In case you missed it, the long delay of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar has finally came to an end. After years of delay that included bankruptcy process, the most anticipated new resort in Bahamas was finally opened this past week. You can now reserve for stays after May 29, 2017, including award stays!
The brand new Grand Hyatt Baha Mar looks gorgeous, and you can learn all about it on the website. The phase one opening on Friday April 21 included a preview of the hotel, the casino, the Arts & Convention Center, the Royal Blue Golf Club, as well as more than 12 indoor and outdoor restaurants and bars, the resort pool areas and beachfront, and the dramatic fountain shows choreographed with music, film and light (like the on in front of Bellagio in Las Vegas). The $4.2 billion development of Baha Mar is most likely going to elevate the island vacation experience.
As expected, cash rates at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar are high, from $400 a night and up. The hotel was supposed to be a Category 5 hotel which means 20,000 Hyatt points a night. However, according to Mommy Points, the hotel is currently pricing as a Category 4 hotel at 15,000 points per night! Not sure if that is a mistake, or an unannounced category change. Award nights seem to be available through mid-December, including the Thanksgiving holiday weekend!
I did a test booking for one night and it went through without any problem, except 20,000 points were correctly deducted from my account, not 15,000. The nightly cash rate for Thanksgiving weekend was well over $600. So even at 20,000 points a night, you can save some serious cash using points! But DealsWeLike was able to get their reservation honored at 15,000 points per night! The cancellation policy requires 14 days prior to arrival.
My family originally planned to stay at this resort in summer 2015 for our first trip to the Bahamas. Unfortunately the opening was delayed despite the hotel being 99% completed. We ended up staying four nights at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island. We had a great time but I would love to return and stay at the Baha Mar. I will be keeping an eye for summer 2018 award availability at this resort, and maybe combined it with a stay at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island using Choice points to visit Atlantis for free!
Are you planning to book an award stay at the brand new Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?
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They are not honoring the 15k per night and are deducting 20k for the accounts.
DealsWeLike had their reservation honored at 15K points by contacting the Hyatt Twitter team. Eventually the correct points will be shown once Hyatt IT fixes it.
Indeed it is still displaying 15k as of now, but it seems to be an error as it does deduct 20k. Hyatt is generally good about honoring such things, but I suspect the 15k display will be short lived.
I assume the $30 Resort fee is waived for points stays like most Hyatts?
I am not exactly sure about that. It would nice if it is waived.
Not sure what is waved the way it looks on my reservation is nothing is waived.. Hmm.
Type of Rate: REDEEM POINTS
Rate Information: Rate is not eligible to earn points or tier credit.
Additional Tax, Fees & Service Charges:
BED TAX: 10.00%
CABLE BEACH TAX: 4.00%
NPIPB TAX: 6.00%
MANDATORY GRAT: 20.63
RESORT FEES: 34.20
The taxes are usually waived with award stay but resort fees are not. “Mandatory Grat” that is a new one! hmmmm interesting, I don’t think I have seem that anywhere before.
Has anyone had an issue with their credit card being precharged (actual charge) for the stay whether using points or not?
The Hyatt Baha Mar policy before booking says:
FULL PREPAY REQ AT BOOKING/CXL 14 DAYS PRIOR ARRIVAL FOR REFUND
Using points it also says 1 night deposit will be charged upon booking.
So is it a full prepay for the entire stay, a 1 night deposit that you must get refunded after your stay or no actual charge at all when using points. Odd.
I called Hyatt but they seemed confused and just said probably not a charge. Not really comforting.