- The Hyatt Hotels Corporation has 1,175 hotels in more than 70 countries across six continents.
- Some of these, like the Hyatt Regency in Cape Town and Johannesburg, are familiar to South Africans.
- But in a first for the country and the continent, Hyatt House, the company's extended-stay brand, launched in Sandton on Tuesday.
- The 62-room property at 125 Ann Crescent caters to overnighters and long-term guests.
- Suites feature fully equipped kitchens, and the aparthotel even has a 24-hour convenience store.
Hyatt House launched its latest development in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, marking the brand's first aparthotel move in Africa.
The Hyatt Hotels Corporation, founded more than 60 years ago, has almost 2,000 properties in more than 70 countries across six continents. The multinational hospitality giant recently completed the acquisition of Apple Leisure Group (ALG), doubling its global resorts footprint and expanding into new European markets.
And while the AGL deal, with its profitable European access, dominated headlines on Tuesday, Hyatt also unveiled a first for its African operations in Johannesburg.
Hyatt already had a presence in South Africa, with its luxury hotel brand Hyatt Regency in Cape Town and Johannesburg, together with resorts in Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay. But the company's extended-stay brand, Hyatt House, launched exactly a decade ago, has been missing from South Africa and the continent.
Hyatt House offers apartment hotels – or aparthotels – which feature traditional hotel rooms and residential suites. These suites are equipped with kitchens, working spaces, spacious bedrooms, and bathrooms, catering for long-term stays and to guests needing added levels of comfort and convenience.
"We all understand the last two years have been extremely difficult for the hospitality industry, but in light of the difficulties, we are excited more than ever for the rebound," Hotel Manager Atef Soliman told Business Insider South Africa.
"In the last few months, there has been a positive trend around hospitality and tourism in general, clients are craving to get back to what they once enjoyed. The arrival of the Hyatt House brand in South Africa will provide guests the perfect transition between working from home and getting back to the new normality of a flexible working environment."
Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton, located at 125 Ann Crescent in the city's leafy upmarket suburb, has 62 guestrooms, including 43 residentially inspired studios and 19 suites with separate living rooms.
The outdoor common area features a braai spot, woodfired pizza area, and treehouse house space adjacent to the pool. Inside, both long-stay and short-term guests can relax in the common lounge.
The Medley restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while the H BAR stays open all week offering liquor and snacks. The Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton also has a 24-hour gym and on-site market, "to meet the everyday needs of guests, from snacks and sundries to freshly prepared salads and sandwiches."
"We want each and every guest who comes through our doors to feel that they can let their real-life routines roll on, even when they're on the road," said Soliman.
"Whether guests are visiting for a short trip or an extended stay, we know Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton is the perfect place to offer a personalised hotel experience that will make everyone feel right at home."
One night's stay in the one king bed studio room starts from R1,060 as part of the "Grand Opening Offer", 20% less than the standard rate. Staying in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite starts from R1,700 under the promotional offer, but being a World of Hyatt Member affords the cheapest rate of R1,530.
(Compiled by Luke Daniel)
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