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We booked a stay using our free night with our Chase Hyatt credit card. We had an option to go all the way to San Diego, but this holiday season had been quite busy that we just needed a staycation and opted to drive no more than one hour from home. The Hyatt Place in Pasadena was our choice.
Why Pasadena?
We’ve always liked the vibe of the area. There are lots of outdoor stores, restaurants, and shops to visit. While we had no particular items to shop for, it was great to have the option to browse and hop from one store to the next.
Check-in Process
We arrived at the Hyatt Place shortly after 2pm. I didn’t realize how close it was to Colorado Blvd (where many of the shops and restaurants were located). It was also very near the Pasadena Auditorium. I remember watching Les Miserables in that theatre for the very first time in the early 90’s.
I didn’t know what to expect. I had this idea that it was just a teeny weeny little Hyatt somewhere in Pasadena. But to my surprise, it was a large hotel, with a drive up entry, underground parking, and very spacious lobby.
Alma and Paola assisted me during the check in process. I had booked a room with two double beds (thinking we’d have our kids with us). But since it was just me and Nancy, we were given a King Room with sofa bed, and a balcony. Their keycard machine was not working at the time, so we had to be escorted to our room.
I learned that this Hyatt Place in Pasadena just opened in December 2018, and at the time of our check in, they were just two days away from their first year anniversary.
What you need to know
Cost of our stay – we used our FREE night as offered by our World of Hyatt Card. If we paid cash, it would cost us $224 plus taxes (close to $260). If we used points, this Category 3 Hotel costs 12,000 points.
Complimentary Hot Breakfast – we are World of Hyatt members, we booked online, and we were given two free hot breakfast.
Cost during the days close to the Tournament of Roses Parade – New Year’s Eve
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$779-$899 per night
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12,000 points per night WOH
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Free night certificate (Category 3)
Onsite Parking – the cost to park onsite was $24 (with in and out privilege). As an alternative, you can park directly across the street (a parking structure), and pay $9. That’s what we did. It worked out well for us. The parking across the street offered free electric vehicle charging, perfect for our Tesla.
City of Pasadena Parking Structure right across the street
Swimming Pool & Gym – both were located onsite. I didn’t get to try them but it’s good to know they’re available for us.
Walking distance to many shopping and dining amenities – once you get out of the hotel, you are within a few blocks of many, many shops. I’m a foodie and focused on anything and everything that’s Japanese. We went to Motto Cafe for Japanese Fluffy Pancakes, Ramen Tatsunoya, and Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – it was an evening loaded with lots of strolling around Colorado Blvd.
Our room
As I mentioned earlier, we were given a King Room (corner room with pool view, and a balcony). You could really tell that the hotel was still new. The room was in tip top shop. Typical features included:
- TV
- Alarm Clock
- Coffee Maker
- Safe
- Office desk space
- Sofa bed
Other things worth noting? At 3pm, the hotel served chocolate chip cookies, coffee, and tea. This was located near the front desk. They also have a happy hour where the drinks and appetizers were at a discount, I believe it was half-off. I didn’t get to try this. The lobby was extremely roomy. There was a big workspace for anyone to do some last-minute work. I also saw a printer available for use.
Overall impression
I have to say that the staff made a big difference. Although there was an issue with the keycard machine, the staff (Alberto, Talin, and Paola) made an effort to walk us to our room and showed us the pool area (which was only accessible via a keycard). They made sure to take care of us during the time when we couldn’t get our keys. The situation was fixed within a couple of hours.
Anyone staying here would be glad to know that there are lots of of shopping and restaurants down Colorado Blvd. It’s also very close to Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena Playhouse, and Pasadena Auditorium. I would stay here again, perhaps find a way to book here in time for the Rose Parade.
How you could you stay here for free
There are many credit cards out there. For this particular stay at the Hyatt Place, we used our FREE night, a perk of the World of Hyatt Card by Chase. This was the card that got us FREE rooms:
- Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
- Park Hyatt Paris
- Park Hyatt Sydney
- Park Hyatt New York
- Hyatt Regency Mission Bay
- Presidential Suite upgrade at the Grand Hyatt Washington DC
World of Hyatt Credit Card (personal)
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
- Annual Fee $95
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
- Earn up to 75,000 points after spending $7,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Annual Fee $199
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Minimum spend of $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual fee $95
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Earn 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Minimum spend of $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual fee $550
Chase Ink Cash® Card
- Earn $750 bonus cash back
- Minimum spend of $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual fee $0
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- Earn $750 bonus cash back
- Minimum spend of $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual fee $0
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
- Minimum spend of $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual fee $95
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Earn $200 cash back
- Minimum spend of $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- Annual fee $0
Chase Freedom Flex®
- Earn $200 cash back
- Minimum spend of $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- Annual fee $0
NOTE: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.
I value my points earned with Chase. Here’s a write-up I wrote last year as to how we travel for nearly free (click here) with points earned with these credit cards.
For a listing of over 60 credit cards – click here for travel credit cards. I’ve also written this recently:
Lastly, here Reader Success Tales that I featured on my site.
- The Yamaguchi’s European Holiday Vacation
- Stephen & Fiona’s Aspirational Trip to Japan
- $80 Trip to Costa Rica for 2 – Vanessa’s Tale
- Traveling is not just for the rich – Iza’s $11 Trip to Hawaii
- Last-minute trip to Hawaii – Bryan & Emily’s Tale
- The Smith Sisters conquer New York City – Gina’s Tale
- Seeing the world through my children’s eyes – Maricar’s tale