A First Look at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale

As our 20th wedding anniversary was fast approaching, we knew we wanted to travel somewhere special. And yes, the kids are coming along, too! One place we haven't traveled as a family is to Arizona. The mountains, rocks, and cacti were calling my name. Of course, August in Arizona isn't everyone's idea to beat the heat in the middle of monsoon season. But I was determined to do it and found the perfect resort to enjoy indoor and outdoor activities. With luxury suites, fine dining, TEN! swimming pools, a gorgeous lake, golf course, mountain views and more, I looked no further than Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch for our first visit to Arizona.   

Detailed Review of Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort

Here are a few of my favorite features of the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale resort as listed from their website:

• 493 Spacious remodeled guestrooms and suites, including private casitas
• Regency Club®
• Resort shops
• Spa Avania
• 24 hour StayFit gym
• 2.5-acre water playground
• Pet-friendly accommodations
• Adventure Activity Planning on site
• On-Site car Rental
• Camp Hyatt
• Nightly Live Entertainment
• 27 holes of championship golf
• Tennis
• Native American cultural experiences
• Chipping and Putting Green Access
• 28’High Rock Climbing Wall
• Gondola rides​

After seeing all of these amenities, we were SO excited to arrive.

The first step in the lobby welcomes you to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Let's Check In

We checked into a gorgeous Signature Suite...it's perfect for a busy family with teenagers. This suite offers connectors as a two-room suite with one bedroom (either a king bed or two queen beds) or a three-room suite, with two bedrooms. We always like having a separate bedroom option so that we can shower and dress in privacy. It also includes a spacious living room with pullout sofa, generous dining area with a large table for six people, plus a wet bar (drink refrigerator, oven, and Keurig® coffee maker) AND each room has it's own bathroom! I was thrilled with the openness of the suite and of course, my boys loved the comfortable sofa to stretch out on in front of the huge television. Each room has direct access to a balcony. Even though it's hot outside, the balcony is a perfect spot to star gaze at night or enjoy dessert and a cocktail. ​

​The southwest style and colors of the decor are so welcoming. This is really Arizona and a fabulous first impression!

It's as comfortable as it looks. Watch television or open the blinds for a lush, landscaped view.

Have a seat on the enormous sofa, at the dining room table or bar.

There is plenty of room to enjoy a tasty bite or full meal.

Two Queen Bed Room

One King Bed Room

Take a video tour...

Let's Eat

​SWB, a southwest bistro

Open and inviting, this is an excellent first taste of Arizona. You'll be mesmerized by the view of cactus landscaped grounds while enjoying a Southwest inspired meal. After a long day of traveling, we were ravenous and wanted to try everything on the Hyatt's SWB bistro dinner menu.

This vibrant atmosphere is a great place for every meal or just to stop in for a light snack.

Warmed chips are delicate with a huge crunch. Delicious!

Don't miss the fresh made guacamole.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Jicama Slaw

Roasted Rack of Lamb with Butternut Squash and Bacon

SWB at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort also serves breakfast and lunch daily. Their extensive breakfast menu is a tasty start to the day.  

Belgian Waffle with Orange Mascarpone

Buttermilk Pancakes (kicked up with Vanilla Maple Syrup)

​Alto ristorante e bar

Tucked away, this dazzling space at the Hyatt Scottsdale is home to Italian specialties using fresh pasta, local meats and produce, and features heavenly desserts. Our evening was in celebration of our anniversary and gondola was the theme!

Who would have thought you could be serenaded in a gondola on a lake in the desert? Not me! But it's true. After an authentic ​Italian meal, celebrate the evening with a gondola ride expertly maneuvered by an experienced gondolier.

A loaf of fresh bread and butter or olive oil is a great start to dinner.

Tagliatelle with Shrimp and Italian Sausage

Duck Breast with Sour Cherries

Linguine with Mussels (the fresh pasta melts in your mouth!)

"Gondalina" Vanilla Creme Brulee

Center Stage Bar

I just love it here! Offering a broad selection of hand crafted cocktails, wine, beer, and light fare, Center Stage Bar is a fun place to take in the energetic vibe of the resort. At night, sip a drink while listening to live music in the adjoining lobby. Relax and disconnect, or if you want to connect, they have chargers by each seat (and even a place to hang your purse!) They think of everything.

In the afternoon until late at night, this is a lively scene!

Chargers and hooks under the bar.

Regency Club®

The Regency Club® lounge at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort is spectacular. Available to guests who stay in a Regency Club® room or are a high tier World of Hyatt Loyalty Club member, it's a wonderful place to enjoy light food presentations and snacks throughout the day. It's definitely worth upgrading to this level when traveling with a family. 

​My personal favorite things about having access to the Regency Club® include:​

• ​Easily drop in with the kids to grab a snack or drink. They have a large refrigerator stocked with non-alcoholic bottled beverages or grab a glass of fresh chilled lemonade or ice tea. This helps to ensure you stay hydrated...think less cranky!
• It offers both plush indoor and outdoor spaces. Leave the kids behind and sit in the "Adults Only" section to quietly relax. Or step outside on the private outside patio to sit back and watch Koi swimming in the pond. 
• It's not just your standard continental breakfast. Each day, a hot specialty is offered at breakfast and also for evening hors d'oeuvres. My favorites were the breakfast sandwiches - delicious!

Another great spot to relax or play a game of pool in front of the Regency Club.

Choose a comfortable lounge seat or dining table inside.

Don't miss the homemade cookies...so good!

Of course, if you are tired from your busy day exploring the Hyatt Scottsdale Resort or the surrounding Scottsdale and Phoenix areas, take your shoes off and enjoy the most amazing selections from the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort Room Service Dining Menu delivered right to your room or suite.

Let's Get Active

With so many fun activities offered, you'll be inspired to be active. We aren't typically that active at home but there is so much to do at Hyatt Scottsdale. Of course, we had to slowly transition into this new, active lifestyle. So a day at the pool with a cabana sounded great! 

They offer two types of cabanas, a spacious covered cabana or a family cabana. We had a family cabana, complete with lounge chairs, water misters, sofa, table, television, refrigerator filled with bottled water, and a cabinet to store all of our valuables. It was PERFECT! If you want to enjoy the pool and stay out of the heat, you'll love this. We even enjoyed a delicious lunch served from poolside H2Oasis while we ate in the shade in our little piece of paradise.    ​​

Our Family Cabana.

Comfy loungers to get either sun or shade.

And the pools! With a 30 foot 3-story waterslide, 10 pools and even more waterfalls and fountains, you won't ever want to leave. Water coolers are located throughout the pool deck, along with towels. 

Meticulous landscaping is found throughout the resort. Every area is perfect!

I love the calming steps of this pool feature.

It's fast and fun! Kids and adults will love this water slide.

Throughout the resort are lovely ponds and fruit trees.

You'll find smaller pools to swim laps or just for relaxing.

Spa, Golf, Tennis and More

Spa Avania at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa offers luxurious treatments and services. It's the perfect place to rejuvenate after a lively tennis match or golf game. 

Spa Avania Entrance

Soothing water sculpture bubbles in the spa lobby.

Golf Course View

Tennis Courts

The culture comes to you! Enjoy Native American presentations or a delightful meet-up with a Harris's Hawk who visits frequently and loves to pose for photos. Falconry expert Joe is informative about birds and other wildlife that frequent the deserts of Arizona. ​

YES! Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa is as magnificent as it looks. We loved touring Scottsdale, Arizona and the surrounding areas during our stay. Although sometimes, we didn't even want to leave the resort. From the decor inside and out, the outstanding restaurants, and the fantastic activities available, the Arizona experience is everywhere. I highly recommend you check it out for yourself - I'm sure that you will love it as much as we did!  

​Disclaimer: I was graciously hosted by Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa for two nights of accommodations during our stay, as well as given access to the Regency Club Lounge. As always, all opinions are completely my own based on our experiences.  ​

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort for Family Travel

See where we went while visiting!