**Editor's Note** Hyatt has announced a category award reshuffle. Many of the properties mentioned in this article will be getting more expensive for bookings after March 28, 2023. Book now to save!
Booking all-inclusive resorts is one of the best ways to use World of Hyatt points – it's tough to beat eating, drinking, and staying at a nice resort without paying a dime. But with a growing list of 100-plus resorts scattered across Mexico and the Caribbean or even Europe, some are far, far better than others to squeeze the most value out of your points.
No hotel chain does it better than Hyatt when it comes to booking all-inclusive properties using points. Many resorts are bookable for just 15,000 to 25,000 Hyatt points a night, providing more proof that World of Hyatt points outshine the likes of Hilton or Marriott. And those points are fairly easy to earn. whether you stay with Hyatt or transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards from cards like the *chase sapphire preferred* or even earn Bilt Rewards while paying rent.
They're not your average resorts, either. In our experience, everything from the facilities to the food to tasty top-shelf drinks is often a big step above your average all-inclusive resort.
As Hyatt's portfolio has grown from a handful of Ziva and Zilara properties to more than 100 locations abroad, it's gotten harder to choose where to stay. While there's more to consider than simply getting the most value out of your points when planning a vacation, we know travelers want to get the most bang for their buck – we do, too.
Don't sweat it: We did the work for you, crunching the numbers by comparing the cash rates at all-inclusive Hyatt resorts against how many points it requires to book to unearth the best ways to use those hard-earned Hyatt points.
Here are the 10 Hyatt all-inclusive resorts you should consider if you're aiming to use your points wisely to book your next getaway.
- The Basics of Booking Hyatt's All-Inclusive Resorts with Points
- How We Analyzed the Value of Hyatt All-Inclusive Resorts
-
The Best Value Hyatt All-Inclusive Resorts You Can Book with Points
- 1. Secrets Impression Moxché in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- 2. Alila Ventana Big Sur (California)
- 3. Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen (Mexico)
- 4. Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa (Mexico)
- 5. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya (Mexico)
- 6. Secrets Papagayo (Costa Rica)
- 7. The Hyatt Ziva Cancún (Mexico)
- 8. Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort (Mexico)
- 9. Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres (Mexico)
- 10. Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana (Dominican Republic)
- How to Earn World of Hyatt Points
The Basics of Booking Hyatt's All-Inclusive Resorts with Points
As its portfolio of all-inclusive properties grows, Hyatt has introduced a whole new award chart for booking these resorts using your points.
The standard Category 1 through Category 8 award chart you'll find for Hyatt's regular hotels doesn’t apply here. Instead, Hyatt is using Category A through Category F to price these free nights at all-inclusive locations. Generally speaking, the higher the category, the nicer the property will be. That's not always the case, but more on that later.
Award rates range from 15,000 points to as much as 50,000 points per night standard night stay. However, the majority of properties price out at just 15,000 points to 25,000 points per night.
Hyatt introduced peak and off-peak pricing a few years back, so you might see slightly lower (or higher) rates depending on when you go.
Not only will that 15,000 to 25,000 points cover your lodging, but all of your drinks, meals at the restaurants on the property, and the mini bar in your room are included. Hyatt doesn’t charge resort fees that other chains like Marriott and Hilton do. That means just 15,000 or 25,000 points will cover everything except for tips – something you should be sure to do.
Read more: How to Book Hyatt’s Incredible All-Inclusive Resorts for Free with Points
How We Analyzed the Value of Hyatt All-Inclusive Resorts
Let's be clear: This isn't scientific, peer-reviewed analysis. But it can give you an indication of the best bang-for-your-buck options when using Hyatt points.
Here's how we did it. We searched cash rates at all properties for a week-long period in late March or early April to come up with an average cash price per night for each property. Generally, we used the same week for each resort, but in instances where a property didn't have standard rooms available during the week, we used the next closest week we could find.
Next, we needed to set a base value for World of Hyatt points. The Points Guy publishes a monthly round-up of points valuations that are determined by their team. They list World of Hyatt points at a valuation of 1.7 cents each, which we (and other sites) generally agree with.
So any all-inclusive redemption that didn't provide at least 1.7 cents in value for a stash of World of Hyatt points was immediately disqualified.
To determine the value of Hyatt points, we took the average cash cost per night of a week-long stay and divided that by the number of Hyatt points it cost to book a night at each property.
Many of the properties we evaluated were above that 1.7 cents threshold, but there were ten properties that really shined in terms of value for your Hyatt points.
The Best Value Hyatt All-Inclusive Resorts You Can Book with Points
1. Secrets Impression Moxché in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $1,810
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 7.2 cents each
In evaluating the best value Hyatt all-inclusives for your stash of World Of Hyatt Points, one single property stands above the rest to get an almost unbelievable bang for your buck.
It's called Secrets Impression Moxché, and it just opened late last year in Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya. Think of it as a high-end hotel within a hotel: It's located within the broader Secrets Moxché resort.
This high-end, adults-only property has less than 200 rooms, each with a bigger footprint than what you'll find at the Secrets Moxché, and an outdoor hot tub. There are private pools and beaches, upgraded amenities, amazing restaurants, and top-shelf liquor. Early reviews suggest it lives up to the hype.
No matter what time of year you go, you'll be hard-pressed to find cash rates below $1,000 a night. But using Hyatt points? Since it is currently a category C it prices out at just 25,000 points per night – an incredible value.
Finding award availability to actually book this property with points is easier said than done, however. For months, you could easily lock in a stay at the Secrets Impression using points. As word about this fantastic resort spread, all of that disappeared.
Hyatt seems to release award availability in waves at this property, so it can come and go in a flash. Right now, we're seeing wide-open award availability at the Secrets Impression Moxché from this April into February 2024, but earlier this week we couldn't find a single date to book for the near future.
However, given the cash prices to book this luxe all-inclusive, we'd be shocked if rates to book using points don't jump considerably in the next month or two. Deals like this are too good to last.
2. Alila Ventana Big Sur (California)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in January 2024: $2,200
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 40,000 Points (Category E)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 5.5 cents each
While not your typical Mexico or Caribbean all-inclusive resort, the Alila Ventana Big Sur in Big Sur, California is second on our list of the best-value Hyatt all-inclusive resorts.
The property is one of the most aspirational properties in the world for point hoarders and gets rave reviews. It's a beautiful resort with tons of amenities set on California's serene coastline, and it normally goes for $2,000 or more a night. And even when you book with points, it's all-inclusive: Essentially everything but alcohol is included in your stay.
The property used to be an even better deal as it was a category D all-inclusive, meaning you could have booked at a base rate of 30,000 points per night. Hyatt bumped the property up to a category E last March, upping the cost to 40,000 points a night.
Still, based on the cash price, it's a great value for your World of Hyatt points.
Finding award availability at the Ventana Big Sur is difficult, but possible. It will require some trial and error to make dates work.
3. Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen (Mexico)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $944
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 3.8 cents each
While the value isn't as good as what you'll get from the Secrets Impression Moxché located on the same property, the Secrets Moxché near Playa del Carmen in Mexico's Riviera Maya comes in at number three on our list of Hyatt's best-value all-inclusive resorts for using Hyatt points.
Average cash rates for a stay in March (and most other months) come in just above $900 a night. And since it is a category C Hyatt all-inclusive resort, it can be booked for just 25,000 points per night.
The property is much bigger than the Secrets Impression Moxché with 485 suites. It's also much easier to find nights that are bookable with World of Hyatt points than at the more exclusive Secrets Impression.
Read More: A Full Review of Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen All-Inclusive Resort
4. Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa (Mexico)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $940
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 3.8 cents each
Fourth on our list of the best value Hyatt all-inclusive resorts bookable with points is the adults-only Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa. The property is located north of Puerto Morelos, Mexico, and just north of the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun all-inclusive resort.
It's a small beachside adults-only property that only has 164 rooms – all suites. If you are looking for a more intimate setting, this could be a great option.
No matter the time of year you are going, cash prices are generally pretty high, making this property a great use of Hyatt points.
5. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya (Mexico)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $885
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 3.5 cents each
Coming in at number five on our list of the best value Hyatt all-inclusive resorts bookable with points is the adults-only Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya.
The property is located north of Tulum, Mexico, and about 40 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, making it a bit harder to get to than some of the other options in the Riviera Maya.
The property itself has 434 suites making it much larger than some of the other options on this list. If you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of Cancún, it's worth looking at this resort to cash in your Hyatt points.
6. Secrets Papagayo (Costa Rica)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $863
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 3.5 cents each
It's not just all-inclusive resorts in Mexico that will give you the most value for your Hyatt points. Number six on our list of best-valued Hyatt all-inclusive resorts bookable with points is the adults-only Secrets Papagayo in Costa Rica.
The 202-room property is located just a short 20-minute drive from the Liberia Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), set on Costa Rica's Gulf of Papagayo.
You'll be hard-pressed to find rates below $800 a night if you are paying with cash, so booking with 25,000 Hyatt points a night is a great value if a trip to Costa Rica is in your future.
7. The Hyatt Ziva Cancún (Mexico)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $848
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 3.4 cents each
The seventh Hyatt all-inclusive property that gives you the best value for your hotel points is the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Cancún. It's the first of Hyatt's legacy all-inclusive resorts to crack the list and one of our favorite options if you have the family in tow.
The property is located on the far northeast side of the famous Cancún hotel zone. In fact, it is the furthest resort from the Cancún (CUN) airport on the main stretch in the hotel zone. Expect about a 25 to 30-minute ride from the airport, depending on traffic.
Because of the property’s location, many rooms will have incredible unobstructed ocean views.
We stayed at the property last year and had a great experience. From the food to the service and everything in between, we had no complaints.
Read our review of the Hyatt Ziva Cancún, a gem in the hotel zone!
8. Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort (Mexico)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $814
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 3.3 cents each
The adults-only Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort is another one of the best-value Hyatt all-inclusive resorts bookable with points, especially if you're a golfer.
The property is located about 35 minutes straight north of the Cancún Airport (CUN) and just a ten-minute drive from downtown Cancun.
Guests receive complimentary twilight green fees and transportation to the championship 18-hole Playa Mujeres Golf Course designed by Greg Norman, only a two-minute drive from the resort's lobby.
This property is already a great deal, but it's even more of a score if you plan to play golf since it's part of the all-inclusive rate of just 25,000 points each night.
9. Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres (Mexico)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $791
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 3.2 cents each
Number nine on our list is the Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres.
The property is located on the west side of the island of Isla Mujeres, which is just east of Cancún, and about a 30-minute ferry ride from the main ferry terminal. But, the property provides private boat transfers from the mainland for guests.
The property itself is small with only 35 oceanfront suites, so it has a much more intimate setting if that's what you are looking for. Zoëtry is Hyatt's all-inclusive brand focused on wellness.
There aren't many great options for using hotel points for a stay on Isla Mujeres, so if the Mexican island is on your radar, this is a great value if you have Hyatt points.
10. Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana (Dominican Republic)
Average cash price per night for a week-long stay in March 2023: $746
Cost in Hyatt Points to Book a One-Night Stay: 25,000 Points (Category C)
Value of Hyatt Points for This Booking: 3 cents each
Last, but not least, is the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana. And since the Hyatt Ziva Capa Cana (family-friendly resort) is located on the same property, both are an exceptional value.
This was the first Hyatt all-inclusive resort the hotel chain built from the ground up, opening in November 2019. And it shows.
The property itself is in close proximity to the Punta Cana airport (PUJ). It’s just a short 15- to 20-minute drive away.
I stayed at the resort in 2021 and had an absolutely incredible experience. Between the amazing service, beautiful facilities, fantastic location, and how easy it is to book, it is easily the best all-inclusive resort I have ever been to.
If all-inclusive resorts are your thing (and even if they’re not), I can’t recommend the property enough.
Read our review of the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Cap Cana, Dominican Republic!
How to Earn World of Hyatt Points
While you can obviously pay with cash for all of these Hyatt all-inclusive resorts, the best value for booking is with World of Hyatt points. And you don’t need to be a road warrior to rack up enough points for a stay.
There are a few different credit cards that make earning Hyatt points relatively simple and straightforward.
First, you can earn World of Hyatt points by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to your Hyatt account. Because Hyatt is one of the airline and hotel transfer partners of Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points into your World of Hyatt account at a 1:1 ratio – 1,000 Chase points get you 1,000 Hyatt points.
If you don’t already have Chase Ultimate Rewards points, they can be earned from a number of personal and business credit cards. Our favorite option: The *chase sapphire preferred*, which is currently offering a welcome offer bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. Plus, for a limited time, you'll get up to a $300 travel credit for purchases made through Chase Travel℠.
This card has an annual fee of $95, which is not waived in the first year of card membership. However, the welcome offer bonus alone is worth at least $750, and oftentimes much more. If you book two nights at one of these Hyatt all-inclusive properties, you could easily get more than $750 out of these points – especially when you consider that it includes all of your food and drinks.
Learn more about the *csp*.
Then, there's the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Just for opening the card and spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership, you will receive 30,000 World of Hyatt points. You’ll also earn 2x points per dollar spent on up to $15,000 of spending in the first 6 months of card membership. That’s 60,000 points total – enough for two free nights at most of the properties on this list.
The card has a $95 annual fee which is not waived for the first year of card membership. But starting in year two, it offers an annual free night certificate to be used at any Hyatt category 1-4 property. Unfortunately, none of the Hyatt all-inclusive resorts are eligible for the free night certificate. Still, it’s reason enough to justify the annual fee.
Learn more about the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Finally, if you pay rent, you should have the *Bilt Mastercard*. Bilt Rewards is the only points program that lets you earn points on your monthly rent payment with no transaction fees. It also just so happens to be a transfer partner of World of Hyatt. That means one Bilt point equals one Hyatt point.
If you're paying rent, Bilt points can add up fast.
While the card doesn't offer a welcome offer points bonus, it also doesn't charge an annual fee and earns 3x points per dollar spent on dining, 2x points per dollar spent on travel, and 1x points on other purchases.
Read More: Bilt Rewards Overhauls Rewards Program to Earn More Points on Rent Payments
Bottom Line
If you ask us, Hyatt does all-inclusive resorts better than any other hotel chain and it isn't particularly close.
While there are over 100 great all-inclusive options to choose from when using your World of Hyatt points to book, these are the 10 properties where you're likely to get the most value for them.
Thank you for the article. I have a family of four. As I read the award chart each additional person is 12,500 points additional per night. So is a category C room really 62,500 points/night for our group?
Hi Chad, each additional person after 2 people. So a family of 4 would be 50k per night at a category C, is my understanding
Great packages.
Great article, but time for a refresh. For example, Zilara Cap Cana is now 50K (rather than 25K) points making it much less of a value (but a great property)