great use for points over spring break

  • The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch: 2.9 cents per point value over spring break
  • Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort: 2.7 cents per point value over spring break
  • Royal Palms Resort and Spa Phoenix: 2.7 cents per point value over spring break

Low Cash Prices

Deciding which resorts are offering low cash prices is a bit of an art since I admittedly didn’t do the extra research to see how the prices compare to other times or to other similar properties in the same area.  That said, sometimes the winter break prices were markedly cheaper than spring break prices.  The ones that stood out to me that were both inexpensive and cheaper than spring break were these:

  • Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort. Winter Break: $158 + $35 resort fee
  • Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort. Winter Break: $195 + $35 resort fee
  • Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa. Winter Break: $216 + $30 resort fee
  • Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort. Winter Break: $127 + $32 resort fee

There were resorts that were significantly less expensive for spring break vs. winter, but most of these were still quite expensive so I didn’t include them in the “low cash prices” list.  Most of the Vegas properties were also cheaper for spring break, but Vegas is known to often offer extremely low prices so it wasn’t clear to me that these were particularly good.

Conclusion

I was happy, but not surprised, to find that many Hyatt resorts in the continental US offer great point value (or free night certificate value) for winter and spring break destinations.  Whether you like to ski, golf, hike, or relax by the beach or pool, there are lots of great options here.

One property that I’m especially intrigued by was neither cheap nor a great point value. Castle Hot Springs is a SLH resort in Arizona.  Rates at this resort include all meals.  Even though this resort costs an exorbitant 40,000 points per night or $630 per night for 2 adults, it might be a reasonable value for this luxury all-inclusive (except alcohol) property.  Plus, the place gets fantastic reviews.  If you’ve ever been there, please comment below to let us know what you think!

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