Hyatt Hotels is one of the most well-known hotel brands in the world today. The journey of Hyatt began in 1957 and grew steadily into a global hospitality company. If you want to understand how Hyatt started, who founded it, and how it expanded over the years, this guide explains everything in simple words.
How Hyatt Was Founded in 1957
Jay Pritzker founded Hyatt in 1957. He bought a small motel called Hyatt House, which was located near Los Angeles International Airport. At that time, Jay noticed that business travelers needed a place to stay close to airports for short trips. This simple idea became the foundation of Hyatt Hotels.
Over the next ten years, Jay and his brother Donald Pritzker worked together to grow the company. They used the experience and resources of the Pritzker family business to expand Hyatt.
Slowly, Hyatt transformed from a single motel into a hotel management and ownership company across North America.
Hyatt Becomes a Growing Company
Hyatt International was also founded in 1957 and later became a public company in 1968. In the years that followed, the Pritzker family decided to take control again. They took Hyatt Corporation private in 1979 and Hyatt International Corporation private in 1982.
By the end of 2004, the Pritzker family brought all their hospitality businesses together. This included Hyatt Corporation and Hyatt International Corporation. Today, all these businesses operate under one company known as Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
Who Was Jay Pritzker?
Jay Pritzker was the founder of Hyatt Hotels. He was born on August 26, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois. From a young age, he showed strong intelligence and ambition. His father, Abram Nicholas Pritzker, led the wealthy Pritzker family in the United States. Jay was one of his three sons.
Jay entered the University of Chicago at the age of just 14. Later, he earned both a law degree and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. Although law was the traditional family profession, Jay chose to follow a business path instead.
The Marmon Group and Early Business Success
In 1953, Jay and his brother Robert Pritzker started the Marmon Group. This group managed the Pritzker family’s investments. Over time, the Marmon Group invested in many industries, including manufacturing and transportation. This business experience helped Jay build Hyatt into a strong and successful brand.
Jay Pritzker’s Vision Behind Hyatt
In 1957, Jay was traveling for business in Los Angeles. He wanted to stay close to the airport but found that the nearest motel was full.
Instead of looking elsewhere, he decided to buy the motel. He made a deal with the owner, Hyatt von Dehn, and purchased the property for $2.2 million. That motel was Hyatt House.
Jay and Donald Pritzker then opened another Hyatt House near San Francisco International Airport. From there, they expanded Hyatt beyond California. They opened hotels near major airports and in city centers across the United States.
The Hyatt Regency Breakthrough
In 1967, Hyatt opened the Regency Hyatt House in Atlanta. This hotel introduced a bold new atrium design. Many people doubted the design at first.
Some even believed hot air would cause rain inside the atrium. Despite the doubts, the design became a huge success and later became a signature feature of Hyatt Regency hotels.
In 1969, Hyatt opened its first international hotel, the Hong Kong Hyatt Hotel, which is now known as Hyatt Regency Hong Kong.
Jay Pritzker’s Legacy
Jay Pritzker passed away on January 23, 1999. At that time, he and his brother Robert had built a fortune estimated at around $13.5 billion. Jay left behind a strong legacy in both business and architecture.
His legacy includes the Pritzker Architectural Prize, which awards $100,000 every year to outstanding architects. Another tribute to his influence is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park, which was completed in 2004.
Hyatt as a Public Company
Hyatt Hotels Corporation is now a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol H. Today, Hyatt manages more than 900 hotels across 65 countries.
Its portfolio includes popular brands such as Hyatt House, Hyatt Regency, Park Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Thomas Pritzker, the son of Jay Pritzker, currently serves as the chairman of the company.
A Timeline of Hyatt’s Growth
- 1957: Jay Pritzker bought Hyatt House near LAX
- 1967: First Hyatt Regency opened in Atlanta
- 1969: Hyatt Regency Hong Kong became the first international hotel
- 1972: Central reservations office opened in Omaha with a toll-free number
- 1980: Grand Hyatt New York and Park Hyatt Chicago opened
- 1987: Hyatt Gold Passport loyalty program launched
- 1995: Hyatt entered vacation ownership with Hyatt Sunset Harbor
- 2006: Hyatt Place brand launched and Summerfield Suites acquired
- 2007: Andaz brand debuted in London
- 2009: Hyatt listed on the NYSE
- 2011: Hyatt Thrive corporate responsibility platform launched
- 2013: Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara all-inclusive brands introduced
- 2015: Hyatt Centric brand launched
- 2016: The Unbound Collection by Hyatt introduced
- 2017: World of Hyatt loyalty program launched
- 2018: World of Hyatt Credit Card launched and Two Roads Hospitality acquired
- 2019: Caption by Hyatt and UrCove brands announced
- 2020: Hyatt partnered with Headspace for global wellbeing
- 2021: Hyatt acquired Apple Leisure Group
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who founded Hyatt Hotels?
Jay Pritzker founded Hyatt Hotels in 1957.
2. Where did the first Hyatt hotel open?
The first Hyatt hotel, Hyatt House, opened near Los Angeles International Airport.
3. When did Hyatt become a public company?
Hyatt became a public company in 2009 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
4. What is Jay Pritzker best known for?
Jay Pritzker is best known for founding Hyatt Hotels and establishing the Pritzker Architectural Prize.
5. How many hotels does Hyatt manage today?
Hyatt manages over 900 hotels across more than 65 countries.
6. Who is the current chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation?
Thomas Pritzker, Jay Pritzker’s son, is the current chairman.
This history shows how a single motel purchase grew into one of the world’s most respected hotel brands through vision, innovation, and long-term planning.
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