8 hotels that got cheaper with points under Hyatt’s new award chart

Hyatt just made many award stays more expensive.

As of May 20, 2026, 112 hotels moved up in category, meaning travelers will now need more World of Hyatt points for the same stays. Unsurprisingly, that’s getting most of the attention, as several popular spots took a hit.

But after digging through the full list of pricing changes, I noticed something surprisingly positive: A small group of Hyatt hotels became better deals overnight.

Several properties dropped into lower award categories, including some that now fall back into Category 4 territory. That means they are once again eligible for valuable World of Hyatt Category 1–4 free night certificates.

While Hyatt’s latest update is definitely a devaluation overall, I wouldn’t ignore the opportunities either. These 8 hotels are now arguably better deals than before.

Hyatt’s 2026 Award Chart Isn’t All Bad News

Before we look at the 8 hotels that are now better deals than before the May 20 devaluation, it’s worth understanding another major change World of Hyatt officially rolled out alongside its 2026 Hyatt award chart and category changes.

Instead of Hyatt’s old “off-peak,” “standard,” and “peak” pricing model, World of Hyatt now uses 5 pricing tiers across its 8 hotel categories: lowest, low, moderate, upper, and top.

To help make sense of the changes, here’s a quick look at Hyatt’s new award chart and how the program now prices hotels across 5 different redemption tiers:

Still, one thing remains clear: while most of the changes that took effect on May 20 made Hyatt hotels more expensive, a smaller group of properties became cheaper — and several are now better deals than before.

Bottom Line:

1. Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica (Category 5)

The Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica dropped from Category 6 to Category 5, which means award nights now start at just 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

That’s a pretty meaningful improvement for a hotel in Santa Monica, one of the most notoriously expensive beachside neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Hyatt’s footprint around Santa Monica has always been relatively limited, which is exactly why this change stands out to me.

If you want to stay near the beach, close to the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, shopping, restaurants, and the overall coastal vibe of this part of LA, Hyatt options have historically required a lot of points. Now, this hotel suddenly feels much more reasonable.

Considering how expensive Southern California hotel rates can get during weekends and summer travel periods, redeeming as few as 15,000 Hyatt points here could deliver excellent value compared to paying cash.

2. Andaz West Hollywood (Category 5)

Another Southern California property that quietly became more attractive is the Andaz West Hollywood, which dropped from Category 6 to Category 5.

I stayed here years ago and always appreciated the location. It’s right on the Sunset Strip, close to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, music venues, restaurants, nightlife, and some of LA’s most iconic attractions.

Now that award pricing starts at 15,000 points per night, Hyatt loyalists suddenly have 2 upscale Los Angeles-area hotels that cost meaningfully less than before.

That matters in a city where hotel prices can fluctuate widely depending on concerts, sporting events, awards season, and peak travel periods.

3. The Time New York (Category 5)

New York City is one of the toughest places to consistently get good value from hotel points. That’s why The Time New York immediately caught my attention.

The property dropped in category from 6 to 5 and can now cost as little as 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night under Hyatt’s updated pricing structure.

I stayed here a few years ago and booked it for 20,000 points per night during a particularly expensive weekend in Manhattan when cash hotel rates were outrageous.

For a property in Midtown Manhattan — close to Times Square, Broadway theaters, subway lines, and a huge chunk of what most tourists want to see — 15,000 points can absolutely be a steal in NYC’s expensive hotel market.

4. Dream Nashville (Category 4)

Nashville is one of the most shockingly expensive hotel markets in the country. When I visited a couple of years ago, I found rates that were more like those of New York City or San Francisco than those of Tennessee.

That’s why Dream Nashville going down from Category 5 to Category 4 is such a meaningful change. Located on 4th Avenue North in the heart of Printer’s Alley, the hotel is within walking distance of Broadway, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Award nights now range from 12,000 to 25,000 points per night, but the real story here is that you can now redeem a World of Hyatt Category 1–4 free night certificate here again.

During busy weekends, concerts, bachelor and bachelorette party seasons, or major events, this could potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Cardholders of The World of Hyatt Credit Card receive an annual Hyatt Category 1–4 free night certificate on their account anniversary and can earn a second free night award each year after spending $15,000. Some of these newly eligible hotels make excellent use of those certificates.

5. Hyatt Place London City East (Category 3)

London hotel prices can make your eyes water, which makes Hyatt Place London City East especially notable.

While this hotel isn’t in the tourist-centric area of West London near Hyatt favorites like Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill or Great Scotland Yard Hotel, it sits in East London’s increasingly trendy Whitechapel neighborhood and is conveniently close to the Tube, making it easy to get around the city.

The property also dropped from Category 4 to Category 3. Award nights now start at just 8,000 points per night, which arguably makes it one of the best Hyatt deals in London.

The hotel is also known for its relatively spacious rooms by London standards, and standard rooms can accommodate up to 3 guests, making it an especially solid option for couples, friends, or small families visiting the city.

6. Andaz Macau (Category 4)

Located within the massive Galaxy Macau resort complex in Cotai, Macau, the Andaz Macau is the largest Andaz hotel in the world.

If you’re already planning a trip to Hong Kong, Macau makes for a surprisingly easy side trip thanks to the ferry system and bridge connections between the 2 destinations. Even better, the hotel dropped from Category 5 to Category 4, with award rates now starting at 12,000 points per night. It’s once again eligible for a Hyatt free-night certificate redemption.

Andaz Macau is an excellent choice if you’re visiting Macau and want a modern, upscale hotel. Now that it falls within Category 1–4 certificate eligibility, it will likely become an even more popular Hyatt redemption for travelers visiting Hong Kong and neighboring Macau.

7. Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen (Category 3)

Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen also quietly became a better value, going down from Category 4 to Category 3. Located right in the heart of Playa del Carmen, this property isn’t an all-inclusive resort — and that’s part of its appeal.

Whether you stay closer to the ocean-facing Beach House section or the more energetic Downtown House area, you’re surrounded by restaurants, bars, nightlife, boutique shopping, and easy access to cenotes, nature reserves, adventure parks, and Mayan archaeological sites.

The hotel is also family-friendly and pet-friendly, making it appealing for a wide range of travelers. But what makes this category drop especially interesting is the pricing.

Award nights now start at just 8,000 points per night. That’s so reasonable that you may want to save your Hyatt free night certificate and use your points instead.

8. The Standard, Singapore (Category 4)

Singapore is another city where hotel prices can add up quickly, especially within Hyatt’s portfolio. That’s why The Standard, Singapore, going down to Category 4, is a big deal. The property sits conveniently near the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Orchard Road’s famous shopping corridor. But what really makes this interesting is the value comparison.

Nearby Hyatt options such as Andaz Singapore and Grand Hyatt Singapore remain Category 6 hotels, with award nights ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 points per night, depending on pricing tiers. Meanwhile, The Standard, Singapore, now unlocks Category 1–4 free night certificate eligibility while potentially costing far fewer points outright.

Technically, award rates should now start at 12,000 points per night, though when I checked the award calendar, the lowest rates I could consistently find were 15,000 points per night.

That still feels like a stellar value for Singapore.

Final Thoughts

Hyatt’s latest award chart and category changes definitely sting, especially with more than 100 hotels now costing more points per night. But there are still some bright spots hiding in the changes.

A handful of hotels in expensive markets like Los Angeles, London, Nashville, Singapore, and New York City became better deals overnight, especially now that some are back within Hyatt’s valuable Category 1–4 free night certificate range. If you know where to look, there’s still plenty of value in World of Hyatt.

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