Ambassador Chicago Leaving Hyatt

And another one gone, and another one gone, another one bites the dust. Chicago, which used to be the land of Hyatt category 4 milk and honey, has become pretty slim pickings the last few years. That is never more true than now, with Ambassador Chicago leaving Hyatt in a week. ToP team member Ben just received an email about it for his upcoming stay. He was informed that his award stay would no longer be honored, but that they would be honoring cash stays booked with the World of Hyatt program. How generous!

Why The Change?

We don't know why the Ambassador Chicago is leaving Hyatt, but it is usually because of the cost / fees of being in the program. Here is what they have to say on their site in an announcement:

Effective March 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time, Ambassador Chicago will transition to an independent hotel outside of the Hyatt portfolio and is expected to honor all paid reservations including those for stays March 17, 2025 and beyond. Guests with questions regarding stays at the hotel after the hotel ceases to be affiliated with Hyatt and World of Hyatt members with reservations for award stays for March 17 and beyond should contact Hyatt’s Global Care Centers at 1-888-848-9496 for U.S. guests or 1-402-952-1131 for international guests. For bookings made via online travel agents or other third parties, guests may contact their booking provider for information on their policies and for assistance.

Step into Chicago history and its celebrated Gold Coast neighborhood when you enter the grand lobby of The Ambassador Chicago. Inside, vaulted ceilings rise over ornate décor and artwork that capture the city’s steadfast spirit. Check into sumptuous rooms at our boutique hotel, then explore nearby iconic landmarks like Lincoln Park, the Magnificent Mile and Water Tower Place.

Since this email just went out, and I haven't seen it reported elsewhere, I am assuming this just happened. That is pretty short notice for anyone that has a stay upcoming to pivot to another property. Even someone that has as stay as close in as a fortnight (is that T Swift song in your head now?). Hopefully World of Hyatt is willing to do something to assist their members in rebooking a new property and finding them award space when possible.

Chicago Is Getting Tougher To Find Value

Insane parking rates aside, Chicago was always one of the most affordable big cities to visit. I remember staying at the Hyatt Regency Chicago years ago and paying more in parking fees then I did for the room. That has changed over the last few years, and the cost of Chicago rooms have skyrocketed like every other major city since covid. Even so, there was still good value in the World of Hyatt award program because of plentiful options to use your points and category 1-4 free night certificates.

Now? Not so much. The Park Hyatt is now a category 6. My personal favorite, the Thompson, is now a category 5. As is fan favorite Chicago Athletic Association. The aforementioned Hyatt Regency is still a category 4 hotel, but at over 2,000 rooms it is a behemoth that offers nothing close to what those other hotels do. The Ambassador Chicago was my new go to option, since it was near to the Thompson's neighborhood – which I find to be my favorite in Chicago. I guess those plans are now dashed.

What else is there besides the much too large Hyatt Regency Chicago? The Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile is probably the one I will focus on going forward. Although, I assume that will be a category 5 come this time next year. That is the only logical assumption at this rate. This is not a good trend for the city where World of Hyatt headquarters is located. I guess there is still Hyatt Centric The Loop too, but no one wants to stay down in the loop. At least I don't!

Ambassador Chicago Leaving Hyatt: ToP Thoughts

Chicago used to be the place that category 1-4 free night certificate dreams were made of. Not any longer! With the Ambassador Chicago leaving Hyatt it is pretty much slim pickings for World of Hyatt award travelers. Hopefully Hyatt sees what is happening in their own backyard and decides to category right some of this back to the norm. I wouldn't hold my breath though. I would instead expect people to flock to the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile, which will in turn drive that to a category 5 come 2026.

Let me know what your favorite World of Hyatt category 4 option in Chicago will be going forward over in the ToP Facebook Group.