“Hyad Park Hotel” – Ex-Hyatt Property in Tulsa Adopts Questionable Name Amid Mass Deflagging

In a hushed move that’s sending ripples through the hospitality realm, Hyatt seems to be quietly orchestrating a mass deflagging of properties, quietly ushering them out of the esteemed World of Hyatt program. While Hyatt maintains a stoic silence on the matter, word on the street suggests that franchisees of Hyatt-branded properties are facing a straightforward ultimatum from corporate: either get with the program and comply with Hyatt’s stringent brand standards (this usually means a partial or full remodel of the property), or get the heck out.

The message from Hyatt corporate is clear: Hyatt is no longer tolerating low-quality properties. Period. Play time is over. This strategic cleansing seems to be primarily targeting the “OG” Hyatt Place hotels, relics of the initial 2005 acquisition of AmeriSuites. Hyatt loyalists have long detested these legacy AmeriSuites properties, relics frozen in time since the Bush administration. Newer Hyatt Place properties, when purpose-built to be a Hyatt Place, are an excellent select-service choice when the property takes a backseat to the destination, and all you need is a clean, modern place to sleep and shower (or undertake a mattress run). These older “legacy” properties water down the brand in a significant way, and Hyatt is doing the right thing by cleaning house.

In a move that’s raising questions among eagle-eyed observers, one Hyatt Place property in Tulsa, OK, not only lost its coveted Hyatt affiliation, but took on a rather dubious moniker in its place. The former Hyatt Place Tulsa-South/Medical District at 7037 S. Zurich Avenue now seems to be calling itself the… wait for it… “Hyad Park Hotel.” I don’t live very far from the property, and at this moment it appears to be closed with the original Hyatt signage intact, but the questionable name already appears on Google Maps. If and when they install signage, I’ll be sure to go grab some pictures. “Hyad Park” sounds like a creative workaround for a movie director who couldn’t get permission to feature the Park Hyatt brand in their movie. Hyatt’s legal team is poised for a field day with what appears to be a blatant trademark infringement.

The state of Oklahoma has shed about half of its Hyatt properties sometime in the last four months or so, which points to a very abrupt and drastic deflagging operation. So far, we have lost all our legacy AmeriSuites properties, namely:

• Hyatt Place Tulsa-South/Medical District
• Hyatt Place Oklahoma City-Northwest
• Hyatt Place Oklahoma City Airport

We have gained one new property, the Fordson Hotel in Oklahoma City. While I haven’t had an opportunity to stay yet, it seems promising for a quick weekend staycation option.

Signs point to 2024 as the year Hyatt Place sheds its dated image, bidding adieu to many older properties, especially those lingering from the AmeriSuites era. It doesn’t seem like many of these properties are willing to remodel to brand standards, but did find one in Roanoke, VA that appears to be doing just that (ht Mike Jones). Surveying HDC’s development pipeline offers a glimmer of hope, with new select-service properties set to grace North America, potentially filling the void left by the departing legacy properties. Hopefully we get some more in Tulsa to fill the void left by the “Hyad Park,” as the one in question was a great mattress running opportunity for 3,500 points or < $80 most nights.

The critical challenge for Hyatt lies in fortifying its portfolio elsewhere. With Marriott, IHG, and Hilton boasting larger footprints, Hyatt’s limited number of properties and geographical footprint has always been its Achilles heel. In Europe, they’re doing this primarily doing this through acquisition, buying UK-based Mr. & Mrs. Smith and German hotel group Lindner Hotels. We’ll see if they can build properties here in the States fast enough to backfill their portfolio.