One of the biggest issues with World of Hyatt is its relatively small footprint (i.e. not enough hotels to choose from). This problem is especially acute in Europe. In London, England, however, that is soon to change…
THREE former IHG hotels are going to re-flag and become Hyatt hotels. Hyatt has yet to announce the exact dates when these hotels will open under the Hyatt flag, but it should happen in the first six months of 2022.
Crowne Plaza London – The City –> Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars
The Crowne Plaza near London’s Blackfriars station – close to St Paul’s Cathedral – is currently closed for refurbishment. When it reopens, it will be known as the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars.
For IHG loyalists, this is a major loss. This hotel was known for treating Platinum and Spire members well, even though IHG does not promise much to its elite members. Hyatt hotels usually treat Globalist members well, so this is certainly a hotel I intend to check out as a Hyatt Regency…
On social media, there are rumours that this hotel will (re) open on March 1st, 2022.
Holiday Inn London – Stratford City –> Hyatt Regency London Stratford
The Holiday Inn in Stratford (east London) is going to become a Hyatt Regency. As a tourist, you might not have much reason to visit this part of London, but it has very good transport links due to its proximity to the major Olympic Games venues from 2012.
Even though a Hyatt website is now available, there is no further information about whether it will be closing for refurbishment or simply changing the logos and retraining staff…
However, you cannot book this hotel under the Holiday Inn flag after March 30, 2022…
Staybridge Suites London – Stratford City –> Hyatt House London Stratford
The Staybridge Suites is located in the same complex as the Holiday Inn. The hotel is going to become a Hyatt House, again with no firm dates available apart from the March 30th date for leaving IHG…
Are you booked as an IHG member?
If you have reserved any of these hotels using IHG points, you should expect to have your reservation cancelled; these hotels will not honor a reward stay because they won’t be reimbursed by IHG. However, if you pressure IHG you might be able to move to a different IHG hotel without paying any more points. (Although don’t expect to be able to choose the Intercontinental Park Lane if you were booked at a Holiday Inn in Stratford!)
If you reserved your stay for cash, your booking would normally be honored (as long as the hotel is open under the new flag). However, you must be happy to earn Hyatt points instead of IHG points. If the hotel is closed, you may or may not be able to move to a different IHG hotel while maintaining the same room rate. (For a simple life, I would just accept the cancellation / refund and make my own alternative arrangements…)
Bottom Line – Hyatt in London
With these three “reflags”, combined with other recent growth, Hyatt will soon have decent number of hotels in London, including:
- Hyatt Regency The Churchill
- Great Scotland Yard
- Andaz Liverpool Street
- Hyatt Place London City East
- 2 Hyatt Places near Heathrow
- Several Small Luxury Hotels
There are also two Park Hyatt hotels under development, as well as a Hyatt Regency at London Olympia. Those hotels could open in 2023 or 2024.
Compared to a few years ago, Hyatt members travelling to London now have many more options to choose from. Of course, IHG Rewards members still have dozens of hotels to choose from, which might explain why the hotel owner(s) was tempted to switch…
