Best Hyatt Resorts & Hotels for Families | 10xTravel (2024)

Any parent can attest to the fact that planning a family vacation is nothing like planning a couples’ getaway or a solo journey. When the whole family is involved, you have to make sure that there’s proper accommodation for everyone, activities to everyone’s liking and food to fill everyone’s bellies. So, when it comes time to plan your next family vacation, picking a hotel or resort that’s catered toward families is essential. Thankfully, Hyatt Hotels, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, has a long list of properties that are luxurious enough for the parents to relax and stimulating enough to keep the kids busy.

Whatever your family’s interests are, there’s a Hyatt hotel or resort that will fulfill your needs. The Hyatt portfolio includes ski resorts, California oceanfront getaways, Hawaiian beach resorts, jungle adventure lodges, heart-of-the-city suites and much more. Many of these hotels and resorts have a family-friendly atmosphere and an accommodating staff.

And, if you’re worried that these kinds of stays are going to be way out of your budget, this article will include several tips and strategies about how to use the World of Hyatt program and Hyatt co-branded credit cards to get free stays. So, you and your family can have a Hyatt dream vacation without breaking the bank.

What Makes Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Ideal for Families

While a stay at the Waldorf Astoria New York sounds amazing if you’re by yourself or with a significant other, if you’re traveling with the whole family, these types of high-end locations won’t cut it. But, that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice luxury to give the kids what they want.

Across the 10 brands in Hyatt’s portfolio, you can find many resorts that include family-friendly activities and amenities such as waterslides, rock-climbing walls, horseshoes, tennis, bocce, board games and more. So, your kids are guaranteed to stay busy and create lasting memories.

When it’s time to eat, many kids won’t be interested in crab cakes and caviar. Luckily, many Hyatt hotels and resorts feature on-site hotels that offer kids’ menus in addition to gourmet options for the adults.

And, of course, when staying at a resort or hotel, you expect to have a friendly and welcoming staff. Hyatt employees are trained to be patient with children, to recommend activities that will ensure the whole family has an amazing experience and to provide you with the most comfortable experience possible

Top Hyatt Resorts & Hotels for Unforgettable Family Adventures

During our search for the best Hyatt resorts and hotels for families, we made sure to consider location, the quality of the amenities provided and, of course, whether each property offers activities to keep the kids entertained.

We strived to create a fairly diverse list that caters to families with different tastes. So, among our selections for the best family resorts and hotels in the Hyatt portfolio are a Hawaiian getaway, a top-notch ski lodge, a Southwestern ranch, an international oceanfront resort and a kids’ paradise on the California coast.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa (Koloa, Hawaii)

Located on the white sands of Poipu Beach on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is one of the best Hyatt family resorts. The property is covered with lush gardens and even features a hydroponic garden that’s used to stock many of the on-site restaurants.

Then, you can walk directly from these gardens to an oceanfront cabana and enjoy stunning views of the water. When you aren’t swimming in the ocean, the Grand Hyatt Kauai also features multi-level pools, a saltwater lagoon and a 150-foot waterslide (which the kids are guaranteed to love).

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa has a wide range of on-site dining options, many of which have plenty of options for children. For one, the whole family can attend a traditional Hawaiian feast while viewing a luau show that takes you through the island’s rich cultural history. For a casual bite, check out Hale Nalu, a vintage surf shack offering fish tacos, fresh salads and much more.

This resort also offers a wide range of activities, including a throw net fishing experience, a hula lesson and more. So, between lounging by the beach, attending luau performances, eating delicious food and exploring the beautiful gardens on the property, the whole family is guaranteed to be entertained for the entirety of your stay.

Plus, if you book a stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai with points, you can get pretty solid value. For instance, we found a “2 Queen Beds Standard” room for $866 per night at the World of Hyatt members rate. However, if you were to book this same room on the same dates with Hyatt points, it would cost you 30,000 points per night. It’s also worth noting that Hyatt waives resort fees on award bookings, so you won’t have to worry about getting hit with unexpected fees at checkout.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek (Beaver Creek, Colorado)

If your family is the adventurous type, then a ski trip might sound like the perfect vacation for you. The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek is located at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, one of the finest skiing locations in the beautiful state of Colorado. As one of the best Hyatt ski resorts, this hotel features ski-in/ski-out access and is adjacent to a ski school if you’re a beginner.

Plus, you can book exhilarating activities through the hotel such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing in the winter and fishing, river rafting and ATV riding in the summer. If you want to soothe your body after a long day on the slopes, you can check out Exhale, the hotel’s on-site full-service spa and wellness experience.

In terms of dining options, the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek currently has three main restaurants. 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill offers a breakfast buffet, comforting dinner options and a refined selection of wine, beer and co*cktails. Brass Bear Bar offers a great view of the skyline and serves a delicious array of light bites, and Fall Line Epicurean Market has grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, pastries and more that you can take to the mountain with you.

So, if your kids are learning how to ski, you can take them to the ski school directly next to the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. Then, you can hit the slope as a family, finish the day off with some comfort food and fall asleep in the hotel’s luxurious rooms.

Nightly rates for a “Standard Double” room at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek are around $359 per night. And, if you were to book the same room with points, it would cost you 35,000 points.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch (Scottsdale, Arizona)

Located in the heart of the desert among flowering cacti in the shadow of the McDowell Mountains, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch is a great place for adventurous and relaxing family vacations alike. For the parents, the hotel offers golf lessons from professionals as well as an on-site spa featuring a Himalayan Salt Room. For the kids (and the parents as well), the hotel has a 2.5-acre water oasis on its premises featuring a sandy beach, a luxurious pool and a three-story high-speed waterslide.

If you and your family want to stay active during your vacation, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale features tennis and pickleball courts, a rock climbing wall and access to the Gainey Ranch Golf Club. Plus, to keep your children entertained, the hotel regularly hosts competitions in its many pools, craft sessions, holiday events, cookie decorating and more.

Dining options at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale include Sandbar (a poolside bar and grill serving gourmet sandwiches, steak burgers, ice cream and more) and SWB (a Southwest-inspired bistro headed by celebrated chefs serving breakfast, lunch and dinner). Plus, if you want to grab some to-go food before a hike in the Sonoran desert, you can check out the Canyon Market, where you can even get a cup of Starbucks coffee.

All in all, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale provides tons of activities and amenities to keep your kids happy and occupied for weeks. Plus, between this hotel’s on-site golf course, spa, restaurants and pools, it’s a great place for the adults to relax as well.

On top of all the other perks of staying at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, you can also get solid value for your Hyatt points by booking stays at this property. For instance, we found a “2 Queen Beds” room at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale for $539 per night (the World of Hyatt member rate). If you were to book this same stay with Hyatt points, it would cost you 25,000 points.

Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic)

If you’re looking to take your family on an international vacation, the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is one of the best resorts for families in the world. This all-inclusive, all-ages resort is located on the shores of Juanillo Beach, one of the most prestigious areas of the Dominican Republic. This property offers incredible rooms that are just steps from the ocean and access to authentic cultural experiences in the area.

When your kids aren’t playing on the beach, they can swim around the property’s many infinity pools, lounge on the lazy river or plummet down the waterslides. If you’re interested in leaving the hotel, you can check out the nearby world-class golf course, visit the local marina, book a deep-sea fishing trip or sign up for one of the many other adventure excursions.

Your dining options at the Hyatt Regency Cap Cana are nearly endless, including an elegant Italian restaurant, an affordable buffet that’s open for all three meals, a Mongolian barbeque joint, a Caribbean grill, a sports bar offering casual fare, a rum distillery, a swim-up bar and more. If you consult a concierge, you can even book a candlelit dinner on the beach.

The Hyatt Regency Cap Cana offers adult experiences like romantic dinners and lively Caribbean bars. However, it’s also a fantastic place to bring your kids and let them play around in the resort’s many pools and other water features. Plus, with this property’s many dining options, you can be sure that everyone’s tastes will be satisfied.

Unfortunately, when redeeming Hyatt points for stays at the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana, it’s hard to get good value per point. For instance, we found a “Junior Suite Double” room for $872 per night at the member rate. If you were to book the same room on the same nights, it would cost you 86,00 Hyatt points.

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa (Huntington Beach, California)

Within the continental United States, one of the most sought-after vacation destinations is the California coast. And the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is undoubtedly one of the best Hyatt hotels for families in the state. This property sits right on the Pacific Ocean and features luxurious cabanas and Spanish-inspired architecture with gorgeous white walls and vaulted arches. For the adults, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is the epitome of class and, for the kids, this resort is a seaside wonderland with tons of great pools.

On-site at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is Slyders Water Playground, a family-friendly waterpark featuring slides and a giant lagoon-style pool. And, when the sun starts to go down, you can enjoy the Orange County sunset with a beach bonfire package, which includes beach chairs, blankets, hot chocolate and s’mores.

When it’s time for a family dinner, there are plenty of options for on-site dining. Watertable, which is open for breakfast and dinner, features seasonally-curated menus prepared using locally sourced ingredients and a beautifully rustic dining space. There are also more casual dining options, such as Pete’s Sunset Grille, Tower 15 Pizzeria, Mantoka’s Grill and Slyders Bar and Cafe. And, if you just want to pick up some snacks or a bottle of wine, you can get all that and more at Surf City Grocers.

The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is an amazing family destination in world-famous Orange County, California, and one of the best Hyatt hotels in The Golden State. You can enjoy the sunset on the beach together, play with the kids in the pool and enjoy amazing dining experiences as a family.

Additionally, booking a room for the family at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach with Hyatt points provides a decent value per point as well. For example, we found a “2 Queen Beds” room at this location for $475 per night at the member rate. If you were to book the same room on the same dates with points, it would cost you 29,000 points.

A Welcoming Environment for Families at Hyatt Resorts

With all five of these properties and the many others in the Hyatt portfolio, Hyatt has included many features and amenities to create a family-friendly environment.

First of all, at any all-ages Hyatt hotel or resort, you’ll find an attentive staff that’s prepared to assist you or your children with any of your needs. They’ll help you find the perfect room type for your family’s needs, recommend activities that will entertain everyone in the family and point you towards restaurants that will satisfy everyone’s tastes.

Many Hyatt hotels and resorts also offer family-friendly room configurations and connecting room options, children’s menus and kid-friendly dining experiences at on-site restaurants, entertaining pool areas and water features, on-site recreational activities fit for all ages, babysitting and childcare services and special touches such as welcome gifts.

These details exemplify Hyatt’s commitment to providing an unforgettable experience for all members of the family. So, if you’re looking to book a vacation for your family, then staying at one of Hyatt’s all-ages hotels or resorts is a fantastic option. You’re guaranteed to feel welcomed, comfortable and taken care of during your entire stay.

Earning Hyatt Points for Family Vacations

If you’re interested in taking your family on a vacation to any of the hotels listed above (or any other Hyatt hotel for that matter), then you should become a member of the World of Hyatt program. As a World of Hyatt member, you’ll receive discounts on cash bookings at Hyatt resorts and hotels. You’ll also be able to rack up Hyatt points, which can be redeemed for free nights at Hyatt properties. Plus, the program is free to join so you have nothing to lose by becoming a member.

Once you join the World of Hyatt program, there are several ways that you can start earning points, which can then be redeemed for family vacations. Let’s take a look at the best ways to boost your Hyatt points balance.

Staying at Hyatt Hotels

Of course, you can rack up Hyatt points by staying at Hyatt-owned properties. The Hyatt portfolio currently consists of 29 distinct brands, all of which allow you to earn Hyatt points for stays. Here are the brands that participate in the World of Hyatt program:

World of Hyatt members earn 5X points per $1 spent on hotel stays and eligible room charges (including room service, bar tabs, spa services and more) across all Hyatt brands. Whether you’re staying at an all-inclusive Impressions by Secrets or a no-frills Hyatt House, you’ll earn the same number of points per $1 spent.

It’s worth noting that World of Hyatt elite status members earn even more points per dollar when staying at Hyatt-owned properties. Here are the points bonuses at each elite status tier:

• Discoverist – 10% bonus points
• Explorist – 20% bonus points
• Globalist – 30% bonus points

Plus, Discoverist elite status is one of the easiest hotel elite statuses to achieve. You can earn this status after just 10 qualifying nights at Hyatt properties, holding three meetings or events at Hyatt properties, earning 25,000 base points or simply signing up for The World of Hyatt Credit Card (which is the easiest way to earn Discoverist elite status).

Hyatt Co-Branded Credit Cards

If you’re a fan of the Hyatt portfolio, one of the best ways to earn Hyatt points quickly is to sign up for a Hyatt co-branded credit card. Hyatt currently offers two co-branded credit cards, a business card and a personal card, both of which are issued by Chase.

The following chart includes all of the major details of both of these credit cards:

Both cards also include other standard perks such as no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection, auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

So, if you’re willing to add a new credit card to your wallet and you’re interested in earning free stays at Hyatt properties, then you may want to consider signing up for one of these two Hyatt co-branded credit cards.

Transferring Points from Chase Ultimate Rewards

Another option (and perhaps the best option) for earning Hyatt points is to transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards into the World of Hyatt program. Chase allows transfers to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. In fact, World of Hyatt is one of the best loyalty programs to which you can transfer Chase points if you want to get good value.

To transfer Chase points to World of Hyatt, the first thing you need to do is log in to your Chase account and navigate to the “Transfer to Travel Partners” section at the top of the dashboard. Then, you can choose World of Hyatt from the list of loyalty programs and enter the amount of points you wish to transfer.

Chase points can only be transferred in increments of 1,000. Transfers are final and can’t be reversed.

If you want to quickly earn enough points for a stay at a Hyatt hotel or resort, one of the best ways to do so is to apply for a Chase credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and earn the welcome bonus. Then, you can transfer a portion or all of that bonus to the World of Hyatt program and redeem it for a free night award.

Travel Partners

World of Hyatt members can also earn Hyatt points by spending with three travel partners: American Airlines, Avis and FIND Experiences.

Only World of Hyatt elite status members can earn Hyatt points through American Airlines. However, regardless of your elite status tier, you’ll earn 1X points per $1 spent on American Airlines flights once you link your World of Hyatt and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts.

All World of Hyatt members can earn 500 Hyatt points per qualifying car rental with Avis by providing their World of Hyatt membership number when making their booking.

Hyatt also owns a program called FIND Experiences which operates tours and activities in the areas around its hotels. These experiences can include anything from yoga classes to beekeeping to mixology classes. World of Hyatt members earn 10X points per $1 spent with FIND Experiences and you can earn an additional 4X points per $1 when you pay for your experience with a Hyatt credit card (for a total of 14X points). Do be aware that not all activities booked through FIND Experiences are eligible to earn Hyatt points, so read the fine print.

Tips for Booking Hyatt Resorts with Cash or Points

For families looking to book vacations at Hyatt hotels and resorts, there are several ways to ensure that you get the best possible rates (whether in cash or points) for your stay. Let’s look at a few tips and tricks that can help you get the most bang for your buck or the most value for your points.

Cash Bookings

If you’re planning on paying for your vacation entirely with cash, then there are a few ways that you can make sure you get the best deal available. Here are a few tips that can help you get the best cash deal on stays with Hyatt.

Book Direct with Hyatt

You’re better off booking directly through the Hyatt website. While stays at Hyatt properties are also marketed through third-party booking engines (such as Expedia or Booking.com), you won’t earn Hyatt points for bookings made through these third-party channels.

Plus, Hyatt has a Best Rate Guarantee policy in place. That means that if you find a better nightly rate at a Hyatt property through another website, you can submit a claim and they’ll match that rate. Your claim must be submitted within 24 hours after booking on Hyatt.com.

Join the World of Hyatt Program

If you aren’t yet a member of the World of Hyatt program, then you should join before booking your next stay with Hyatt. First of all, you’ll receive a member discount, which is fairly significant in most cases. For instance, we searched for a room at the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun and found that the standard nightly rate was $1,122 whereas the nightly member rate was $1,066.

So, the nightly difference between these two rates was $56, which represents a 5% discount. However, if you were to spend 5 nights at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, simply being a World of Hyatt member would save you $280, which is a significant amount of money.

On top of these discounts, World of Hyatt members also receive points for completing stays at Hyatt properties (which can be redeemed for free nights) and receive special benefits at Small Luxury Hotels of the World locations, including complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi, early 10 p.m. check-in (subject to availability), late 2 p.m. checkout (subject to availability) and one category room upgrade (subject to availability).

Book in Advance

Many hotel chains, including Hyatt, offer discounted “early bird” rates for bookings made far in advance. Thus, booking your family vacation far in advance could end up saving you a ton of money.

Unfortunately, these types of advance bookings are often non-refundable and offer no flexibility. So, before you book your family’s next Hyatt vacation, you should make sure that the selected dates will work for you.

Package Deals

If you plan on booking a rental car or flight for your vacation in addition to your Hyatt hotel stay, it may be worth looking into package deals that bundle these expenses together. For instance, you could book your hotel stay, flight and rental car all through the same website (such as Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com and various airline websites) and save money on each component of the package.

For example, we searched for a package through Expedia that included a 4-night stay at the Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort (a Hyatt property) in Cancun, Mexico, for a family of four as well as a round-trip flight on United Airlines between Newark, New Jersey (EWR) and Cancun (CUN) in economy class. The total price of the package was about $4,870.

According to Expedia, the total savings on this package were $1,979. While these savings numbers may be slightly inflated, you can save money on both your flights and your hotel stay by booking package deals such as this.

Special Offers

You can also save money on Hyatt vacation stays by keeping an eye out for special offers and sales. Hyatt publishes these deals and offers periodically on the “Special Offers & Packages” page of its website. So, by checking this webpage and subscribing to emails from Hyatt, you can stay updated on the current offers.

Some of these offers are even geared specifically toward families. For instance, up until April 24, 2024, Hyatt was running a “Kids Stay Free” promotion, which allowed kids to stay for free at the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun, participating Dreams Resorts & Spas and participating Sunscape Resorts & Spas. On top of that, guests also received $200 in resort coupons that could be used for dining, experiences and more.

Free Night Awards

If you’re looking to redeem Hyatt points for a portion or all of the cost of your family vacation, there are also several ways to ensure that you get the maximum possible value for your points.

In general, if you want to calculate the value of a certain World of Hyatt redemption, you can divide the cash price of the same stay by the award price of that stay. Hyatt’s website makes this very easy as there’s a toggle button in the search results that allows you to easily view both the award price and the cash price of any room.

For example, we found a “Two Queen Beds” room at the Hyatt Place Fresno for 12,000 Hyatt points per night

If you want to determine how much value per point this stay provides, you can simply divide $218 (the cash price) by 12,000 points (the award rate). This gives you a value of about 1.8 cents per point, which is decent.

So, if you want to maximize the value that you get out of your Hyatt points, doing these kinds of calculations before making a redemption is a great way to do so.

However, to help you in your search for maximum value, let’s look at a few types of free night awards that tend to offer the most value.

All-Inclusive Resorts

In general, one of the highest-value ways to redeem your points is for stays at all-inclusive Hyatt resorts. That’s because cash prices for stays at all-inclusive resorts tend to be relatively high compared to free night award rates. Plus, not only will you get a nice place to rest your head, but your points will also get you access to dining options, entertainment and excursions.

Unlike Hyatt hotels, which are organized in categories 1 through 8, Hyatt all-inclusive resorts use a different award chart, which organizes these properties into categories A through F. According to this award chart, a standard room at an all-inclusive category A resort starts at just 12,000 per night, which is very affordable.

Hyatt currently has all-inclusive resorts under two brand names (Hyatt Zilara and Hyatt Ziva) in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico. So, if you want to have an amazing family vacation and get good value for your Hyatt points, check out Hyatt’s full list of all-inclusive resorts.

Use Points for Room Upgrades

Most points and miles enthusiasts know that using airline miles for seat upgrades on flights provides poor value. However, using hotel points for room upgrades is a different story. Using Hyatt points for room upgrades is one of the best ways to maximize the value of your points in the entire World of Hyatt program.

Here is the award chart for room upgrades:

Pay Attention to Seasonality

As of March 2022, Hyatt began publishing award charts for off-peak, standard and peak seasons. Now, the nightly price of a free night award can vary by as much as 10,000 Hyatt points for hotel stays and by as much as 16,000 points for all-inclusive resort stays.

By choosing to stay at Hyatt hotels and resorts during the off-peak season, you can get the same great experience while spending fewer points. And, in many cases, off-peak free night awards offer better value per point than free night awards during standard or peak season.

Each Hyatt property has its own off-peak, standard and peak dates. And, unfortunately, there aren’t any published seasonality charts for Hyatt locations. So, if you want to find out whether a specific date is in off-peak, standard or peak season for a certain property, you’ll have to search award prices for that property on that date and compare them to the Hyatt award chart.

Start Planning Your Family’s Dream Vacation with Hyatt

Among the world’s large hotel companies, Hyatt is one of the most family-friendly. The Hyatt portfolio includes a wide variety of all-ages hotels and resorts, including Hawaiian island resorts, ski lodges, getaways on the California coast, hotels in the downtown districts of major cities and much more.

While paying for stays at resorts for families in cash can be expensive, joining the World of Hyatt program gives you access to special member discounts on cash rates. Plus, World of Hyatt members can rack up Hyatt points in a variety of ways (such as staying at Hilton properties, spending on Hilton co-branded credit cards, renting cars from Avis and more) and then redeem those points for free stays at Hilton hotels and resorts.

Then, when it comes time to redeem your Hyatt points, you can typically get the most value out of them by redeeming them for stays at all-inclusive resorts, for room upgrades and for stays during the off-peak season (which varies from hotel to hotel).

All in all, if you want to plan a family vacation in the future, you should consider joining the World of Hyatt program and earning Hyatt points. It might just be your ticket to an unforgettable family vacation for little or no cost out-of-pocket.