If you’re a Hyatt fan, there’s a fun ongoing promotion called Brand Explorer. Every time you stay at a new Hyatt brand, you get closer to earning a free Category 1–4 night certificate. For every five unique Hyatt brands you stay at, you receive one free night, up to a total of five free nights. It’s a great way to try out different styles of properties while earning something along the way.
We’ve written about the details of Brand Explorer and how to track your progress.
Not All Hyatt Brands Are Created Equal
Over the past decade, Hyatt has steadily expanded its portfolio—sometimes by creating new brands, such as Caption or Studios, and at other times by acquiring lifestyle and all-inclusive names, including Miraval and The Standard. While Hyatt has integrated some acquisitions into existing brands, others—such as Alila, Miraval, and The Standard—have retained their unique identities within the World of Hyatt umbrella.
As of now, Hyatt lists 34 different brands that count toward Brand Explorer. Some of them are incredibly easy to find:
- Hyatt Place – Available in most U.S. cities and near airports
- Hyatt Regency – Often found in business districts and airport hubs
- Grand Hyatt – A step up from Regency, usually in major cities or large resorts
But others? You’ll either have to get lucky or plan a trip specifically to stay there.
The Rarest Hyatt Brands (As of June 2025)
Here are the Hyatt brands with the fewest open properties worldwide—and why they might be especially tough to cross off your list:
- Hyatt Hotels – 15
(The original flagship brand, now overshadowed by Regency and Grand Hyatt—harder to find in newer markets) - The Standard – 9
(A boutique lifestyle brand acquired in 2024, with properties only in select cities like Bangkok, Ibiza, and New York) - Me and All Hotels – 8
(A stylish boutique brand found only in Germany and Switzerland, so unless you’re heading to cities like Düsseldorf or Mainz, this one’s tough) - Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts – 7
(Luxury all-inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean with a wellness angle—not your typical weekend getaway) - Caption by Hyatt – 5
(A younger brand that’s slowly expanding—current locations include Memphis and Shanghai) - Breathless Resorts & Spas – 5
(Adults-only, party-centric all-inclusives in beach destinations—you’re unlikely to stumble upon one by accident) - Miraval – 3
(All-inclusive wellness resorts that are high-end, adults-only, and located in niche markets like Tucson and the Berkshires) - Hyatt Studios – 3
(Extended-stay hotels in smaller U.S. cities—useful for certain types of travel, but limited so far) - Impression by Secrets – 2
(Ultra-luxury all-inclusives in Mexico—amazing if you go, but not exactly a casual addition to your Hyatt collection) - Hyatt Vivid – 2
(Adults-only, experience-focused resorts currently only in Mexico—still ramping up) - The StandardX – 2
(An experimental offshoot of The Standard—hip, rare, and limited to just a couple of cities) - UrCove by Hyatt – 30+
(Technically not rare in number, but exclusively located in China—if you don’t travel there, this brand will remain out of reach)
So What’s the Hardest Brand to Hit?
It depends on how you define “hard.” If you go purely by numbers, the toughest brands to check off are:
- Impression by Secrets – 2
- Hyatt Vivid – 2
- The StandardX – 2
But if we factor in accessibility and location, a few others deserve honorable mentions:
- Miraval has only three resorts and targets a specific (and pricey) wellness market—great if that’s your thing, but not an easy checkmark.
- Me and All Hotels are only in Germany and Switzerland. If your travel is U.S.-centric, it’s unlikely you’ll cross this off without a dedicated European trip.
- UrCove by Hyatt has more than 30 properties—but they’re all in China. For many travelers, that makes it the most logistically difficult brand to complete.
So whether it’s limited availability, remote locations, or niche appeal, several brands may stand between you and a full 34-brand badge.
Final Thought
Hyatt’s Brand Explorer is one of the more fun perks in the World of Hyatt program—it’s like a scavenger hunt for travelers. However, while some brands are almost impossible to avoid, others require serious planning, deep pockets, or a very specific travel style.
If you’re chasing that fifth free night, these rare brands might be the ones standing between you and a Category 1–4 certificate. Happy exploring!
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