Europe

Best Hyatt hotels to use a Free Night Certificate in 2025

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If you have a Category 1–4 Hyatt free night certificate and are wondering where to use it, this guide has you covered. We’ve rounded up the best Hyatt hotels to use your free night certificate in 2025, including family-friendly resorts, boutique city stays, and hidden gems, each falling within Hyatt’s Category 1–4 limit.

Whether you’re eyeing Lisbon, Hawaii, Mexico City, or a storybook castle in Scotland, these hotels deliver exceptional value and unforgettable experiences. From personal picks like Hyatt Regency Tamaya to European favorites like Hyatt Regency Lisbon and Schloss Roxburghe, these are the stays that make your certificate feel like a true reward.

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Cocorico Porto review: a family-friendly boutique hotel in Porto, Portugal

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Last October, we spent two nights in Porto as part of our week-long trip through Portugal. In this Cocorico Porto review, I’m sharing the family-friendly hotel we found right in the city center, one that could actually sleep all four of us in a single room, not easy to find in Europe.

Cocorico Porto, a charming Mr & Mrs Smith property, checked all the boxes: a spacious room, walkable location, and breakfast included.

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Perfect 2-day itinerary in Porto, Portugal for first-time visitors

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Planning a quick trip to Porto, Portugal? This 2-day itinerary includes all the top things to do in Porto, from iconic bridges and river views to port tastings and tiled churches. Whether you’re traveling with kids or as a couple, here’s how to spend 48 hours in one of Portugal’s most charming cities.

We recently spent two nights in Porto and were immediately drawn in by its colorful buildings, steep cobbled lanes, and riverside energy. Porto is easy to navigate, full of history, and packed with delicious food, perfect for a short city break.

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Air France Business Class Flight Review, Paris to Los Angeles

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Air France Business Class should be on your list if you’re searching for a comfortable way to fly from Europe to the U.S. West Coast—especially with kids. We recently flew from Barcelona to Los Angeles via Paris in Air France’s Business Class as a family of four and had an amazing experience from start to finish.

With two full business class flights, airport lounge access, lie-flat seats, thoughtful service, it was the perfect ending to our spring break in Spain. In this Air France Business Class flight review, I’ll cover everything from booking with miles to dining, seats, entertainment, and what it’s like to fly Air France Business Class with kids on the long-haul Paris to Los Angeles route aboard the Boeing 777-300.

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10 best things to do in Lisbon, Portugal with kids

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Looking for things to do in Lisbon with kids? Last October, our family spent a week exploring Portugal’s vibrant capital, and we were surprised by just how kid-friendly this historic city is.

From riding vintage trams through hilly neighborhoods to climbing castle towers and indulging in delicious pastéis de nata, Lisbon is packed with fun for all ages. Here’s our ultimate guide to the top 10 family-friendly activities, complete with tips to help you plan your Lisbon adventure.

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Hyatt Regency Lisbon Review: a family stay in Portugal’s capital

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Planning a family trip to Portugal and searching for a luxurious yet practical place to stay? Welcome to the Hyatt Regency Lisbon review you’ve been looking for. Last October, our family spent a few days exploring the vibrant city of Lisbon and chose to stay at this modern Hyatt property, and it turned out to be an excellent base for both relaxing and sightseeing.

Located in the riverside Belém district, Hyatt Regency Lisbon is a Category 4 World of Hyatt hotel offering 204 spacious, contemporary rooms and suites, some with private balconies and sweeping views of the Tagus River. Whether you’re traveling with kids or on a couples’ getaway, the hotel’s upscale amenities, walkable location, and family-friendly vibe make it a top contender for your Lisbon itinerary.

In this post, we’re diving into all the details, from booking on points to room features, dining, and what makes this property a standout choice for travelers. Let’s get into the Hyatt Regency Lisbon review!

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Portugal travel guide: 10 essential tips for a first visit

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Our family of four recently spent a week exploring Portugal, and we quickly fell in love with its history, stunning landscapes, and food. From cobbled streets to dramatic coastal cliffs and charming plazas, Portugal offers an unforgettable mix of adventure and relaxation. If you’re planning your first trip to Portugal, here are 10 travel tips based on our experience to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Let’s dive in!

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Grand Hyatt Istanbul, the Hotel Review

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This summer, we spent a few weeks in Turkey, visiting the Mediterranean coast, hiking to the ruins of ancient cities, and exploring Istanbul. Istanbul is a large city, but if you stay on points, you probably want to choose a hotel within your preferred chain. We, as Hyatt loyalists, decided to try out the best of the Hyatt brands the city has to offer.

For our first three days in Istanbul, we stayed at Park Hyatt Istanbul (you can read about our stay at Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas here), then we ventured off on our road trip, and on the way back, we decided to try out another Hyatt hotel brand available in the city – Grand Hyatt Istanbul. It’s located in the heart of Istanbul, within minutes of Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, restaurants, and shops.

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Visiting Pamukkale, Türkiye, with kids

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This summer we spent a few weeks in Turkey exploring Istanbul, relaxing on the Mediterranean coast, and even taking a road trip through the country. We have already posted about our three-day road trip through Turkey (read about our Road Trip from Antalya to Istanbul here) where we shared how we planned our itinerary to include unique places to visit along the way.

This time we decided to put together a little post about Pamukkale since it was one of the most memorable places we have been to and the most often asked about among our friends 😊.

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Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas, the Hotel Review

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This summer we spent a few weeks in Turkey, and we absolutely fell in love with this country. We began our Turkish journey in Istanbul, one of the oldest and biggest cities in the world. We were happy to discover that Istanbul has several Hyatt properties, which not only meant that we could enjoy our stay in Istanbul for free (on points) but also would get exceptional service.

For our first 3 nights in Istanbul, we chose to stay at Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas. This hotel is located in the Nişantaşı district of the city, within the walking distance of Taksim Square, various restaurants and shops, and just a short ride to the historical part of Istanbul.

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