Hyatt Announces Plans for Hyatt Centric Boulevard Batumi in The Republic of Georgia

We are focused on growing Hyatt’s brand footprint in locations that matter most to our guests, World of Hyatt members, customers, and owners. We are thrilled to collaborate with Alliance City LLC to bring the Hyatt Centric brand to Batumi, a popular Black Sea destination, as we continue to expand Hyatt’s brand presence across European destinations,” said Takuya Aoyama, vice president of development for Europe and Africa, Hyatt. “Batumi is a delightful place to visit with unique culture, and we look forward to welcoming savvy travelers who are eager to explore all that the city has to offer."

Batumi, Georgia’s second largest city, was named Europe’s leading emerging tourism destination by World Travel Awards in 2019 and 2020, making it a perfect location to introduce the Hyatt Centric brand – one of Hyatt’s fastest growing lifestyle brands – to Georgia.

“We are excited to work alongside Hyatt on this development and bring the Hyatt Centric brand’s spirit to Batumi,“ said Akaki Songulia, CEO of Alliance City LLC. “The Hyatt Centric brand is synonymous with adventure and being in the center of the action, which makes it a perfect addition to our existing and ever-growing portfolio in Europe.”

Hyatt Centric Boulevard Batumi is expected to mark the ninth Hyatt Centric in Europe, joining the ski resort Hyatt Centric La Rosiere in the French Alps, Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, Hyatt Centric Levent Istanbul, Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid, Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale and Hyatt Centric Murano Venice, as well as Hyatt Centric Cambridge, which is slated to open in 2021, and Hyatt Centric Reykjavík, which is expected to debut in 2022.

Hyatt Regency West Hanoi Opens in Vietnam

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Regency West Hanoi, the first Hyatt hotel in Hanoi and the third Hyatt hotel in Vietnam. Located in Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi's new business district near major sporting and convention venues, Hyatt Regency West Hanoi offers 519 modern guestrooms where business travelers and leisure guests can enjoy seamless and relaxing experiences. Hyatt Regency West Hanoi, which has been rebranded from an existing hotel, has undergone an extensive renovation throughout all guestrooms, public areas, event and meeting spaces, and culinary venues, as well as a redesign of its tranquil landscaped garden.

Convenient Location

Hyatt Regency West Hanoi is situated a few minutes by car from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Convention Center, and various business districts home to global companies, making the property a convenient base for corporate guests. Also located directly next to My Dinh National Stadium and near the Formula One Grand Prix race track, the hotel is an ideal choice for visitors attending major sporting events in Hanoi. In addition, a soon-to-be-completed road will lead directly from the hotel to Ring Road 3, which will provide guests with easy access to the highway and make it easier to visit popular locations in northern Vietnam such as Sapa, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay.

Refreshed Guestrooms

Spanning two towers, the hotel offers guests a bright, stylish urban retreat with 519 guestrooms, including 114 spacious suites and 129 long-stay rooms with kitchenettes and washing machines. The refreshed interiors feature a contemporary palette with natural wood and marble accents, coupled with modern facilities and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow in natural light and impressive views.

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Hyatt Announces Plans for First Hyatt Hotel in Cape Town

- Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with South African real estate company, Millat Properties, for the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Cape Town. Hyatt Regency Cape Town, a 137-room hotel, is expected to open in December 2020, bringing the total number of Hyatt-branded hotels across Africa to eight, with two in South Africa. Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with South African real estate company, Millat Properties, to open the first Hyatt hotel in Cape Town. Hyatt Regency Cape Town, a 137-room hotel, is expected to open in December 2020, bringing the total number of Hyatt hotels across Africa to eight, with two in South Africa. The new Hyatt Regency Cape Town will be rebranded from the former Hilton Cape Town City Centre.

Africa, and particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, remains a key focus for growth for Hyatt as the continent is experiencing an increasingly favorable business climate, along with consistently heightened tourism. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, international tourist arrivals in Sub-Saharan Africa grew around 6% per year, higher than the global average.[1] Cape Town, in particular, is an attractive destination for both business and leisure travelers alike, with more than five million visitors to Cape Town’s airport[2] each year. The coastal city, which is the second most populated city in South Africa, is an economic hub for business and innovation as well as an attractive destination for leisure travelers with its pristine beaches and lively culture.

“We’re delighted to work with Millat Properties to bring the Hyatt Regency brand to Cape Town,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, regional vice president of development for the Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “As a premier destination, Cape Town has been a top goal for us to have a Hyatt hotel, and we believe there is meaningful potential for further growth in South Africa. Hyatt Regency Cape Town is a key element of our strategy to grow thoughtfully in markets where we know our guests are traveling.”

Hyatt Regency Cape Town will bring the Hyatt Regency brand’s signature seamless, personalized service and energizing experiences to business and leisure guests alike. The hotel is situated at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain, one of Cape Town’s most prominent and famous tourist landmarks, bordering the historic Bo-Kaap district with its steep and narrow streets. The vibrant and colorful neighborhood is a popular area for tourists looking to experience South Africa’s rich, multicultural history.

“It is a delight to team up with the Hyatt Regency brand, who is synonymous with a first-class travel experience,” said Hamza Farooqui, chief executive officer of Millat Properties. "Millat will extensively refurbish the hotel – prior to reopening – using renowned international interior designers, LW Design. Knowing Hyatt and Millat share equally high standards around the guest experience, we are delighted to bring the Hyatt Regency brand to life in this iconic location.”

The hotel will feature 137 rooms, including 15 suites, three food and beverage outlets, as well as leisure facilities including a fitness area and an outdoor pool. For corporate guests, the property offers 1,312 square feet (400 square meters) of meeting space as well as an executive lounge.

“The news of a Hyatt-branded property opening within the City of Cape Town is a welcome addition to the tourism sector and is a positive indicator reflecting the travel industry’s road to recovery,” said Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, South African Minister for Tourism. Like many others in our country, Cape Town is truly unique, offering visitors unforgettable experiences with an abundance of natural beauty and attractions to visit. Hyatt Regency Cape Town will be the perfect addition to the hospitality sector in this historic city.” 

The announcement of Hyatt Regency Cape Town follows a significant expansion in Hyatt’s footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa, fueled by the Hyatt Regency brand. Three Hyatt Regency hotels are already open in the sub-Saharan region: Hyatt Regency Johannesburg, Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam and Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa with two more scheduled openings for the Hyatt Regency brand over the next three years: Hyatt Regency Nairobi, Kenya and Hyatt Regency Lagos Ikeja, Nigeria.

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Chicago's Old Cook County Hospital Transformed Into Dual Branded Hyatt Hotel

Historic rehabilitation of the 104-year-old Cook County Hospital building, converting the building into a dual-branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotel, accompanied by the new Dr. Murphy's Food Hall. The transformative project is the first phase and anchor for Harrison Square, a new micro-neighborhood that will add residential, office, retail and hotel space in the area immediately surrounding the former hospital within the Illinois Medical District. The project was directed by the Civic Health Development Group, a joint venture led by Chicago-based Murphy Development Group along with MB Real Estate, Walsh Investors and The Granite Cos. Inc.

The 345,000-square-foot old Cook County Hospital was decommissioned in 2002 and remained vacant for more than 15 years, disquieting preservationists, historians, and other concerned citizens that the magnificent Beaux-Arts building was at risk of demolition. Those fears were relieved when it was officially announced in 2018 that the prominent medical institution would be given life once more.

The development converted the former hospital and medical college into a 210-room dual-branded Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotel. The project also delivers medical office and retail spaces and the 10,000-square-foot Dr. Murphy's Food Hall, named in honor of the renowned surgeon, Dr. John Benjamin Murphy, who studied, practiced, and taught within Cook County Hospital and the Illinois Medical District.

Architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed the project to incorporate features highlighting the building's long history as one of the world's top teaching hospitals and significant place in the history of Chicago as its first public hospital. The building also includes a museum that chronicles the hospital's noteworthy contributions to the region and to the medical field.

"The old Cook County Hospital is rich in history, having served our community and nation for over a century, while at the same time being a fountain of medical research, innovation, and advancements," said Dan Walsh, co-chairman of Walsh Construction. "The Walsh Group is proud to have played a leading role in saving and transforming this unique historic structure, and delivering a reborn building that welcomes visitors and economic revival to the Near West Side of Chicago for another 100 years."

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Hyatt Announces Face Coverings Requirement for Guests at Hotels in the U.S. and Canada

 At Hyatt, the safety and security of our colleagues and guests is always a top priority. Guided by our purpose – to care for people so they can be their best – and following medical expert guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, beginning Monday, July 27, for the foreseeable future, all Hyatt hotels in the U.S. and Canada will require face coverings within indoor public areas, which include meetings and events spaces, restaurants and bars, and fitness centers. Some guests may be exempt from this mandate, including but not limited to people with medical conditions, consuming food or beverages in restaurants, and children under the age of two years.

Guests who are not wearing face coverings indoors will be asked to wear one, and at all Hyatt hotels, face masks will be made available to guests who do not have one. Additionally, Hyatt hotels request all guests practice proper social distancing in indoor and outdoor public areas, and social distancing guidelines are prominently placed throughout all hotels.

Hyatt will continue to require colleagues to wear face masks – and additional personal protective equipment based on job specifications – at all Hyatt hotels globally. In April, Hyatt introduced the Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment (hyatt.com/care-and-cleanliness) which prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of colleagues and guests through enhanced business and operational practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond at all Hyatt hotels globally.

“This new policy comes at a pivotal time amidst the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and helps us care for the health and safety of our guests and colleagues,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt. “In an effort to enable safe travel, we support AHLA’s recently expanded Safe Stay initiative and traveler checklist that help us come together as an industry to promote clear guidelines, which for the foreseeable future include the wearing of face coverings in indoor public spaces and practicing social distancing throughout the hotel.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, Hyatt remains committed to supporting industry partners like AHLA and following medical expert guidance that supports face coverings and social distancing as successful ways to mitigate the spread of the virus. Hyatt will continue to closely monitor the situation as well as local government mandates and consider expanding this mandate to other regions.