Today’s email question comes from reader Dave, who is heading to the Hyatt Ziva soon and wants to know about the Hyatt Ziva occupancy limits.
Hyatt Ziva occupancy limits question
Dave asks:
I had a question about traveling with a family of 5 when 3 of the kids are small. The specific issue I’m having is using my Hyatt free night certificates before they expire. I’m trying to use them at the Hyatt Ziva in cancun, but they wouldn’t let me book five to a room and I’m too afraid to show up with extra kids. It seems that Hyatt is strict about this across the board.
Bigger question is that it seems difficult to book awards rooms for 5 as the awards bookable rooms won’t sleep 5. That restriction shouldn’t apply to us since we have our two oldest sleep in bed with us and the baby in a crib but strictly speaking, it still does. Domestically, I’m not too worried about just lying and saying we have 4 and then showing up with five, but I’m much more concerned with international bookings, particularly when passports are requested at check-in.
So can you bring extra people to the Hyatt Ziva or Zilara?
Unfortunately, Dave is correct when he says that Hyatt is fairly strict about the Hyatt Ziva occupancy limits. The Hyatt Zilara is the same way – I would imagine it has to do with the fact that the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara are both all-inclusive resorts, where (nearly) every activity is included in the price. So instead of making sure to have each guest pay at the activity, from what I’ve read, the Hyatt Ziva is pretty strict about making sure that their occupancy limits are enforced.
Whereas domestically, I treat those more as occupancy “suggestions”, I would agree with Dave’s conclusion – I would NOT just show up with 5 people at the Hyatt Ziva.
Occupancy “suggestions” elsewhere internationally
I’ve read that hotels in Europe especially are much stricter about occupancy limits, even when you’re trying to only bring 3 or 4 (say nothing about 5 or more)
(READ MORE: Travelodge Family Room – beating the European occupancy rules)
Just something to be aware of if you’re traveling internationally – the US policy of kids sleep free does not apply internationally!
As always, if you have a question, feel free to email me at dan at pointswithacrew dot com and I will do my best to help
Any suggestions for Dave on the Hyatt Ziva occupancy limits?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I recently stayed at Hyatt Ziva Los Cabo with 3 adults, 1 four year old and an infant in one room (Ziva suite – paid cash). The website only asks to list children over 3 years old. The resort was OK with it. Nobody questioned us about the baby at all.
One alternative internationally is to book a 2nd room as many places will give you 50% off the cost plus make sure you have a connecting room. May even get to use your suite upgrade since several places connect a suite to a regular room. In any case, it never hurts to ask (and get the response in writing).