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HYATT TO RE-FLAG AVIA HOTELS IN NAPA AND SAVANNAH TO THE ANDAZ BRAND IN SUMMER 2012

CHICAGO (March 8, 2012) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that in summer 2012, the Avia hotels in Napa, Calif. and Savannah, Ga. will be re-flagged as Andaz Napa and Andaz Savannah, respectively, bringing the total number of hotels in the Andaz brand to eight. The opening of Andaz Amsterdam, Prinsengracht the ninth Andaz hotel, is expected to follow shortly thereafter.  Local architecture and design firms will work to showcase the surrounding areas through their design of the Andaz Lounge in both the Napa and Savannah hotels.

“Andaz provides exceptional experiences in refined, yet casual hotel environments, which are have unique touches and a modern, simple approach to service and style. Andaz hotels are a distinctive part of the neighborhoods in which they’re located, and the addition of these two hotels to Napa and Savannah will be a great complement to the growing number of hotels in places where our guests want to travel,” said Chuck Floyd, chief operating officer, North America, Hyatt Hotels Corporation.   

Andaz Napa, California

Prior to its conversion to an Andaz hotel, California architecture and design firm Bishop Pass will complete some renovations to Avia Napa. When it is reflagged in a few months, the first Andaz hotel in Northern California will offer 141 rooms and suites in the revitalized “West End” district of downtown Napa. Bringing the outdoors in, all of Andaz Napa’s guestrooms will offer modern furnishings in an earthy color palette, complementing the surrounding landscape. Bathrooms will sparkle in white marble and feature walk-in showers and waterfall shower heads. Guests will also enjoy complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages in their room throughout their stay. And as with all Andaz hotels, guests of Andaz Napa will be greeted by hosts in the Andaz Lounge upon arrival, who will accommodate, guide and assist travelers throughout their stay.  Also, in keeping with the Andaz brand, the renovation of the hotel’s lobby to a lounge will pay tribute to the local area with its design inspired by the region.

The hotel’s signature restaurant and bar will showcase a “Napa-to-table” philosophy, sourcing its produce directly from Northern California ranches, orchards, mills and farms that built the valley into what it is today while dishes will focus on heritage cooking techniques and flavor combinations suited to modern day palates. To accompany the menu, the restaurant will offer a selection of high-end and boutique wines from the Napa and Sonoma regions.

Events and meetings at Andaz Napa will be made to order and can accommodate groups of up to 130 in three versatile venues, complemented by inventive, locally-inspired cuisine. Other hotel amenities at Andaz Napa will include a 24-hour fitness center and a rotating art gallery showcasing works made by local artists.

Andaz Savannah, Georgia
As with the soon-to-be reflagged Avia Napa, Avia Savannah will also have some renovations completed – in this location local architect and designer, Gonzalez Architects, will help the hotel complete its transformation to Andaz Savannah. The hotel is located on the southeast U.S. coast, situated in the heart of downtown Savannah, just steps away from City Market, shopping on the renowned Broughton Street, and fantastic nightlife venues.

Offering 151 guestrooms, Andaz Savannah rooms and suites will offer contemporary furnishings and modern bathrooms, and travelers will delight in the variety of complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments offered in-room during their stay. And like Andaz Napa, guests will be greeted by local hosts that will also assist guests with concierge services, like booking a city walking tour, directing travelers to the newest emerging artist installation, or organizing transportation.

The restaurant at Andaz Savannah will serve a market to table menu with a low country flare. Coupled with the staff’s warm hospitality and new south sophistication, Andaz Savannah will create an inspiring experience for guests, business travelers and  local community members alike. Andaz Savannah’s meeting and event planners will assist in organizing weddings, boardroom meetings, and special events for groups of up to 250.  Featuring 2,675 sq ft of studio meeting space, and three distinct and versatile venues, Andaz Savannah will accommodate an impressive array of small meeting and event needs.

Rounding out the hotel’s amenities will be a 24-hour fitness center, and rotating art shows that feature works produced by local artists, including those from the renowned Savannah College of Art and Design.

Andaz Brand Programs

Hyatt’s Andaz brand has earned a devout following among global travelers since its introduction in 2007, and has developed a reputation for delivering opportunities for guests and neighbors to engage in creative inspiration, most recently with the launch of the Andaz Salon series. A regular series of events and discussions held at every Andaz hotel under the guidance of a unique event host, the Andaz Salon gives guests an experience of seeing the local scene through the eyes of leading cultural arbiters.

Both new Andaz hotels in Napa and Savannah will also be incorporated into the Andaz Salon series, and these hotels’ program details will be available later this year at www.andaz.com.

Additionally, once they are reflagged, both Andaz Napa and Savannah hotels will participate in the Andaz brand initiative with Women for Women International announced this week.  The collaboration is rooted in Hyatt’s corporate responsibility platform, Hyatt Thrive, which focuses on helping associates, their families, and neighbors in local communities thrive through economic development and investment, as well as education and personal advancement. The initiative provides community members in war-torn countries with the tools and resources they need to reach their fullest potential and rebuild their societies. Through Women for Women International, Andaz is assisting to provide skills, training and income for women who will produce special laundry bags for all guestrooms at Andaz hotels around the world. The bags will be available to guests for items they want sent out to be dry cleaned, laundered or pressed. These bags are a welcome addition to the other initiatives from emerging artisans featured at Andaz hotels.

About Andaz

Global in scale while local in perspective, Andaz delivers an innovative hospitality experience and attentive, uncomplicated service designed to accommodate guests’ personal preferences. Hotels in this unique collection reflect the spirit of their locale and are dedicated to creating natural and vibrant living spaces where travelers can indulge in their own personal sense of comfort and style. With locations in London, New York, San Diego, West Hollywood, and recently, Shanghai, the brand is gaining a foothold in the key gateway cities where its guests travel. Additional Andaz hotels are under development in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Papagayo, Costa Rica; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; Delhi, India; Sanya Sunny Bay, China; and Maui, Hawaii. For more information and reservations, visit www.andaz.com.

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About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome.Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company’s subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt HouseTM brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt House is changing its brand identity from Hyatt Summerfield Suites®. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt ResidencesTM and Hyatt Vacation Club®, which is changing its name to Hyatt Residence ClubTM. As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s worldwide portfolio consisted of 483 properties in 45 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements include statements about our plans, strategies, financial performance, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict.  As a result, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions.  Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain.  Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, general economic uncertainty in key global markets, the rate and pace of economic recovery following economic downturns; levels of spending in business and leisure segments as well as consumer confidence; declines in occupancy and average daily rate; hostilities, including future terrorist attacks, or fear of hostilities that affect travel; travel-related accidents; changes in the tastes and preferences of our customers; relationships with associates and labor unions and changes in labor law; the financial condition of, and our relationships with, third-party property owners, franchisees and hospitality venture partners; risk associated with potential acquisitions and dispositions and the introduction of new brand concepts; changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets where we operate; outcomes of legal proceedings; changes in federal, state, local or foreign tax law; foreign exchange rate fluctuations or currency restructurings; general volatility of the capital markets and our ability to access the capital markets. A more complete description of these risks and uncertainties can be found in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws.  If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

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Lori Alexander
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
+1 312 780 5709
lori.alexander@hyatt.com