Hyatt has had a busy week of announcements – all of which seem to be good for those of us that have this as their favourite hotel brand.

NEW BRAND

Hyatt Centric – appears to be a plan to rebrand some of their current properties that have received more modern makeovers during renovations. 15 properties will be branded with the name, designed they say, to focus on the guest as the centre of the experience. Host cities include – New York, Paris, Atlanta, Chicago and Miami.

There is speculation about which hotels will be converted but in Paris it is likely to be Madeleine as the others properties don’t fit this feel.

The target market it seems is a group called Modern Explorers. Hyatt describes them thus:

“Modern Explorers are truly a savvy, curious group. Their expectations are simple, but their standards are high and they want their experience to be intuitive and smart. They want options and all the must-haves from a full service hotel but without any fuss or complications,” said Kristine Rose, vice president of brands, Hyatt. “We believe Hyatt Centric hotels will deliver on our guests’ desire for experiential travel while inspiring them to go out and explore. From the eclectic and fun hotel design to colleagues who are explorers themselves, the Hyatt Centric brand will be the perfect launching pad for our guests to start their experience, whether for business or pleasure, within the destination

The focus we are told is on three aspects:

• An authentic entryway to the destination
• A focus on simplicity, thoughtfully crafted
• A human touch in a digital world

I have some stays coming up in the cities mentioned around mid-year so I hope to report back about what they are delivering.

NEW HOTEL

Andaz Ottawa Byward Market opens in mid-2016 and will be the first Andaz in Canada.  The property will have 200 guestrooms, including four two-bay Hyatt suites, two three-bay Junior suites, and a four-bay Executive Suite with a fireplace and large 560 square foot terrace. The development is in conjunction with an Ottawa based developer Claridge Homes.

NEW ANDAZ

(Well you could say I cheated as the post above is about a New Andaz) but I’m not someone who goes to Canada a great deal so am unlikely to visit the Andaz in Ottawa.

On the other hand the announcement of a new Andaz in Singapore has got me excited. In Ophir-Rochor district of Singapore and expected to open in 2017, the Andaz Singapore will be the first Andaz in South east Asia. The property is part of the DUO development which looks pretty smart:

The location information suggests that transport connections are being built directly in to the development which will make it easier to and from the airport.

 

So all around a good week for Hyatt news.