New Hyatt & Starwood Properties, Summer 2013 Edition
Where are the two best (IMO) hotel chains expanding right now? Here’s a sampling of some cool properties to visit or useful properties to earn points at that Hyatt and Starwood are reporting lately:
Hyatt opened a new full-service hotel in Atlanta, right in the heart of Midtown. There isn’t a whole lot I’ve stayed at in that part of Atlanta that’s upscale. There’s a Ritz that I’ve never tried and the Westin Peachtree Plaza, which, IMO, is a property that’s a generation too old. I generally stay in Buckhead for the nicer surroundings and properties, so I’m glad to see a solid offering downtown. This property is a Category 3 which costs 12,000 points a night.
Starwood has a beautiful new property in Peru, the Palacio del Inka, that’s now part of the Luxury Collection. This property is a Category 4 which means 10,000 points a night.
Hyatt announces another development project in Russia, this time for another Hyatt Regency in Moscow. They already have 5 properties under development in Russia, so lots of growth here.
Hyatt added another property in China with the Grand Hyatt, Shenyang. This brings the total number of Hyatts to 21 in China with a good number of those properties being upscale brands like Andaz, Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt. This property is a Category 4, redeemable for 15,000 points a night.
Starwood Preferred Guest has a new Sheraton in Charlotte, NC. This appears to be new construction, so probably a good deal as a Category 3 (7,000 points a night).
Hyatt to open another new property in downtown Chicago. This one won’t be open until 2015, but I like the ratio of suites to guest rooms (38 suites out of a total of 257 rooms).
Hyatt has opened its first property in Cambodia, the Park Hyatt Siem Reap. The property opens up as a Category 5, making it a reasonably affordable Park Hyatt at 15,000 points per night.
FYI, I usually find Starwood Preferred Guest new property info at this thread on Milepoint. I’m also going to be working on a similar thread for Hyatt.
The Sheraton in Charlotte is not new construction – it was the old Blake hotel (which was a complete dump). Something like 95% of the hotel-related complaints during the 2012 DNC came from this one property.
That said, it’s supposed to be completely renovated and have a Le Meridien on the top floors, see details here: http://development.starwoodhotels.com/news/1/605-starwood_hotels_to_launch_dual-hotel_development_in_charlotte_north_carolina
I’d definitely wait to hear of others’ recent experiences before staying there, though.
Thanks for the heads up, firstglobal. I’ve never stayed at the Blake so I’ll take your word for it being a dump. Here’s hoping it was a thorough renovation!
I had no idea there was a new hotel opening up in Charlotte! Exciting!!
Andi, road trip!