PH or HR Sydney On Points?

[QF029]

I'm Hyatt Explorist and tossing up between these two hotels for a long weekend on points. HR is 42k over 3 nights and PH is 115k. I've got plenty of points thanks to Chase Rewards and love the idea of staying at the Park Hyatt but my understanding is on points there's a fair chance we get a room without a view. At HR I can use a Club Access award and access the Lounge.

I know everyone is different but I'm interested in what others would do. Is it worth the splurge on points as an Explorist?

 

[levelnine]

It's such a personal decision. I have nearly unlimited Chase points coming in so would happily pay for the upgrade if with my partner, but wouldn't bother if it was just me.

Check the FT thread for upgrade data points, but my understanding is they'll upgrade you from the no-view room unless all the higher tier rooms are booked.

If you need an objective way to measure the difference, it is 73K UR, which can be cashed out for just over $1K AUD.

 

[WilsonM]

I'm Hyatt Explorist and tossing up between these two hotels for a long weekend on points. HR is 42k over 3 nights and PH is 115k. I've got plenty of points thanks to Chase Rewards and love the idea of staying at the Park Hyatt but my understanding is on points there's a fair chance we get a view without a room. At HR I can use a Club Access award and access the Lounge.

I know everyone is different but I'm interested in what others would do. Is it worth the splurge on points as an Explorist?

Don't get me wrong, the PH is excellent - you'll most likely get an upgrade unless as @levelnine said, all the higher tier rooms are booked (they don't even sell the no-view rooms unless they're all booked, or very close to capacity). You could also pay the points+cash for a harbour view room, to guarantee some view, although of course, this costs cold hard cash.

But IMO it depends on what you want out of the hotel - if you're only going to be in and around the hotel, the PH has an awesome rooftop, the rooms are fantastic and the service is also great - would probably lean towards the PH. The HR is very much a conference hotel - solid, unspectacular, and is priced as such. It's in a good-enough spot for sightseeing though, so if you're going to be out of the hotel a lot, I'd personally go for the HR and use a club access award.

Of course, YMMV - and there's not really a wrong choice!