It was only just October that I broke the news that Hyatt would acquire Two Roads Hospitality and the Thompson, Destination, Joie de Vivre, Alila and tommie hotel brands.

Already Hyatt has been integrating properties. Most of Thompson Hotels joined World of Hyatt March 28th. Hyatt has just announced that the previously excluded Thompson Playa del Carmen and Thompson Beach House in Mexico will join effective May 15, 2019.

Meanwhile today, May 14, Hyatt integrates a second of the acquired brands — Joie de Vivre — into the World of Hyatt portfolio. Hyatt says that “14 out of the 18 hotels [are] participating.”

Hyatt has no affiliation with any of the following properties (even though they may be identified on hyatt.com and may be affiliated with the Joie de Vivre brand) and such properties do not participate in World of Hyatt in any capacity: Galleria Park, Hotel Carlton, Hotel Vitale, and The Marker hotels (“Excluded Hotels”).

Credit: Carmel Valley Ranch, a Joie de Vivre Hotel

What’s odd is that Hyatt’s website actually listed 19 hotels just yesterday and they haven’t responded to my inquiry over the discrepancy.

Since their announcement refers to “the ability to earn and redeem points and enjoy in-hotel benefits at 14 participating Joie de Vivre hotels located throughout the U.S” and the Bei Zhaolong Hotel, Beijing now appears gone from the Hyatt website I assume that’s the 19th and 5th non-participating property. It’s even now gone from the Joie de Vivre site.

Regardless the quick integration is admirable, even if the number of properties small and geographic reach (most Joie de Vivre hotels are in California) limited.

2000 Bonus Points

Hyatt is offering 2000 bonus points for your first eligible stay at each of these four brands completed by December 31, for a maximum of 8000 bonus points. No registration required.

A Weird, Stackable Free Night Offer

You’ll also receive a category 1-4 free night (valid for 180 days from date of issuance) if you complete an eligible stay at each of these four brands by December 31. No registration required.

Depending on when Alila and Destination Hotels actually join Hyatt that could be difficult to do. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a promotion whose terms require members to do something that depends on a hotel chain securing contracts and performing IT work in the future.

What makes this interesting though is that if you stay at all four brands by December 31 you’ll earn 8000 total bonus points and a free night.

And Hyatt also offers a free night for every 5 of their brands you stay at. Four new brands makes it easier to earn these nights, adds an additional possible night to earn, and stays towards the new brand bonus offers also count towards the ongoing free night for every 5 brands offer.

The Really Special Properties are Still to Come

I’ve stayed 5 times at the Park Hyatt Hadahaa in the Maldives. It opened as an Alila. It’s interesting that the brand comes full circle and is now owned by Hyatt, with properties soon to become part of the World of Hyatt program.

At that point I have to assume that Alila leaves the GHA Discovery program. While GHA doesn’t do breakfast as a benefit, early check-in and late check-out are available as are upgrades, and they focus on local experiences, plus there are several reports of status matches.

Ventana Big Sur, while perhaps not in league with the Post Ranch Inn, still seems an idyllic stop along my dream to drive a 1966 Cobra down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Alila Uluwutu, Bali

Most of their properties are in Southeast Asia, along with India and China, and will make for incredible redemptions. Let’s just hope Hyatt isn’t temped to slot several into category 8 on the theory that they’re ‘new’ and so it wouldn’t be a devaluation. Category 8 after all is supposed to be reserved for SLH hotels!