The Hyatt Ziva and Zilara properties include 6 all-inclusive resorts where you can actually use points to book a free night stay. For most, this is a great opportunity to use your points to not only get a free night at a desirable warm weather destination, but to also have all your food, drinks, and many activities paid for!
You’ll actually notice that if you are looking to redeem points for a free night for just you and a significant other or a friend, then the number of points for a free night is actually not that much! It depends on the resort, but it requires between 20,000-25,000 points per night. Where it gets expensive is if there are more guests staying in the room, including kids. Each additional guest in the room costs an extra 10,000-12,500 points per night. The only free guests are kids 2 and under.
Up until this point, you had to call Hyatt reservations to book an award stay at any of these properties. This can be annoying since you could not see availability online if you were looking to use points and would have to go through a slew of dates with the reservations agent to find dates that would work with you. Being able to search for dates yourself online is way easier! Well… it looks like being able to book points online is now working! With one caveat, only single or double occupancy stays will work. So if you are looking to book an extra adult or child in your room, the system will show no availability and you’ll have to call. But, at least you’ll know if the dates are available or not by initially searching for just 2 adults.
Even if you have children 2 and under in the room and specify the age on the reservations screen, it still will not let you book. This is on par when you go to book with babies/toddlers with a customer service agent. The reservation system does not differentiate between an extra guest in the room vs. a baby. Agents do not always understand this, so it is easier to just go this route for a quicker and accurate reservation! For example, if you tell them 2 adults and a baby, they will search for a room that will fit 3 guests which means a room with 2 double beds will have to be available. If only king rooms are available it will show you no award availability, which really isn’t accurate. So if you are traveling with a small child that is not supposed to cost anymore at any of the hotels, I suggest just booking the stay with 2 adults and then calling back later and having them add to the notes section that you’ll be bringing along a baby/toddler. Hopefully they’ll be able to have all point reservations available for online booking soon! It really makes things so much easier.
I personally spent 6 nights at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun back in January and absolutely loved it! We actually have another trip booked for next winter! We found it to be such an easy vacation with two small children, especially the all-inclusive aspect. While I am glad those that are 2 and younger are free, I actually think it should be extended to 3 year olds as well. There is no way a 3 year old eats nearly as much as a 12 year old, for instance, and the Kids Club starts at 4 years old. Additionally, to utilize the included kayaking and paddle board you must be 10 years old. For those reasons I personally think 0-3 should be free, 4-9 should be 1/2 the amount of extra points, and 10 and up should be the full amount of extra points. You can read more about my stay at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun here.10 Best Things About the Hyatt Ziva Cancun for Families.
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amen sister!! actually on flight right now heading back from Ziva Cancun with my wife. thinking about bringing our 3 year old next time we come, but it is really crazy to believe they’d charge an additional 12.5K points. the kid mainly eats mac n cheese and hot dogs.
@PJ – I agree that the extra price required for a 3 year old is ridiculous. If you do bring your 3 year old, feel free to email me and I can tell you about my experience with my toddler on the reservation.
i was consideringtaking 3yr old toddler at Hyatt ziva in cancu n. But I have 2 other Older kids. is there any way around th ese high award fees, 37,000 a day is crazy for a 3, 5 and 8 yr old
@Rob – I have read that you can pay $100 per child instead of the extra points. You also might be able to get away with your 3 year old being 2. At 3 they can’t use the kids club anyways.
With that charge why not just get a second room if you have 2 kids?
@applezz13 – I agree. Although, at that point I’d maybe even recommend paying for the room instead of using points. I guess it depends on the time of year and what room rates are going for.
I love these all-inclusive options from Hyatt, but it is a pain to have to call and book because I usually plan and book vacations late at night. Calling takes so much longer than a couple clicks on the mouse!
And I agree with you about how frustrating it is when a toddler is charged the same amount as a teenager. They eat WAY different quantities of food!!!
@Lee – I’ve had great success have Hyatt’s Twitter team book me rooms in the middle of the night!