Hyatt Hotels Corporation is a key player in the global hospitality industry with a rich history that dates back to 1957. Founded by Jay Pritzker, the company began with the purchase of the Hyatt House motel located near Los Angeles International Airport. This modest acquisition marked the foundation of a leading hotel chain that became known for its commitment to quality and service.
A significant aspect of its brand identity is its logo, which has undergone a few changes over the decades. These reflect changes in design trends and the evolving vision of the company. This article explores the history and evolution of the Hyatt logo and details its various iterations and the symbolism behind them.
The Genesis of the Hyatt Hotel Logo (1957 – 1990)
The original Hyatt logo was introduced in 1957 and remained in use until 1990. It featured a monochrome design with a bold sans-serif wordmark. The logo displayed “Hyatt” prominently, with “Hotels & Resorts” positioned alongside and separated by a circular emblem. This emblem depicted a four-petal flower in white on a black background to symbolise hospitality and refinement. At the core of this four-petal flower were four protruding semicircles. The simplicity and elegance of this design conveyed the brand’s commitment to quality service and sophistication.
(1990 – 2013)
In 1990, Hyatt updated its logo to reflect a more contemporary identity. This redesign featured the brand name in a sleek sans-serif typeface in deep blue. It came with a distinctive feature: the letter “A” in “Hyatt” was enlarged and crossed by a thin red arch. This arch symbolised a bridge connecting Hyatt’s rich history with its future aspirations and represented the bond between the brand and its customers. The new design aimed to infuse modernity while maintaining the essence of luxury associated with Hyatt.
(2013 – Today)
The most recent redesign occurred in 2013, wherein subtle yet impactful changes were brought to the logo. The colour palette shifted to a lighter blue combined with white to enhance freshness and modernity. The typography was slightly bolder, which reinforced Hyatt’s image as a reliable and innovative brand. This logo iteration continued to emphasise trust and professionalism and ensured the logo remained visually appealing and relevant in an ever-evolving market.
The Elements of the Hyatt Hotel Logo
Font
The original emblem featured a custom typeface distinguished by its unique round “O,” an open “R,” and a non-standard “H” with a lowered horizontal line. The remaining letters were designed in a conventional flat grotesque style. Following the redesign, the logo adopted a font similar to Optima.
Colour
The corporate colour palette initially comprised black for the letters and icons, set against a white background. However, the logo underwent a significant transformation, becoming much more vibrant with the introduction of dark blue and red. These colours have since been replaced with a new shade of blue.
The History of Hyatt Hotel
The inception of Hyatt Hotel has an interesting tale to begin with. The story goes that in September 1957, the founder, Jay Pritzker, noticed a gap in the market for high-quality accommodations near airports during a business trip to Los Angeles. After discovering that the nearest motel was fully booked, he struck a deal with its owner, Hyatt Von Dehn, to purchase the property for $2.2 million. This motel, known as Hyatt House, laid the foundation for the Hyatt brand.
With the help of his brother Donald Pritzker and other family members, Jay expanded the Hyatt brand rapidly. Within two years, they opened additional Hyatt House motels near San Francisco International Airport and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. The strategic focus on locations near the airport catered to business travellers and helped position Hyatt favourably in the growing travel market.
In 1962, Hyatt Corporation went public and cemented its status as a major player in hotel management and ownership. The company continued to innovate and expand its offerings. In 1967, it opened the Regency Hyatt House in Atlanta, Georgia, which featured a revolutionary atrium design. This became a hallmark for all Hyatt Regency hotels thereafter.
The company ventured into international markets in 1969 with the opening of its first overseas property, the Hong Kong Hyatt Hotel (now known as Hyatt Regency Hong Kong). This move marked the beginning of Hyatt’s global expansion strategy.
All through the 1970s and 1980s, Hyatt diversified its portfolio by establishing various brands and acquiring other properties. In 1972, it formed Elsinore Corporation to manage casino operations. However, there were challenges during this period, which included a tragic incident in 1981 when two skywalks collapsed at the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel. This led to significant loss of life.
In response to the changing market conditions and internal strategies, the Pritzker family decided to take both Hyatt Corporation and its international counterpart private in 1979 and 1982, respectively. This move allowed for greater flexibility in management and operations.
In the early 2000s, Hyatt continued to grow through acquisitions, which included AmeriSuites (later rebranded as Hyatt Place) in 2004 and Summerfield Suites (now known as Hyatt House) in 2005. The Pritzker family consolidated various brands under one umbrella—Hyatt Hotels Corporation—by the end of 2004 to maintain their legacy in hospitality.
In recent years, Hyatt has expanded its footprint significantly and boasts over 1,050 properties across more than 68 countries. The brand now encompasses various hotel categories, such as Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Andaz, and Hyatt Regency, among others.
Interesting Facts About Hyatt Hotels
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation was founded in 1957 by Jay Pritzker when he purchased the Hyatt House motel near Los Angeles International Airport.
- In 1969, Hyatt opened its first international hotel in Hong Kong, named the Hong Kong Hyatt Hotel (now Hyatt Regency Hong Kong). This marked the start of Hyatt’s global expansion strategy.
- The first Hyatt Regency hotel, opened in 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia, was known for its futuristic atrium design, which became a signature feature for many Hyatt properties. Designed by architect John Portman, this hotel set a new standard for modern hotel architecture.
- The Hyatt Regency Kansas City experienced one of the worst engineering disasters in U.S. history on July 17, 1981, when two suspended walkways collapsed during a dance party. This resulted in the deaths of 114 people and injuring over 200. This tragedy led to significant changes in engineering and safety regulations within the hospitality industry.
- As of January 2025, Hyatt operates over 1,350 hotels across 69 countries. The brand encompasses a wide range of hotel categories, including luxury (Park Hyatt), upscale (Hyatt Regency), and select-service (Hyatt Place and Hyatt House) properties.
- Hyatt has been at the forefront of innovation in hospitality. Recently, it converted nine of its hotels into innovation labs to better understand consumer behaviour and enhance guest experiences.
- Hyatt Hotels also introduced several firsts to the hospitality industry. These include computerised reservations and air-conditioned lobbies to enhance guest comfort.
- Hyatt offers a loyalty program wherein guests are given exclusive benefits that are one of the best in the industry.
- Hyatt has consistently been recognised as one of the best companies to work for by Fortune Magazine. This reflects its commitment to employee satisfaction and corporate culture.
- In recent years, Hyatt has expanded its portfolio through several acquisitions, including Two Roads Hospitality in 2018 and Apple Leisure Group in 2021.
- Many Hyatt hotels feature unique dining experiences with multiple restaurants offering diverse cuisines. For example, the Spice Haat restaurant at Hyatt Regency Chennai includes five interactive kitchens specialising in different Indian culinary genres.
- Hyatt is committed to sustainability and has implemented various programs aimed at reducing its environmental impact. These include energy-efficient practices and waste reduction initiatives across its properties.
Finally
The Hyatt logo reflects changes in design aesthetics and the commitment of the company to maintaining a strong brand identity that is rooted in luxury and hospitality. Each logo iteration has built upon the last to ensure Hyatt remains synonymous with high-quality service while adapting to modern expectations.