History of Hyatt in Timeline

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is a multinational hospitality company based in Chicago. It manages and franchises luxury and business hotels, resorts, and vacation properties. Overseen by the Pritzker family, Hyatt operates over 1350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 69 countries across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The company is a major player in the global hospitality industry.

September 27, 1957: Purchase of the Hyatt House

On September 27, 1957, The Hyatt Corporation was established with the purchase of the Hyatt House at Los Angeles International Airport.

1957: Hotel Purchased by Entrepreneur Jay Pritzker

In 1957, the Hyatt House hotel was purchased by entrepreneur Jay Pritzker for US$2.2 million. His younger brother, Donald Pritzker, took an important role in the company.

1962: Hyatt Corporation Goes Public

In 1962, Hyatt went public as Hyatt Corporation. At the time, it comprised of two divisions: Hyatt House Hotels and Hyatt Chalet Motels.

1966: Hyatt Chalet Motels Renamed

In 1966, Hyatt Chalet Motels were renamed Hyatt Lodges.

1969: Hyatt Expands Internationally

In 1969, Hyatt began expanding internationally. Also in 1969, Hyatt opened its first international hotel by managing the President Hotel in Hong Kong, renaming it the Hong Kong Hyatt Hotel.

1972: Hyatt Forms Elsinore Corporation

In 1972, Hyatt formed Elsinore Corporation, a subsidiary, to operate the Four Queens Hotel and Casino and the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino. Also in 1972, Donald Pritzker died and Jay Pritzker continued to run the company.

1979: Hyatt Becomes a Private Company

In 1979, Hyatt became a private company as the Pritzkers bought the outstanding shares. Elsinore was spun off as a public company. The company also opened the Playboy Hotel and Casino as a joint venture with Playboy Enterprises in 1979.

1980: Introduction of Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt Brands

In 1980, Hyatt introduced the Grand Hyatt brand with the opening of the Grand Hyatt New York (now Hyatt Grand Central). In that same year, the boutique Park Hyatt brand was also introduced.

1982: Pritzkers Take Hyatt International Private

In 1982, the Pritzkers took Hyatt International private. Hyatt and Hyatt International remained two separate companies until June 2004.

June 2004: Consolidation Under Global Hyatt Corp

In June 2004, substantially all of the hospitality assets owned by the Pritzker family business interests, including Hyatt Corporation and Hyatt International Corporation, were consolidated under a single entity called Global Hyatt Corp. Hyatt and Hyatt International had remained two separate companies until this point.

December 2004: Hyatt Acquires AmeriSuites

In December 2004, Hyatt Hotels Corporation acquired AmeriSuites, an upscale chain of all-suite business class hotels. The AmeriSuites chain was rebranded and called Hyatt Place as a competitor to Marriott International's Courtyard by Marriott and Hilton Worldwide's Hilton Garden Inn.

December 2005: Hyatt Acquires Summerfield Suites

In December 2005, Hyatt acquired limited service company Summerfield Suites from the Blackstone Group.

April 2007: Hyatt Launches Andaz Brand

In April 2007, Hyatt launched its first lifestyle brand, Andaz. The first hotel being a rebrand of the Great Eastern Hotel in London, followed by hotels in San Diego, West Hollywood, Shanghai and New York City.

June 30, 2009: Global Hyatt Corporation Renamed

On June 30, 2009, Global Hyatt Corporation changed its name to Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

August 2009: Hyatt Files Plans for Initial Share Sale

In August 2009, Hyatt Hotels Corporation filed plans to raise up to $1.15 billion in an initial share sale.

September 1, 2011: Hyatt Acquires Hotel Sierra

On September 1, 2011, Hyatt acquired Hotel Sierra, which had 18 properties in 10 states. Along with Hyatt Summerfield Suites hotels, several of these properties were rebranded as Hyatt house in January 2012.

2011: Hyatt Announces Sourcing 100% Cage-Free Eggs

In 2011, Hyatt announced that it would source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025.

January 2012: Summerfield Suites Rebranded

In January 2012, Hyatt Summerfield Suites were rebranded as Hyatt House to compete in the "upscale extended stay market."

November 2013: Introduction of Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara

In November 2013, Hyatt introduced their first all-inclusive resort brands, Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara. The first resorts were opened in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

October 28, 2015: Hyatt Announces Advanced Talks to Acquire Starwood Hotels

On October 28, 2015, Hyatt announced that they were in advanced talks to acquire Starwood Hotels in a cash and stock transaction. However, the transaction was not completed.

March 1, 2017: World of Hyatt Loyalty Program Replaces Gold Passport

On March 1, 2017, Hyatt replaced its Gold Passport loyalty program with World of Hyatt. The program includes membership tiers of base members, Discoverists, Explorists, and Globalists.

2018: Acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality

In 2018, Hyatt saw expansion with the acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, adding the Joie de Vivre, Destination, Alila, and Thompson hotel brands to the Hyatt portfolio.

2019: Fortune Magazine Ranks Hyatt #32

In 2019, Fortune magazine ranked Hyatt #32 on its list of "America's Best Companies to Work For".

2020: Human Rights Campaign Awards Hyatt 100%

In 2020, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) awarded Hyatt 100% in the HRC Equality Index.

March 2021: Hyatt Opens 1,000th Hotel Worldwide

In March 2021, Hyatt announced the official opening of Hyatt's 1,000th hotel worldwide, Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena, California.

August 2021: Hyatt Acquires Apple Leisure Group

In August 2021, Hyatt acquired Apple Leisure Group (ALG) from affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and KSL Capital Partners for $2.7 billion in cash. ALG's hotel portfolio consists of over 33,000 rooms operating in 10 countries.

2021: Fortune Magazine Ranks Hyatt #16

In 2021, Fortune magazine ranked Hyatt #16 on its list of "America's Best Companies to Work For".

November 2022: Hyatt Acquires Dream Hotels Group

In November 2022, Hyatt acquired Dream Hotels Group for $125 million, with up to an additional $175 million over the next six years as properties come into the pipeline and open.

April 2023: Hyatt Acquires Mr and Mrs Smith

In April 2023, Hyatt acquired Mr and Mrs Smith, a UK-based platform offering direct booking access to over 1,500 boutique and luxury properties worldwide for £53.0 million in cash consideration.

June 2024: Hyatt Acquires the me and all hotels brand

In June 2024, Hyatt acquired the me and all hotels brand from Lindner Hotels AG, consisting of six lifestyle hotels and over 1,000 rooms in central city locations across Germany.

August 2024: Hyatt to Acquire Standard International

In August 2024, Hyatt announced the planned acquisition of Standard International, an upscale boutique hotel operator, for $150 million, with up to an additional $185 million over time as additional properties enter the portfolio.

2024: Hyatt Regency Orlando Sold for $1.02 Billion

In 2024, Hyatt Regency Orlando was sold for $1.02 billion to Ares Management and Rida Development.

January 2025: Dedicated Lifestyle Group Formed

In January 2025, a dedicated Lifestyle Group is formed following Hyatt’s acquisition of the hotel group. This group will be led by Standard International's Executive Chairman Amar Lalvani.