Last month, Ben at One Mile At A Time wrote a post about his choices for the best uses of your Chase Hyatt Credit Card anniversary free night certificates. But I think he left out two great choices in the states and one of them is a hotel I’ll be using mine at this year. As a reminder, each year Hyatt gives its cardholders an anniversary free night certificate. It can be used at any Hyatt category 1-4 hotel. There are some exclusions, but there are still plenty of awesome choices all over the world. He did list the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, which is one of my favorite hotels in Vancouver, BC.
King room at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver.
Image source: https://vancouver.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/our-hotel.html
But he didn’t show any love to my favorite local Hyatt, the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Depending on the time of year and whether or not they have corporate functions going on, rates can be $400+ a night. Ouch! Whenever I pay cash for a hotel stay, I always use Pruvo to monitor for price drops.
And there are plenty of nights that you can’t get rooms on points or with points and cash. It’s a fabulous property in a great location. The lounge is exceptional and it’s a great hotel for families with kids. It’s all about their amazing pool!
Beautiful pool at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla.
Image source: https://lajolla.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/our-hotel/hotel-features.html
But I digress! I’ll be using my Chase Hyatt Credit Card anniversary free night certificate at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor. I’ve stayed here before and like this hotel a lot. Rates can top $300 a night. If you need a hotel near the Boston Logan International Airport, it’s right there. But even when I play tourist in Boston, a city I totally enjoy, I’m partial to being out of the city center a bit and being by the water. I’ve written an in-depth review of this hotel, so I won’t go into many of the details here, but if you’ll be in Boston and have a Hyatt anniversary free night certificate available, please consider this hotel.
View from the harbor of the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor.
Image source: https://bostonharbor.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
Are you using your Chase Hyatt Credit Card anniversary free night certificate at any of the hotels I’ve mentioned? If not, where are you using your anniversary free night certificate this year? Let me know in the comments.
Andaz Papagayo(CR) is a fabulous use for the Cat 4 certificate.
I agree with your choice, Jeff. Everyone seems like they are heading to this Andaz!
Thanks for the Aventine recommendation, Shelli. Although I wouldn’t want to use a certificate for a property like that as it’s 15k points for a free night (with rates often < $200, so I wouldn't use points at all), it does put it more on my radar as a place to reconsider for a visit. I was at the Park Hyatt Aviara yesterday and am at the Regency Mission Bay today. One of the guys at Aviara was quite surprised I'd never been to Aventine. Like you, I prefer being by water when possible (especially having a balcony), so Mission Bay is great for that. Otherwise, the property is very outdated (RC doesn't even have an espresso machine) and has some major staffing challenges. But the views!
Thanks for your comments, Carl. The staff at the Aventine keeps suggesting I stay at the PH Aviara but unless I’m going to golf, I prefer the Aventine. I’m a swimmer and love the pool and jacuzzi. I’ve heard about those issues at the Mission Bay Hyatt. True enough, the views are great! I watch the rates at the Aventine and either pay cash or cash/points. And at the Aventine, if you ask for a high floor facing west, the sunsets are beautiful. It’s also in a great location for walking to UTC and plenty of eateries, as well
Sorry but as a long time Hyatt Diamond now whatever we are these are the least two hotels I would stay in using free nights. And yes I have stayed at both a number of times over the years on business travel and try not to whenever I can. Both old properties with less than stellar refit’s, Boston has a tired old dining restaurant and bar, only the ability to sit outside in good weather trumps the dismal inside dining facility. Rooms are ok.
I would guess that you like the La Jolla property because of the sport club next door. Again this property is not the “warmest’ in the system, the rooms did get a refresh and finally the restaurant reopened after a lengthy remodel time. It’s ok not as spectacular of one was lead to believe. I stay here on average two night a month. Breakfast is downstairs never has been much in the way taste especially given the price your paying. What this property has is location and the three dining options across the street.
Ok ,where do I use my nights as I am sure your going to ask, PHV, PHB, PHM. and this year PH Vienna.
I’m a PH girl, so no arguments on your choices. I really was focusing on North America because OMAAT’s article was about choices in the states. I’m Diamond as well, so not sure why at the Aventine you’re not getting lounge access. Their breakfast is great. At the Boston property, again as a Diamond, the breakfast is included and there are plenty of good choices. I’m partial to their lobster benedict :) All in all, great to have choices as to where we can use the cat 4 benefit. I appreciate your take on the hotels though, so thanks for taking the time to cast your vote!
We often use the free cat 1-4 nights at the Grand Hyatt in Tampa. We can drive there and the property is really awesome on Tampa Bay. Water, yes, beach, not really but sort of. Boardwalk through mangroves on the property leads to the seafood restaurant, pool, sort-of beach and hammocks (under roof thankfully). There is a lovely pool next to the main hotel. They also have casitas that are townhouses. Top of the Hyatt has a well-known Italian restaurant with outdoor terrace overlooking Tampa Bay. We feel like we have gone to a resort.
Thanks for adding to the list, Pam. I don’t get to Tampa, but if and when I do, I’ll take notice of this as a choice. Sounds worth checking out.
Agree with ghost rider. Has the. Logger ever traveled internationally? Because I’d much rather use my free nights (& did) at Park Hyatt Tokyo. The Andaz New York (41st St) is also a good choice.
There are no category 4’s in all of NYC – might want to get your facts straight before you judge. This is about the anniversary night rewards…..LMAO
I had to look up what LMAO meant, but now I know. Thanks!!
HI Boraxo, You bet ya, this blogger travels internationally a lot. The article was in reaction to OMAAT’s choices for cat 4 in the STATES. Sorry if that was confusing.
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We used my wife’s in December at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Didn’t realize other people rate that hotel so highly. It was a nice stay.
I used my own in January at the Park Hyatt Canberra, which basically nobody has heard of. It is a beautiful historic hotel.
Glad you had a good stay at the Hyatt Vancouver, Ian. The staff there is great and I love the location. I always recommend that hotel. I’ve no plans to be in Australia right now, but thanks so much for bringing the PH Canberra to our attention!
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